Seven candidates have applied to volunteer for three open positions on the Sun City Community Association of Huntley, Inc. Board of Directors.
The seven candidates are: Diane Hirshberg, Pat Bosi, Christine Such, Art Ryden, Barry Newman, Rita Schank and Bob Olesen. Ryden is the incumbent.
According to the Sun City Community Association of Huntley Governing Documents, there shall be: one vote per dwelling unit; and each homeowner will specify one individual to vote from each dwelling owned by the owner.
Voting ballots will be mailed to all members and delivered by Oct. 2. Ballots must be returned by US Mail to the election company by Oct. 16. New Board members will begin their term in January, 2024.
My Sun Day News forwarded surveys to each of the candidates. This edition, Newman, Such and Olesen are featured.
Barry Newman
Barry Newman is a candidate for the Sun City Homeowners Association Board of Directors.
Incumbent or challenger: challenger
How long Sun City resident: since Spring, 2018.
Main priorities if elected: I am committed to objectively identifying and furthering community best interests.
My goals for Sun City Homeowners Association Board of Directors: Prioritize board transparency and responsiveness; Board decisions based on best interests analysis; Board meeting video preserved for later viewing and Board accountability; Board meeting agendas supplemented with non-confidential attachments.
Also, implementation of current SCH Strategic Plan; Amenities, design guidelines and marketing brochure updates; 2024 management contract renewal process; golf course sale contingencies; community resources budgeted effectively and efficiently; and resume Coffee with the Board.
Together let’s make Sun City Huntley the best it can be.
Occupation, current or previous: associate, litigation law firm; Assistant Regional Counsel, United States Postal Service; Assistant Cook County Public Guardian; Regional Counsel, Illinois Department of Children & Family Services; Co-Founder, Coordinator, Children & Fathers Program, CEDA NW and private attorney, retired 2017.
Community involvement: Board member, president and vice president, Friedman Place Supportive Living Community, Chicago, 2010-2019; Mediation, trained in community, elder care, restorative justice, family mediation and compassionate listening; Family Council, founder/president nursing home family advocacy organization; four term Homeowners Association president, Lexington Fields South, Schaumburg; PADS homeless facility, Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates; Abraham Salon Co-Coordinator; Grafton Township Food Pantry current volunteer.
Sun City community involvement includes Pickleball Club member since 2018; Theater Club, 2019, The Odd Couple, female version; N24 Neighborhood Representative/ NAC member, 2020, 2021.
Immediate family: spouse Gloria, one son, one daughter.
Christine Such
Christine Such is a candidate for a Sun City Homeowners Association Board of Directors.
Incumbent or challenger: challenger
Years residing in Sun City: seven years in N26
Main priorities if elected: The two biggest challenges I believe the Community faces are the trust in the boardâs addressing residentsâ concerns and full transparency of the board, management, and all the committees.â¨I believe occasional informal âtown halls” between neighborhoods, management, and the Board would give residents an opportunity to interact with the board. Every neighborhood has unique issues important to them.
For example, the proposed townhome/apartment development that N7 had very real concerns.â¨I believe that training for board members should be by qualified certified educators in HOA Common Interest Laws, Roberts Rules of Order and techniques to conduct efficient productive meetings.â¨I believe video recordings of the board meetings should be stored and available for the community to view, along with the posting of detailed meeting notes with any attachments read or discussed at the meeting. I want to focus on the future, not what has been done in the past.
Occupation, current or previous: Graduated from Northwestern University and did graduate work in computer science and accounting. I am a retired CPA Tax Accountant. After retirement, I taught various computer classes for 10 years. Hired as a consultant for a Midwest Medical Company.
Community involvement: Currently, enjoy meeting and writing the stories of our Sun City residents and highlighting their talents and experiences for the My Sun Day paper Volunteer for church and school committees, PTA president. Girl Scout leader for seven years. Volunteered as a counselor for summer Girl Scout Camps. Chaired community programs such as Adopt-A-School and Milwaukeeâs STOP (Students Talking it Over with Police) Program.
Also, I am a member of the computer club, Sew n Sews, GG&Me, Easy Dance and Tennis Club. I am on the board of the Tennis and GG&ME clubs. In our neighborhood, I participate in social activities and I have been the chair of the N26 Picnic Committee for several years.
Immediate family: I have been married to my husband Ken for 50 years and we have 2 children who are both married and have given us four grandchildren ages 18 months to 12 years.
Bob Olesen
Bob Olesen is running for the Sun City Community Association Board of Directors.
Incumbent or challenger: challenger
Main priorities if elected: Residents do not feel their voice is being heard. Additionally, the decisions made by the board whether affirmative or negative rarely come with any explanation. People want to know what went into a decision especially when a major expenditure has been approved. I have plans that I would like to see implemented that would address these issues. Questions to the board are submitted in writing. However, answers if any at all are not public. We are doomed to keep addressing the same issue if no one knows the answer to the question sent in.
In today’s environment costs of everything are escalating rapidly. We must control expenses by thoroughly vetting vendors and insuring the best costs on contracts. I have a great amount of experience in that area.
We can all agree that most people chose Sun City to live because of the amenities. We must strive to insure we maintain those amenities and constantly be aware of things the public desires so that we can maintain our reputation for being a great active adult community. My wife and I travel to resorts and cruise several times a year where we meet active adults and feel that we have the pulse of the activities and amenities people like to see and use.
Immediate family/years living in Sun City: my wife Kay and I have lived in Sun City for nine years. We have two children, daughter Amanda and son Bob Jr. and three grandchildren. The grandchildren are the center of our lives, and we almost always take them on vacation when we go. My son is a very successful financial planner in Crystal Lake and my daughter owns a wonderful hair salon in Lincoln Park.
Community involvement: I currently am a member in four Charter clubs and was a treasurer for one of them. My wife and I avail ourselves of quite a number of amenities that are not part of the club and therefore know the value of them.
Profession â now or previous: I am currently retired but spent almost my entire working career in the financial services sector. I was a vice president or higher level for the last 33 years of my work life. I also owned my own mortgage company. I have been responsible for multi-million dollar budgets and have had over 350 employees working for me with two different companies.
