SLCC-SLA Response to Questions 7/28-8/09/26

Question:

First Service has to be fired. They are responsible for ruining Sun Lakes. First service either fired some our best restaurant employees or would not hire them back after the pandemic. That then hired some of the most incompetent restaurant employees I have ever seen. First Service doesn't care what Sun Lakers want or need, as demonstrated by ignoring phone calls or requests for service.

Response:

We can understand how you might hold the view you have, but it completely overlooks the Boards incompetence in effectively governing our HOA by establishing what is required of the management company in the first place.

If they do not hold FSR to appropriate agreed upon standards, what good will it do to replace them with yet another company whose agreement is as poorly constructed as the one with FSR, especially, when Troon has absolutely no CA HOA clients. In fact, they most frequently use FSR to manage the HOA of the Golf and Country clubs in their customer base in CA and AZ.

It is not about staying with FSR. We believe it should be about finding the best company to do the job for Sun Lakes and having a board that can hold the management company to an effective agreement. We believe that the previous two boards have been engaged in an inadequate process to do so.

We hope this clarifies our position for you.

Question:

Are you guys primarily libs or conservatives? Just be honest.

Response:

We are neither. Our group is comprised of residents focused solely on HOA accountability, fiscal responsibility, and proper governance at Sun Lakes Country Club. We are not driven by any political ideology, only by the goal of getting effective, transparent leadership for our community.

Question:

I'm wondering how you got all of the resident's email addresses?  Is this a normal practice that anyone can obtain this private information?

Response:

The email addresses were compiled by researching public records including the directory, information posted on the SLCC website, voter information, and requests to be added. This is not a copy of the Sun Lakes official email blast data base.

Question:

Speaking of transparency, how much is the retainer?

Response:

Your sarcasm is duly noted. The Eblast was intended to alert the community that we are moving forward with a legal path to hold the Board accountable based upon certain members of the Board unwillingness to discuss a better path forward in selecting a new Management company.

We are still negotiating the details and the resulting size of a retainer. We estimate that it will be in the $10,000 range.

Rest assured all details will be revealed before anyone actually makes a donation.

Are you interested in participating under acceptable circumstances?

Question:

Your group is not protecting Sun Lakes’ homeowners try doing some research.

Response:

We are in agreement that we are not protecting Sun Lakes’ members! That would be a pointless endeavor. We are attempting to make the Board accountable for the numerous governance and incidents indicating lack of exercising appropriate fiduciary responsibility over the past several years. Not the least of which the seriously flawed Morrison/CCL agreement that cost us $700,000 in excess expense in 2025 alone.

Certain members of the Board appear about to repeat the same mistake with the management company procurement process. But, they are not the ones who will bear the impact. The members of Sun Lakes will. Certain members of the current Board are unwilling to be transparent.

The members of our group have been intimately involved in the Delegate Assembly, FAC, PAC, Governing Policy development, strategic planning initiatives, and the Pass Action Group.

If you have research that is counter to the facts we have openly provided, we would like to offer you the opportunity to share it, especially if it will benefit the members of our community.

Where you take this is up to you. We don't just take sides. We endeavor to present insight for those members interested in being informed.

Question:

What is the cost for the legal retainer and what is the name of the legal entity secured by SLCC? What actions will the legal retainer address? Is the Board citing cause termination? If it is personal, does the current contract allow for termination at will? I wouldn't think so, but the SLCC should be securing a reputable and knowledgeable firm that has experience in contract law with some expertise in management companies involved with managing residential senior communities. I think if you provided more specific information about legal assistance, you would get more funds.

Troon is solely a golf resort management entity and would be a very bad fit for Sun Lakes. It is not a residency management corporation. Its bottom line is making money off of golf. Our community would not get any respect or support. Troon only concentrates on big money venues. It is in a lawsuit with its employees. It is also in lawsuits for various golf courses. I truly believe you will need an expert regarding this entity and contract law. I would not want to pay for a firm that does not have the heft to stop this action. Get a firm that will be able to litigate from experience.

Sun Lakes is a Country Club resort that has 2 golf courses, 3 swimming pools, libraries and exercise facilities and tennis/pickle ball courts. By definition, it is not a golf club resort. To be a golfer is not a requirement to live in Sun Lakes, nor is the ability to read, play tennis or pickle ball, swim or even join clubs or attend social events. If Troon gets in, our Homeowners Association Fees will rise, strangers entering our community will increase and parking will become an issue, especially for those would be semi-pro tournaments. If our Board members think they are or they know of residents of that stature, they should be playing at Indian Wells, Tahquitz or Indian Canyon.

Currently, the division in the community is appalling. Golfers are being pitted against non-golfers. I do not golf. But, I fondly remember Sun Lakes and bought in because my mother lived there. It was a true resort with a good restaurant that was open 7 days a week, with Brunch on Sundays. I do not believe that the reason the dining is not well attended is because of other restaurants in the area competing with Sun Lakes. It is because of the change in the ambiance, the choice of contracting with an entity known for cooking for Assisted Living facilities rather than a true commercial restaurant firm catering to independent adults. My interest was to join others for book clubs, enjoy musical evenings, workout facilities, travel groups and learning experiences.

If the Board members and their advocates are of the caliber of a professional golfer, let them join Indian Wells, Tahquitz or even Ironwood. Let them pay for the privilege of playing semi or pro on their dime, not ours.

Response:

You have packed a lot into your submission. Let us start by clarifying that the Sun Lakes Country Club Association is not seeking a law firm for a legal remedy to ensure that the attempt by some members of the current board to replace FSR with Troon is done appropriately and that any agreement adequately addresses the associated financial, operational, and business risks. This was not done with the Morrison/CCL agreement, which resulted in an excess loss of $700,000 in 2025. 

SLCC-SLA.org is seeking a legal remedy to ensure that the attempt by some members of the current board to replace FSR with Troon is done appropriately and that any agreement adequately addresses the associated financial, operational, and business risks. This was not done with the Morrison/CCL agreement which resulted in an excess loss of $700,000 in 2025.

It is premature to announce the name of the firm and engagement letter details because they are still under discussion. We can assure you that all the firms interviewed have substantial CA HOA expertise and typically represent the plaintiff against the HOA Association. The purpose of the Eblast was to inform the community that all efforts to discuss the issues we have with the management company procurement process initiated by the previous board appear to have received no meaningful response. A full disclosure of all the information you requested will be made as soon as possible.

We are doing this because we are sympathetic to all that you stated in your email to us.  Please continue to look out for our Eblasts. We have just initiated a new Facebook page for frequent social media followers. We are also planning a third SLCC-SLC.org meeting that will allow for open participation. The two previous meetings are available for viewing on our website.