Country Club Candidates
In&Out
(One open seat to be elected by Country Club reseidents)
Raymond A. Donie, md
asks the
• 60 years old • Thirteen-year-resident • Private family medical practice, Glendale
candidates
John Birdseye
• 76 years old • Four-year-resident • Retired Design/Builder, Realtor, land development operations management. USAF veteran
What is the most important issue facing this community?
“The most important issue in Anthem as it relates to the Country Club is the New Master Plan and how these changes will enhance, contribute and provide additional value to the Club itself. What is waiting for us outside our gate? We have minimal room in the Club for new amenities so any added value will be delivered from outside our gates.”
“Continuing to maintain our current excellent financial status while seeking to utilize community assets in a responsible and informed way. This requires public receipt of advanced planning info, notice of upcoming issues, resident input of a broad range of opinions, data gathering and outside consultants, when needed -- followed by collegial Board discussions in public settings.”
What’s the driving motivation behind your decision to run for the ACC Board?
“[I am] enthusiastic about participating in Anthem’s process to promote a sense of community within Anthem and the Anthem Country Club. [I] will work diligently to foster a more transparent and responsive process including within “Public Discussion” section of the ACC.”
“I have completed …the prerequisite community experience to seek an ACC Director position, so I am up to speed in many areas. I have attended almost all Country Club HOA and ACC meetings over the past 4 years. I have contributed over 3 years on the Water Rate Panel and the Planning & Development Committee, was a member of the Community Facility Research Group, and was … on the Selection Committee which determined [the] construction management firm and design/build team for the civic building.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
“[I] would promote the preservation and beauty of Daisy Mountain. Ray is committed to an open forum of communication and would like to see the ACC be more responsive to public input.
“I will make sound decisions for the future. I will offer my expertise, listen to those with different experience, seek and value all opinions, be fiscally sound and forwardlooking, consider budget savings to offset expenses, which could otherwise raise our dues. I do not come to this position with any personal agenda.”
More than half the enhancement fund is earmarked for the building renovation. What’s your position on the enhancement proposals? Which is your favorite?
“Anthem is having growing pains. This is good. Our home values are going up. Our population of 21,700 is projected to be 30,000+ in the next ten years. A forward thinking process will save multimillions, and this will keep our ACC dues down. The key is to get the most bang for our buck!”
“The Enhancement Fund will be available for the construction costs of the prjects being considered now and others in the future. It is not a ‘rainy-day fund.’ As a member of the P&D Committee, I feel all the proposed lifestyle enhancements are worthy of completing our assigned tasks, which include receiving cost estimates for future maintenance and operation for each project.”
Resident involvement in the issues has traditionally been a challenge for ACC. How do you propose increased participation?
“[I] will maintain and update a website monthly with all available information and actions relating to the ACC Board and its Committees. [I] will be available to groups, organizations, and individuals to hear and discuss issues important to them.”
“I will always be available for anyone wanting to discuss an issue, concern, or question. The process seems adequate, but I would tweak our announcment methods to be sure we aren’t missing anyone.”
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IN&OUT
| February 28, 2013
Parkside Candidates
(One open seat to be elected by Parkside residents)
Ryan Halleran
• 29 years old • Two-year-resident • Financial advisor, Wells Fargo Advisors
Doug Sutherland
• 75 years old • Two-year-resident • Retired, former Mayor, Tacoma, Wash.
“The most important issue … is the lack of a Master Plan for future development. A plan that matches the established needs with available land, outlines cost and Enhancement Fund usage as well as forecasts any impact on residents, is crucial to the maintenance and enhancement of Anthem. It will be important for everyone to come together… to ensure the Master Plan and ensuing projects benefit Anthem…and increase our home values.”
“Money. How much you collect and how and where you prudently spend it.”
“I have a long-term vested interest in our community… This is where I will raise my children. …After two years of living in Anthem and volunteering on community projects and committees, I am eager to share my business acumen, energy, objectivity and leadership skills on the Anthem Community Council. …I have an in-depth understanding of projects facing Council. I want to make certain our community is represented with a voice that understands and will live with the impact of Council decisions.”
“I currently serve as a member of the Parkside Finance Committee. Over the past 30 years I have served as an elected City Council member , Mayor, City Manager, County Executive and lastly as the elected Commissioner of Public Lands in the State of Washington. I believe that you should give back to your community and my experience could be beneficial to my new community.”
“Anthem residents are busy. Parents don’t have time or resources to research community matters. I will focus on communication, increasing knowledge and involvement of our residents. …It will be vital for everyone to understand each issue and feel confident in making opinions heard. I hope to create an open forum where residents are comfortable letting their views be known. I truly believe this is how we will be able to move forward as a community and successfully represent the constituents who elect us.”
“There are many opportunities ahead for physical improvements and I wish to promote as many as we can within a reasonable expenditure of funds. All too often I have seen wishes and wants far exceed available funding, however laying in place a responsible plan, such as the considered Master Facilities Plan and staying within its guidlines, can ensure completion of many of those desired projects.”
“As a member of the Community Planning and Development Committee, it has been my role to review the various enhancements with objectivity. …The community has spoken through forum and usage and the project that has been deemed “most needed” is the addition of ball fields on the west side. This project will increase the home values on the west side, ultimately increasing the value of Anthem as a whole.”
“This is a pretty big building. I think most of the building enhancements are supportable, however, you also must consider the annual operating and maintainence costs as well, perhaps keeping some desireable spaces available for lease, may help offset those costs.”
“Certainly increasing technological efforts to make information more accessible… is important. One solution… is the addition of Council meeting podcasts or replays that residents would access on the website. If edited… these could be vital resources. We must provide residents a comfortable and accessible mode of information gathering that can help them “catch up” or learn about issues, and in good time they will reach out and become more active. As residents become more informed, they will gain the confidence to become involved and work toward achieving our goals.”
“In the end I think people will participate when they see the issue will affect them directly or is a project they highly desire. Otherwise, so long as those elected officials and supporting staff are doing what folks think they should be doing, they are fine with it. I think written and website communications are helpful and the new community resource guide is great information for Anthem citizens.”
February 28, 2013 |
IN&OUT
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