Resignations rock SCHOA board of directors

The Sun City Home Owners Association is in "turmoil" after the resignation of four directors and a staff member last week.

President Bob Tomich, vice president Jim Ball, treasurer Stuart Manville, and director Tom Beeson all turned in their resignations Thursday, secretary Bill Pearson said.

In addition to those resignations, executive director Shirley Baker is out on a medical leave. And Janet Sagan, who worked for Baker, also resigned.

The resignations came a day after a judge denied Baker's request for an injunction against SCHOA director Gary Bourne following an encounter at the SCHOA offices on April 17.

"Since the first of the year there has been a fair amount of inner turmoil at SCHOA," Pearson said.

The injunction, he said, was something the board "wasn't proud of or happy to see happen. It was the last gasp."

In the wake of the resignations, SCHOA named Walt Patterson as president, Sam Baldwin as acting vice president, and Millie Hillesheim as treasurer. Pearson continues as secretary.

Pearson said the board has undergone some difference in opinion after the rejection of 20 proposed clarifications to the retirement community's covenants, conditions & restrictions. Pearson said SCHOA's attorneys had advised the group to discontinue inspections of homes for sale in Sun City for violations unless there has been a reported violation.

As the staff goes through the process of screening applicants for the available positions, Pearson asked residents to be patient.

"Just bear with us," he said. "This pains all of us."

"I think I can speak for the majority and minority of the board, and those that quit and stayed. Everyone cares about Sun City and wants it to stay a great place to live. We just disagreed."

Those residents interested in being considered for one of the available board positions should call Patterson at 623-974-4718 or e-mail: secretary@suncityhoa.org.