GVR candidates face voters starting Feb. 23

Candidates for four upcoming vacancies on the Green Valley Recreation board of directors fielded questions Wednesday on such things as raising the dues and would “Baby Boomers” get special considerations.

The seven candidates present, including two who said they were Baby Boomers, agreed the newer, younger members would get the same service as all members now get.

The Baby Boomer candidates are Altie Metcalf and Marge Garneau.

Rather than giving special consideration to the younger residents, board candidate Joe Schecter said he thought Depression Baby candidates should get special attention and raised his hand as the audience laughed.

There are eight candidates for the four positions. None of them ruled out the possibility of fee increases.

Candidate Teresa Foley missed Wednesday’s candidate forum.

About 60 people attended the forum at the Las Campanas center.

Ballots for the four board positions will be mailed Feb. 23.

The candidates are:

Jim Molski, a four-year Green Valley resident, said before moving here he was self-employed for 15 years and working with state and federal agencies. He moved here from Wichita, Kan. He lives in Sunrise Pointe - SRS.

Eddie Peabody Jr., moved here from the San Francisco Bay area about a year ago where he was a private consultant and manager of community development services. He said his experience on the architectural review and planning and zoning committees for Green Valley Community Coordinating Council would aid him on the board. He lives at Las Campanas - Sonoma.

Jim Burt is he current present of the GVR board. He has been here 18 years and volunteers at many GVR activities. He said he wants to see the completion of Las Campanas and Canoa Ranch Centers completed. He lives at Desert Hills V.

Altie Metcalf said she and her husband visited Green Valley for 15 years before settling here in 2005. During the 10 years before they moved she was senior adviser and budget officer for U.S. Polar Programs. She lives at Canoa Seca Estates II.

Margaret Garneau and her husband, Norm, moved permanently to Green Valley last March from Colorado. There, she said, she served on numerous boards including a special district that provided water, sewer, irrigation and parks and recreation. She lives at Portillo Hills II.

Teresa Foley, who missed the meeting, said in her biography that her “business is psychology,” and she’s called “the doctor who makes house calls.” She said she enjoys “volunteering my time and doing community service.” She lives at Desert Hills V.

Chuck Catino has been involved in sports programs, including some for Little Leagues, since he moved here. He said he has applied and received a Community Development block grant to improve outdoor recreation center. He was a trucking company manager who participated in contract negotiations. He lives at San Ignacio Vistas.

Joseph Schecter said that GVR members should enjoy the fact they have $16 million worth for assets for dues that are less than $1 a day. In a statement, the former ship’s captain said it would be his pleasure “to serve you with integrity and listen to your needs and wishes.” He lives at Desert Hills III West.

None of them totally ruled out dues increases.

But candidate Peabody said GVR should consider “new financial tools” to deal with anticipated costs. He suggested using “anticipated revenues” to build now at costs that will be lower than in the future.

Burt suggested giving monitors credit for their work to help pay their dues. He said GVR couldn’t succeed without monitors and this would be a way to encourage more to volunteer.

All agreed that Baby Boomers should not get special consideration, but some noted that they’re GVR members and entitled to all benefits of membership.

After the ballots are mailed back and counted, the winners will be announced at the general membership meeting at West Center on March 23.

jlamb@gvnews.com | 547-9749