Candidates address GVR issues

Concerns about potential dues increases and needs for new programs for members are among the hot topics being discussed by the candidates for Green Valley Recreation’s board of directors.

Ballots were mailed this week and will be counted in late March.

Other major questions include how to deal with the time when Green Valley can’t grow any more and dealing with those who don’t live here.

There are eight candidates for the four open board positions. One, current President Jim Burt, is running for re-election to the board.

Some comments by the candidates made in informal interviews with the Green Valley News:

Burt said “maintaining our facilities in tip-top condition” is one of his principal goals.

Green Valley Rec is “land locked” unless it moves into Madera Reserve or Sahuarita, so additional money from new developments will taper off.

Burt also expressed concern for low-income people, many of whom don’t use GVR programs. He agreed with the decision not to raise dues this year, and he said he thought there was unnecessary spending that resulted in “a lot of wasted money.” He favors the new guest pass program.

Burt has lived in Green Valley 18 years and is in Desert Hills V. In a statement, he said, he has worked with the board to “come up with a balanced budget without a dues increase.”

Joe Schechter called Green Valley the No. 1 place in the world to live. “I’d like to leave it that way,” he said. He said GVR needs to develop “new ways to raise” money to combat inflation.

Schechter said there are other U.S. towns that are designed as retirement communities, “but don’t have the right formula” to maintain what Green Valley has.

He said Green Valley Recreation “has more than $16 million in assets, and our dues are less than $1 a day.” He said he wants to listen to the new comers for their ideas.

Schechter lives in Desert Hills III West.

Marge Garneau is a recent arrival from Colorado and she said she has jumped into activities full force. “I’m an avid tennis player, have joined the Computer Club and if I have time I’ll join the Camera Club and learn to play bridge.”

In Colorado, Garneau was budget manager for a small community college, Mesa State College, with a $15 million budget and she served on the board of directors and later managed a park and recreation district. She said she’s a strong advocate of conducting studies to find solutions to problems.

Chuck Catino, former president and leader of the Born Again Jocks Association or BAJA, has worked to develop athletic facilities in the Green Valley - Sahuarita area.

His work helped land a community block grant that led to two softball parks at Sahuarita, and his group helped develop Anamax Park.

He and others his age helped start the Sahuarita Little League and has positioned this area as one of the possible recipients for $5 million from a county bond issue.

Catino said the county needs to provide more money for recreation facilities in this area.

Catino is originally from Chicago and lives at San Ignacio Vistas.

Eddie Peabody, who moved here from the San Francisco area, said he was involved there with developing ways to finance new improvements for the future.

He said there are going to be changes in Green Valley Recreation and GVR should address those needs as well as holding firm to what’s served members in the past.

Peabody suggested there may be financial avenues to meet future needs by paying for them now when costs are lower than they’ll be in the future. He said it may take a bylaw change to accomplish it.

He also said there is going to be pressure from surrounding communities to participate in GVR facilities.

He also said more pressure should be applied to Pima County to pay for recreation facilities, not leaving it just to GVR. He also said GVR needs to talk about the members who pay dues but never use the facilities.

Jim Molski, who came here four years ago, said he’s advocate of being ahead of the curve, anticipate changes and work for them. For example, he said, older members may not find programs they need, and Molski said maybe something new could be developed for them.

He also suggested the possibility of people who fall on hard times of being permitted to fall behind in their dues until things change.

For people who don’t take part in some activities, he said, a regional transit program might be developed to take them from their homes to the centers.

He said GVR’s cultural programs would be a way to attract people from surrounding communities.

Candidate Teresa Foley spoke on behalf of people with lower income. She said, “My worry is that there are people who are living on fixed income and it’s not fair that their dues be raised.”

She said a bylaws change may be needed to adjust the dues for those who can’t afford them. “Fixed income people are so worried, and this is a time of their life they shouldn’t be worried.”

Foley also said she’s worried that the number of volunteers that are so important to GVR and other programs here is dwindling.

Altie Metcalf moved here officially to retire in 2005, although she and her husband had been coming since 15 years. They bought a house in 2001.

She said GVR faces big problems, with facilities often crowded and another 300 houses on the horizon.

Metcalf said not only are more people buying property here, more and more are staying year around, placing additional burdens on GVR facilities and programs.

She said a study is needed to determine for sure what facilities are used and when. If they’re not being used, “We need to find out why.”

Metcalf said dues will increase as costs go up. Increases can be delayed, but within two years or so they’ll have to go up.

She said, “I think GVR is a really, really good organization.” It works to balance the needs of members “even the pools aren’t used by every one.”

Metcalf was budget officer for all U.S. polar projects with the National Science Foundation.

jlamb@gvnews.com | 547-9749