Editorial: Election strengthens GVR’s board of directors

The Green Valley Recreation Board of Directors elected Altie Metcalf as president Wednesday, a decision that will unify the 12-person group and maximize effectiveness for the 12,360 households and 24,000 members it serves.

Metcalf received the most votes in her election to the board in 2007, a wise decision by membership. She has brought common sense, consensus building and intelligence to the board. Nearly every one who watches her in action, has been impressed.

In an editorial last year, we suggested Metcalf might be just the person to help GVR’s board move forward. She’s the model we had in mind for GVR as we’ve emphasized fresh approaches and criticized pettiness from board members.

Metcalf’s track record shows a history of analyzing problems and getting things done collaboratively. She retired to Green Valley in 2005 after working 22 years at the National Science Foundation, where she was a senior adviser and budget officer for programs with a budget of more than $400 million.

Other new officers will complement Metcalf’s strengths, including Vice President Mike Peabody, Secretary Roberta Konen and Treasurer Leon Lies, Assistant Secretary Gunnar Bonthron and Assistant Treasurer Mike Banks.

Metcalf’s election as president and the addition of four new board members represent a new beginning for the GVR board. The all-volunteer group had GVR’s best interests at heart, but the resignation of three board members and frequent squabbling gave it a black eye last year.

Like Metcalf in 2007, Banks received the most votes by far in this year’s election. The Las Campanas-San Miguel resident has an MBA in finance and marketing and has volunteered many hours to help in the Town of Sahuarita’s Finance Department. He is an expert dealing with the financial aspects of information technology.

The three other new board members, Bob Barry, Joe Roth and Linda Sparks, bring a lifetime of high-level experience to the job. Barry was a Naval officer and worked for an aerospace contractor. Roth was a senior executive with small and large companies. Sparks worked 25 years with the Department of Defense.

Sparks was elected by eight votes over former GVR President Stan Riddle. We recommended Riddle for election this year because his dedication resulted in groundbreaking for the Canoa Hills Center, a long-delayed GVR project.

Voters felt Riddle might be too busy as treasurer with the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council executive board, but they also want to turn the page with GVR and elect fresh faces. Previously, Riddle served seven years on the GVR board, tackling many contentious issues. It was time to give someone else a chance.

Election of new members meant the end of President Lou Lovat’s term. Lovat has lived in Green Valley since 1992 and served effectively on the GVR board. He was a leader in the push to improve maintenance of facilities. He also worked as a pool and social events monitor at GVR sites. We salute his service. He deserves thanks for the hours of dedication and perseverance he showed as a board member and officer.

GVR directors receive no salary but have no shortage of headaches. GVR is important to the quality of life here. Many residents decided to sell their homes and retire to Green Valley because of GVR’s excellent facilities.

GVR members want the board to be congenial, hard-working and effective. All three words summarize Metcalf, who will succeed with your support and a strong board standing beside her.

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