Be kind to everyone you meet,
for everyone is fighting ★ June 11, 2021 ~ Following is a list of questions, suggestions, and comments. Thoughtful responses will be published in a timely manner for each and every comment that is submitted by email or in one of the two suggestion boxes. Feel free to be anonymous or to ask that your name not be published with your comments. Note: Answers and a continually improved presentation will be developed as quickly as possible.
~ When is Newcomer orientation? Day of month, time, place? ~ FOS Ambassador information. ~ Community and room maps. ~ How to get Sun Times newspaper, eBlast, and meeting announcements. ~ What services are offered by Fountain of the Sun admin office? . Notary. computer & printer. ~ How do I get on the FOS website as a resident? ~ Meetings are in person and with Zoom video conferencing. ~ What is Zoom and how do I get it and use it? ~ How do I report a hazard? trash? weeds? disturbance, barking dog? ~ How do I get my name in the phone book? ~ Are there monthly get togethers? Coffee and donuts? ~ Where to get car repairs, golf cart maintenance? ~ How to take care of fruit trees and palm tree trimming. Water, Electrical, Internet, Garbage ~ Who is the water company? ~ Who to call for electrical service? ~ Who is the garbage service? ~ How often and what days do they collect? ~ What about recycling? What is accepted and where do I put it? ~ Can I put garbage out in a plastic bag? ~ How do I get an internet connection? ~ What cable service is available? ~ What if I only want internet service? ~ Do I have to get cable? ~ Are antennas allowed? Restrictions? How tall? ~ Where is my mailbox? ~ How do I get key? ~ Where is the post office located. ~ One at the in the Activities Building. USPS On Southern ~ What is the plastic box next to the mail boxes for? ~ Where can I mail a package? Or insure a letter or buy stamps? ~ What are the differences in them? ~ Who are the key contacts? ~ Who do I call to get involved? ~ Where do I get a permanent gate pass? ~ Where is the Back Gate located and is it 24 hours? ~ What are the rules about visitors? ~ Does everyone just get a one day pass? ~ Front gate: Auto gate and regular pass ~ No parking on the Street overnight ~ Who do I call for an emergency? ~ A: Call 911 and alert the Guard ~ Where is the closest Urgent Care? ~ Where is the closest Emergency room? Is it the best. ~ What are facility hours? ~ Can I use all the facilities within the FOS Community? ~ Do I need a special pass? ★ January 15, 2020 Larry and Sandra Lewandowski wrote: We need new blood, people who can bring a new perspective and new ideas. All we here from some board members is spend, spend, spend. They bring their own desires and ideas and push for those ideas. This is not acceptable to the majority of home owners. It is important that all home owners vote and be represented. ★ Sept 2 Elizabeth: I am sorry I am not able to attend your meetings, but I do get some notices. I understand there is a remodeling being done to the offices. Is there somewhere it is talked about? I could not find it in the Sun Times. What is the cost of this remodel? As of the August news there was no draft. Now I see there is building already starting. I would hope this was voted on. Was this just thrown up when everyone was gone? thanks for the watchful eyes. Elizabeth ★ August 11 Marilyn: It is totally unfair that FOSA sets meetings when so many are away for the summer. Not everyone is in agreement with you!!! We want to keep FOS a residential park, NOT a resort community. Do you hear us? Quit going against our wishes. Start listening to the majority of residents. ★ August 9 Wayne and Arlene: We moved to FOS because costs were within our budget. If newer homeowners want all these amenities we don't have, why did they choose our park? Move where they are available. ★ August 3 Don Blume: I host an email Google group
called "Our Fountain Forum" with about 100 members. It is
similar to a Leisure World group that has 2,700 members.
We want to grow to include all FOS residents. To join, please
email: donblume@cox.net ★ May 24 John Gallagher: I cannot understand the thinking of those advocating the master plan. FOS was developed in the 70s and 80s. All the new facilities proposed will not raise the value or prices of homes in FOS. FOS offers reasonably priced homes and dues and assessments have been fair. The proposed masterplan proposes many items that have been added in other communities which, but after a time get very little use. ★ May 20 Warren Appel: What ever happened to "Freedom of Assembly?" Have you a copy of the FOSA board mandate? Are they allowed to make such declarations? Perhaps I'll make inquiries about a lawyer who may be willing to do a bit of Pro Bono work for KFA. ★ May 17 Bruce Mills: Dealing with the FOSA board, I doubt if progress will be made without legal action. They have their agenda and won't be deterred by KFA or any other group. They are arrogant and self serving. Calling KFA a political group is just another ploy, a stall tactic hoping KFA will be discouraged and give up. Thanks for the updates. We have left for the summer but appreciate the updates!! It is clear to me that this board is taking advantage of FOS residents just like previous boards. ★ April 9 Sherry Gierach: We are leaving FOS and one of the main reasons was because of the direction FOS is going it will become harder to sell due to increasing HOA fees and special assessments that will price people right out of the community. We are very sad to leave the many great friends we made here during the almost 10 years we lived here. ★ After the April 8 FOSA board meeting, Dave Lechner asked one of the board members, Is it true that we are paying the golf course $8,000 a year for water for the green spaces? He replied, actually it is closer to $9,000 each for condo associations and for the home-owners group, so actually almost $18,000 a year. The condo grass is still being watered, but the home-owners green spaces are not. It was in the bylaws that we had to pay that to the country club. I said I thought we should change the bylaws to correct that, but he said that is very difficult to do. Second, I asked if it was true that it only took 30% of those present to pass propositions. He said that was true in some cases; however all capital improvement expenditures need 50% plus one of all eligible voters. ★ KFA to FOSA board: Is it true that all propositions that the board may present for a vote at any board meeting are supposed to have at least two prior "readings" in preceding meetings before calling for a vote on those propositions at any subsequent board meeting? ★ KFA to FOSA board: Will you make certain to publish all propositions, in writing, on the fos-az.com website at least two weeks before any board meeting at which a vote is to be taken? ★ To ensure full transparency, it is essential that: (1) all FOSA board meetings must be video recorded and published with full transcripts; and (2) all propositions must be published in writing on the fos-az.com website for all FOS home-owners and condo owners to have access to see and consider not less than two weeks before any votes are taken. ★ April 8 At several board meetings, several FOS home-owners have ask, will there be a vote on any major proposed capital improvement expenditures. The response has always been, "yes." But how exactly is that vote to be accomplished in all cases? Some have said that votes must be by 2/3rds of those present. But others have said that votes would be by 50% of those present plus one. Yet it seems that when propositions come up at board meetings, it is the board that votes and not all members present. It often seems that the board has already made decisions about what they are planning to do and any discussion during the open board meeting is a rather inconsequential formality and does not allow for reasonable consideration by home-owners. ★ At the April 8 board meeting, Motion 3 appeared on the agenda about Barrier Arms - Controllers - Software. How was it established that more than half of all homeowners voted that this would be a necessary expenditure? ★ Paul Predecki wrote: Before buying at FOS, most people will ask current residents AND their agent: "What's it like living at FOS"? (I did). We need to find common ground and resolve the current situation soon! A good reputation takes years to establish, but only a few months to be ruined. ★ FOS is such a peaceful place to live as it is. If it wasn't good enough, why did people buy here? ★ We bought here for the amenities that were here and for the yearly fees [as they were]. We do not want to increase the fees to pay for facilities like the Biltmore. ★ Those who want to spend $25 million, go to Hollywood. ★ Please focus on getting more questionnaires filled out. If we do not get enough, our voices will not get heard. ★ (1) Keep FOS Affordable! Seniors are on a fixed income. (2) Over-doing additions for pleasure and convenience and not for needs of looks and landscaping and problems seeming minor, but the residents do not. (3) Could use a fence on main entrance green belt for pets that area needs to be green regardless. For impressiveness. ★ For the KFA Action plan, once we have adequate momentum, is there a legal way we have of making sure excessive funds are not spent on projects that we feel are not needed? ★ When security guards are riding around daily, could they please advise people walking the wrong way home and stop and give them a copy of proper way facing traffic for their own safety. Also bike riders should go the proper way. ★ Storing toy haulers: Many residents own ATVs and transport them on trailers. We should be able to store those on our property keeping them clean and hidden. ★ Gate on Hawes: How about making a gate out at Pueblo on Hawes? It is a much less busy street. Possibly a gate that opens and closes with a remote control or a code box rather than manned gate that costs thousands. ★ Speak regarding trash within FOS. Annual permit not on file in FOS office and illegal violations. (by Barbara Stetner) ★ Safety Issue: I am concerned about a safety issue on a south entry (on Southern). Would there be a turn only lane and lights? ★ I would like to see the green areas watered as they were when we bought here. ★ How do you freeze HOA dues when the cost of living goes up yearly? Security sucs (sic) have you ever heard of inflation? ★ If the dues stay the same or roll back to 2018, how do we keep services like landscapers or pool care if their prices increase? Will they lower their prices for us? ★ I think a member of the FOS board should be invited to these meetings. It is imperative the board knows our concerns. ★ At the board meeting, it may be beneficial for several different folks to be selected to bring up the questions we have to address the board. It is important that we speak with clarity and without emotion; it puts the board on the defensive. ★ Every home-owner should get a vote-questionnaire in the mail. ★ My opinion: Allow one more 10% association fee increase in 2020. After that, the increase should never be more than the COLA increases. We need to build our reserves. ★ My concern is that if a meeting be held to determine if the community will move forward with the master plan - and there is a small attendance, that would allow a quorum to pass the motion. Explain the numbers needed at a meeting to pass the master plan as presented at present. ★ Why not eliminate the security guard that drives around during the day when they really do not need to be out until evening hours. The savings could be used somewhere else. ★ We have a community newspaper. Seems like a good place to give everyone updates each month. ★ Broadway gate can have two lanes open longer in summer as it is light longer. ★ The daytime security driver could go to the gate. Option 1: We do not feel that during daylight hours the driver is needed. Option 2: South gate could be resident gate only with card pass only. No person needed. ★ March 24 Bill & Jean Tynor wrote: Besides proper maintenance of existing facilities, the only major improvement we would like to see is a redesign of the 80th Street entrance to better handle the heavy traffic during the "snowbird months". FOS is a 55+ plus community for middle income retirees and that is why we bought here. We should NOT try to compete with luxury, high income retirement communities where average home prices are two to three times more than FOS. KFA editor: And monthly dues and assessments are 5 to 10 times more. ★ Jan 15 Cathy: Frightening how much power associations have! I emailed an attorney that specializes in association law to ask about the legality of the ballot and write in options. Tap this to read this scary article. ★ March 21 Dan wrote: Definition of extortion. Getting money by threats; misuse of authority; sometimes applied to the exaction of to high a price. ★ Jan 15 This forum is a fantastic idea. Just awesome. I hope more than a few hundred will think the same way. Thanks. ★ Jan 15 I propose to keep FOS dues and fees at a fair price for everyone in the park. ★ Jan 15 Ralph McCauley: As a resident of the FOS community for almost 8 years, I am sincerely concerned about the direction some in the community are attempting to take all of us. Over the years, while attending various FOSCA meetings, I have personally witnessed the seeming narrow ideology-mindedness of most of the current, as well as past BOD members. We all need to understand that the community is what it is, & can't be wished into something it's not by trying to re-build itself into (what some would consider) a more modern development. Maintaining what we already have (including the golf facilities), plus certain capital improvements over the years going forward is more than adequate to keep the values at a fair price, & keep our community a desirable place to live for many years to come..... Remember, we all moved-in here originally, accepting & appreciating what was already here! Once here, it is not fair or logical that one should expect to have things changed to suite their (groups) lifestyle, even if they are well intentioned (maybe even correct in some ways)..... There needs to be a balance considered by all residents, & then realize that it (living here) can, & will work for the entire community, following a path of understanding rather than an ideology..... Finally, this cannot be achieved by opacity-ness from the BOD members, or from behind closed doors by any member of our community or staff..... That is not what this community should be about...At least, not for me! ★ Jan 15 Daniel: I certainly I agree with the (Keep FOS Affordable) objectives. I haven't participated in meetings because of all the stupid politics. It sure does look like a small group of people want to always bypass the majority to get anything they want ... not a democratic way to handle ideas for future objectives. What a shame. Fairness not a priority. ★ Jan 11 Various notices have been posted regarding signing the new FOSA CC&R's. A comment posted here suggests asking for the actual form rather than just signing any other document. The actual form (tap this to view the form) allows residents to indicate either "yes" or "no." That may not be an option on the registry document that residents are being asked to sign. If enough residents choose to respond "no" then the process may be delayed a little while longer. ★ Jan 18 Fountain of the Sun was developed in phases so there was a certain degree of autonomy, thus providing some checks and balances. When we bought in here, that is the way it was, and I do not like the direction that some seem to want to change things to consolidate power and thus limit those important checks and balances. The original articles of incorporation were easy to understand and constructed in such a way to create a community that was beneficial to everyone. It was planned in phases with apartments, mobile homes, condos, and site built homes, all of which were included in the fountain of the sun community, but with a certain level of autonomy. That ensured a balance of power to benefit all. It is well maintained, provided security, and had a history of keeping within the budget and holding the line on keeping the fees and assessments low. There are some who seem to think that a new masterplan will increase the value of our homes, but unless you are willing to tear down 50 year old houses, it is doubtfull that it would be an even exchange. We have an older community with older homes that are well maintained, and that is part of the charm of fountain of the sun. Some say, if you are not willing to look forward to the future, just leave. But there are many who cannot leave for financial reasons. Some who cannot leave for health reasons. Some have chosen to live here because of the life style just the way it is and have invested our hearts and finances into our homes so that we could live out the rest of our lives in a home we enjoy and live in peace. Those who say, if you don't like it and can't look forward to the future, get out. They are seeking more amenities, but there are plenty available here now. If you want more, go to Leisure World where there are also 50-year-old homes and pay $700 a month to live there. We need to ask, what can we do to increase home-owner attendance and participation at governing board meeetings? ★ Jan 18 Marilyn Gillis shared this: Our Board hired an independent contractor, Wendy Hultsman, to administer the survey and report back with the findings. The survey is lengthy and goes into questions about how we want our collective money spent. You can bet that the Board members who have been pushing for millions of dollars in upgrades will fill out their surveys and make sure that all their constituents fill one out. Our opinions matter too!
To see a summary of the estimated costs for the Masterplan proposed by the board: Tap this link
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