My thoughts on Sun City COA closure

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Tell Us What You Think

What are your thoughts on Sun City Condo Owners Association’s pending closure? Tell us in 300 words or less at yourvalley.net/letters, or email your comments, name, address and contact number to azopinions@iniusa.org.

OPINION — I’m writing about the article regarding the pending closure of the Condo Owners Association.

As a former director and treasurer who recently stepped down to care for my ailing husband, I was disappointed to read several statements attributed to COA President Sue Clark.

The article cited rising expenses and a lack of volunteers as reasons for COA's closure. While costs increased, membership remained strong. The past five years, COA enjoyed some of its highest membership in years.

It also suggested COA was no longer fulfilling its original purpose. My experience was quite different. We expanded educational programs, offered workshops, assisted associations with budgets, developed CC&R amendment templates and launched COA University, a four-week program for HOA board members.

Volunteer recruitment has become more challenging, but when I left, we had a strong, active board. I believe the primary issue was a lack of succession planning.

For more than 30 years, COA thrived because experienced leaders stepped forward as others left. Sam Estok, Jerry Walzyak and Sue Clark provided continuity and stability.

When Sue faced health issues and I resigned, there was no prepared successor. Other directors subsequently left, and the leadership structure needed to continue operations disappeared. There was no one left to assume the responsibilities that sustained COA for decades.

External changes also contributed. Management companies, HOA attorneys, online resources and artificial intelligence now provide many services once unique to COA.

I don’t believe condominium communities will “run rampant” without it. Residents will continue to find education and support through other sources.

I am proud to have served COA for five years. Its legacy should be remembered not as a failure, but as an organization that successfully served Sun City for more than three decades before changing circumstances brought its remarkable run to a close.

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