Meet the candidates running for Board of Directors

The seven member Board of Directors will have three Directors, whose three year terms will be expiring the end of this year, leaving three vacancies on the Board. Five SunBird homeowners have expressed interest to serve on the Board and will be candidates for these vacant positions. This issue of the SunBird News has their names, pictures and a statement about each candidate. The candidates also will be present at SunBird Community Day on Wednesday, November 5 at the clubhouse from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. if you would like to meet them personally.

The Elections Committee has asked each of the candidates several questions regarding SunBird. The questions and answers of all the candidates will be compiled into a packet and will be available for hand out at Community Day. The ballots for voting will be mailed in early November to each SunBird homeowner with a deadline return date of December 15. On December 16 the Elections Committee will meet to verify and tally the votes. Please take time to get to know each of the candidates and most of all, please vote.

If you have any questions please contact the office at 480-802-4901.

Nancy Eckstein

I have lived in Arizona full time since 1976, the last 21 years in SunBird. There are so many reasons that SunBird is such a great place to live: the friendliness of our residents, the many activities offered, and our financial stability.

I owned my own company for 10 years so I know the importance of developing long range plans, budgets and looking for new and different ways to encourage growth. SunBird cannot grow geographically, but we need to think about growing new ways to keep our community an exciting place to live. Updating the amenities and activities at SunBird are vital if we are to attract younger people to move here.

I have worked on various community boards as a volunteer. A community does not run on paid staff alone. I am currently the chairman of the SunBird Going Green Committee. As a Board member, I will try to encourage more people to get involved; not only as volunteers on committees, but simply attending the monthly Board meetings. Informed residents are a vital part of SunBird.

If elected, I will work towards keeping our community a place where people enjoy all that is offered.

Jim Fetterman

I have been a full time resident of SunBird with my wife of 50 years, Connie, since May 1996 and have seen SunBird grow from a half-full Robson satellite to a beautiful independent community of fantastic friendly residents.

I’m a retired police officer, certified in Crime Prevention and Homeland Security, a graduate of 26 FEMA courses in community safety and security, a past member of the Chandler CERT program and I’m OSHA Certified in General Industry Safety & Health and Construction Safety & Health.

I have my AZ Public Safety fingerprint clearance card to work with minors and senior citizens.

In the spring of 2012, I retired from Westminster Village (a life care senior citizen retirement community) in Scottsdale after nearly 10 years as their Safety/Security Director. On January 1, 2014 I left my part-time position as a Chandler School District substitute teacher. I am currently enrolled in Chandler’s HOA Academy 2014.

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve my fellow residents of SunBird as one of the next members of the Board of Directors. If elected I pledge to always work for the best interests of all our residents.

Walter Griffin

My name is Walter Griffin and I am running for the SunBird Golf Resort HOA Board of Directors.

I was born in Boston, moved to Arizona in 1945 and graduated from Tucson High and the University of Arizona. Before moving to the northwest I worked for a large private electric utility and was moved all around the northwest. We moved from Wyoming to SunBird in 1998 where we have resided ever since. I had been on the Board in the transition years and after a bout with heart problems, I feel I am healthy enough to start giving back to the community. I welcome the opportunity to serve on the Board and help SunBird move forward.

Patricia (Pat) McGonegle

I would like to submit my name, Patricia McGonegle, for consideration as a member of the SunBird HOA Board. If elected my goal will be to see that SunBird continues to be a friendly, updated and vibrant community with our eye on the future.

My husband Don and I moved to SunBird in 1999. We always took an interest in the SunBird community. Before his death, Don was an HOA Board member; therefore, I understand the time and commitment of being a Board member.

I have been a member of the Irish, German, Italian and Garden Clubs. As founding member of the Garden Club I take great pride in the work we have done to beautify our community. I helped plan, organize and implement many projects. The Waterview upgrade is an example of a successful joint project between the Garden Club and the golf course.

My professional background is in nurse management. I have a proven professional track record of working in groups and working toward a consensus.

I pledge to work for both the SunBird snowbirds and permanent residents alike. We are all one family and I would be honored to represent you on the SunBird HOA Board.

U.S. Navy 1951-1955

Sold Folger’s Coffee for 32 years

Purchased June 1991 at SunBird

Achievements:

Helped on the following projects at SunBird:

Original stage and expansion of original stage. Demolition of old Fitness Room, building of Ballroom bar, risers for the SunBird Singers, Chairman of Rummage Sale all 16 years, $36,136 raised, five years on Project Review Committee, eight years on Rules Committee, five years as Chairman, Board of Directors since 2009, head up crew at 5:45 a.m. to set up for non-denominational “winter church Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in the Ballroom.” Chandler Fire Department volunteer, changing batteries in smoke alarms for those who need help; you furnish nine-volt batteries! Charter owner SunBird Golf Resort Inc. Still have had only one hole-in-one!

Plans are in hand for a new larger swimming pool and Jacuzzi for when we have the money. I started a $1,000 fund in March 2014; a couple of others have matched it. We need lots of others to contribute. Even if you don’t vote for me, please submit your check to the office with notation “swimming pool” on it. Let’s do it!

Thanks,

“Mr. SunBird,” Chuck Warren