Letters to the Editor
Editor:
The $600,000 cut from the manager’s budget for 2027 is a pretty big percentage. My question to the GRF Board is: how did the board determine this $600,000 cut?
Did you get an independent subject matter expert such as compensation consultants to review this reduction in management and salaries for the 2027 budget?
Was there a baseline to measure the success depth and impact of this to Leisure World?
Thank you, GRF, for answering these questions.
The community relies on GRF managers’ knowledge, experience and history with LW. Good managers mentor, train and maintain a good rapport with their employee; $7.56 a month per unit is a very small amount to maintain quality managers for us living here in Leisure World.
I am asking GRF directors to not cut manager’s jobs and salaries.
Beth Mayer Mutual 9 Editor:
Over the past 10 days, two members of our GRF Board of Directors have resigned. Resignations in such close succession are not routine and they should not be dismissed as ordinary turnover. When directors step down this quickly, it can signal deeper issues in how the GRF Board is functioning and in the environment in which directors are expected to serve.
Our community deserves a governing body that is stable, transparent and able to work together constructively. These departures raise legitimate concerns about internal process, culture, and decision-making — concerns that must be addressed openly and responsibly.
Leisure World thrives when its leadership is steady and accountable, and these events make it clear that corrective action is needed. Michael Turis Mutual 3 Editor’s Note: As of Oct. 9, three directors have resigned from the GRF Board: Pattricia Vienna, Mutual 7 (Sept. 22); Linda Herman, Mutual 12 (Oct. 1); and Tim Kearns, Mutual 1 (Oct. 9). GRF directors take their fiduciary responsibilities seriously and make personal decisions that best suit their individual circumstances. The GRF Board endeavors to fill each vacancy expeditiously to ensure stable community governance. GRF President Jeff Mulqueen addressed the context surrounding these operational matters and the board’s organizational environment during the Sept. 22 GRF Board meeting, which can be seen at lwsb.com.
Editor:
Ending this year’s Author-Speak series with Lisa See was indeed amazing. She is such a treasure!
How fortunate for us to hear her superb talk about how the history of Los Angeles in the 1870s related to her recent book.
Abundant thanks to GRF Library Manager Taylor Greene for orchestrating her visit to Leisure World.
Janie von Seggern Mutual 9 Editor:
I am in total agreement with Dr. Ahr (Letters, Oct. 1) regarding an emergency plan for all residents of the Leisure World community.
GRF and Mutual leadership concerned about liability would, as Dr. Ahr stated, be covered under the Good Samaritan laws and inaction due to possible liability is indeed a very poor excuse.
Our GRF membership fees should require a general community disaster plan. Our residents are more important than new signage we don’t need and new plants at entrance gates. Our money is best spent on the welfare of our residents. Joan Tarro Mutual 6 Editor’s Note: The Golden Rain Foundation is responsible for all Trust amenities and property, and staff conducts periodic emergency drills to ensure effective communication and coordination during an emergency.
The GRF does not assume legal liability or operational obligation for individual residents, but the GRF-owned LW Weekly does facilitate emergency preparedness managed by the Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and the Emergency Information Council (see page 1 for information on the EIC Emergency Preparedness Expo set for Oct. 16 in Clubhouse 4).
These groups work to educate residents, so they are prepared. Some Mutuals also have emergency supply sheds and firstresponse protocols.
Editor:
At the Oct. 2 GRF Board meeting, the board’s earlier vote to amend Policy 265000-1 to change dumpster operating time in the 1.8-acre area from 7 a.m.-8 a.m. was discussed and debated. One board member indicated Mutual 9 residents had complained of excessive noise coming from the 1.8-acre area, which led to the time change effort. Another board member reported the noise came from vendors and contractors entering the area at 7 a.m. when community gardeners were permitted to enter. He then revealed that GRF personnel had contacted the offending vendors and informed them that according to existing policy they could not enter the area before 8 a.m.
While the board cannot control all the noise coming from outside our walls, it can control vendors or contractors entering the 1.8-acre area before 8 a.m. Curtailing 7 a.m. access for community gardeners reduces valuable gardening time and infringes their access to their gardens in the cooler hours.
I am encouraging the board to enforce existing policy restricting entrance for vendors and contractors until 8 a.m. and protect the current policy permitting access to community gardeners beginning at 7 a.m.
Mary Greer Mutual 11 Editor:
On Oct. 3, Leisure World was treated to a wonderful performance by the rock group, Whiskey Walkers. When we arrived at 6:15 for the 6:30 per- formance, Clubhouse 1 was already jammed, with only one table available. As soon as the band started playing, dancers converged on the floor. It’s always so great to see Leisure Worlders dancing; dance with a man, dance with a woman, dance with a group, dance by yourself. It’s all good!
The Whiskey Walkers are high-energy and the songs included “Night Moves” by Bob Segar (a favorite!), Doobie Brothers’ “Without Love”, ZZ Top’s “Hot Legs” (audience participation on this one), the Stones “It’s Only Rock and Roll” (but I like it), and in a slower tempo, Eric Claptons “Wonderful Tonight.” I do hope the Whiskey’s will return soon!
The Battle of the Bands is a great idea. It’s such a pleasure to have an amazing variety of music here, a chance to dance or watch others dance, socialize, enjoy the music and just be in an upbeat atmosphere.
Mary A. Bailer Mutual 10
