Letters to the Editor
Editor:
Take an active part in your Leisure World community. GRF elections are just a few weeks away. I invite you to meet your candidates and other Concerned Shareholders by attending our meeting April 21 in Clubhouse 3, Room 2, from 6-7 p.m. We discuss elections, candidates, and are hopeful our efforts will bring positive changes for Leisure World's future. Hope to see you there!
Teresa Charlesworth Mutual 15 Editor:
Want an overall picture of what GRF accomplished last year and where we’re going? The just-published GRF 2024 Annual Report gives you this information. I confess that I’ve sometimes used annual reports as a sleep-aid, but this one got and kept my attention. The report begins with messages from the executive director and GRF president, outlines the services each GRF department provides to residents, and ends with a 2025 financial overview.
Each department section describes the purpose of the department, number of staff, service data numbers, achievements and milestones, and gives a look to the future. Whether you’ve lived here for years or are new to the community, this well-written document gives you a GRF “big picture.” You can pick up a copy at the News Office now, and the report is also available digitally at lwsb.com/publications.
Congratulations to the Communications team and to every GRF department who contributed to this invaluable resource. The GRF 2024 Annual Report is a testimonial to the incredible work done every day by our talented and dedicated staff.
Maureen Habel GRF director Mutual 3 Editor:
As a tax preparer/reviewer in the GAF-sponsored AARP Tax Program, I want to thank Deidra Lukoff for her great Letter to the Editor (April 3) and for the many thank you cards, goodies and monetary donations we and GAF received. The 28 volunteers (including telephone helpers, client facilitators, tax preparers/reviewers and e-filers) are all friendly, dedicated and knowledgeable people, most of whom are your Leisure World neighbors.
The fact that we have a second set of eyes to review every tax return and multiple retired IRS employees to bounce questions off regarding various tax situations should give the taxpayer confidence in our abilities. We offer guidance on how much more the taxpayer may need to withhold or to file estimated payments to ensure they don’t receive a penalty from the IRS. We also offer guidance on how much less they can withhold so they get to keep their money during the year instead of the IRS holding onto it until their return is filed.
We just completed this year’s program and filed 752 federal and state returns, along with a few amended returns and answered many questions. We are already thinking about what we can do to improve the process and look forward to helping you file your 2025 returns next year.
Lisa Brass Mutual 5 Editor:
Approximately 2,500 out of 9,000 residents in Leisure World are of Korean descent and many of them visit Korea for various reasons. I strongly recommend that people with high risk of heart attack or stroke reconsider travel plans. Last year, against the Korean government’s plan for medical reform, almost all (18,000) medical students refused to go to school for the whole year and approximately 2,800 medical/surgical specialists were out of work. This year the situation is escalating. I’ve sent this medical crisis warning letter to the U.S. Embassy in Korea on Oct. 21. I’ve been closely monitoring this crisis situation. For more information, call 310713-8382.
Man C. Cho, M.D. Mutual 4
Editor:
Leisure World should install a large commercial horizontal washer and dryer to accommodate large bedspreads and other items that require a large rolling washer and dryer.
LW could charge sufficient fees to cover the installation and operating costs.
I think most residents would gladly pay standard commercial rates for the convenience.
The units could be installed in Building 5 allowing residents to go to the gym, pool, hospitality center or play ping pong while waiting for their laundry to dry.
It’s a win-win proposition for the residents and LW plus another benefit of LW membership.
Rodney Schaerer Mutual 1 Editor:
Recently, the GRF Member Services Committee was informed of the terrific demand for the “Hamilton” bus excursion. Sadly, there just weren’t enough tickets to go around.
I am writing to let our shareholders in on the most brilliant two hours I’ve had in, well, I just can’t recall a more enjoyable morning than the one I had attending the lecture series, “Hamilton, the Man Behind the Musical,” by Dr. Don Schwartz. He is a memorable and remarkable speaker—on a par with David Brown. I guarantee if you hear his lectures (a series of six, augmented with the actual “Hamilton” music), you will not miss being unable to secure tickets to see the show. It was memorizing, amazing, awesome—I don’t possess sufficient superlatives. The last lecture was Wednesday, April 16, at 10:30 at the Temple Beth David auditorium, open to the public for $20. But everyone can find a recording of that lecture series and many others at https:// thehistorydon.com/recordings.
It was brilliant to a degree I have not previously encountered, and his next lecture series will address the potential for a constitutional amendment to allow the president to run for a third term, a question I am often asked as a former constitutional law lecturer. Please consider gifting yourself an educational experience unparalleled in thought and entertainment.
Marla Hamblin GRF d irector Mutual 15
