Image Up Advertising & Design

8 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | APRIL 2016 want and putting it into effect, "within the budget — that's a really big thing. I think when you set a budget you should live within it." He said his experience as a policeman was good preparation for that role. He was president of the Riverside Police Officers Association — involved in negotiating salaries, working conditions and other work place issues — and served as liaison with the Chamber of Commerce, Neighborhood Watch, the city council and other civilian groups. In addition to his supervisory job as a police lieutenant, he has five years in the private sector as director of investigative operations for Farmers Insurance, another five running several departments for Lucas Aviation Inc., and then as the operator of his own investigations company. Most of the firm's work involves looking into whether or not a convicted person had a proper defense. His company would be hired by an attorney or a court looking into an appeal of the conviction. "I had five or six guys — all retired Riverside policemen — working for me." Now he has just three cases winding down, after which he will close the firm. Monahan applied for the Riverside police job when he was discharged as an encryption/teletype operator from the Air Force at March Air Force Base. He is a native of the Bronx in New York City and had several relatives on police forces. When he told his new wife, Frances, he wanted to be a policeman, she said fine, but not in New York — thus Riverside. While working as a policeman he graduated from Riverside City College and California Baptist University. "Monahan, the Irish Catholic kid, at Cal Baptist," he chuckled. "They were great to me." Among the issues facing the Board, "Safety is a big one, proper lighting, the streets being repaired and security in the sense people can be safe in the street. This is such a great place. I want to keep it at that level or make it even better by being accessible to the people who live here." He said "I have the energy and I want to do something." Part of having energy comes from the fact that he has lost a remarkable 238 pounds, down from 418. "When I was a policeman I was always very physical. I was member of Team 7 — a kind of early SWAT Team. I did everything to keep fit — ran eight to ten miles a day. I was never overweight. I could eat a banana split on my way to bed and lose weight that day." Then he was injured and retired and the activity stopped, "but not that savage appetite," he said. "I was so embarrassed — if I heard someone laugh, I thought they were laughing at me." After several failed attempts, he entered a medically supervised weight-loss program at Kaiser Permanente, had a gastric sleeve inserted, and shed all those pounds. He still attends the TOPS meetings at Four Seasons. "Now I'm comfortable," he said. He was complimentary of the current Board, and added that the FirstService Residential management staff does "a good job. Things are going along pretty well," he said, "but anything can be improved." "I'm just glad to have the opportunity to run. Win or lose I'll stay active." Jerry Monahan, continued from page 7 Claudeen Diaz, continued from page 7 "It's so important; they are representing the community; they need to be responsive, to answer the questions, need to have a positive attitude. It's not always easy, but you have to work hard at it." She also said there should be term limits for Board members and Committee members. "I don't think they should be there eight and nine years." "We have a lot of people in this community with a lot of expertise," she said, but they have no opportunity to serve when there are no vacancies to be filled. When Four Seasons first began, she said, it was hard to find people to serve on committees but now with 1,300 homes there are many capable residents and they should be given a chance. "We may be retired, but our brains haven't stopped." She added that there should not be a sudden removal of all long-term committee members, but a gradual phase-out so that knowledge and experience can be passed on. Diaz, who has an MBA, has been on the Finance Committee for three years and said that she is going to step down after four years, "no matter what happens." She said Four Seasons is "in very good financial condition. The committee has seen to it that we have the needed reserves, for the future when facilities need maintenance and replacement." However, she would like the committee to produce a "user friendly" financial summary monthly, to let residents who have trouble with formal financial statements easily understand the community's money matters. Also, she wants to see the formal report made to the Board by the committee chair, not the treasurer, who is a Board member. "The Board should be there asking questions and overseeing the committee" and not making the committee report. To improve communication, she would like to see the Board agenda moved from the wall next to the reception desk to the table under the events screen beside the movie theater. More people would see it there, she said. But, "Part of communication is being receptive," said. She called for periodic Town Hall meetings presided over by Board members to update residents and hear their concerns. "These would not be for decisions — that's for Board meetings. These meetings would be just to inform and listen." They would be particularly helpful to residents who still work and are unable to attend regular Board or committee meetings, she said. She has a wealth of management experience for a number of companies, including as general manager for two water companies and of six departments for a municipal water district. She taught college accounting courses as well. "I came here to play and have a good time. I'm active in the community — the wine club, line dancing and I play pool. And this is a good place to live, she said. "Other communities can't compare to Four Seasons."

• Cover