Since its inception in 1979, PORA, a quasi-municipality, has helped residents save money on taxes, developed and defended deed restrictions in court, helped protect water rights for every property owner and successfully reduced water and sewer rates. To assure continuity of lifestyle, PORA led a drive in 1983 to obtain Senior Overlay Zoning for the community, expanding its benefits, circulating petitions and lobbying county officials. The county approved the zoning in 1984.
PORA’s goal is to keep Sun City West a great place to live. To achieve that goal, PORA has worked with the County Board of Supervisors to prohibit or modify development of several subdivisions within or near Sun City West. It has also worked with the county and state to lower property assessments for Sun City West residents.
PORA has been instrumental in the formation of several organizations that now operate independently: Sun City West Foundation, Helping Hands, PRIDES. Today, it remains committed to making Sun City West a preferred place to live and continues to work together with area agencies to bring a solid voice of advocacy the community.
1979-1981
Tax Reduction
PORA was successful in seceding from Dysart School District, resulting in no school tax in original area and reducing tax by $475 per $100,000 home value
1980
BINGO
Started Bingo games for community, which provides $12,000 annually to charitable organizations
1980
1980
Prevented Rec Dues Increase
Prevented the Recreation dues increase proposed by Del Webb Corporation
1981
Stopped Used Car Lot
Stopped proposed “Used Car Lot” in Sundome Plaza area
1981
1982
Sun City West on Map
Successfully worked with State Department of Transportation to include Sun City West on State Map
1983
Age Overlay
Convinced supervisors to approved Age Overlay for Sun City West
1983
1983
Time Share Units
Stopped Del Webb from advancing “Time Share Units”. Pressed Del Webb to repurchase forty-eight units
1984
RV & Trailer Parking Lot
Prevented 4,000 unit RV and trailer parking lot to preserve home appearances in Sun City West
1984
1985-1995
Post Office
Presented 11,000 signatures to officials in Washington, DC to prompt installation of a post office in Sun City West
1987
3.6 Acres of land
Convinced DEVCO to donate to PORA 3.6 acres of land for Foundation building and first permanent quarters for Posse
1987
1996
Visitors Center
Added Visitors enter to the PORA building, 12,000 annual visitors to promote Sun City West
1997
Deer Valley Road to Loop 303
Stopped Deer Valley Road west connection to proposed Loop 303
1997
1997
Time Shares
Stopped Scottsdale firm from acquiring Crestview for 60 room hotel and 58 time shares
1997-2010
El Mirage Road
Worked on El Mirage Road revision, pushed it 600 feet east versus widening the current lane
1997-2010
1998
SCW Coalition
Partnered with Sun City West Coalition in stopping Continental Homes plan for high density, low income housing in area now called Corte Bella. Coalition gathered 12,000 petition signatures while PORA worked with Supervisor Brewer on density level, which Continental Homes rejected
1998
Opposed Chemical Plant
Successfully opposed construction of chemical plant southwest of Sun City West for fear of fumes
1998
1999
Walgreens Relocation
Joined the chorus against Walgreens Drug Store relocation at 151st & Deer Valley
2000
Construction Renegotiation
Convinced Del Webb to renegotiate construction at Corte Bella
2000
2002-2004
Central Project Arizona
Won court initiative to use CAP (Central Arizona Project) water on golf courses preventing subsidence
2009-2013
Utility Rates
Fought utility rate increases and beat consolidated rates. Members testified before legislature
2009-2013
2009-2013
Lobbied Legislature
Lobbied legislature to stop parking infringement for six consecutive years and other bills unhealthy for Sun City West
2012
Phase 1 Construction
Construction of Phase 1 of $850,000 noise wall, north of expansion area
2012
2012
New Routing
Stopped Deer Valey east connection to Peoria with new routing diagonal from Peoria to Williams Road east of Corte Bella
2013
Highway Signage
Proposed highway signage for Sun City West at intersection of El Mirage and Bell
2013
2013
Board Member Selection
Promoted the selection of Board member, Merlyn Carlson, to the Maricopa County Transportation Advisory Board
2013
Pedestrian Light Crossings
Lobbied successfully for three new pedestrian light crossings and one new traffic light. Two installations were by hospital entrance
2013
2013
Solar
Won the solar battle on a 3/2 vote that will preserve the invested value of a solar user, whether or not they sell their home, while modestly adjusting infrastructure costs on new solar installations
2013
Farmers Market
PORA began the Farmers Market, at Executive Director’s request, on PORA premises to accommodate Sun City West residents for a unique shopping opportunity, especially for fresh fruits and vegetables as well as novelties
2013
2013
Noise Wall
Proposal of 100% completion of noise wall
2013
53 Acre Development
Protected residents from undesirable development of 53 acres northwest of Sun City West by arranging numerous meetings with the Recreation Centers Governing Board Officers, County Supervisor Hickman and county officials. Will follow Supervisor Hickman’s plan to pull property off auction and get it rezoned compatiable with Sun City West
2013
2014
Posse Insurance Coverage
Contacted and supported Supervisor Hickman’s effort to overcome glitch in Posse insurance coverage which shut down their patrol operations and activation of the 175 person Posse. As the largest Posse in the Sheriff’s operation, it was fortunate that Supervisor Hickman was able to resolve our concern
2014-2019
Government Relations
Developed strong relationships with state local and Federal governments
2014-2019
2017-2019
Utility Rate Cases
Intervened and advocated in three utility rate cases. Continued to build relationships with APS and EPCOR (ACC)
2018
Posse and MCSO
Supported Sun City West Posse in their efforts to maintain its status with MCSO
2018