Setting the Record Straight - Stewart Richland

Setting the record straight by Stewart Richland

When Phyllis Richland resigned as VP from UCO she exhibited a level of courage and character that very few people seem to understand. She handed President George Lowenstein her resignation stating her reason for leaving his administration as one of “philosophical differences.” This decision was very difficult for her because she felt that she was abandoning those Century Village residents that need her help ad guidance.
Unfortunately when a person of character and integrity makes a decision such as this, people with lesser virtues view this as sinister and allow their personal paranoia to cloud their judgment.

I challenge any past or present member of UCO to provide evidence that Phyllis Richland had not conducted herself during her years as a UCO
Vice-President at a level less than outstanding. Since her resignation Phyllis has not resorted to “name calling, bad mouthing, mud slinging or character assassination,” toward any person in or out of UCO. Why? Because Phyllis Richland is a person of strong character. She has developed, as the English often say, “Good Form,” when dealing with others. Over one’s lifetime, character has to be developed painstakingly. It is strength of character truly great.

This explains why Phyllis has not uttered any negatives towards George Lowenstein. George had the opportunity to call Phyllis and discuss their difference, but he chose not to. He told the staff at UCO that Phyllis was taking a month’s leave of absence because of illness. He then followed this up with a lame note about not understanding her motives for leaving his administration.

Election is a time for verbal acrobatics, political snafus. Murky pasts are raked up, double innuendos are made of each remark, deeds (or misdeeds) are meticulously racked up and examined.

Phyllis Richland’s record of service is an open book. Just read her bio and you will see that it was not politics that motivated her but her sincere and compassionate desire to help those residents that could not help themselves. I know that very people are aware that Phyllis used to open the UCO office at 8:30, most often the first one in. Compare her attendance record with other UCO officers who left for weeks at a time to attend their other business interests, overseas travel, and cruise trips. I always thought that if you were committed and accepted the responsibilities of your office, that you would be at your desk doing what you were elected to do. Ask your self why would an elected official feel it was okay to leave his post? The answer was simple! Phyllis was there taking care of business! I again challenge any resident to refute this. Ask the staff at the UCO office how often residents come into the office in a state of emotional stress and leave with a smile and a sense of confidence that they were treated with dignity and respect. Wasn’t there a time in the past that residents were complaining about how they were treated by UCO? Never was Phyllis ever associated with this issue.

Unfortunately for George Lowenstein, perception is truth. He has suggested that Phyllis has “gone over to the other side.” What does he mean by this? Does he look at the “other side as enemies.”? Is there some secret plan being hatched by “others” to remove him from office? Get a life George!
When Phyllis was part of the Bob Marshall administration you never heard her denigrate any member of group in public. She had the courage of her convictions to voice her disagreements and, yes also praise when it was appropriate. When Phyllis decided to support George Lowenstein for president, she categorically supported the idea that the campaign would be run with dignity and would not support “mud slinging or character abuse.” George supported this idea and thus the campaign was conducted within these parameters.

How often do we take the time to appreciate the little things in life? So much goes unnoticed until you are deprived of it. How can a person maintain their credibility if they have not got the “guts” to put their name on the line. That is the reason why Phyllis resigned from UCO. No where, ever, did Phyllis ever put any “dirty laundry” out there for “spokesmouth” of dissent to use as fodder for their attacks against the administration. Any one that supports this claim is either down right desperate or just plain evil. Some people have said to me that Phyllis should have explained in detail why he left the Lowenstein administration. If I have not made this clear already that “character counts,” then I suggest you rethink your priorities.

I know that most residents want UCO to move into the 21st century and modernize its operations. This is all well and good. However, what was the original intent of UCO. Was it not to help those who could not help themselves? In all of the campaign rhetoric I have not seen or heard any person or group support the idea that UCO first and foremost is compassionate to the needs of the residents. Do you believe that professional management would have the time or inclination to deal with the day-to-day dilemmas of our residents? Just let me remind you of how often you call a business and all you get is a list of numbers to press, and finally, after long minutes of holding on you get some one living overseas with an accent that is virtually incomprehensible to solve your problem.

Voltaire said, “Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well. To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing.” Phyllis is a strong-willed person whose character radiates brilliance. You too can develop strong character all you need is some inspiration and loads of determination. Unfortunately most of the people in this upcoming election suffer from Myopia. They view of the big picture has been so narrowed that they forgot what UCO is all about. Their motivation to get even for “past commissions or omissions,” superseded the real goal that is to make CV a great place to live.

As I have said before, “appreciation is a wonderful thing.” However, we humans offer suffer from a condition characterized as “what have you done for me lately.” syndrome. Shakespeare said: “The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones. ...”
How true this is! When Phyllis Richland announced her candidacy as UCO president she was hard pressed to get the needed 10 seconding nominations. Ah! The human condition. What is a person’s record of achievement worth when it is so easily forgotten?
So delegates remember our elections are free- it’s in the results where eventually you pay.
Be careful you may wish for, you may just get it!