The Rancher
Summer 2002
Farewell to McCormick Ranch Protector and Friend
Murray F. Wilson
1924 - 2002
McCormick Ranch lost its most ardent supporter when POA President Murray Wilson passed away on
July 10, 2002.
Murray had served on the McCormick Ranch POA Board of Directors for 22 years and held the
position of President for 20 of those 22 years.
During a memorial service on July 12th, several people paid tribute to the very vocal "Protector
of City of Scottsdale and McCormick Ranch".
"Murray was an individual who sincerely cared about the entire community," Mayor Mary Manross said.
"In person, Murray had an expressive brow and quick wit," City Councilman David Ortega said.
"Murray and Janet Wilson worked as a team. They were my trusted advisors, knowing what was
right for Scottsdale."
John Faramelli, former City Zoning Administrator and current Capital Projects Administrator, who
had dealings with Murray for a quarter of a century said, "Murray was devoted to making sure that
a high quality of life was maintained at McCormick Ranch."
The City's Transportation General Manager, John Little, met Murray in 1987 when John was Mayor
Herb Drinkwater's Executive Assistant. "Murray was a frequent visitor to the Mayor's office,"
John recalled. "He had so much passion and zeal that he was just somebody you felt compelled to
listen to. He prided himself in being able to focus on larger community issues and expressed
frustration in petty complaints that people made."
"I can't think of a volunteer who has given more time to the community than Murray, except maybe
Herb Drinkwater," former Mayor Sam Campana said. "He was really a hands-on guy that we worked
with, whether it was signage, trucks in the neighborhoods or the Pima Road configuration."
"His devotion to the City was immense," said Garth Saager, Executive Director of the McCormick
Ranch Property Owners' Association, who worked with Murray nearly 21 years. "Although he served
in numerous volunteer capacities under three Mayors -- Herb Drinkwater, Sam Campana and Mary
Manross, McCormick Ranch was Murray's passion. He gave unselfishly of his time, effort and
resources to keep it the best property owners' association in America. He gave and never asked
for anything in return."
Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Murray, an attorney, bank executive, financial analyst
and estate planner, was recognized as an expert in the area of bond funding. He served as
President of the Estate Planning Councils and Financial Analysis Societies in both Kansas City
and Phoenix.
He lent his expertise to the City of Scottsdale as Chairman of Scottsdale's Citizen Bond Review
Commission and of the Citizen's Budget Committee.
Additional commitments included the Water Resources Advisory Committee, the Citizens Cost of
Services Committee, the Scottsdale School District Bond Oversight Committee and the Herb
Drinkwater Sculpture Committee.
In December of 2000, the McCormick Ranch Property Owners' Association dedicated Murray Wilson
Park in his honor for his many years of unselfish efforts on behalf of McCormick Ranch. Murray
Wilson Park is located on Via Paseo Del Sur between Via Del Futuro and Via De Paz, in the Paseo
Village subdivision.
In addition, the Murray F. Wilson Scholarship Fund has been set up to provide a college
scholarship for a deserving McCormick Ranch resident.
Donations may be sent in care of the McCormick Ranch Property Owners' Association, 9248 N. 94th
Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.
We will all miss you, Murray. Thanks for your many years of contributions, dedication and,
especially, your friendship!
Return to top of page
Michel Sucher New Acting President
Michel Sucher, M.D.
Although Murray Wilson will be sorely missed, both as our POA President and a friend, you can
rest assured that McCormick Ranch is in capable hands.
Based on the Bylaws of the McCormick Ranch Property Owners’ Association, "the Vice President will
act in the place and stead of the President in the event of his inability to act".
Therefore, Michel Sucher, currently serving as Vice President, will act as President of
the Association until the re-election of Officers at the first Board Meeting following the Annual
Meeting in February, 2003.
Michel A. Sucher, M.D., has served as a Director of the McCormick Ranch Property Owners’
Association since April 1996. He served as Secretary of the Board in 1999, and as Chair of the
Elections Committee in 2000-2001.
Dr. Sucher is currently serving as Acting Medical Director for the State of Arizona Bureau of
Emergency Medical Services. He is also engaged in the private practice of Addiction Medicine in
Scottsdale. He serves as the Medical Director of the Professional Health Programs for the
Arizona State Board of Medical Examiners, the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners and the
State Bar of Arizona.
Dr. Sucher practiced emergency medicine at both Scottsdale Healthcare Shea and Osborn hospitals
from 1974 through 1994. He served as Medical Staff President at the Osborn Campus in 1994. He
also served as Chief Medical Officer of Rural/Metro Corporation from 1995-2001.
Dr. Sucher has been both a national lecturer and writer with emphasis on emergency medicine and
substance abuse, and currently serves as an Instructor in Medicine at the Mayo Medical School
and an instructor in emergency medicine for the SMH Family Practice Residency Program.
In addition to his professional contributions, Dr. Sucher is a member of the Scottsdale Chamber
of Commerce, Honorary Surgeon General for the City of Scottsdale, and has served as a board
member of a Homeowners Association in Scottsdale.
Return to top of page
McCormick Ranch Women's’ Association
The McCormick Ranch Women's’ Association is an Association for women on McCormick Ranch and
invites all women to join them as a new member.
Their activities include bridge, book discussions, golf, water aerobics, etc. They have a
luncheon/meeting on the third Thursday of each month which is held at various valley resorts,
country clubs and restaurants. Each luncheon has a social hour preceding the luncheon and an
interesting program following with speakers on art, politics, fashion shows and community affairs.
With membership dues of $25.00 annually, you will receive their monthly newsletter (September to
May) and their yearly Membership Directory. Please contact Mary Helen Barnes at (480) 998-3788 or
Barbara Paisant at (480) 991-3744, for more information.
Return to top of page
From our mailbag...
Rosemary Foster, Director of Regulations, received the following email...
"Thank you for your prompt response. I believe that McCormick Ranch POA is doing a tremendous
job. The community looks great."
We were asked to pass the following email on to the Maintenance Dept...
"The new trees you’re planting on the green belt look wonderful! On behalf of the neighbors, we
thank you. This is a much needed improvement since that bad storm a few years ago. We’re
particularly impressed with the professional manner in which they were staked. They look like
they will really survive monsoon season. The 7 new ones between Mountain View and Shetland Trail
in the little park area are especially appreciated as that area used to look so nice before the
storms and we spend a lot of time there. Thanks again."
The following note was received in our office along with an assessment payment...
"The best money we spend all year! Thank you for keeping us looking so good."
The following email was received shortly after our last issue of "The Rancher"...
"The "What Do I Get For My Money?" article in the Spring, 2002 issue was obnoxious. It was
poorly written, contained faulty logic and an embarrassing snobbish attitude. It was very
off-putting and silly (traveling circuses, chickens in the yard, etc.). Give me a break!
Please use editorial restraint and refrain from printing such offensive articles. It made me
embarrassed to be part of McCormick Ranch neighborhood. An article like this reinforces the
stereotypical image of a Ranch resident as a rich self-centered obnoxious elitist."
Editor’s note: Sorry the article offended you. We try to present the facts to our
readers in the best way we can. We certainly did not intend to offend anyone.
This final letter was also received in response to the same article...
"I read with great interest your column "What Do I Get For My Money?". Please be assured that I
appreciate all the amenities that are offered and taken care of. But as a condominium owner in
the Villages, I feel that I pay more than my share since much of what was mentioned in the
article is taken care of by my monthly assessment of my HOA. Please explain to me why I have to
pay the same $180.00?"
Editors note: Back in 1972, when the master developers were drawing up the documents for
McCormick Ranch, all residential properties were classed into two groups, single-family dwelling
units or apartments. All condominiums fall under the grouping of single-family dwelling units;
therefore, owners are required to pay as such.
McCormick Ranch has many such condominiums, which includes the Villages, Villa De Vallarta, Sun
Canyon, Palm Cove, Lakeside Villas, Presidio and several others.
When you purchased your home and signed your deed, you entered into an agreement to pay the
annual assessment charged by the McCormick Ranch POA. By doing so the POA, in turn, is able to
enforce the CC&R’s for all of McCormick Ranch, maintain the common areas, and in essence, ensure
that you’re living in one of the most prestigious seven square miles within Arizona.
Letters, notes, comments, suggestions, etc. can be sent to the staff at 9248 N. 94th St.,
Scottsdale, AZ 85258, or emailed to karenbenson@mccormickranchpoa.com.
Return to top of page
Rules and Regs of McCormick Ranch
Parking Beside Driveways
Parking any portion of a vehicle on an unpaved area is not permitted. Grass or decomposed granite areas adjacent to driveways are considered unpaved
areas.
On-Street Parking
On-street parking is restricted to deliveries, or
short-time guests and invitees and shall be subject to such rules and regulations as shall be
adopted by the Association. Overnight on-street parking is prohibited for residents.
Storage
No exterior storage of any items of any kind shall
be permitted, except with prior written approval and authorization of the Association. Any such
storage as is approved and authorized shall be in areas attractively screened or concealed
(subject to all required approvals as to architectural control) from view from neighboring
property, dwelling units, pathways and streets.
This provision shall apply without limitation,
to woodpiles, camping trailers, boat trailers, travel trailers, boats, mobile homes and unmounted
pickup camper units.
Also, without limitation, no automobile, truck or other vehicle, regardless
of ownership, age, condition, or appearance, shall remain on any Lot in any manner which could be
construed as being stored, neglected, abandoned or otherwise not in frequent use, except pursuant
to written approval and authorization of the Association.
Sidewalk Encroachments
No tree shall be allowed to overhang or otherwise
encroach upon any sidewalk or any other pedestrian way from ground level to a height of seven
feet (7').
Shrubs and trees must not encroach on or over any sidewalk or pedestrian walkway.
To see the entire set of our Rules and Regulations, check out our Rules and Regs page.
Return to top of page