Save SCC – Ellie’s Notes – August 31, 2026

Dear Sun City Center Friends and Neighbors,

Thank you to the nearly 240 residents who joined us for our August 8th Town Hall. Although we have made tremendous strides through volunteer dedication, we face a classic “David vs. Goliath” battle against deep-pocketed developers. To protect our community, we must rapidly expand our financial resources and volunteer base. Below is an updated briefing on our state of the organization, regulatory challenges, and critical action plan.

Important Personal Note & Health Update

Unfortunately, I recently made a big misstep – literally – and I suffered a severe fall. As part of my extended recovery, I am scheduled to undergo right shoulder replacement surgery today  (Aug. 31. Our team is sending out these Notes for me.) Because I’m right-hand dominant and currently managing heavy pain medication, my participation in Save SCC matters will be very limited for the immediate future, with initial recovery expected through December. It will be a long road.

During this time, changes have been made to keep our momentum going:

  • External Community Relations: Save Sun City Center Vice President Rick Johnson will be the focal point for community member inquiries and issues. He can be reached at [847-648-6355] or at rick.johnson@savescc.org for any concerns you have while Ellie is unavailable. Rick is currently in Illinois, but he will get back to you as quickly as possible.

  • Interim Leadership: Board member Barbara Allen is steering the organization while continuing to lead our highly crucial Zoning & Legal Team. Like Rick, Barbara is guiding our ship while she is currently out of town at her home in Massachusetts. However, Barb will be back in October to host our Second Saturday open house.

  • Operations: Our amazing core of volunteer teams continue to manage day-to-day operations seamlessly.

  • Gratitude: As I recover, I thank you all for your continued prayers and warm wishes. I also ask if you were thinking of sending cards or flowers, I would much rather you donate that money to Save SCC.

State of the Organization: Resourcing & Volunteer Needs

We are facing an urgent need for both financial capital and specialized skills to match developer pressure:

  • The Budget Challenge: We are actively building out infrastructure, but we remain grossly under-resourced compared to ClubLink and 13th Floor Homes as we face mounting legal and engineering expenses. Thankfully, through the generosity of some donors, we currently have a matching gift program that has been extended to Sept. 14. More information is below.

  • Volunteer Fatigue: Our core leadership is stretching its limits. We urgently need folks with specialized skills—specifically paralegals, civil/hydrological engineers, and administrative managers. If you have these talents, we ask you urgently to step up. You can get started by emailing getinvolved@savescc.org.

  • Neighborhood Scale: We are expanding our “legal” reach through the creation of Save SCC as a Neighborhood Organization with Hillsborough County. More information is below. (See “Resident Authorization Drive”)

Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD or “SwiftMud”) Regulatory Battle & Flooding Risk

ClubLink has formally submitted a petition for wetland determination on the North Lakes Golf Course under SWFWMD Permit Application #941993. This shifts their effort from conceptual planning to active regulatory execution.

  • Technical Criteria: SWFWMD environmental scientists will inspect the property to establish legal boundaries based on soil composition, hydraulic markers, wetland vegetation species, and historical surface water levels.

  • Severe Flooding Risk: North Lakes functions as a critical natural stormwater basin. Replacing it with impervious surfaces will displace millions of gallons of runoff, posing a catastrophic flooding threat to adjacent neighborhoods.

  • Our Stance: Save SCC is demanding that ClubLink be held to the absolute highest burden of proof under Florida law to demonstrate zero off-site impact.

Our Multi-Pronged Strategy

  1. Regulatory Oversight: We are continuously monitoring SWFWMD and ClubLink, as we retain hydrogeological expert witnesses, and ensure strict statutory enforcement. If you have any expertise in these areas, or know someone who is, please contact us at getinvolved@savescc.org.

  2. Proactive Legal Defense: We have vetted and retained specialized legal counsel for administrative hearings to challenge ClubLink in the future. (The budget is estimated to exceed $100,000). If we are to be successful, we need financial support. We hope you can step up in a big way!

  3. Official County Recognition: We want to secure Certified Neighborhood Organization status with Hillsborough County to serve as the community’s official legal voice in public hearings. In order to do this, we need “signatures” from more than 50% of the homes in Sun City Center. To accomplish this, we are looking for “captains” to canvass their street or local HOA. We have an easy sign-up form on our website (savescc.org). If you don’t have a computer or need help, please attend our upcoming Second Saturday open house from 10:00 a.m. until noon on Sept. 12, and our volunteers will get you signed up. More details on the open hose are below.

Urgent Legal Defense Fund & $500+ Matching Challenge

  • Matching Program (Extended thru Sept. 14): Local supporters will match all donations of $500 or more dollar-for-dollar to double your financial impact. I know I’ve talked about donating several times already, but I can’t stress enough how important it is that we raise the funds to battle ClubLink and its partners. Without the funding, we will never make it across the finish line, and I know you don’t want to see our open spaces turned into housing sites.

  • How to Donate: Visit our website to give online, or contact Treasurer John Newberry at 508-272-7130 or john.newberry@savescc.org.

Resident Authorization Drive & Volunteer Sign-Up

  • Sign Your Authorization: As mentioned earlier, we are working toward being certified by Hillsborough County as a Neighborhood Organization. You can submit a Resident Representation Authorization form (online or paper), so Save SCC can officially speak on your behalf before county boards.

  • Join the Team: We need Neighborhood Captains (“Boots on the Ground”) for 100% street coverage, alongside engineers, paralegals and administrative staff.

  • Contact: Contact Volunteer Coordinator Joan Diehl at 813-753-4347 or joan.diehl@savescc.org to get involved.

 

SAVE THE DATE:

Second Saturday Gathering

  • When: Saturday, September 12th | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

  • Where: Armstrong & Heritage rooms (North Campus)

  • Details: Informational booths will be staffed for volunteer signups, resident authorizations, donations and Save SCC merchandise.

Upcoming Second Saturday Events

  • Oct. 10 (hosted by Barbara Allen); Nov. 14 (hosted by Rick Johnson); Dec. 12 (hosted by Ellie Anderson).