Apathy is the Worst Enemy

In a blog posted today titled, ANNUAL MEETINGS? A REQUIREMENT BY STATUTES! Jan Bergemann, founder of http://www.ccfj.net/ writes the following:

APATHY is the worst enemy of creating a nice owner-friendly community.

A little piece of advice to all the owners who say that “they don’t want to get involved”: You are involved since the moment you bought into the community – for better or for worse. Your lack of involvement allows other members to create sometimes dictatorial rules. “Dictators” can only rule if the majority of owners is silent and “doesn’t want to get involved.” Recalls and elections are a great tool to get rid of “dictators.”

Not getting involved can cost you lots of money. Make sure you go to the meetings and have your voice – and vote – heard – or stop complaining and just write the checks when the “dictators” are wasting more of your money!

He is correct. 

One reader of this blog wrote the following comment yesterday:  

At the end of the day it all comes down to the board of directors, we all know ours is useless, and anyone new comes in with high energy and new ideas, i have listened to sandra fox make this speech for the last 14 years!!!! Its the board members who sit year after year who block any progress or ideas, they dont want to do anything,
First service says managment takes direction from the board, well managment is very happy not to have direction.So here is a idea, we have to clean house, get all new boardmembers, no more they run unopposed and just keep their seats!!!We the people who care have to run for the board,its ok if u dont have all that much time, the board puts in no time at all now!! As u can see its pretty much all spelled out for us which the moderator of this blog puts up for us on a daily basis, its time people step up, its pretty simple, dont bring any personial vendettas to being on the board, phones get answered, complaints get filed and followed up, condo business should be a opened book, agendas, minutes, announcmentd, construction, sales of apts, rental of apts, if you dont like it change it, i can gaurentee the residentd will appreaciate the help, and respect the fact of change is good, if not for anything elce we xan have the office opened and the phones answered!!! Please please run for the board for change, there are 16 or 18 members of the board, if every member stepped up for 1 month you really have the year covered, its really simple u get a agenda learn whats on it, attend the meetings ( phonr and video chat is now considered attending a meeting) take a vote and its as easy as that, but first there has to be a meeting!!!being a board member should be rewarding when u are there to listen and help!!! Take pride in your homes! WE CAN MAKE IT RIGHT, WE HAVE TO CLEAN HOUSE!!!!!

This person is correct.  

Bottom line is: 

APATHY is INDEED the worst enemy of creating a nice owner-friendly community.

Don't be your own worst enemy and then want to point fingers at someone else when things go wrong.  Get up and get involved somehow and someway--there is much work to do. 

Are the JWA Rules and Regulations Valid?

I recently found and read an online newsletter that was discussing a condominium Board's authority and responsibilities when adopting Rules and Regulations.

As you may already know, our Board of Directors have somehow been granted this rule-making authority and subsequently adopted a new set of Rules and Regulations in July 2012. Putting aside any question of how those Rules & Regulations were adopted but then revised and amended and more importantly by whom-- I ask you to read the current JWA Rules & Regulations keeping in mind the following "tests" outlined below:  

So now that you have read the article above how do you feel about our current Rules and Regulations here at the Jade Winds?  

Did they pass the "tests?" 
Are the rules reasonable? 
Do the rules conflict with any governing documents?  
Was proper notice given if the issue of "unit use" was to be affected?  etc.

Feel free to comment and share your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions.  

JWA Rules and Regulations: FINES definition

In one of my earlier posts, I Got Fined...Now What? I posted a copy of the JWARR definition of Fines, section E.  revised July 27, 2012. 

JWARR adopted July 2012

However, I have recently learned that those Rules and Regulations have since been revised, amended, and even had some portions omitted (specifically Section 6, which covers things like Board of Directors, Notices, Meetings, Inspection of Records, and complaint methods. Nothing too important, right?!)  

Below, I am posting the revised page covering FINES according to the most recently issued set of JWA Rules and Regulations, no revision date listed. Please note the obvious differences in what was initially adopted by the Board and what is being presently published and enforced today (or not).  

I am not sure how it went from that to this so easily and poorly. What was the purpose and intent of those changes?  How can we allow such a small number of persons make such drastic and potentially detrimental changes.

These are the same rules and regulations that increased the somewhat reasonable parking fees to unreasonable rates and surely were NOT "in line" with FS718.303, etc. Can you see the pattern and reasonable cause for concern with this?   It must change now.    

Perhaps another matter to discuss further at the next Board meeting whenever that will be.  A committee can be created to help fix this. I volunteer for that.   

Request a copy of the latest Rules and Regulations and compare the previous July 2012 copy to this most recently issued one. 

Maybe the next revision of the JWARR will include the meaning of the word FIDUCIARY.  

JWA Rules and Regulations issued by office January 2014, date and method of revision unknown. 

I Got Fined...Now What? Part 3

She said, "Now what? " 

He said, "I will tell you what--Remove that FINE!" 

She said, "Okay."

-THE END-

...and just like that it happens.  Well, not quite just like that...but the final word for now is that the fines were ultimately CREDITED as to make them of zero value, in other words, worthless for the purpose the fines were imposed. 

However, without getting into any specific details this is a bittersweet victory.  It is also an egregious example of the problems were are facing here at the Jade Winds and perhaps more importantly WHY we are having these problems to begin with. It is worth further discussion.  Perhaps it is time for a Board Meeting?   

Anyone second?  

Here is my most recent balance ledger account sheet.  I believe that everyone who got a fine imposed should also have had their accounts CREDITED as well.   The fines imposed were certainly NOT "IN LINE" with FS718.303. 

This was absolutely too much time, too much money, and too many resources misused to accomplish absolutely nothing but prove harassment and incompetence, or possibly even worse from whoever is supposed to be running this place.  

Upcoming Elections: Board and Committee Volunteers Needed

I am going to keep it short and simple.  

Everyone who owns a unit and is eligible to vote must do so come election time.  

I suggest that we all commun..

SunSentinal: Former Hallandale Condo Manager Pleads GUILTY

Article Courtesy of The Sun Sentinel

By Rafael Olmeda

Published January 5, 2014

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2014-01-03/news/fl-parker-plaza-condo-hearing-20140103_1_parker-plaza-estates-kickback-scheme-robert-hittner

(Click on link above for the original, and related stories)

  

The last remaining defendant in the alleged kickback scheme that cost Hallandale Beach condominium owners more than $3 million has pleaded guilty, his lawyer said Friday.

Robert Hittner, 65, who once managed the Parker Plaza Estates high-rise at 2030 S. Ocean Drive, was charged with three counts of communications fraud in connection with..

NBC 6 News Video: Residents, Management Clash Over Parking Fees at Jade Winds in North Miami Beach

Residents, Management Clash Over Parking Fees at Jade Winds in North Miami Beach (NBC 6 News Video)

NBC 6 News Video Link

Thank you to those involved in exposing the abuse that is occurring at the Jade Winds..we need more work just like this. 

Post Holiday Summary

Hello All.  

I have taken a few days off to try to enjoy the holidays but unfortunately that wasn't possible. I have lots to write about.

One of those things includes..