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This communication from Renee Bergen was posted on the Website 2/10/03 and has been edited. Helen & Tom Collins 601/502.
2/7/03
Interest Charges On Our Insurance Premiums Cost Us
$12,064.77
It upsets me when the Board elects to waste our money. For
many,
many, years I have literally begged the Boards to change their system of issuing
our assessment billings. The bills should go out much sooner than they do. I
found out in private business that it is not prudent to send out bills for
insurance premiums just a couple of weeks before they are due. Human nature
being what it is, people just never seemed to face up to budgeting for quick
payments and we had a lot of cancellations for non-payment of premiums. So, our
office made certain bills were mailed at least one month in
advance. We found the payments were much more successful. Then,
following the lead of some of the insurance companies we represented. . . we
started to send them out two months ahead. Like a miracle almost every client
paid well in advance and we found we had a new source of income - our interest
income escalated because we had the money in an interest bearing account and did
not have to pay our companies for many months. Our Association could be earning
interest if ONLY they would send out bills a little earlier!
If you will refer to "The Bluffs Condominium Finances" page of your website
under "Insurance" you will find there is no mention of our paying $12,064.77
finance charge. Yet, in an advisory to Building Representatives from Don Hester,
is a note from Treasurer Henry Hopkins, that states "The total premium came in
at $684,718.00 plus the finance charge of $12,064.77". I adamantly oppose our
paying finance charges[interest] when it could be avoided. Instead we could
rearrange, possibly, the inception dates of some of the policies to stagger
their due dates. We could send out our bills earlier AND charge the entire
insurance premium on the first quarterly assessment.
Have a great day!
Renee
This letter has been edited
and anyone interested in reading the original should contact Renee Bergen. Tom
Collins 601/502
2/3/03
Don Hester Defended
There is never a conversation anymore, it seems, that I don't hear Don Hester's
reputation being trashed. He seems to be blamed for every ill . . . of the past
four years.
Don has some weaknesses and I have had my share of conversations with him as to
why some things were not done despite being promised, or being done the way they
were (inadequately or just plain wrong.) Once in a while it was as a result of
an honest error on his part and since my own erasers are all worn down due to my
own errors, I can easily accept an error.
But, with my nature as it is, I explore thoroughly to learn the reason why and
find time and again that it is because he has so much on his plate putting out
fires . . . . caused by actions or lack thereof by [others.] Some actions he
would have taken while
exercising his managerial responsibilities were denied to him. He has made
recommendations that would have benefited our entire community but because they
were his idea they were not listened to. He is never given credit where credit
is due for the good things he has done, over and above the duties that are
expected of him. And he is generally blamed when things go awry. Unfortunately,
he is in a position and is gentleman enough not to defend himself in many of
those instances, other than to admit that he tried to take some actions [but
could not.] . . . . I would also like to comment about jokes made about Don
Hester's responses of "Yes, ma'am" or "No, sir". Don is a very soft, gentle,
gentleman and that is his sign of respect when he addresses us. He should be
admired for his upbringing, not ridiculed.
Have a nice day,
Renee.
While the Association is facing an expensive and unavoidable task in removing and replacing the Carrotwood trees and the Australian Pines on the property, it should take a look at another landscaping problem – neglect. The continued prosperity of this community hinges to a large degree on its appearance, which is becoming “ratty” both because of neglect and lack of an over-all landscaping plan on what we would like this community to look like. Following are a few examples of neglect and lack of planning snapped at random around the grounds.
Note: Read response from Henry Hopkins on the BOD page.
WHERE HAVE ALL THE HEDGES GONE?
. . . .LONG TIME PASSING
GONE & FORGOTTEN
LONG GONE--STILL HERE
DUST BOWL
HELP!!!!
Signed: Helen & Tom Collins, Building 601/502.
Lighting is indeed a problem, but having a front gate to keep people like that
out of our community at night is a better solution. One more thought on this
issue: Where was the night security when this break in was happening? I am sure
the security is a large expense, so we must demand that they become more
aggressive in stopping crime.
Another
issue is the boat people and their dogs. Tonight there was a couple with three
huge dogs, no bag for pick up, and no flashlight to see. Someone must be "on
duty" when Don and the crew are not around. There are continual violations that
go unresolved.
David
P. Hale
Building 1801
Unit
102
The next three or four years will present many challenges to both the Board of Directors and residents of the Marina at The Bluffs as important financial decisions must be made and other issues confronted which will determine if this community will continue to prosper or go into decline as it approaches its twentieth year.
At
the top of the list of expensive projects that MUST be decided NOW:
1. The Intracoastal Erosion problem which could carry a $200,000 price tag.
2. The removal of 100 plus Carrotwood trees by 2008 as mandated by Palm Beach County at a possible cost of $325 a tree.
3. A community Gate. If a final decision is not made on this question soon, it may be too late to get permits after the State decides it is time to build a Marcinski bridge across the Intracoastal. Price unknown.
Additional problems whose solutions can be delayed, but not without risk:
4. Proper lighting of all parking lots. The entire community is vulnerable because of lighting so poor it has already contributed to a recent car break-in and worse things could be in the future if it is not corrected. Solution and cost not known.
5. Landscaping. Some residents have been commenting lately on how poorly our landscaping appears as compared with that of our community’s neighbors. If you look critically and take a ride through neighboring communities you may start to see what they mean. Vegetation is ‘scruffy’ in many areas here and while it may be trimmed and mowed, it is not in the same class. When we start taking the Carrotwoods down it may look a lot worse unless a decision is made to go ‘first class’ in updating this service. Cost?
If these challenges are not met and dealt with effectively we can expect the same gradual decline and decay that has made many Florida condo communities places where we would not like to live.
Tom Collins 601/502
The
Cheapest Policeman – New Parking Lot Lights
The lighting in our parking lots is abysmal and dangerous. A ten-minute ride around the grounds any night will convince anyone that we have a problem. And the recent car break-in at building 601 is, I’m afraid, a harbinger of things to come. [Click on the Bad News page for details.] New lighting MUST be made a priority by the Board of Directors. That’s our opinion. Let everyone and the BOD know what you think by messaging BuildingRep601@yahoo.com.
Helen & Tom Collins
601/502 1/18/03
UROTILE SMALL CLAIMS COURT
I understand the BOD or Bluffs
Management office will be filing for damages in small claims court to correct
shoddy workmanship on the driveway resurfacing contract. One very effective
means to compel the contractor to honor the one-year warranty on labor &
materials required by state law, is to file a complaint with the Palm Beach
County Contractor Certification/Licensing Board. The board reviews complaints
placed on agenda each month, and based upon findings of fact, may issue a Board
Order for the contractor to make repairs or restitution, or otherwise risk fine,
suspension, or revocation of license. I'll send a note to Don Hester regarding
this matter that will also include contact information about the Licensing
Board.
Bob Ghianda, Bldg. 601/unit 204
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