Thursday, January 22, 2009

HOA Candidates

Ballots for voting for the new HOA members will be mail at the end on January and will be counted prior to February 22 where they will elect the new HOA members to the HOA Board by Bill Follett, President of the HOA till Feburary 22, 2009. Only four will be elected. The person with the most votes becomes the president, second most becomes the treasurer and the third most becomes the secretary, all the others are just helpers. It has been said that the new candidates will vote to elect the new president, not the largest vote counted as noted above.

William Follett, Lloyd Van Sickle, Nancy Kennedy and Tom Scali terms will expire in Feb 2009

Ron White and Jake Eaton will remain on the board until Feb 2010

The following names are the candidates which the Lake Ashton Adhoc believes will best represent the LA residents:


1. Bordon Deane

2. John Guenther

3. Carol Hanson

4. John Castelli

We need excellent and strong leadership and these are the four HOA Candidates that will help all residents of Lake Ashton.

AGREE OR DELETE

Andy Rooney

DID YOU KNOW?
As you walk up the steps to the
building which houses the U.S Supreme Court
you can see near the top of the building a row
of the world's law givers and each one is
facing one in the middle who is facing forward
with a full frontal view ... it is Moses and he
is holding the Ten Commandments!

DID YOU KNOW?

As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the
Two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments
Engraved on each lower portion of each door.

DID YOU KNOW?

As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see
The wall, right above where the Supreme Court
judges sit, a display of the Ten Commandments!

DID YOU KNOW?

There are Bible verses etched in stone all
over the Federal Buildings and Monuments in
Washington , D.C.

DID YOU KNOW?

James Madison, the fourth president, known as
'The Father of Our Constitution' made the
following statement:

We have staked the whole of all our political
institutions upon the capacity of mankind for
self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control
ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to
the Ten Commandments of God.'

DID YOU KNOW?

Every session of Congress begins with a prayer
by a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid
by the taxpayer since 1777.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fifty-two of the 55 founders of the
Constitution were members of the established
orthodox churches in the colonies.

DID YOU KNOW?
Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts would
overstep their authority and instead of
interpreting the law would begin making law
an oligarchy

the rule of few over manHow then, have we gotten to the point that
everything we have done for 220 years in this
country is now suddenly wrong and
unconstitutional?

Lets put it around the world and let the world
see and remember what this great country was
built on.

I was asked to send this on if I agreed or
delete if I didn't. Now it is your turn....
It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God.
Therefore, it is very hard to understand
why there is such a mess about having the Ten
Commandments on display or 'In God We Trust'
on our money and having God in the Pledge of
Allegiance. Why don't we just tell the other
14% to Sit Down and SHUT UP!!!

If you agree, pass this on

FLORIDA

Living in Florida might not be the "DREAM" of retirees any more. For the first time statistics show that more people are leaving Florida than moving to Florida. Not even considering the fact that we have a very high rate of people dying -- we are the state with highest age average!
And we have the dubious honor to live in the state with the highest number of fraud and scams in the nation ! Welcome to Fraud Friendly Florida!

HOW THE BAILOUT PLAN WILL WORK

Once upon a time a man appeared in a village and announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10 each.

The villagers, seeing that there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest and started catching them.
The man bought thousands at $10 and, as supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their effort. He next announced that he would now buy monkeys at $20 each. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again.
Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer increased to $25 each and the supply of monkeys became so scarce it was an effort to even find a monkey, let alone catch it!

The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at $50 each! However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would buy on his behalf. In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers: "Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has already collected. I will sell them to you at $35 and when the man returns from the city, you can sell them to him for $50 each."
The villagers rounded up all their savings and bought all the monkeys for 700 billion dollars.

They never saw the man or his assistant again, only lots and lots of monkeys!

Now you have a better understanding of how the
ECONOMIC BAILOUT PLAN
WILL WORK !!!!

Going Broke

More and more condo owners and homeowners are going broke -- and many more to come. And for the owners who are still paying (or are still able to pay) the dues are increasing real fast! People at Lake Ashton only turn over and fill their month with chips and wine and keep a blind eye has to what is going on. They refuse to believe what is going on at Lake Ashton. Please note, 1 out of 57 homes are in fore closer in America.

Words of Wisdom

> It is the poor who habitually elect Democrats---yet they are still poor...
>
> "You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
>
> You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
>
>
> You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
>
>
> You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
>
>
> You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
>
>
> You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
>
>
> You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves."
>
>
> Abraham Lincoln
>

Sounds like Joe Hunter

Einstein once said, 'The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.'

New Bill,Condo Ins Requirement

The bill ( http://www.ccfj.net/PB09S714.html ) repealing the provision requiring condo owners to provide evidence of a currently effective policy of hazard and liability insurance has been filed.
This was the provision in FS 718 that caused all the excitement:
FS 718.111(11)(g)
2. The association shall require each owner to provide evidence of a currently effective policy of hazard and liability insurance upon request, but not more than once per year. Upon the failure of an owner to provide a certificate of insurance issued by an insurer approved to write such insurance in this state within 30 days after the date on which a written request is delivered, the association may purchase a policy of insurance on behalf of an owner. The cost of such a policy, together with reconstruction costs undertaken by the association but which are the responsibility of the unit owner, may be collected in the manner provided for the collection of assessments in s. 718.116.

The new bill -- H 419 + S 714 -- filed by Representative Ellyn Bogdanoff and Senator Dennis Jones will be effective July 1, 2009 -- if it passes the legislature.
Lines 155 - 165 will delete the provision that is causing such headaches!
Even if the statutes in the moment require such a policy, it's up to the association board to actually enforce this provision. The wording says: "the association may purchase a policy of insurance on behalf of an owner," meaning they can, but they don't have to.
So, how about using some common sense for about 6 month?

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

THURSDAY FISHING JOKE "Cry"

Henry took his fishing very seriously. One day his young son, David, burst into the house, crying. His mother asked him what the problem was. "Daddy and I were fishing, and he hooked a giant fish. Really big. Then, while he was reeling it in, the line busted and the fish got away."
"Now come on, David," his mother said, "a big boy like you shouldn't be crying about an accident like that. You should have just laughed it off."
"But that's just what I did, mommy."

1923 Thurs Golf joke

In 1923, do you know who was:

* President of the largest steel company?
* President of the largest gas company?
* The greatest wheat speculator?
* President of the Bank of International Settlement?
* The Great Bear of Wall Street?
* President of the New York Stock Exchange?

These men should have been considered some of the world's most successful men. At least, they found the secret of making money. Now almost 80 years later, do you know what became of these men?

* Charles Schwab, president of the largest steel company, died a pauper.
* Edward Hopson, president of the largest gas company, went insane.
* Arthur Cooger,the greatest wheat speculator, died abroad, penniless.
* Cosabee Livermore, president of the BIS, shot himself
* The Great Bear of Wall Street, committed suicide
* Richard Whitney, NYSE president released from prison to die at home

In that same year, 1923, Gene Sarazen won most of the important golf championships, including both the US Open and PGA Championship. He played golf until he was 92 and died in 1999 at the age of 95... and was financially solvent at his death.

Conclusion: Stop worrying about business and start playing more golf!

The Villages POA

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE POA
The Property Owners’ Association of the Villages is an independent organization devoted to the home ownership needs and interests of the residents of The Villages.

The Vision/Objective of the POA is to make The Villages an even better place in which to live, where Residents’ Rights are respected, and local government is responsive to the needs and interests of residents.

Specific POA attention is focused on housing, community, neighborhood, and government issues.

The POA serves Villages residents through programs of research, analysis, education, representation, advocacy, and legislative action.

The POA has no ties or obligations to the developer of The Villages that might compromise the POA position or its advocacy of Residents’ Rights.

The POA was founded in 1975 as the original homeowners’ organization in The Villages. Membership is open to all Villages residents.

Renters can not rent your home

Article Courtesy of SmartMoney
By Brad Reagan
Published January 17, 2009

Renters: neighborhood contagion, or a lifeline to beleaguered homeowners?

In growing numbers of American towns and subdivisions, that question has become anything but academic, as homeowners associations abruptly ban rentals. Blame it on the huge slump in the housing market. For owners who have to move or who own houses as investment properties, short-term rentals can bring in some cash and keep them from having to sell at a big loss.

But instead of greeting renters with hosannas, many towns and subdivisions are barring their doors, arguing that tenants usher in neglect, misbehavior and even violent crime. Almost 60 million Americans live in developments governed by homeowners associations, and by some estimates as many as 40 percent of those communities enforce restrictions that keep owners from becoming landlords.

Indeed, many associations are enacting even tighter anti-renter rules — even in the parts of the country hit hardest by falling prices. Often the backlash comes after the rowdy-tenant threat becomes a reality.

In Sacramento an active-adult community recently erupted into a geriatric war zone over rental rules after tenants got blamed for diapers in the pool and other transgressions. The city of North Las Vegas had so much trouble with crime and vandalism, much of it attributed to renters, that it forbade new home buyers from leasing out their homes within two years of purchase.

BULLETIN: : House break in at Lake Ashton Dr.

Sunday Jan 18, A house at the cul-ta-sac next to the golf course near entrance gate was broken into by breaking in the door. Jewelry was stolen. This is the second house on Lake Ashton Drive that has been broken into. Houses are still being broken into but if you ask Joe Hunter he will tell you a different story. Call him at 324-5457. I have called him so many times. I am tired of calling Joe Hunter about the problems here at Lake Ashton. He is never at his desk or he will call you back a few days later just to tell you go see the HOA, CDD or George Flint, or you will see him out on Lake Ashton walking on water. Don't ever expect a straight answer from Joe Hunter. Crime watch is a big joke and they are not doing its job here at Lake Ashton. You will never see stories like Cars or Houses being broken in the LA Times, more articles are written by Tricia Adams (8 or more in the January issue) , not bad for all the money were paying her. The L A Times should be titled Trish Adams News. Try writing a news article and give it to her. I wrote a beautiful article on the Elvis show we had last year and she refuse to published it. Home owners must wake up and see all the problems everywhere here at lake Ashton.
They called the police on me to try to shut me down because they don't want any bad news of houses being broken into, jewelry getting stolen etc, to get around. Enjoy your dinner at the LA grill.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Restaurant

It is just a matter of time that the Lake Ashton Grille restaurant will closed its doors for lack of business. They are now closed on Sundays and Mondays. Every time I walk by there are only a few people sitting down having lunch or dinner. If this keeps up there is no way they can stay open with just a few customers. The cost of operating a restaurant is large, the bar is carrying this cost. We enjoy having dinner at the Sizzing Grill on Rt 27, great food, great prices and it comes with large bowl of salad with fresh hot buns.

HOMES

Homes here at Lake Ashton are selling dirt cheap. Would you believe a Magellan Home, one of the largest homes here with 3 bedroom, might be sold for $138,000 from the bank on Lake Harp. The couple are now waiting to hear from the bank. If you are a resident of Lake Ashton, don't think you can sell your home and make a profit, think again. Homes are selling for $100,00 or less from last year price. Everyone is losing their equally.

Wedesday Fishing Joke: "GOD"

A blonde guy gets up really early in the morning to go ice fishing. He goes out onto the ice with his tent, his pick and his fishing rod, and starts to pick at the ice.

Then he hears a big booming voice: "THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE."

The guy looks around and then starts to pick at the ice again. Then he hears the voice again: "THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE."

Now the guy is getting a little edgy. He looks up toward the sky and thinks to himself, "God, is that you?"

There is no answer, so he starts picking again. The voice bellowed again: "THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE."

Then the guy yells, "God, is that you?"

The voice answered, "NO. IT'S THE MANAGER OF THE ICE RINK."

Wedesday Golf Joke "mulligan"

First Prize winner

Earl won first prize at a Father's Day tournament which was an envelope.

When he opened the envelope, he was very surprised to find a voucher for a free visit to a brothel. He had never been to one before but he decided to go the next day even though he was very nervous.

The girls were very friendly and soon he found a lovely young lady and went with her to her room.

Five minutes later, she came running to the Madam and asked,

"Can you tell me what a Mulligan is?"

Four seats are open on the HOA Board

Ballots for voting for the new HOA members will be mail at the end on January and will be counted prior to February 22 where they will elect the new HOA members to the HOA Board by Bill Follett, President of the HOA.

The best 4 HOA candidates that should be elected to the board should be as follows and in this order:

1. Borden Deane

2.

3. John Guenther

4. Al Biermann

We need good leadership and these are the people that will do it. They will stand up against Joe Hunter and the developer and stand up for the rights of Lake Ashton Citizens.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Tuesday Fishing Joke "Fishing better than Sex"

When you go fishing and you catch something, that's good. If you're making love and you catch something, that's bad.

Fish don't compare you to other fishermen neither and don't want to know how many other fish you caught.

In fishing you lie about the one that got away. In loving you lie about the one you caught.

You can catch and release a fish, you don't have to lie and promise to still be friends after you let it go.

You don't have to necessarily change your line to keep catching fish.

You can catch a fish on a 20-cent nightcrawler. If you want to catch a woman you're talking dinner and a movie minimum.

Fish don't mind if you fall asleep in the middle of fishing.

Tuesday Golf Joke "cell phone"

There are several men in the locker room of a private club after finishing 18 holes.Suddenly a cell phone that was on one of the benches rings. A man picks it up and the following conversation ensues:

Hello?" "Honey, It's me."
"Sugar!"
"Are you at the club?"
"Yes."
"Great! I am at the mall 2 blocks from where you are. I saw a beautiful mink coat... It is absolutely gorgeous!! Can I buy it?"
"What's the price?"
"Only $1,500"
"Well, OK, go ahead and get it, if you like it that much..."
"Ahhh and I also stopped by the Mercedes dealership and saw the 2001 at a really good price ... and since we need to exchange the BMW that we bought last year..."
"What price did he quote you?"
"Only $60,000..."
"OK, but for that price I want it with all the options."
"Great!, before we hang up, something else..."
"What?"
"It might look like a lot, but I was reconciling your bank account and...I stopped by the real estate agent this morning and I saw the house we had looked at last year ... it's on sale!! Remember? The one with a pool, English Garden, tennis court, acre of park area, beach front property..."
"How much are they asking?"
"Only $1,450,000... a magnificent price, and I see that we have that much in the bank to cover..."
"Well, than go ahead and buy it, but just bid $1,400,000. OK?"
"OK, sweetie... Thanks! I'll see you later!! I love you!!!"
"Bye... I do too..."
The man hangs up, closes the phone's flap and raises his hand while holding the phone and asks to all those present:
"Does anyone know who this phone belongs to?"

House carries massage dept

You better check to see if you have a massive dept on your house, see story below. I might add have a nice dinner at the Lake Ashton Grill. This is the biggest rip off at lake Ashton. We pay all the bills and he gets to keep all the money. You people enjoy your dinner. They are now closed Sunday and Monday.

Hidden debt shocks New Tampa community

Article Courtesy of The St. Petersburg Times
By Dong-Phuong Nguyen
Published January 18, 2009

NEW TAMPA | When Jal and Shiraz Irani moved into Cory Lake Isles, they thought they'd found paradise. The developer had lined the streets with miles of brick, planted dense tropical foliage along the winding entrances and created a private beach and a fish-filled lake. The Iranis pay a few thousand dollars a year in community taxes for the amenities. But apparently, that may not be all they have to pay. The couple was stunned to discover recently that the house they bought two years ago carries a massive debt: $23,093.
The Iranis are among 65 homeowners in the northeast Hillsborough development who are on the hook for a $1-million bond debt taken out more than a decade ago by the developer who built the community. The homes are scattered throughout the development and it's unclear why only 65 of the roughly 1,000 are affected.

If the developer doesn't pay, liens can be placed on the homes. And if the owner ever decides to move, it will be virtually impossible to sell the house with a title that doesn't come back clean.

"Obviously, you have to inform the prospective buyer," said Realtor Russ Perkowski. "With as many homes that are on the market, I think a lot of buyers would look for something else."

Embattled developer Gene Thomason has been
To develop Cory Lake Isles, Gene Thomason borrowed $20-million that is being repaid with a tax on the properties. But homeowners say they did not know of another bond he took out, and they could be on the hook if he fails to pay it off.

fighting with residents for at least five years over his handling of the community's finances. For years, homeowners have accused him of mismanaging their money and spending it on personal projects. They have taken their fight to court.

"Just when I was thinking nothing more can surprise me, I am surprised," Shiraz Irani said. "This is shocking."

Monday Golf joke "Golf Ball"

To The Golfer

In my hand I hold a ball,
White and dimpled, rather small
Oh, how bland it does appear,
This harmless looking little sphere.

By its size I could not guess
The awesome strength it does possess;
But since I fell beneath its spell
I've wandered through the fires of Hell.

My life has not been quite the same
Since I chose to play this game.
It rules my mind for hours on end.
A fortune it has made me spend.

It has made me curse and cry.
I hate myself and want to die.
It promises a thing called "par".
If I can hit it straight and far.

To master such a tiny ball
Should not be very hard at all.
But my desires the ball refuses
And does exactly as it choses.

It hooks and slices..dribbles..dies
Or disappears before my eyes
Often it will have a whim
To hit a tree or take a swim.

With miles of grass on which to land
It finds a tiny patch of sand.
Then has me offering up my soul
If it will just drop in the hole.

It's made me whimper like a pup,
And swear that I will give it up
And take a drink to ease my sorrow.
But "The Ball" knows... I'll be back...tomorrow.

Monday fishing joke "A Fishermans Philosophy"

A sure way to get a bite on a slow day is:

Talk about changing spots
Prepare another rod while one is out
Lay your rod down unsecured
Go for a sandwich
Start to pull the boat anchor
Use the worst fly you own
Crack open your first beer
Crack open your last beer
Take notice of the chick on a passing boat, bank or beach
Watch others fishing
Start reeling in your lines at going home time
Give your fishing rod to a female companion or child to hold
When your landing net is out of reach
When you have cast your line over an obstruction
When you line has drifted into impossible weeds
When you turn to look at the sunrise or sunset
Decide that you need to take a leak

Sunday, January 18, 2009

HOMEOWNERS MUST GET INVOLVED

Words like "neighborly" and "community spirit" have been replaced with "fining committee" and "enforcement." While in former times neighbors brought chicken soup to neighbors in need, they now serve lawsuits, liens and foreclosures. All under the pretense of "protecting property values" -- one of the biggest fairy tales ever told to homeowners. Truthfully, the only thing that these associations really protect is the income of service providers, such as attorneys and community association managers.

This website is an attempt to help owners living in Florida's mandatory associations to find their way through the maze of rules, regulations and statutes that are often so complicated that even specialized attorneys have a hard time finding the "right" interpretation.

This is an attempt to help owners understand what they are really facing and that the excuse "I don't want to get involved" is plainly ridiculous. All owners got involved the minute they bought their homes or condos, even if they may not have realized it at that time.

Owners desperately need more owner-friendly laws with enforcement and accountability of the people in charge to protect our financial welfare against financial mismanagement, uncontrolled spending, and even clear embezzlement!
The AARP introduced a model statute that would definitely create big steps in the right direction. Please see: AARP BILL of RIGHTS for HOMEOWNERS in ASSOCIATIONS

ON THE COMMONS

Hosted and produced by Shu Bartholomew, "On The Commons" is a weekly radio show dedicated to discussing the many issues surrounding mandatory homeowner associations, the fastest growing form of residential housing in the nation.

Foreclosures are everywhere. Drive through any neighborhood and chances are you will see signs of vacant houses, "For Sale" signs with "Bank owned" riders, homes noticeably neglected and abandoned. The newspapers and other media outlets report on the sheer number of homes that are being foreclosed on. The news on the economy is equally dire. What on earth is going on? Is there a connection between the economy and all the foreclosures?

"On The Commons" this week we are joined by April Charney. April, described as the angel of foreclosure defense by MSNBC and awesome by some of her clients, is a Jackson Area Legal Aid attorney in Florida who has earned the reputation of being the leading expert on foreclosures. She speaks at seminars across the country and trains attorneys to defend homeowners. She is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates www.naca.net and was named National Consumer Lawyer of the year in 2007. Please join us "On The Commons" this Saturday, January 17, 2009. We'll talk to April and try to demystify what is happening. We'll also find out what we should do as individuals, and as communities, to protect ourselves and where to find a competent attorney to represent us should we need one. You don't want to miss this one.

Studio number is 703-560-TALK - 703-560-8255

You can listen to the show at :
Live Streaming is Back! Listen to On The Commons LIVE on the Internet. Go to http://www.fcac.org/webcasting/webcast.htm , click on Listen Now, choose either Real Player or WinAmp, and enjoy the show. Or go through the station's home page at www.fcac.org , click on the radio icon to get to the live webcast.
You can download the show at:
http://www.onthecommons.com/

"On The Commons" is broadcast every Saturday from 2-3 PM ET on WEBR Fairfax Radio. In the Northern Virginia area, On The Commons can be heard on Cox Cable, Channel 37 (channel 7 without a box) and Comcast channel 27 and live on http://www.fcac.org/webcasting/webcast.htm and can be downloaded on www.onthecommons.com
soon after.

Shu Bartholomew
Host and producer

POLL RESULTS: CHARITY SHOWS MUST PAY $375 FOR BALLROOM

SHOULD LAKE ASHTON CHARGE $375 TO RENT THE BALLROOM FOR A CHARITY SHOW?
POLL RESULTS: 12 SAID YES, 6 SAID NO. 66% SAYS YOU MUST PAY $375 TO PRESENT A CHARITY SHOW AT LAKE ASHTON.