A woman goes into Wal-mart to buy a rod and reel. She doesn't know which one to get, so she just grabs one and goes over to the register. There is a Wal-mart associate standing there with dark glasses on. She asks, "Excuse me sir. Can you tell me anything about this rod and reel?"
He says, "Ma'am I'm blind, but if you drop it on the counter I can tell you everything you need to know about it from the sound that it makes." She didn't believe him, but dropped it all on the counter anyway.
He said "That's a 6' graphite rod with Zebco 202 reel and 10 lb. test line. It's a good all around rod and reel, and it's $20." She says, "That's amazing that you can tell all that just by the sound of it dropping on the counter. I think it's what I'm looking for, so I'll take it."
He walks behind the counter to the register. And in the meantime, the woman farts. At first she is embarrassed, but then realizes that there is no way he could tell it was she. Being blind, he wouldn't know that she was the only person around.
He rings up the sale and says, "That will be $25.50."
She asks, "But didn't you say it was $20?"
He says, "Yes ma'am, the rod and reel is $20, the duck call is $3, and the catfish stink bait is $2.50!"
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Resident or not a Resident
What are they going to do, check every household to see if both of you are married or just living together? Are you going to say, "hey", your not a resident even if you live in the community for 4 years. Are they going to check every one's income tax records even if it says you are a resident and the CDD says your not a resident. You are more right than the FEDS. Where are your brains? You are telling me I keep all my money in my pocket and my sweetheart is paying all the bills. Am I going to be singled out by Joe Hunter and Margot Stevens. I just don't understand Margot Stevens, She stop over the other day and thought there was going to be some digging in front of the house. She ask me to call the police. Is she out of her mind? She says I'm not a resident yet she wants me to call the police. Does she know what she is talking about. What type of people do we have on the CDD committee? Brain retarded members? All I want to do is give money to charity and I get all this bull shit.
Joe Hunter
Last year I gave $1500 to Give Kids the World with the ELVIS Show. Joe Hunter says you can't see any other show except their entertainment series because it interferes with their sales. You can't go to the theater and you can't go another entertainment show, you can only go to see their show here at Lake Ashton. The hell with given a show to charity, he says. What kind of guy is this? Should we give a charity show for Joe Hunter? To you believe in his rational way of thinking? Two good shows was booked for Feb 15 The Magic of Erick Olson and on March 15 Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand was to appear. Please vote! Also go see Joe Hunter or give him a call 324-5457 or Tricia Adams 324-6032.
Friday, January 9, 2009
MORE MONEY
TWO AND A HALF MILLION PEOPLE LOST THEIR JOBS LAST YEAR AND JEFF SALVIN WANTS MORE MONEY IN THE FUNDS. WHERE IS HE COMING FROM? MORE MONEY FOR THE DECAYING ROADS LEFT TO US BY THE DEVELOPER THAT ARE SINKING TO CHINA. EVERYONE IS WATCHING THEIR MONEY. I GUESS HE HAS SO MONEY WHY DON'T HE PUT MONEY IN ALL THE FUNDS? NEXT YEAR I EXPECT A $400-$500 INCREASE IN MAINTENANCE FEES. IT IS JUST TOO BAD THAT THE PEOPLE OF LAKE ASHTON JUST DON'T BELIEVE THIS.
E-Mail to Jeff Salvin
Joe hunter is the biggest liar at Lake Ashton and you just don't believe it. He accuse me of putting flies on golf carts when in fact I was 1500 miles away and I have proof. I have a copy of my flight two days before this took place. I am so sick of the don't do this, don't do that, and Joe Hunter is walking on water. I made up my mind today, I will no longer live here at Lake Ashton next year. This place is getting so sick, I had to go home and throw up. Now we have to pay this if your not a resident and pay that if you are not a resident now if you have people other than a resident you pay this, What the hell is going on? Is it all about the roads being in such bad shape or is it about the good deal he got on the restaurant. Don't punish the residents punish it on the developer Larry Maxwell, the living Saint. I have lost all faint in you, have a good day.
CDD MEETING TODAY
I have posted many horror stories about Fraud, Scam Florida and the Lake Ashton residents just don't believe the stories taken from public newspapers from other communities. Yes, the developer can have our employees work on his properties and also do maintenance on his golf course and have maintenance fees cost be anything he wants and charge his cost to the home owner of the community, and there is nothing we can do except talk about it. They can also put a lien or foreclosed on our property. The state of Florida just doesn't want to hear, talk or do anything about the community problems. Welcome to Fraud, Scam Florida. Residences live in a community which is encircle by the remains of the Berlin wall and its their problem. Wake-up. See you at the meeting today.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Employees does work on private properties
I guess there is always something wrong in "The Village of Kings Creek Condominium Association, Inc.” as long as the "tag team" of Astrid Buttari (Association President) and Mireya Villaverde (Community Association Manager) are running the show. Owners are permanently filing complaints, from "wasting" $10,000 on an outside group to fight nearby development, to record requests, parking decals, elevator permits and/or the infamous $100.00 REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT (CASH ONLY) LETTER.
A former employee alleges that these two "association leaders" -- Villaverde and Buttari -- have used employees of the cleaning/maintenance crew to perform work on their private properties while on association payroll.
But Buttari and Villaverde know that they can violate Florida statutes whenever they like, because the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, supposedly enforcing the Florida statutes for condominium and community association managers, is completely failing to do the job.
Even after finding that President Astrid Buttari was responsible for "donating" $10,000 of association funds, clearly violating Florida statutes, all the Division could muster was a so-called WARNING LETTER. Owners filed all kinds of complaints, only to see them rejected and/or ignored by the DBPR employees.
Look at the Complaint Details of Community Association Manager Mireya Villaverde. It shows you why condo owners of FRAUD FRIENDLY FLORIDA claim that filing complaints with the DBPR is just a total waste of time and resources.
And that is exactly the reason why Buttari and Villaverde think they can get away with all these violations.
A former employee alleges that these two "association leaders" -- Villaverde and Buttari -- have used employees of the cleaning/maintenance crew to perform work on their private properties while on association payroll.
But Buttari and Villaverde know that they can violate Florida statutes whenever they like, because the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, supposedly enforcing the Florida statutes for condominium and community association managers, is completely failing to do the job.
Even after finding that President Astrid Buttari was responsible for "donating" $10,000 of association funds, clearly violating Florida statutes, all the Division could muster was a so-called WARNING LETTER. Owners filed all kinds of complaints, only to see them rejected and/or ignored by the DBPR employees.
Look at the Complaint Details of Community Association Manager Mireya Villaverde. It shows you why condo owners of FRAUD FRIENDLY FLORIDA claim that filing complaints with the DBPR is just a total waste of time and resources.
And that is exactly the reason why Buttari and Villaverde think they can get away with all these violations.
ASHTON WEST POOL ELECTRIC HEATING BILL IS BEING CHARGE TO US
The Lake Ashton West heating bill for the pool is being charge to Lake Ashton East $10,000 worth of Electricity and it seems no one cares. Lake Ashton East pays for the East and Lake Ashton West pays for the West. This is how it should be. All you Lake Ashton people in the East think this is OK. Just a small mistake. I glad I'm not running your household. This will be question at the CNN meeting this Friday.
THURSDAY FISHING JOKE
Bill and Frank rent a boat and go fishing. They catch a lot of fish and return to the shore. Bill says to the Frank, "I hope you marked the spot where we caught all those fish." Frank replies, "Yes, I marked an 'X' on the side of the boat to mark the spot." Bill says to Frank sharply, "You idiot. How do you know we'll get the same boat?"
CRF communities
All CRF Communities are handle here at Lake Ashton Sales office at
4140 Ashton Club Drive
Lake Wales, FL 33859
1-800-234-1581
info@crfcommunities.com
4140 Ashton Club Drive
Lake Wales, FL 33859
1-800-234-1581
info@crfcommunities.com
Can someone help me out here?
Barack points out that the budget deficits from this last year may run to 1.2 trillion. When GWB was sworn in in 2001 he inherited a surplus almost a quarter of a trillion from Bill Cllinton. One of his first actions was to return this surplus to "the American People" through a series of tax cuts. Well, we know where these cuts went. Now President-elect Obama is rightly pointing out that he and the Congress must act quickly and massively to provide a stimulus to this wrecked economy of around 800 billion dollars. He is also talking about keeping the Bush tax cuts in place and re-examining the entitlement programs. I don't quite understand this. Weren't these tax cuts aimed largely at the upper income groups on the theory that these people were the most productive elements of our society and weren't these cuts partly responsible for the growing disparity between the rich and everyone else? So eight years later instead of an economy that is booming, we have an economy that is busting. On some levels I understand the theory put forward by John Maynard Kenyes given the the present state of affairs, but to exacerbate the size of the deficit by continuing to tax higher income people at artificially low rates seems to me irresponsible and counterproductive. Doesn't it make more sense to put this into the hands of people who need to spend. If the federal government had access to a reasonable tax on millionaires and billionaires, the stimulus could be larger and Social Security and Medicare could be preserved. So could those of you who have a better grasp of economics 101 tell me what Barack is doing here?
CDD MEETING THIS FRI @ 10AM
There will be a CDD Meeting Friday January 9 at 10am to 1pm. Many questions remain unanswered. One of them is who is paying Joe Hunter to go to Vienna Square community to his new office two times a week?
WASHINGTON STATE
UPDATE JAN 9
Many areas in Washington are under water, thousands have fled their homes after 3 days of continure rain
Over 6 feet of snow last week, now a foot of rain today. What is going on in Washington State? 30,000 people ask to leave their homes today Jan 8.
Many areas in Washington are under water, thousands have fled their homes after 3 days of continure rain
Over 6 feet of snow last week, now a foot of rain today. What is going on in Washington State? 30,000 people ask to leave their homes today Jan 8.
NEWS OF THE DAY "SKI BUM"
VAIL, Colo. - A guy who dangled upside down from a ski lift with his bare bottom exposed probably doesn't want to hear any "ski bum" jokes.
Officials at Vail Resorts in Colorado say the 48-year-old man was trying to get on the Blue Ski basin lift on New Year's Day. They haven't said what went wrong.
Workers stopped the lift, backed it up 10 or 12 feet and rescued the man after about seven minutes. His name hasn't been released.
Officials at Vail Resorts in Colorado say the 48-year-old man was trying to get on the Blue Ski basin lift on New Year's Day. They haven't said what went wrong.
Workers stopped the lift, backed it up 10 or 12 feet and rescued the man after about seven minutes. His name hasn't been released.
Welcome to Fraud, Scam 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!
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!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
HOA has 4 Seats to be filled
Nine candidates have placed their name on the HOA ballot: Four seats are needed. They are as follows:
Al Biermann
Richard Earl
Jackie Perez
Michael Blasko
John Guenther
Anne Couture
Carol Hanson
Borden Deane
Steve Mattox
If anyone wishes to make a statement about yourself, please E-Mail me at lakeashtontalk@yahoo.com and I will post on this Web Site.
There will be a forum on Jan 11
Al Biermann
Richard Earl
Jackie Perez
Michael Blasko
John Guenther
Anne Couture
Carol Hanson
Borden Deane
Steve Mattox
If anyone wishes to make a statement about yourself, please E-Mail me at lakeashtontalk@yahoo.com and I will post on this Web Site.
There will be a forum on Jan 11
Paul Pontious, In charge of Bingo?????
It seems Paul Pontious is spending the money paid by the Bingo players without being approved. Instead of the money going to the winnings of Bingo players it is going to help the developer with repairs to the ballroom and Christmas decorations. Yes he is replacing the curtains in the ballroom. Who does he think owns the ballroom. Please, someone please give him a education. Is the developer getting short on funds? It seems that Paul is now being investigated and also by the CDD. All money spend on things other than Bingo must be approved by the CDD. We all know that he is good friends with Joe Hunter and Larry Maxwell. Let them pay their own bills. Give me a break.
Wedesday Fishing Joke: Worms
The Fishing Groom
A man and his newlywed check into a mountain resort by a lake. The desk clerk notices the "Just Married" sign still on the car. As soon as the man gets the luggage out of the car, he hops in a boat to go fishing.
He is out all day, comes back for a quick supper, picks up his lantern and goes back out at night. This goes on for a couple of days when the man happens to stop by the desk. The clerk starts a conversation with the man and mentions his behavior.
"I know it's none of my business, but I was wondering why you weren't having sex with your new wife."
"Oh, I couldn't do that; she has gonorrhea."
"Well, what about anal sex?"
"Couldn't do that; she has diarrhea."
"There is always oral sex."
"Nope, she has pyorrhea."
"Wait a second. If she has gonorrhea, diarrhea, and pyorrhea, why did you marry her?"
"That's easy. She also has worms, and I love to fish!"
A man and his newlywed check into a mountain resort by a lake. The desk clerk notices the "Just Married" sign still on the car. As soon as the man gets the luggage out of the car, he hops in a boat to go fishing.
He is out all day, comes back for a quick supper, picks up his lantern and goes back out at night. This goes on for a couple of days when the man happens to stop by the desk. The clerk starts a conversation with the man and mentions his behavior.
"I know it's none of my business, but I was wondering why you weren't having sex with your new wife."
"Oh, I couldn't do that; she has gonorrhea."
"Well, what about anal sex?"
"Couldn't do that; she has diarrhea."
"There is always oral sex."
"Nope, she has pyorrhea."
"Wait a second. If she has gonorrhea, diarrhea, and pyorrhea, why did you marry her?"
"That's easy. She also has worms, and I love to fish!"
New Laws coming in March
Lawmakers have a lot of homework ahead when it comes to condominium and homeowners association laws.
HOA reform, and revision of some new condos laws, are expected to be top priorities when legislators reconvene in Tallahassee in March.
With that in mind, Thay asked a number of key players in the condo and HOA world — including politicians, board directors, attorneys, etc. — what is on their legislative wish list.
HOA reform, and revision of some new condos laws, are expected to be top priorities when legislators reconvene in Tallahassee in March.
With that in mind, Thay asked a number of key players in the condo and HOA world — including politicians, board directors, attorneys, etc. — what is on their legislative wish list.
New Law Required for Cable
Bergemann, president of CCFJ favors a law that would allow unit owners to pay individually for their TV, electricity, garbage and water bills.
Reforms are needed
Just about everyone is fed up with the unequal protections offered to condo, HOA and co-op residents, says Rep. Julio Robaina, R-Miami, who led the way for condo reforms last year.
For instance, condo and co-op owners can file complaints with the state. But because those living in HOAs are not regulated by the state, "they are the forgotten ones when it comes to the law," Robaina said.
The law also allows the state to file a subpoena when a condo owner is denied the right to review association documents. Not so for the others.
For instance, condo and co-op owners can file complaints with the state. But because those living in HOAs are not regulated by the state, "they are the forgotten ones when it comes to the law," Robaina said.
The law also allows the state to file a subpoena when a condo owner is denied the right to review association documents. Not so for the others.
Utilities Contracts
The president of Cyber Citizens for Justice, a statewide group that represents condo unit and home owners, Jan Bergemann says he hears lots of complaints about the precarious situation those who pay their cable and utility bills are left in when others in the association do not.
"We have to stop these bulk contracts," said Bergemann. "If some people don't pay their bills, that often means other owners have to pay more" to avoid being cut off. "I talked to a guy last week who says he is paying [the equivalent] of four cable bills because about one in four of his neighbors are not paying their bill."
Bergemann favors a law that would allow unit owners to pay individually for their TV, electricity, garbage and water bills.
"We have to stop these bulk contracts," said Bergemann. "If some people don't pay their bills, that often means other owners have to pay more" to avoid being cut off. "I talked to a guy last week who says he is paying [the equivalent] of four cable bills because about one in four of his neighbors are not paying their bill."
Bergemann favors a law that would allow unit owners to pay individually for their TV, electricity, garbage and water bills.
Foreclosures and Assessments
Stronger protections for the financial well-being of associations faced with growing numbers of unit owner foreclosures is a top priority for Donna Berger, a condo law attorney and the executive director of the Community Advocacy Network, a lobbying group for associations.
She supports legislation that would require banks and lenders to foreclose on non-owner occupied units within 12 months from filing foreclosure or they will no longer enjoy a statutory cap on liability and will be responsible for all past due assessments. Currently, once lenders take title they are only liable to pay the lesser of six months past due assessments or 1 percent of the original mortgage debt for condominiums or the lesser of 12 months past due assessments or 1 percent of the original mortgage debt for HOAs.
They also have to start paying regular and special assessments from the moment they take title forward, which many observers believe is incentive for them to take their time on taking title.
She supports legislation that would require banks and lenders to foreclose on non-owner occupied units within 12 months from filing foreclosure or they will no longer enjoy a statutory cap on liability and will be responsible for all past due assessments. Currently, once lenders take title they are only liable to pay the lesser of six months past due assessments or 1 percent of the original mortgage debt for condominiums or the lesser of 12 months past due assessments or 1 percent of the original mortgage debt for HOAs.
They also have to start paying regular and special assessments from the moment they take title forward, which many observers believe is incentive for them to take their time on taking title.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Tuesday Fishing Joke Fishing or Sex
On the first day of their fishing trip, Bill and Bob swapped stories about how they got permission from their wives to go fishing. "I had to buy my wife a necklace, fix the dishwasher and promise to take her on more dates," Bill explained. "How about you?"
"I just rolled over in bed this morning," Bob responded. "Nudged my wife and asked, 'Fishing or sex?' She said, 'Remember your jacket.'"
"I just rolled over in bed this morning," Bob responded. "Nudged my wife and asked, 'Fishing or sex?' She said, 'Remember your jacket.'"
BEST SHOW AT LAKE ASHTON * * * * *
On Feb 15 Sunday at 2 O'Clock I am going to have the amazing Magic Comedy of Erick Olson, a cross between Jay Leno and David Copperfield here at Lake Ashton. He has appeared in US, Canada and Japan.
On March 15 Sunday at 2 O'Clock A Las Vegas Revue of 4 or 5 characters - Johnny Cash and June Carter, Neil Diamond and Barbara Strisand, and Elvis. Keith Coleman and Ruby Tuesday some of the finest impressionist in the world. A show you won't forget.
Keith Coleman and Ruby Tuesday are a dynamic, superbly talented, extremely versatile husband and wife team. They recently returned from a five-year engagement with Holland America. where they were the regular entertainment in the Compass Rose Lounge on the Windsurf, Holland America’s premier luxury sailing vessel. The Windsurf is the largest luxury sailing vessel in the world.
Their regular European itinerary was Monte Carlo to Rome and Venice.
They’ve also worked on many N.C.L. Cruise ships in the Caribbean, including the Leeward, the Norwegian Sky, and the Windward. They are fully acquainted with ship rules and protocol, fire and safety training, and all ship procedures. They are fully self-contained. Their comments and ratings were always excellent. Letters of recommendation from some of the Hotel Managers are included.
Keith and Ruby performed as a high tech duo. They performed tea sets, dinner sets, beach music, and high-energy dance sets. They also organized and played for weekly crew shows on the Windsurf. They performed with the ship’s orchestra for special onboard shows, featuring their many impersonations.
Prior to their ship experience Keith and Ruby were named the Sun Coast’s No. 1 entertainers for 13 years. During those years they performed a showcase of their musical, vocal and comedic talents in a show called the Las Vegas Revue. The Revue was also the longest running show on the Sun Coast. The Weekly Planet also voted them The Best of the Bay. Ruby is an excellent keyboard and vocal stylist. Keith is a talented guitarist and vocal impressionist.
They have appeared in their own shows at The Show Palace, The Palace Grand, The Breakers of West Palm, The Resaca Club of Texas, Branson Missouri, plus hundreds of community centers, country clubs, hotels, and lounges and theatres throughout Florida and the United States. They have starred in variety productions for 3 summer seasons in the 800 seat Goodtimes Theatre in Bear Creek Farms in Bryant, Indiana.
All Profit will be going to Give Kids the World
On March 15 Sunday at 2 O'Clock A Las Vegas Revue of 4 or 5 characters - Johnny Cash and June Carter, Neil Diamond and Barbara Strisand, and Elvis. Keith Coleman and Ruby Tuesday some of the finest impressionist in the world. A show you won't forget.
Keith Coleman and Ruby Tuesday are a dynamic, superbly talented, extremely versatile husband and wife team. They recently returned from a five-year engagement with Holland America. where they were the regular entertainment in the Compass Rose Lounge on the Windsurf, Holland America’s premier luxury sailing vessel. The Windsurf is the largest luxury sailing vessel in the world.
Their regular European itinerary was Monte Carlo to Rome and Venice.
They’ve also worked on many N.C.L. Cruise ships in the Caribbean, including the Leeward, the Norwegian Sky, and the Windward. They are fully acquainted with ship rules and protocol, fire and safety training, and all ship procedures. They are fully self-contained. Their comments and ratings were always excellent. Letters of recommendation from some of the Hotel Managers are included.
Keith and Ruby performed as a high tech duo. They performed tea sets, dinner sets, beach music, and high-energy dance sets. They also organized and played for weekly crew shows on the Windsurf. They performed with the ship’s orchestra for special onboard shows, featuring their many impersonations.
Prior to their ship experience Keith and Ruby were named the Sun Coast’s No. 1 entertainers for 13 years. During those years they performed a showcase of their musical, vocal and comedic talents in a show called the Las Vegas Revue. The Revue was also the longest running show on the Sun Coast. The Weekly Planet also voted them The Best of the Bay. Ruby is an excellent keyboard and vocal stylist. Keith is a talented guitarist and vocal impressionist.
They have appeared in their own shows at The Show Palace, The Palace Grand, The Breakers of West Palm, The Resaca Club of Texas, Branson Missouri, plus hundreds of community centers, country clubs, hotels, and lounges and theatres throughout Florida and the United States. They have starred in variety productions for 3 summer seasons in the 800 seat Goodtimes Theatre in Bear Creek Farms in Bryant, Indiana.
All Profit will be going to Give Kids the World
LOTS OF SNOW IN WASHINGTON
Spokane, Washington, 77 inches of snow. That is 6 feet 5 inches of new snow. This makes you feel good to be in Florida.
WANTED
…
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Wanted by the FBI: agents, language specialists, computer experts, intelligence analysts and finance experts.
The FBI said on Monday it had launched one of the largest hiring blitzes in its 100-year history involving 2,100 professional staff vacancies and 850 special agents aimed at filling its most critical vacancies.
The agency, which seeks to protect the United States from terrorist attack, fight crime and catch spies, among other duties, said it currently has more than 12,800 agents and about 18,400 other
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Wanted by the FBI: agents, language specialists, computer experts, intelligence analysts and finance experts.
The FBI said on Monday it had launched one of the largest hiring blitzes in its 100-year history involving 2,100 professional staff vacancies and 850 special agents aimed at filling its most critical vacancies.
The agency, which seeks to protect the United States from terrorist attack, fight crime and catch spies, among other duties, said it currently has more than 12,800 agents and about 18,400 other
WINTER BLONDE
As a trucker stops for a red light, a blonde catches
up. She jumps out of her car, runs up to his truck, and knocks on the door.
The trucker lowers the window, and she says "Hi,
my name is Heather and you are losing some of your
load."
The trucker ignores her and proceeds down the street.
When the truck stops for another red light, the girl catches
up again.
She jumps out of her car, runs up and knocks on the
door.
Again, the trucker lowers the window. As if
they've never spoken, the blonde says brightly, "Hi
my name is Heather, and you are losing some of your
load!"
Shaking his head, the trucker ignores her again and
continues down the street. At the third red light, the same
thing happens again.
All out of breath, the blonde gets out of her car,
runs up, knocks on the truck door. The trucker rolls down
the window. Again she says "Hi, my name is Heather, and
you are losing some of your load!"
When the light turns green the trucker revs up and
races to the next light.
When he stops this time, he hurriedly gets out of the
truck, and runs back to the blonde.
He knocks on her window, and after she lowers it, he
says...
"Hi, my name is Mark, it's winter in
Massachusetts and I'm driving the SALT TRUCK.
up. She jumps out of her car, runs up to his truck, and knocks on the door.
The trucker lowers the window, and she says "Hi,
my name is Heather and you are losing some of your
load."
The trucker ignores her and proceeds down the street.
When the truck stops for another red light, the girl catches
up again.
She jumps out of her car, runs up and knocks on the
door.
Again, the trucker lowers the window. As if
they've never spoken, the blonde says brightly, "Hi
my name is Heather, and you are losing some of your
load!"
Shaking his head, the trucker ignores her again and
continues down the street. At the third red light, the same
thing happens again.
All out of breath, the blonde gets out of her car,
runs up, knocks on the truck door. The trucker rolls down
the window. Again she says "Hi, my name is Heather, and
you are losing some of your load!"
When the light turns green the trucker revs up and
races to the next light.
When he stops this time, he hurriedly gets out of the
truck, and runs back to the blonde.
He knocks on her window, and after she lowers it, he
says...
"Hi, my name is Mark, it's winter in
Massachusetts and I'm driving the SALT TRUCK.
Monday, January 5, 2009
BERNIE MADOFF AND LAKE ASHTON
Bernie Madoff made off with the scam of the century,the poniz scam, moving money from one group of investers to another group of investers. 50 Billion dollars gone. Many investors lost all of their money, millions, all of their retirement money gone. They just won't believe Madoff would do such a thing. He looked like such a nice guy. He took from families, from charities, from investors. Why, because he is like people at Lake Ashton that feel it just doesn't happen here. Guess again. It could happen. You tell me why the developer refuses to release all of Lake Ashton records. Money is being spend on his golf course and also on the community clubhouse. The question is who is paying for what? Many Lake Ashton's believe so what, they just don't care. All I am asking the developer to do is, please turn the records over to us, its the law.
MONEY SAFE AT LAKE ASHTON?
An Opinion By Jan Bergemann
President, Cyber Citizens For Justice, Inc.
Published September 23, 2008
Are our senior condo owners just too trusting? Are they willing to ignore warning signs -- just to try to live in peace? Are they shutting down their business sense just to "fit in”? Or are they plainly too gullible and impressed by somebody who is well-spoken and nice?
A female board member of a condo was totally shocked when she had to realize that a fellow board member had embezzled funds: "He was such a nice guy, didn't even forget my birthday!"
A judge who recently sentenced a board member to 20 years in jail said it just the way it is (quote): "These people saw you as their knight in shining armor, and that made it easier for you to do your scheme.''
President, Cyber Citizens For Justice, Inc.
Published September 23, 2008
Are our senior condo owners just too trusting? Are they willing to ignore warning signs -- just to try to live in peace? Are they shutting down their business sense just to "fit in”? Or are they plainly too gullible and impressed by somebody who is well-spoken and nice?
A female board member of a condo was totally shocked when she had to realize that a fellow board member had embezzled funds: "He was such a nice guy, didn't even forget my birthday!"
A judge who recently sentenced a board member to 20 years in jail said it just the way it is (quote): "These people saw you as their knight in shining armor, and that made it easier for you to do your scheme.''
RESIDENTS DON'T CARE, FEW ATTENTED MEETING, SOUNDS LIKE ASHTON
Article Courtesy of The Herald Tribune
By Kate Spinner
Published September 19, 2008
Residents of the Charlotte Square Condominiums are angry and concerned after learning that hundreds of thousands of dollars from several of the condominium association's accounts have reportedly turned up missing.
Losses at just one of the nine buildings in the 55-and-older complex are estimated at more than $140,000. Losses at the other buildings have yet to be tallied, but some residents estimate the figure is nearly $1 million.
The missing money apparently came to light three weeks ago when the treasurer of the Charlotte Square Condominium Association -- an 88-year-old volunteer who did not want to be named -- noticed what appeared to be bounced checks and reported the discrepancy to the property management agency.
In the ensuing days, the agency, Star Hospitality Management of Punta Gorda, fired an employee who handled banking and billing for the complex, according to several residents who are active in the condominium association.
Sherry Danko, president of the management company, would not comment Wednesday, except to say that an investigation is under way. She would not say whether the Sheriff's Office had been notified.
Officials with the Sheriff's Office on Wednesday could not immediately locate any complaints about the missing funds.
Two weeks ago, Danko held a special meeting to tell residents that money was missing.
Few attended, said Doris Pistel, an active resident who took notes at the meeting.
"Star Management has dismissed" the employee "and filed a case with police," Pistel wrote in her notes. "There has been stolen money and bounced checks. Suspect cooked bank statements."
She also wrote that insurance bonds would cover each building in the complex up to $50,000, a far cry from the amount that appears to be missing.
Each building has its own condo association that collects fees from residents for utilities, maintenance and repairs.
Star Management, however, has been handling all of the finances for over a decade.
By Kate Spinner
Published September 19, 2008
Residents of the Charlotte Square Condominiums are angry and concerned after learning that hundreds of thousands of dollars from several of the condominium association's accounts have reportedly turned up missing.
Losses at just one of the nine buildings in the 55-and-older complex are estimated at more than $140,000. Losses at the other buildings have yet to be tallied, but some residents estimate the figure is nearly $1 million.
The missing money apparently came to light three weeks ago when the treasurer of the Charlotte Square Condominium Association -- an 88-year-old volunteer who did not want to be named -- noticed what appeared to be bounced checks and reported the discrepancy to the property management agency.
In the ensuing days, the agency, Star Hospitality Management of Punta Gorda, fired an employee who handled banking and billing for the complex, according to several residents who are active in the condominium association.
Sherry Danko, president of the management company, would not comment Wednesday, except to say that an investigation is under way. She would not say whether the Sheriff's Office had been notified.
Officials with the Sheriff's Office on Wednesday could not immediately locate any complaints about the missing funds.
Two weeks ago, Danko held a special meeting to tell residents that money was missing.
Few attended, said Doris Pistel, an active resident who took notes at the meeting.
"Star Management has dismissed" the employee "and filed a case with police," Pistel wrote in her notes. "There has been stolen money and bounced checks. Suspect cooked bank statements."
She also wrote that insurance bonds would cover each building in the complex up to $50,000, a far cry from the amount that appears to be missing.
Each building has its own condo association that collects fees from residents for utilities, maintenance and repairs.
Star Management, however, has been handling all of the finances for over a decade.
MONDAY FISHING JOKE:::::NO FISHING LICENSE
A couple of young boys were fishing at their special pond off the beaten track. All of a sudden, the Game Warden jumped out of the bushes.
Immediately, one of the boys threw his rod down and started running through the woods like a bat out of hell. The Game Warden was hot on his heels.
After about a half mile, the young man stopped and stooped over with his hands on his thighs to catch his breath, so the Game Warden finally caught up to him.
"Let's see yer fishin' license, Boy!" the Warden gasped.
With that, the boy pulled out his wallet and gave the Game Warden a valid fishing license.
"Well, son," said the Game Warden. "You must be about as dumb as a box of rocks! You don't have to run from me if you have a valid license!"
"Yes, sir," replied the young guy. "But my friend back there, well, he don't have one."
Immediately, one of the boys threw his rod down and started running through the woods like a bat out of hell. The Game Warden was hot on his heels.
After about a half mile, the young man stopped and stooped over with his hands on his thighs to catch his breath, so the Game Warden finally caught up to him.
"Let's see yer fishin' license, Boy!" the Warden gasped.
With that, the boy pulled out his wallet and gave the Game Warden a valid fishing license.
"Well, son," said the Game Warden. "You must be about as dumb as a box of rocks! You don't have to run from me if you have a valid license!"
"Yes, sir," replied the young guy. "But my friend back there, well, he don't have one."
Joe Hunter
Joe Hunter refuses to enforce the no smoking in front of the ballroom entrance door. He is leaving it up to George Flint. Joe does nothing. All Bingo players smoke your heart out, they can't do anything anyhow and they know it. All they want to do is scare you. What are they going to do, ask for your name and address? It is a Dumb LA law.
Lake Ashton Golf
Lake Ashton Golf at the Eagle nest sure knows how to wish the residents guest a good new year. Effective Jan 1, 2009 Guest fees are as follows: Children $35.00 and adults $45.00 These are the guest of Lake Ashton. You would think they would get a better break than this. Like I said, its all about money. He doesn't get enough doe ray me.
E-Mail to Joe Hunter
Amenities Policy #11 says no smoking at the Main entrance to the Club house. You can smoke at the outside bar and along the outside wall of the restaurant, at the tables of the outside restaurant at the pool but you can't smoke at the entrance to the clubhouse. Rules are Rules and they were approved by the HOA and must be enforced. You was on my back now get on Paul Pontious back. Have you notify him? Friend or no friend he must be notify! I want an answer and so do many of the residents of Lake Ashton.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Dreams are faded in Florida
If you were living in the Northern part of The United States, you would buy a lot and build your dream home. No maintenance fees, no MX fees, No security fees, No CDD cost, no clubhouse fees, no ARC permission hassle to plant flowers or trees, No Joe Hunter to deal with, no developer problems, no problems dealing with the community. Now that your in Florida you have them all. We all want to be safe in our homes but how safe are we? We still have homes and cars being broken into. Must register your guest at office. What have we gain? NOTHING, Many residents in this community have been sued. If you think your in Paradise, think otherwise, they leave you in the dark and tell you nothing. Even the LA Times refuses to tell the community what is going on here! Joe Hunter tells you this is Paradise yet he does not live in this community. Doesn't this tell you something? Even the roads are not build to spec. Minimum width, No sidewalks and they are sinking to China. And what is their motto, Welcome to Paradise. Now the coffee profit is going to the developer. It should read welcome to the developers and the biggest rip off and lairs in America, more forecloses anywhere in the US. welcome to Florida. Prove me wrong! Ed King
WHAT PROPERTY VALUES?
An Opinion By Jan Bergemann
President, Cyber Citizens For Justice, Inc.
Published July 17, 2008
For many years owners living in mandatory homeowners' associations and potential buyers have been told: "Homeowners' associations provide an added layer of protection to help protect your quality of life and property values. It's worth every penny you pay in association fees!"
Today's non-existent real-estate market makes one thing very clear: YOU HAVE BEEN HAD!
The more regulations and restrictions your association has, the more problems you encounter when trying to sell your home -- for whatever reason you want or need to sell. In recent weeks I'm receiving more and more telephone calls and e-mails from desperate families trying to sell their homes, but can't sell it to potential buyers because of existing restrictions the buyer doesn't like.
Especially sellers in so-called “55+ communities” and associations with pet and rental restrictions are taking a big hit -- or are plainly unable to sell.
A lady from Broward County is desperately trying to find a buyer, since her husband passed away and she wants to move back to her kids up North. She already lowered the initial sales price by 25% -- but still no buyer. She had a few interested buyers who jumped ship when they heard it's a 55+ community -- and what it really means. So far she hasn’t even found a potential buyer who was in the target age range.
A couple in an HOA in Central Florida found a buyer from Boston over the Internet willing to pay a good price. The potential buyer made the trip to Florida, only to find out that the community had pet restrictions -- no pets allowed. The family lost the potential buyer -- who loved the home -- and will face foreclosure, losing all of their equity, if there is no last-minute buyer. More than 60% of all American households have pets. Do you think they would give up their pets because a home they like comes with a no-pet rule?
A couple in the Tampa area finally found a buyer for their home, only to lose him when he found out that the association disallows rentals. He wanted to buy the house as his retirement home, but retirement is still six years away. Until then he wanted to rent out the house to pay for the cost. The lady who called me, desperate to sell the home -- it was the first potential buyer in five months -- cried asking if there isn't anything that could be done? Guess what? She admitted that she even voted four years ago for rental restrictions after being told that it would protect their property values. She believed it!
People that complain about problems in associations are always told: “You signed the contract and you shouldn't have bought the home if you didn't like the rules.” Not only is it a fact that most of these controversies are caused by changes to these restrictions, not the restrictions initially in place, and that many restrictions were plainly not disclosed.
Or were you informed that you would have to pay your neighbor's cable bill after he abandoned his home? Or that you would have to pay for the neighbor's lawn mowing after the home was lost to foreclosure? I don't think so!
More and more associations have to raise their fees to cover the bills -- even levy special assessments to cover the shortfall of income caused by many homes abandoned or foreclosed. And homeowners feel that associations are really not protecting their quality of life nor are they protecting property values. Associations actually cause an added liability that can financially ruin a family's budget, harming especially the elderly on a fixed income!
President, Cyber Citizens For Justice, Inc.
Published July 17, 2008
For many years owners living in mandatory homeowners' associations and potential buyers have been told: "Homeowners' associations provide an added layer of protection to help protect your quality of life and property values. It's worth every penny you pay in association fees!"
Today's non-existent real-estate market makes one thing very clear: YOU HAVE BEEN HAD!
The more regulations and restrictions your association has, the more problems you encounter when trying to sell your home -- for whatever reason you want or need to sell. In recent weeks I'm receiving more and more telephone calls and e-mails from desperate families trying to sell their homes, but can't sell it to potential buyers because of existing restrictions the buyer doesn't like.
Especially sellers in so-called “55+ communities” and associations with pet and rental restrictions are taking a big hit -- or are plainly unable to sell.
A lady from Broward County is desperately trying to find a buyer, since her husband passed away and she wants to move back to her kids up North. She already lowered the initial sales price by 25% -- but still no buyer. She had a few interested buyers who jumped ship when they heard it's a 55+ community -- and what it really means. So far she hasn’t even found a potential buyer who was in the target age range.
A couple in an HOA in Central Florida found a buyer from Boston over the Internet willing to pay a good price. The potential buyer made the trip to Florida, only to find out that the community had pet restrictions -- no pets allowed. The family lost the potential buyer -- who loved the home -- and will face foreclosure, losing all of their equity, if there is no last-minute buyer. More than 60% of all American households have pets. Do you think they would give up their pets because a home they like comes with a no-pet rule?
A couple in the Tampa area finally found a buyer for their home, only to lose him when he found out that the association disallows rentals. He wanted to buy the house as his retirement home, but retirement is still six years away. Until then he wanted to rent out the house to pay for the cost. The lady who called me, desperate to sell the home -- it was the first potential buyer in five months -- cried asking if there isn't anything that could be done? Guess what? She admitted that she even voted four years ago for rental restrictions after being told that it would protect their property values. She believed it!
People that complain about problems in associations are always told: “You signed the contract and you shouldn't have bought the home if you didn't like the rules.” Not only is it a fact that most of these controversies are caused by changes to these restrictions, not the restrictions initially in place, and that many restrictions were plainly not disclosed.
Or were you informed that you would have to pay your neighbor's cable bill after he abandoned his home? Or that you would have to pay for the neighbor's lawn mowing after the home was lost to foreclosure? I don't think so!
More and more associations have to raise their fees to cover the bills -- even levy special assessments to cover the shortfall of income caused by many homes abandoned or foreclosed. And homeowners feel that associations are really not protecting their quality of life nor are they protecting property values. Associations actually cause an added liability that can financially ruin a family's budget, harming especially the elderly on a fixed income!
NO SMOKING BAN IS ABOUT MONEY
This ban on no smoking at the entrance to the ballroom does not make any sense. You can smoke outside the restaurant next to the bar, and away from the bar and all along the outside wall of the restaurant and at the pool, but you can't smoke outside the ballroom entrances. What is going on here? I'll tell you what is going on, the restaurant is run by the developer so this makes it OK. Yes it all about money and who runs the restaurant. You got to buy a drink at the outside bar and then have your smoke. What a deal. The developer won again. We lose!
No smoking at Main Entrance to ballroom
UPDATE Jan 4, 2009
Paul Pontius is not doing his job at Bingo on Monday night except calling numbers,
and then he makes mistakes. The added amenity facilities policy #11 says THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE CLUBHOUSE IS NOT A DESIGNATED SMOKING AREA. He must tell all Bingo players every Monday night about this new amenity lake Ashton law which was effective May 30, 2008. Believe me there not much you can do in this community. Don't do this, don't do that. They would need 100 policemen to enforce the amenities, and all of us would be kicked out of here. Paul, I will tell Joe Hunter about the smoking ban just like you told him about me. Monkey see monkey do. Your the one that signed its approval.
I was sitting down facing my home last week enjoying and playing with my two cats when a golfer on the golf course drove by behind me on his golf cart and shouted "asshole". I had no idea who he was. I quickly got up ran over the bridge and down the golf course to catch the person and guess who the golfer was? None other than Paul Pontius. Is he going to disobey the amenity law by turning a blind eye about smoking at the front entrance of the clubhouse. Are some people exempt from this law? He added and sign this new amenity law. He was on the HOA committee at that time THIS AMENITY LAW WAS SIGN. And I did not know I changed my name to asshole, unless he was talking to himself. I notify Joe Hunter about his actions and also the no smoking ban at the ballroom entrance.
This is the most dumb amenity law I have ever seen but it must be enforced, Joe Hunter picked on me let him pick on Paul Pontius. Or does the rules apply to other residents other than Paul?
Little did he know he was going to be in charge of BINGO just a few months later.
I am asking Joe Hunter, the community director to investigate the behavior of Paul Pontius, I don't enjoy being called an asshole, and the fact he did not notify the players at Bingo on the NO Smoking amenity law at the entrance to the Clubhouse that night on Dec 27, 2008. I did play Bingo on Monday night and at break time, I exit the doors of the clubhouse and saw seven smokers including one staff BINGO member smoking. The smoke was so thick, I could cut it with a knife. I got the xxxx out of there.
I will be expecting an answer from Joe Hunter. This ruling must be enforced.I have not heard from you after submitting a form for a fund raising show for Give Kids the World over 3-4 weeks ago. This show could be in the afternoon like the Red Skelton Show. Are you telling me the ballroom is totally booked for 2009?
Paul Pontius is not doing his job at Bingo on Monday night except calling numbers,
and then he makes mistakes. The added amenity facilities policy #11 says THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE CLUBHOUSE IS NOT A DESIGNATED SMOKING AREA. He must tell all Bingo players every Monday night about this new amenity lake Ashton law which was effective May 30, 2008. Believe me there not much you can do in this community. Don't do this, don't do that. They would need 100 policemen to enforce the amenities, and all of us would be kicked out of here. Paul, I will tell Joe Hunter about the smoking ban just like you told him about me. Monkey see monkey do. Your the one that signed its approval.
I was sitting down facing my home last week enjoying and playing with my two cats when a golfer on the golf course drove by behind me on his golf cart and shouted "asshole". I had no idea who he was. I quickly got up ran over the bridge and down the golf course to catch the person and guess who the golfer was? None other than Paul Pontius. Is he going to disobey the amenity law by turning a blind eye about smoking at the front entrance of the clubhouse. Are some people exempt from this law? He added and sign this new amenity law. He was on the HOA committee at that time THIS AMENITY LAW WAS SIGN. And I did not know I changed my name to asshole, unless he was talking to himself. I notify Joe Hunter about his actions and also the no smoking ban at the ballroom entrance.
This is the most dumb amenity law I have ever seen but it must be enforced, Joe Hunter picked on me let him pick on Paul Pontius. Or does the rules apply to other residents other than Paul?
Little did he know he was going to be in charge of BINGO just a few months later.
I am asking Joe Hunter, the community director to investigate the behavior of Paul Pontius, I don't enjoy being called an asshole, and the fact he did not notify the players at Bingo on the NO Smoking amenity law at the entrance to the Clubhouse that night on Dec 27, 2008. I did play Bingo on Monday night and at break time, I exit the doors of the clubhouse and saw seven smokers including one staff BINGO member smoking. The smoke was so thick, I could cut it with a knife. I got the xxxx out of there.
I will be expecting an answer from Joe Hunter. This ruling must be enforced.I have not heard from you after submitting a form for a fund raising show for Give Kids the World over 3-4 weeks ago. This show could be in the afternoon like the Red Skelton Show. Are you telling me the ballroom is totally booked for 2009?
LGA raises $5,507 for breast cancer cure.
The LGA should also put aside a kitty to help pay for the idiots that break windows with their golf balls and run away like cowards. No kitty is now in service because the developer wish not to tell you that Lake Ashton has some of the worst gofers in the nation. People that play golf and break windows with their balls can afford to pay $3600 for golf yet have no money for windows. Give me a break. Yes, I have my AK47 ready for the next gofer that breaks my window again.
7 Deputies Injured in Crash
Ledger Staff
Published: Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 9:38 a.m.
BARTOW | Seven Polk County detention deputies were injured Saturday morning, two of them seriously, when a van they were traveling in overturned on U.S. 17 just south of State Road 640.
Two suffer serious injuries as van crosses median and hits boat being towed by truck.
Published: Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 9:38 a.m.
BARTOW | Seven Polk County detention deputies were injured Saturday morning, two of them seriously, when a van they were traveling in overturned on U.S. 17 just south of State Road 640.
Two suffer serious injuries as van crosses median and hits boat being towed by truck.
HOA FORECLOSED ON HOME FOR OWNING $580
Article Courtesy of The Tampa Tribune
By Michael Sasso
Published June 2, 2008
NEW PORT RICHEY - Tired of the nagging letters from your neighborhood homeowners association, the threats of liens on your home?
Before you ignore the association, consider the fate of Gregory Green.
More than three years ago, Green's body seemed to be falling apart. Overweight, he suffered two blood clots in his lung, then he needed surgery for a back injury, then he was diagnosed with diabetes. On his doctor's advice, he left his job at an Alzheimer's care center in Tampa and began collecting disability benefits, which were about half his previous salary and put a strain on his family's finances, Green says.
By 2005, the family of five had fallen behind on dues to the homeowners association of The Glen at River Ridge, which represents about 150 homes in a west Pasco County subdivision. The result: In September, the homeowners association foreclosed on the house for owing $580.
These are neighbors," Green said of the board of directors of the homeowners association. "Neighbors are supposed to be compassionate."
The Greens' story isn't the norm for association disputes, but foreclosures that end with the sale of a debtor's home have become surprisingly common in the Bay area and throughout Florida, according to two lawyers who represent hundreds of homeowners and condo associations between them, Bob Tankel of Dunedin and Ron Cotterill of Tampa. Tankel estimates such cases have increased tenfold in the past four years, based on his firm's caseload.
Patricia and Greg Green, and their daughter, Cherylin, are now living in a rented home.
In many situations, homeowners are losing their properties over a few hundred dollars in delinquent homeowners assessments.
What's more, Tankel said he's advising his homeowners association clients to foreclose quickly, before the lender does. A homeowners association lien is inferior to a claim brought by a lender holding the mortgage, Tankel said. So if a bank files first, the association may not be able to collect the back dues.
"We're always in a race to the courthouse steps," Tankel said.
Foreclosing on someone's home may sound ruthless - Tankel prefers "aggressive" - but lawyers who represent homeowners associations insist the organizations are victims of the foreclosure mess in Florida.
Across the state, a record number of mortgage foreclosures have left many deed-restricted neighborhoods dotted with vacant homes. For financially distressed homeowners who still own their homes, paying association dues is often a low priority, Tankel said. Tankel, who said he represents as many as 600 homeowners and condo associations in Florida, has watched his collections business increase by 500 percent over the past four years.
Homeowners associations must provide drainage or landscaping in their communities as less money comes in. Homeowners who pay often face special assessments to make up for those who fail to pay, Tankel said.
Foreclosure lawyers are unsympathetic figures for many people, and Tankel jokes that he's occasionally thought of as Snidely Whiplash, the mustachioed, top-hatted villain in the old "Dudley Do-Right" cartoons.
"Am I ruthless, or am I protecting the interests of people who pay?" asked Tankel.
Most Owe Relatively Little
It's unclear how often associations force homes to be auctioned at the courthouse because local court clerks don't differentiate between foreclosure sales brought by homeowners associations and those brought by lenders.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the number is relatively small, and most lawsuits brought by associations settle before reaching a sale at the courthouse. Nonetheless, the number has grown exponentially. A few years ago, perhaps one in every 3,000 association collection actions resulted in the sale of the person's house. Today, Tankel estimates the rate is one per 300 cases. Recently, he's been overseeing about three such foreclosure sales per month.
Cotterill estimated he's shepherding three to 10 cases per month to foreclosure sales.
"For lack of a better word, the increase has been dramatic over time," Cotterill said. "I don't know if it's reached its peak yet."
Aside from The Glen at River Ridge homeowners association, others that have foreclosed on homes recently include: Westchase Community Association, which recently foreclosed on at least two homes, according to court records; FishHawk Ranch Homeowners Association; Hyde Park Place II Condominium Association in Tampa; and Charleston Corners Property Owners Association in Lutz.
Both Tankel and Cotterill say they are stumped about why so many people are willing to surrender their homes for so little in delinquent dues. Tankel said the typical association foreclosure case involves less than $1,000 in delinquent homeowners assessments.
Some of the debtors are investors who have little equity in the homes and are willing to walk away from a bad investment, Cotterill said. However, in some cases, such as the Greens', the delinquent homeowners are living in the homes. Cotterill said people don't realize that homeowners associations have the power to foreclose, so they ignore warning letters.
Florida law grants four entities the power to foreclose: mortgage holders, such as banks and the investment companies that purchase packages of loans; the IRS; contractors who can foreclose on construction liens; and homeowners associations.
If homeowners associations decide to foreclose, time is critical, Tankel said. They need to seek foreclosure quickly before the value of the homes falls further and before banks foreclose, he said.
"Because of the real estate crisis, I have suggested that clients not give homeowners so much time and so many letters," Tankel said.
Playing Hardball
Those kinds of hardball tactics have raised critics of homeowners associations and the lawyers they employ.
Jan Bergemann runs a DeLand-based watchdog group called Cyber Citizens for Justice, which is pushing for reform of Florida's homeowners association laws. Among his demands is that associations provide more notice to homeowners of the potential filing of a lien, without accruing attorney fees billable to the homeowner.
Bergemann faults many lawyers for taking the side of homeowners and condo association boards, rather than considering the interest of all of the association's members, including delinquent homeowners.
Often, the legal fees - especially in a foreclosure case - far exceed the association dues owed, he said. Several foreclosure cases the Tribune reviewed involved legal fees billed at a rate of $200 or more per hour, as well as paralegal fees of $95 an hour.
Foreclosure "causes hardship," Bergemann said. "It causes problems, and if a family has a problem paying $250 or whatever's at stake, they definitely have a problem when Tankel adds $800" in legal fees.
In New Port Richey, the Greens fell behind in their association dues and were quickly swamped by mounting court costs and attorney fees. The family consists of Gregory, 50, his wife, Patricia, 55, a 16-year-old daughter, Cherylin, and two adult sons, Jason and Aaron.
After notifying the family of the delinquency, the homeowners association board placed a lien on the house for $264 in November 2006, court records show. Their debt eventually grew to $580 in back dues.
Patricia Green said her homeowners association's board and its president, Jack Alwood, refused to negotiate with the family.
"They wouldn't take payments," she said. "They wouldn't work with us. They wanted a lump sum."
The association's attorney, Michael Brudny of Oldsmar, also would not return the family's calls seeking to work out a payment plan, the Greens said.
"They'd Brudny's office take messages and messages and nobody would ever call back," Gregory Green said.
Brudny wouldn't comment specifically on the Greens' case, preferring to speak generally about homeowners association foreclosures. However, he denied that his office failed to return the Greens' calls, and said his office wants to work out things with delinquent homeowners. Unfortunately, in the Greens' case, they were unable to make payments, he said.
In April 2007, The Glen at River Ridge association filed a foreclosure lawsuit against the family in Pasco County court. The case resulted in a summary judgment against the Greens in August for a total of $3,781. Only $580 was for the back dues the family owed. An additional $2,134 was for attorney fees and $605 was for court costs, among other charges.
Absent a quick payoff of the amount owed, the court set a foreclosure sale for Sept. 26. That day, the association purchased the home at the courthouse for $100, a typical low offer for a home with only one bidder and little or no equity beyond what's owed to the mortgage company. The Greens moved to a rental home four miles away.
Alwood, the association president, said the Greens' case was unfortunate, but the family consistently failed to pay their homeowners dues over three years. The family didn't respond to the association's letters, Alwood said.
"They just stonewalled; Gregory Green just would not respond," he said.
Eventually, the homeowners association tried to sell the property but was unable to. The association board decided against making the mortgage payments and the lender took back the home.
Today, Patricia Green notes the irony of the situation: The association foreclosed on her property to remove the Greens, get their delinquent dues and fill the home with someone who would pay the association's dues on time.
"Now the home is sitting empty," she said.
5 STEPS TO A FORECLOSURE OVER HOMEOWNERS GROUP FEES
An old wives' tale holds that homeowners dues in arrears don't need to be paid until the home is sold, at which time the new owner must pay off the debt, said Ron Cotterill, a homeowners association lawyer in Tampa. In reality, associations have the power to foreclose on liens and force the sale of a home.
Florida law lays out a process for starting a foreclosure action:
1. Provide notice of delinquent dues. An association must give a homeowner written notice for past-due assessments and any other amounts owed, and provide the owner with 45 days to make the payment. The association must send the letter by certified or registered mail as well as by first-class U.S. mail.
2. File a lien.
3. Provide notice of intent to foreclose. Again, the association must provide the homeowner with 45 days notice of its intent to foreclose on unpaid dues.
4. Start foreclosure proceedings.
5. Cause a foreclosure sale.
If the association receives a foreclosure judgment against a homeowner, and the owner fails to pay off all money owed, the association can have the home sold at the courthouse. In some cases, the homeowners association buys the home if there are no other bidders.
In recent years, associations have been prohibited from converting fines for such slights as failing to maintain the lawn into liens that can be foreclosed upon. However, legislation passed this year may change that somewhat. Peter Dunbar, a real estate and association law attorney in Tallahassee, said that in the future if the fine exceeds $1,000, the homeowners association may be able to file a lien, which is foreclosable. The legislation has not been signed by the governor, said David Muller, a community association lawyer for the Becker & Poliakoff firm.
By Michael Sasso
Published June 2, 2008
NEW PORT RICHEY - Tired of the nagging letters from your neighborhood homeowners association, the threats of liens on your home?
Before you ignore the association, consider the fate of Gregory Green.
More than three years ago, Green's body seemed to be falling apart. Overweight, he suffered two blood clots in his lung, then he needed surgery for a back injury, then he was diagnosed with diabetes. On his doctor's advice, he left his job at an Alzheimer's care center in Tampa and began collecting disability benefits, which were about half his previous salary and put a strain on his family's finances, Green says.
By 2005, the family of five had fallen behind on dues to the homeowners association of The Glen at River Ridge, which represents about 150 homes in a west Pasco County subdivision. The result: In September, the homeowners association foreclosed on the house for owing $580.
These are neighbors," Green said of the board of directors of the homeowners association. "Neighbors are supposed to be compassionate."
The Greens' story isn't the norm for association disputes, but foreclosures that end with the sale of a debtor's home have become surprisingly common in the Bay area and throughout Florida, according to two lawyers who represent hundreds of homeowners and condo associations between them, Bob Tankel of Dunedin and Ron Cotterill of Tampa. Tankel estimates such cases have increased tenfold in the past four years, based on his firm's caseload.
Patricia and Greg Green, and their daughter, Cherylin, are now living in a rented home.
In many situations, homeowners are losing their properties over a few hundred dollars in delinquent homeowners assessments.
What's more, Tankel said he's advising his homeowners association clients to foreclose quickly, before the lender does. A homeowners association lien is inferior to a claim brought by a lender holding the mortgage, Tankel said. So if a bank files first, the association may not be able to collect the back dues.
"We're always in a race to the courthouse steps," Tankel said.
Foreclosing on someone's home may sound ruthless - Tankel prefers "aggressive" - but lawyers who represent homeowners associations insist the organizations are victims of the foreclosure mess in Florida.
Across the state, a record number of mortgage foreclosures have left many deed-restricted neighborhoods dotted with vacant homes. For financially distressed homeowners who still own their homes, paying association dues is often a low priority, Tankel said. Tankel, who said he represents as many as 600 homeowners and condo associations in Florida, has watched his collections business increase by 500 percent over the past four years.
Homeowners associations must provide drainage or landscaping in their communities as less money comes in. Homeowners who pay often face special assessments to make up for those who fail to pay, Tankel said.
Foreclosure lawyers are unsympathetic figures for many people, and Tankel jokes that he's occasionally thought of as Snidely Whiplash, the mustachioed, top-hatted villain in the old "Dudley Do-Right" cartoons.
"Am I ruthless, or am I protecting the interests of people who pay?" asked Tankel.
Most Owe Relatively Little
It's unclear how often associations force homes to be auctioned at the courthouse because local court clerks don't differentiate between foreclosure sales brought by homeowners associations and those brought by lenders.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the number is relatively small, and most lawsuits brought by associations settle before reaching a sale at the courthouse. Nonetheless, the number has grown exponentially. A few years ago, perhaps one in every 3,000 association collection actions resulted in the sale of the person's house. Today, Tankel estimates the rate is one per 300 cases. Recently, he's been overseeing about three such foreclosure sales per month.
Cotterill estimated he's shepherding three to 10 cases per month to foreclosure sales.
"For lack of a better word, the increase has been dramatic over time," Cotterill said. "I don't know if it's reached its peak yet."
Aside from The Glen at River Ridge homeowners association, others that have foreclosed on homes recently include: Westchase Community Association, which recently foreclosed on at least two homes, according to court records; FishHawk Ranch Homeowners Association; Hyde Park Place II Condominium Association in Tampa; and Charleston Corners Property Owners Association in Lutz.
Both Tankel and Cotterill say they are stumped about why so many people are willing to surrender their homes for so little in delinquent dues. Tankel said the typical association foreclosure case involves less than $1,000 in delinquent homeowners assessments.
Some of the debtors are investors who have little equity in the homes and are willing to walk away from a bad investment, Cotterill said. However, in some cases, such as the Greens', the delinquent homeowners are living in the homes. Cotterill said people don't realize that homeowners associations have the power to foreclose, so they ignore warning letters.
Florida law grants four entities the power to foreclose: mortgage holders, such as banks and the investment companies that purchase packages of loans; the IRS; contractors who can foreclose on construction liens; and homeowners associations.
If homeowners associations decide to foreclose, time is critical, Tankel said. They need to seek foreclosure quickly before the value of the homes falls further and before banks foreclose, he said.
"Because of the real estate crisis, I have suggested that clients not give homeowners so much time and so many letters," Tankel said.
Playing Hardball
Those kinds of hardball tactics have raised critics of homeowners associations and the lawyers they employ.
Jan Bergemann runs a DeLand-based watchdog group called Cyber Citizens for Justice, which is pushing for reform of Florida's homeowners association laws. Among his demands is that associations provide more notice to homeowners of the potential filing of a lien, without accruing attorney fees billable to the homeowner.
Bergemann faults many lawyers for taking the side of homeowners and condo association boards, rather than considering the interest of all of the association's members, including delinquent homeowners.
Often, the legal fees - especially in a foreclosure case - far exceed the association dues owed, he said. Several foreclosure cases the Tribune reviewed involved legal fees billed at a rate of $200 or more per hour, as well as paralegal fees of $95 an hour.
Foreclosure "causes hardship," Bergemann said. "It causes problems, and if a family has a problem paying $250 or whatever's at stake, they definitely have a problem when Tankel adds $800" in legal fees.
In New Port Richey, the Greens fell behind in their association dues and were quickly swamped by mounting court costs and attorney fees. The family consists of Gregory, 50, his wife, Patricia, 55, a 16-year-old daughter, Cherylin, and two adult sons, Jason and Aaron.
After notifying the family of the delinquency, the homeowners association board placed a lien on the house for $264 in November 2006, court records show. Their debt eventually grew to $580 in back dues.
Patricia Green said her homeowners association's board and its president, Jack Alwood, refused to negotiate with the family.
"They wouldn't take payments," she said. "They wouldn't work with us. They wanted a lump sum."
The association's attorney, Michael Brudny of Oldsmar, also would not return the family's calls seeking to work out a payment plan, the Greens said.
"They'd Brudny's office take messages and messages and nobody would ever call back," Gregory Green said.
Brudny wouldn't comment specifically on the Greens' case, preferring to speak generally about homeowners association foreclosures. However, he denied that his office failed to return the Greens' calls, and said his office wants to work out things with delinquent homeowners. Unfortunately, in the Greens' case, they were unable to make payments, he said.
In April 2007, The Glen at River Ridge association filed a foreclosure lawsuit against the family in Pasco County court. The case resulted in a summary judgment against the Greens in August for a total of $3,781. Only $580 was for the back dues the family owed. An additional $2,134 was for attorney fees and $605 was for court costs, among other charges.
Absent a quick payoff of the amount owed, the court set a foreclosure sale for Sept. 26. That day, the association purchased the home at the courthouse for $100, a typical low offer for a home with only one bidder and little or no equity beyond what's owed to the mortgage company. The Greens moved to a rental home four miles away.
Alwood, the association president, said the Greens' case was unfortunate, but the family consistently failed to pay their homeowners dues over three years. The family didn't respond to the association's letters, Alwood said.
"They just stonewalled; Gregory Green just would not respond," he said.
Eventually, the homeowners association tried to sell the property but was unable to. The association board decided against making the mortgage payments and the lender took back the home.
Today, Patricia Green notes the irony of the situation: The association foreclosed on her property to remove the Greens, get their delinquent dues and fill the home with someone who would pay the association's dues on time.
"Now the home is sitting empty," she said.
5 STEPS TO A FORECLOSURE OVER HOMEOWNERS GROUP FEES
An old wives' tale holds that homeowners dues in arrears don't need to be paid until the home is sold, at which time the new owner must pay off the debt, said Ron Cotterill, a homeowners association lawyer in Tampa. In reality, associations have the power to foreclose on liens and force the sale of a home.
Florida law lays out a process for starting a foreclosure action:
1. Provide notice of delinquent dues. An association must give a homeowner written notice for past-due assessments and any other amounts owed, and provide the owner with 45 days to make the payment. The association must send the letter by certified or registered mail as well as by first-class U.S. mail.
2. File a lien.
3. Provide notice of intent to foreclose. Again, the association must provide the homeowner with 45 days notice of its intent to foreclose on unpaid dues.
4. Start foreclosure proceedings.
5. Cause a foreclosure sale.
If the association receives a foreclosure judgment against a homeowner, and the owner fails to pay off all money owed, the association can have the home sold at the courthouse. In some cases, the homeowners association buys the home if there are no other bidders.
In recent years, associations have been prohibited from converting fines for such slights as failing to maintain the lawn into liens that can be foreclosed upon. However, legislation passed this year may change that somewhat. Peter Dunbar, a real estate and association law attorney in Tallahassee, said that in the future if the fine exceeds $1,000, the homeowners association may be able to file a lien, which is foreclosable. The legislation has not been signed by the governor, said David Muller, a community association lawyer for the Becker & Poliakoff firm.
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