Saturday, March 14, 2009
Restricted Communities
People that live in these restricted communities just don't believe what goes on in here. You obey the HOA rules not the city or state rules. HOA can foreclosed on your home or put a lean on it. The city won't help you, good luck.
Association, Resident Reach Deal
March 13, 2009
ZEPHYRHILLS - Betmar Acres will pay close to $11,000 to settle a lawsuit it brought against one of its own homeowners.
The homeowners association for the 1,670-mobile home community also will pay roughly $5,000 for legal fees.
The 55-over community had sued homeowner Cheryl Okke last year after she replaced a 1971 mobile home on her lot with a 2005 model. The replacement home complied with the community's deed restrictions, but it violated the associations' bylaws because it was more than a year old.
"I got together with Association President Gus Clark, and we sat down and hammered out an agreement we could both live with," Okke said.
The association will pay $8,500 to the lawyers who defended Okke and her mobile home dealer, Karsten Gallery of Homes. It also will reimburse Okke $300 for the cost of the arbitration conference, $1,200 for new permits and $980 for other expenses.
Clark said homeowners will not be assessed to pay for the settlement. "We had a fund where money was put aside," he said.
He said he was disappointed because he thinks the case could have been resolved at no cost to the association, but board member Harry Taylor withheld information about an earlier settlement offer from the rest of the board. The association ended up taking Okke to court on Jan. 22.
"It's interesting the way it worked out, because at arbitration Karsten offered to pay them $1,500 to settle," Okke said.
When Clark learned about the earlier settlement offer in February, he called an emergency board meeting to grant Okke's variance and resume negotiations.
Several of the association's trustees have since resigned. Taylor did not seek re-election to his post this month. His term expires at the end of March.
Okke said she was not aware of the 12-month rule adopted by the board a few weeks after she purchased her lot in 2007 - and before she actually moved into the community. Her variance requests were repeatedly denied.
She said she's satisfied with the agreement, although it fails to compensate her for her lost wages or stress-related health problems.
"I haven't worked since Oct. 4," she said. "Mostly I've been trying to deal with this."
But with the case resolved, she will be allowed to complete the installation of the mobile home skirting, carport, stairs and new driveway.
ZEPHYRHILLS - Betmar Acres will pay close to $11,000 to settle a lawsuit it brought against one of its own homeowners.
The homeowners association for the 1,670-mobile home community also will pay roughly $5,000 for legal fees.
The 55-over community had sued homeowner Cheryl Okke last year after she replaced a 1971 mobile home on her lot with a 2005 model. The replacement home complied with the community's deed restrictions, but it violated the associations' bylaws because it was more than a year old.
"I got together with Association President Gus Clark, and we sat down and hammered out an agreement we could both live with," Okke said.
The association will pay $8,500 to the lawyers who defended Okke and her mobile home dealer, Karsten Gallery of Homes. It also will reimburse Okke $300 for the cost of the arbitration conference, $1,200 for new permits and $980 for other expenses.
Clark said homeowners will not be assessed to pay for the settlement. "We had a fund where money was put aside," he said.
He said he was disappointed because he thinks the case could have been resolved at no cost to the association, but board member Harry Taylor withheld information about an earlier settlement offer from the rest of the board. The association ended up taking Okke to court on Jan. 22.
"It's interesting the way it worked out, because at arbitration Karsten offered to pay them $1,500 to settle," Okke said.
When Clark learned about the earlier settlement offer in February, he called an emergency board meeting to grant Okke's variance and resume negotiations.
Several of the association's trustees have since resigned. Taylor did not seek re-election to his post this month. His term expires at the end of March.
Okke said she was not aware of the 12-month rule adopted by the board a few weeks after she purchased her lot in 2007 - and before she actually moved into the community. Her variance requests were repeatedly denied.
She said she's satisfied with the agreement, although it fails to compensate her for her lost wages or stress-related health problems.
"I haven't worked since Oct. 4," she said. "Mostly I've been trying to deal with this."
But with the case resolved, she will be allowed to complete the installation of the mobile home skirting, carport, stairs and new driveway.
Happy St Patrick's Day
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.
Ever wonder why a bad idea is cloned, copied and used over and over again? And how do you stop a bad idea from multiplying like a rabbit? Well,
every year or two our elected officials get together and introduce ideas they hope will become law. And every time the legislature gathers for its annual or biennial ritual, homeowners hope that some of the laws that are introduced will be homeowner friendly and protect their property rights. And at the same time, the HOA industry gathers with their gifts and long wish lists seeking to expand the powers of associations and managers.
And as this annual ritual blows across the country like a mad March wind, what should individual owners look for? How can they protect their property and their rights?
On The Commons this week we are joined by Frank Short. Frank is an attorney, an avid proponent for the rights of the individual, a frequent guest and a friend of the show. Please join us On The Commons this Saturday, March 14, 2009 as we celebrate another annual ritual, St Patrick's Day, and talk about the bills that were introduced in Virginia, the ones that passed, the ones that didn't and a few that were amended and look nothing at all like they did in the beginning. We'll also give you a heads up of the next bad idea that is poised and ready to be cloned, copied and enacted in every state in the country. We'll even tell you where to look for it.
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/
Some previously broadcast shows are archived and available at :
TALK SHOWS
"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
Ever wonder why a bad idea is cloned, copied and used over and over again? And how do you stop a bad idea from multiplying like a rabbit? Well,
every year or two our elected officials get together and introduce ideas they hope will become law. And every time the legislature gathers for its annual or biennial ritual, homeowners hope that some of the laws that are introduced will be homeowner friendly and protect their property rights. And at the same time, the HOA industry gathers with their gifts and long wish lists seeking to expand the powers of associations and managers.
And as this annual ritual blows across the country like a mad March wind, what should individual owners look for? How can they protect their property and their rights?
On The Commons this week we are joined by Frank Short. Frank is an attorney, an avid proponent for the rights of the individual, a frequent guest and a friend of the show. Please join us On The Commons this Saturday, March 14, 2009 as we celebrate another annual ritual, St Patrick's Day, and talk about the bills that were introduced in Virginia, the ones that passed, the ones that didn't and a few that were amended and look nothing at all like they did in the beginning. We'll also give you a heads up of the next bad idea that is poised and ready to be cloned, copied and enacted in every state in the country. We'll even tell you where to look for it.
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/
Some previously broadcast shows are archived and available at :
TALK SHOWS
"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
Friday, March 13, 2009
Perks of Reaching 50+
Someone had to remind me, so I'm reminding you too. Don't laugh.....it is all true...
Perks of reaching 50 or being over 60 and heading towards 70!
01. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.
02. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.
03. No one expects you to run--anywhere.
04. People call at 9 pm and ask, did I wake you?
05. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
06. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.
07. Things you buy now won't wear out.
08. You can eat supper at 4 pm.
09. You can live without sex but not your glasses.
10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.
11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.
12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room.
13. You sing along with elevator music.
14. Your eyes won't get much worse.
15 . Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.
16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.
17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.
19. You can't remember who sent you this list.
And you notice these are all in Big Print for your convenience.
Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
Perks of reaching 50 or being over 60 and heading towards 70!
01. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.
02. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.
03. No one expects you to run--anywhere.
04. People call at 9 pm and ask, did I wake you?
05. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
06. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.
07. Things you buy now won't wear out.
08. You can eat supper at 4 pm.
09. You can live without sex but not your glasses.
10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.
11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.
12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room.
13. You sing along with elevator music.
14. Your eyes won't get much worse.
15 . Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.
16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.
17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.
19. You can't remember who sent you this list.
And you notice these are all in Big Print for your convenience.
Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
America's Malls
America's malls are going to end up looking a lot different. The retail sector is obviously getting hammered, with chains like Circuit City and Linens 'n Things already out of business. Many other retail chains are in trouble. Also on the bottom-rung list: Barney's; BCBG Maz Azria; Blockbuster; Brookstone; Claire's Stores; Eddie Bauer; Finlay Fine Jewelry; Harry & David; Loehmann's; Michael's Stores; Oriental Trading Co.; and Sbarro. Again, this doesn't mean the company is doomed. But many of these firms will restructure, close outlets, shrink, and find ways to transform themselves. So if you ever go back to the mall, and your favorite shop has disappeared, you'll know why.
Man goes over Niagara Falls
Some nut went over Niagara Falls without any protective gear. He looked like the Lake Ashton Director Joe Hunter. Water must have been cold hun Joe?
BET YOU'LL SEND IT!!
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG,
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ,
AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS,
ONE NATION UNDER GOD,
INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!
I was asked to send on if I agree, or delete if I don't.
It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God.
Therefore I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a problem in having 'In God! We Trust' on our money and having 'God' in the Pledge of Allegiance.
I believe it's time we stand up for what we believe!
If you agree, pass this on, if not, delete.
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ,
AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS,
ONE NATION UNDER GOD,
INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!
I was asked to send on if I agree, or delete if I don't.
It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God.
Therefore I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a problem in having 'In God! We Trust' on our money and having 'God' in the Pledge of Allegiance.
I believe it's time we stand up for what we believe!
If you agree, pass this on, if not, delete.
Paul Pontious should step down
The vote was 8 to 7. Eight said he should step down and Seven said no.
FISH JOKE
How do you talk to a fish?
Drop it a line!
Why did the bass cross the road?
Cause it was hooked!
Drop it a line!
Why did the bass cross the road?
Cause it was hooked!
More Companies At Risk of Failing
.S.News & World Report
More Companies At Risk of Failing
Tuesday March 10, 12:46 pm ET
By Rick Newman
Everybody hopes the economy bottoms out and starts to improve tomorrow. Or sooner. But there are few signs of an imminent recovery. One obvious indicator is the health of big companies - you know, the ones that have been announcing all those four- and five-digits layoffs recently. And the outlook for them seems to be getting worse, not better.
Moody's, the ratings agency, recently published a list of "bottom rung" companies most likely to default on their debt. The criteria are technical, but the upshot is that a lot of companies are in deep trouble - and the list is getting longer, not shorter. Moody's predicts that the default rate on corporate bonds this year will be three times higher than in 2008, and 15 times higher than in 2007. Defaults are often the last step before a bankruptcy filing. And bankrupt companies, obviously, don't usually hire people. They dramatically shed costs and workers and sometimes liquidate completely, firing everybody.
There will be a lot more bankruptcies. Moody's places 283 companies on its bottom-rung list, up from 157 a year ago. Since the quarterly list was last updated, 73 additional companies have fallen to the bottom rung. Twenty-four companies made their way off the list - but mostly because they defaulted on their debts. Only one company, Landry's Restaurants, got off the list because its circumstances improved.
[
More Companies At Risk of Failing
Tuesday March 10, 12:46 pm ET
By Rick Newman
Everybody hopes the economy bottoms out and starts to improve tomorrow. Or sooner. But there are few signs of an imminent recovery. One obvious indicator is the health of big companies - you know, the ones that have been announcing all those four- and five-digits layoffs recently. And the outlook for them seems to be getting worse, not better.
Moody's, the ratings agency, recently published a list of "bottom rung" companies most likely to default on their debt. The criteria are technical, but the upshot is that a lot of companies are in deep trouble - and the list is getting longer, not shorter. Moody's predicts that the default rate on corporate bonds this year will be three times higher than in 2008, and 15 times higher than in 2007. Defaults are often the last step before a bankruptcy filing. And bankrupt companies, obviously, don't usually hire people. They dramatically shed costs and workers and sometimes liquidate completely, firing everybody.
There will be a lot more bankruptcies. Moody's places 283 companies on its bottom-rung list, up from 157 a year ago. Since the quarterly list was last updated, 73 additional companies have fallen to the bottom rung. Twenty-four companies made their way off the list - but mostly because they defaulted on their debts. Only one company, Landry's Restaurants, got off the list because its circumstances improved.
[
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
National Symbol Changed
The Government today announced that it is changing its National Symbol to a CONDOM because it more accurately reflects the government's political stance. A condom allows for inflation, halts production, destroys the next generation, protects a bunch of pricks, and gives you a sense of security while you're actually being screwed.
Damn, it just doesn't get more accurate than that.
Damn, it just doesn't get more accurate than that.
Monday, March 9, 2009
"The Proposal"
> When a company falls on difficult times, one of the things that seems to happen is they reduce their staff and workers. The remaining workers need to find ways to continue to do a good job or risk that their job would be eliminated as well. Wall street, and the media normally congratulate the CEO for making this type of "tough decision", and his board of directors gives him a big bonus.
> Our government should not be immune from similar risks.
> Therefore: Reduce the House of Representatives from the current 435 members to 218 members and Senate members from 100 to 50 (one per State). Also reduce remaining staff by 25%.
> Accomplish this over the next 8 years. (two steps / two elections) and of course this would require some redistricting.
> Some Yearly Monetary Gains Include:
> $44,108,400 for elimination of base pay for congress. (267 members X $165,200 pay / member / yr.)
> $97,175,000 for elimination of the above people's staff. (estimate $1.3 Million in staff per each member of the House, and $3 Million in staff per each member of the Senate every year)
> $240,294 for the reduction in remaining staff by 25%.
> $7,500,000,000 reduction in pork barrel ear-marks each year. (those members whose jobs are gone. Current estimates for total government pork earmarks are at $15 Billion / yr)
> The remaining representatives would need to work smarter and would need to improve efficiencies. It might even be in their best interests to work together for the good of our country?
> We may also expect that smaller committees might lead to a more efficient resolution of issues as well. It might even be easier to keep track of what your representative is doing.
> Congress has more tools available to do their jobs than it had back in 1911 when the current number of representatives was established. (telephone, computers, cell phones to name a few)
> Note:
> Congress did not hesitate to head home when it was a holiday, when the nation needed a real fix to the economic problems. Also, we have 3 senators that have not been doing their jobs for the past 18+ months (on the campaign trail) and still they all have been accepting full pay. These facts alone support a reduction in senators & congress.
> Summary of opportunity:
> $ 44,108,400 reduction of congress members.
> $282,100, 000 for elimination of the reduced house member staff.
> $150,000,000 for elimination of reduced senate member staff.
> $59,675,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining house members...
> $37,500,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining senate members.
> $7,500,000,000 reduction in pork added to bills by the reduction of congress members.
> $8,073,383,400 per year, estimated total savings. (that's 8-BILLION just to start!)
> Big business does these types of cuts all the time.
> If Congresspersons were required to serve 20, 25 or 30 years (like everyone else) in order to collect retirement benefits there is no telling how much we would save. Now they get full retirement after serving only ONE term.
> IF you are happy how the Congress spends our taxes, then just delete this message. IF you are NOT at all happy, then I assume you know what to do.
> Our government should not be immune from similar risks.
> Therefore: Reduce the House of Representatives from the current 435 members to 218 members and Senate members from 100 to 50 (one per State). Also reduce remaining staff by 25%.
> Accomplish this over the next 8 years. (two steps / two elections) and of course this would require some redistricting.
> Some Yearly Monetary Gains Include:
> $44,108,400 for elimination of base pay for congress. (267 members X $165,200 pay / member / yr.)
> $97,175,000 for elimination of the above people's staff. (estimate $1.3 Million in staff per each member of the House, and $3 Million in staff per each member of the Senate every year)
> $240,294 for the reduction in remaining staff by 25%.
> $7,500,000,000 reduction in pork barrel ear-marks each year. (those members whose jobs are gone. Current estimates for total government pork earmarks are at $15 Billion / yr)
> The remaining representatives would need to work smarter and would need to improve efficiencies. It might even be in their best interests to work together for the good of our country?
> We may also expect that smaller committees might lead to a more efficient resolution of issues as well. It might even be easier to keep track of what your representative is doing.
> Congress has more tools available to do their jobs than it had back in 1911 when the current number of representatives was established. (telephone, computers, cell phones to name a few)
> Note:
> Congress did not hesitate to head home when it was a holiday, when the nation needed a real fix to the economic problems. Also, we have 3 senators that have not been doing their jobs for the past 18+ months (on the campaign trail) and still they all have been accepting full pay. These facts alone support a reduction in senators & congress.
> Summary of opportunity:
> $ 44,108,400 reduction of congress members.
> $282,100, 000 for elimination of the reduced house member staff.
> $150,000,000 for elimination of reduced senate member staff.
> $59,675,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining house members...
> $37,500,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining senate members.
> $7,500,000,000 reduction in pork added to bills by the reduction of congress members.
> $8,073,383,400 per year, estimated total savings. (that's 8-BILLION just to start!)
> Big business does these types of cuts all the time.
> If Congresspersons were required to serve 20, 25 or 30 years (like everyone else) in order to collect retirement benefits there is no telling how much we would save. Now they get full retirement after serving only ONE term.
> IF you are happy how the Congress spends our taxes, then just delete this message. IF you are NOT at all happy, then I assume you know what to do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)