Saturday, January 16, 2010
Jan. 8th CDD Meeting
Saturday, January 09, 2010 11:41 AM
What do residents really think? The CDD Engineer reported that geotechnical tests on December corings show that definite road building defects do exist in Lake Ashton. CDD Engineer, and CDD lawyer Jan Carpenter reminded CDD supervisors that they had already received a recommendation from an outside consulting construction certified law firm that if they want to protect homeowners rights under the law they should be hiring a construction lawyer quickly and filing lawsuit before homeowners rights expire. This legal consultant reported that judging only by what he has been shown, these rights may be in the process of expiring now. That without a filed lawsuit there is no way assure that all existing documents have been provided in the many requests that have been made under the sunshine law. He reported that the City of Lake Wales has said no documents are available regarding road design and inspection. The CDD managers office says they have no documents regarding road design and inspection. The Developer and the old Engineer who authorized public dollar payment for these roads, have not produced any inspection documents. The Florida Department of Transportation, Polk County, the governor's office, Lake Wales City Attorney,the office of JD Alexander , etc. all said we need legal council for this issue. Both The CDD's Consultant lawyer and the CDD"s own lawyer have said-protect the expiration of your rights by filing in court now.
What did the CDD supervisors concern themselves with at that meeting? Mr. Eaton, Ms. Stevens, and Mr. Owens removed their chairman from his place at the table in an unprofessional and self-serving way. The same chairman, the only Professional Engineer on the board, who had been telling them for over three years that the community had road construction defects and the board needed to take action in order to have the developer fix what he was paid to do. That if they did not take action all homeowners would have to pay to fix the roads through special assessments. When Mr. Chickness directly asked Ms. Stevens why she made the motion that removed Mr. Salvin, she said because Mr. and Mrs. Follett asked her to.I guess that is why Mr. Eaton seconded the motion. They must have asked him to do it also. For those of you that would like to know who the Follett's are- Well, Mr. Follett ran for the CDD and lost to Mr. Salvin, and Mrs. Follett works for the developer. And now of course, Mr. Eaton is the new Chair and Ms. Stevens is the Vice-Chair.
Oh, yes i almost forgot. Ms. Stevens, after receiving the engineers report and her call to action, made a motion to have some railings put on three steps for the stage. She made no mention of the report.
I personally am embarrassed to be allowing, and in fact am frightened to have these three (Stevens,Owens,and Eaton) handling the finances of my community. The finances that control the value of my home and to have the ability to take money out of my pocket to repair or preserve a road that was built defectively.
Hopefully Mr. Salvin will continue in his professional straight forward manner to do his best for the homeowners. Hopefully Mr. Chickness will continue in his ethically straight forward and commendable manner to call a "spade a spade."Hopefully they will overcome the inability of this trio to understand that their job is to protect the finances of this community.
What do you think? Well people......what now? Are you ready to pay?????
This Editorial was taken from another Blog site.
What do residents really think? The CDD Engineer reported that geotechnical tests on December corings show that definite road building defects do exist in Lake Ashton. CDD Engineer, and CDD lawyer Jan Carpenter reminded CDD supervisors that they had already received a recommendation from an outside consulting construction certified law firm that if they want to protect homeowners rights under the law they should be hiring a construction lawyer quickly and filing lawsuit before homeowners rights expire. This legal consultant reported that judging only by what he has been shown, these rights may be in the process of expiring now. That without a filed lawsuit there is no way assure that all existing documents have been provided in the many requests that have been made under the sunshine law. He reported that the City of Lake Wales has said no documents are available regarding road design and inspection. The CDD managers office says they have no documents regarding road design and inspection. The Developer and the old Engineer who authorized public dollar payment for these roads, have not produced any inspection documents. The Florida Department of Transportation, Polk County, the governor's office, Lake Wales City Attorney,the office of JD Alexander , etc. all said we need legal council for this issue. Both The CDD's Consultant lawyer and the CDD"s own lawyer have said-protect the expiration of your rights by filing in court now.
What did the CDD supervisors concern themselves with at that meeting? Mr. Eaton, Ms. Stevens, and Mr. Owens removed their chairman from his place at the table in an unprofessional and self-serving way. The same chairman, the only Professional Engineer on the board, who had been telling them for over three years that the community had road construction defects and the board needed to take action in order to have the developer fix what he was paid to do. That if they did not take action all homeowners would have to pay to fix the roads through special assessments. When Mr. Chickness directly asked Ms. Stevens why she made the motion that removed Mr. Salvin, she said because Mr. and Mrs. Follett asked her to.I guess that is why Mr. Eaton seconded the motion. They must have asked him to do it also. For those of you that would like to know who the Follett's are- Well, Mr. Follett ran for the CDD and lost to Mr. Salvin, and Mrs. Follett works for the developer. And now of course, Mr. Eaton is the new Chair and Ms. Stevens is the Vice-Chair.
Oh, yes i almost forgot. Ms. Stevens, after receiving the engineers report and her call to action, made a motion to have some railings put on three steps for the stage. She made no mention of the report.
I personally am embarrassed to be allowing, and in fact am frightened to have these three (Stevens,Owens,and Eaton) handling the finances of my community. The finances that control the value of my home and to have the ability to take money out of my pocket to repair or preserve a road that was built defectively.
Hopefully Mr. Salvin will continue in his professional straight forward manner to do his best for the homeowners. Hopefully Mr. Chickness will continue in his ethically straight forward and commendable manner to call a "spade a spade."Hopefully they will overcome the inability of this trio to understand that their job is to protect the finances of this community.
What do you think? Well people......what now? Are you ready to pay?????
This Editorial was taken from another Blog site.
Board of CDD Supervisors: 2010
Board of Supervisors:
Joseph (Jake) H. Eaton
Chair
Margot Stevens
Vice Chair
John L. Chickness, Sr.
Supervisor
Scott Owens
Supervisor
Jeffery Salvin
Supervisor
Joseph (Jake) H. Eaton
Chair
Margot Stevens
Vice Chair
John L. Chickness, Sr.
Supervisor
Scott Owens
Supervisor
Jeffery Salvin
Supervisor
Keith Stevens
Keith Stevens uses the ballroom free and pays no fee. On Thursday he teaches square dancing and receives money for doing this at our cost. We pay the lights and the upkeep. What the hell is going on? I tried to use it and they want $375.00 and I give the money to charity. You can easily see he is connected to the management. This place is so crooked and fixed, Al Capone could do no better. Keith must pay a fee. He is no different than us residents.
I send this notice to Joe "do nothing" Hunter and Trich Adams, Jake Eaton, George Flint John Chickness, Jeff Salvin and Barbara Follett.
I send this notice to Joe "do nothing" Hunter and Trich Adams, Jake Eaton, George Flint John Chickness, Jeff Salvin and Barbara Follett.
Barbara Follett
How is it that an employee of the developer/management company, Barbara Follett, has the power to rearrange the leadership of our community's financial custodian -- the CDD Board of Directors? Keep in mind, that developer/management company holds contracts (worth over one million dollars of our money) that are dependent on the decisions of that Board.
Ms. Stevens announced, on the record in the Jan 8th CDD meeting, that Barbara Follett (and her husband Bill)were the people who caused her to make a motion to remove the CDD Chairman (Mr. Salvin)midterm. The motion was seconded by Eaton and passed due to the vote of Stevens, Eaton, and Owens(an officer in that developer/management company). Stevens then nominated Jake Eaton for Chairman and the same three put him in office. Then the same three put Ms. Stevens in office as the Vice-Chair.
How is that?
Well Ms. Stevens' husband appears to be a manager for that developer/management firm. They also appear to have the ballroom reserved every Thursday night (through the services of Barbara Follett)at no charge to the Stevens. This is for square dancing lessons where every resident participating has to pay $3.00 to attend. Square dancing also appears to have non-residents involved. Free ballroom...money in the his pocket....hmmmm I would think that the people that are taken these lesions should quit. Keith is using the ballroom free at our expense and he is putting money in his pocket.
Then there is Mr Owens. Did he forget AGAIN to announce before the vote and comments that he is actually in the chain of command for Barbara Follett's employer. Isn't that a violation of State of Florida Ethics mandate.
Edited Editorial from another blog site
Ms. Stevens announced, on the record in the Jan 8th CDD meeting, that Barbara Follett (and her husband Bill)were the people who caused her to make a motion to remove the CDD Chairman (Mr. Salvin)midterm. The motion was seconded by Eaton and passed due to the vote of Stevens, Eaton, and Owens(an officer in that developer/management company). Stevens then nominated Jake Eaton for Chairman and the same three put him in office. Then the same three put Ms. Stevens in office as the Vice-Chair.
How is that?
Well Ms. Stevens' husband appears to be a manager for that developer/management firm. They also appear to have the ballroom reserved every Thursday night (through the services of Barbara Follett)at no charge to the Stevens. This is for square dancing lessons where every resident participating has to pay $3.00 to attend. Square dancing also appears to have non-residents involved. Free ballroom...money in the his pocket....hmmmm I would think that the people that are taken these lesions should quit. Keith is using the ballroom free at our expense and he is putting money in his pocket.
Then there is Mr Owens. Did he forget AGAIN to announce before the vote and comments that he is actually in the chain of command for Barbara Follett's employer. Isn't that a violation of State of Florida Ethics mandate.
Edited Editorial from another blog site
CDD, Follett and Management Ousted Jeff Salvin
Margo told part of the truth when she said the reason she wanted a new chairperson was because she got a phone call from the Folletts requesting her to do that. Remember Keith Stevens, Margot husband works for the management. Scott Owens said he also received a phone call. Was his call from his boss the developer/management company, or from his employee-Barbara Follett? And who called Jake? The management sure did its job, money talks, get rid of Jeff Salvin. I have a feeling that money was involved here so Larry Maxwell doesn't have to pay for the road repair. They wanted to stall for time. We have till May to take action.
The important part of this is that the trio spent their time rearranging the board instead of discussing how the defective roads would impact the community and instead of taking prompt action to protect the homeowners by hiring a lawyer to begin to prepare a suit. Perhaps they should have been voting to put out RFPs just in case they might need to change the management company (CDD now pays them over $1,000,000 a year)in the case of unresolved road issues.
Just for the record-the HOA changes their officers each time they have an election also. They just happen to have an election every year.
Interesting how people can twist the truth for their own benefit isn't it?
The important part of this is that the trio spent their time rearranging the board instead of discussing how the defective roads would impact the community and instead of taking prompt action to protect the homeowners by hiring a lawyer to begin to prepare a suit. Perhaps they should have been voting to put out RFPs just in case they might need to change the management company (CDD now pays them over $1,000,000 a year)in the case of unresolved road issues.
Just for the record-the HOA changes their officers each time they have an election also. They just happen to have an election every year.
Interesting how people can twist the truth for their own benefit isn't it?
A letter from a resident
The HOA Board of Directors re-elects its officers each year. The question to the CDD Board of Supervisors was why don't they do the same thing. That simple question caused the chain of events that occurred at the Jan. 8 CDD meeting. The CDD attorney advised that the CDD Board officers could be renominated for their same positions. Which means that John Chickness, Jake Eaton, Margot Stevens, and Scott Owens (or any other CDD Board member) could have nominated Jeff Salvin to be chairman, but they did not. Jeff Salvin is still an engineer with the same expertise, whether he's the CDD Board Chairman or not, and I would hope that since he's still a member of the CDD Board of Supervisors he will continue fighting for the good of the community. It becomes very difficult to over ride the entire CDD board on any issue. It is now Jeff and John.
A letter from a resident
I have lived here at Lake Ashton for less than 1 year. When I purchased here, I was never informed of any of the battles I know see going on within the community starting with the ..
Developer, Roads, Mx Communication, Bowling Alley, Chinese Dry Wall, Boat Docks,Bingo, Golf Course Privleges etc etc etc...but I am learning. TOO SLOWLY..
I am confused and appalled by the actions of the HOA board for not taking action years ago regarding the MX communications issue, as well as the illegal actions taken by MR PONTIOUS giving money to other than Charitable Institutions from a weekly 50/50 drawing.
I am confused by the CDD board members ....Margo Stevens, Jake Eaton, Scott Owens for disrupting the community by removing the Chairman , when that would / could have been done in November....But I am learning.
Finally....I do see the Lake Ashton is RUN by the ACTIVIIES DIRECTOR Tricia Adams here. I also feel they feel this is THEIR COMMUNITY and not that of the residents who pay their salarys.
I am sorry for venting, but had I know these things prior to purchasing what I thought my Last Home here.. I would be living elsewhere.
Now you ask...Why dont your Leave ??
My Answer....My home is being placed up for sale.
Developer, Roads, Mx Communication, Bowling Alley, Chinese Dry Wall, Boat Docks,Bingo, Golf Course Privleges etc etc etc...but I am learning. TOO SLOWLY..
I am confused and appalled by the actions of the HOA board for not taking action years ago regarding the MX communications issue, as well as the illegal actions taken by MR PONTIOUS giving money to other than Charitable Institutions from a weekly 50/50 drawing.
I am confused by the CDD board members ....Margo Stevens, Jake Eaton, Scott Owens for disrupting the community by removing the Chairman , when that would / could have been done in November....But I am learning.
Finally....I do see the Lake Ashton is RUN by the ACTIVIIES DIRECTOR Tricia Adams here. I also feel they feel this is THEIR COMMUNITY and not that of the residents who pay their salarys.
I am sorry for venting, but had I know these things prior to purchasing what I thought my Last Home here.. I would be living elsewhere.
Now you ask...Why dont your Leave ??
My Answer....My home is being placed up for sale.
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Margot Stevens has a vacant home
Margot, you have a empty Home and we all know how much you love it here and the residents, why don't you offer your home to one of the residents who has Chinese drywall or are you just talk. They need a place to live Margot, and your place is empty! What is your excuse? Please explain this at the next CDD meeting. I cannot imagine you knocking on my door asking me to call the police if I saw anyone digging up the road to get core samples. What the hell is wrong with you calling the police? I know you was involve in calling the police on me because you thought I had a AK47, well, you still don't know. Margot, please stay home and knit, you are just a joke on the CDD board and we are all laughing at you. We all know you conspired with Jake for taking Jeff title as president. You are a eye sore to this community, and you don't even have facts right. Step down Margot and let someone who knows what is going on take over. Give me a break. Go have lunch with Joe Hunter, Mr "Do Nothing"
Homes
There were more than one resident that gave a home to another. Larry Maxwell has many homes, but he is too cheap to offer any. These people have Chinese Drywall in their home and must move out. Larry Maxwell refuses to let these people move in any of them. You should know by now how cheap this guy is. His phone is still off the hook.
This is the turth
It was disturbing to me to see how Ms.Stevens and Mr.Eaton handled themselves in the removal of Mr. Salvin. It was very obvious that this was pre-arranged. Ms.Stevens knew in advance what the rules were regarding election terms. Who is she fooling? This whole thing was planned in advance of the CDD meeting.
Big mess out there
Thanks go out to the present Homeowners Association Board Members for attempting to support timely action on the road issue. Back in June it was thought that the roads were deteriorating due to heavy construction vehicles. Now the CDD engineer tells us the roads have construction defects. That is right-- They were built defectively! No wonder no one wanted them inspected.
Why are we continuing to let Mr. Schreiber control our actions? He has had plenty of time to make things right. Why is the CDD board letting him delay and avoid his responsibility to the road until it is too late for homeowners to go to court? Unfortunately some of the CDD Supervisors are not listening even to the homeowners association.....
Does anyone recall this letter?
THIS LETTER WAS POSTED ON A ANOTHER WEB SITE AND IS 50% WRONG.
The CDD wanted the roads inspected and got them inspected twice. The first time the core diggers screwed up but the CDD got it right the second time around. The CDD under Jeff Salvin tried to have the roads corrected, but Jake Eaten, Margo Steavens and Mark Schreiber wanted no part of it. They are all partners with Larry Maxwell. The HOA president Mr White wants no part of the Road problem and the MX. He must be replaced. Jeff Salvin and I was there watching them take road samples but you did not see Ronald White, Margo, Jake or Schreiber there. Why? because they love the Management. We must get Jeff Salvin back his seat as President of the CDD. Jake Eaten does nothing, which is spelled with an O. Zero He must be replace. All he will say we will look into it. Two meetings ago he was not there and they hook him up with a phone, he fell asleep. you could hear him sleeping. This guy is an actor, cop by trade. He should ride around this community in the new Sheriff car. This is all he can do, he doesn't call me back, because he doesn't have the answer.
Why are we continuing to let Mr. Schreiber control our actions? He has had plenty of time to make things right. Why is the CDD board letting him delay and avoid his responsibility to the road until it is too late for homeowners to go to court? Unfortunately some of the CDD Supervisors are not listening even to the homeowners association.....
Does anyone recall this letter?
THIS LETTER WAS POSTED ON A ANOTHER WEB SITE AND IS 50% WRONG.
The CDD wanted the roads inspected and got them inspected twice. The first time the core diggers screwed up but the CDD got it right the second time around. The CDD under Jeff Salvin tried to have the roads corrected, but Jake Eaten, Margo Steavens and Mark Schreiber wanted no part of it. They are all partners with Larry Maxwell. The HOA president Mr White wants no part of the Road problem and the MX. He must be replaced. Jeff Salvin and I was there watching them take road samples but you did not see Ronald White, Margo, Jake or Schreiber there. Why? because they love the Management. We must get Jeff Salvin back his seat as President of the CDD. Jake Eaten does nothing, which is spelled with an O. Zero He must be replace. All he will say we will look into it. Two meetings ago he was not there and they hook him up with a phone, he fell asleep. you could hear him sleeping. This guy is an actor, cop by trade. He should ride around this community in the new Sheriff car. This is all he can do, he doesn't call me back, because he doesn't have the answer.
Larry Maxwell has no responsibilities to residents except money in his pocket
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Letter from HOA to CDD dated Jun 3, 2009
Jeff Salvin, Chairman
Lake Ashton Community Development District 5701 N. Pine Island Road
Suite 370
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33321
We, the HOA Board of Directors, are writing this letter regarding a report that has circulated around the Lake Ashton community recently indicating that the developer has offered a sum of $71, 000.00 for repairing the current roads in LA 1
It is our understanding that Mr. Shriver, when he was chairperson of the CDD, repeatedly stated "that the developer would not leave this development without repairing all the roads". It appears that the offer being made now is simply a band~aide when, in fact, the problem is a compound fracture that continues to deteriorate.
Due to construction vehicle traffic the roads have deteriorated to their present condition and our now in need of total replacement. They will continue to get worse as this situation continues to drag on without any action.
The sales office continues to show this beautiful property but no remedy has been forthcoming to repair the roads according to Florida road construction standards.
We, therefore, request the CDD Board to pursue any legal avenue necessary with regard to the developer and the City of Lake Wales who we also believe have overlooked their fiduciary responsibility and continue to disregard their responsibilities towards this issue.
Ronald L White, President
Lake Ashton Homeowners Board of Directors
Letter from HOA to CDD dated Jun 3, 2009
Jeff Salvin, Chairman
Lake Ashton Community Development District 5701 N. Pine Island Road
Suite 370
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33321
We, the HOA Board of Directors, are writing this letter regarding a report that has circulated around the Lake Ashton community recently indicating that the developer has offered a sum of $71, 000.00 for repairing the current roads in LA 1
It is our understanding that Mr. Shriver, when he was chairperson of the CDD, repeatedly stated "that the developer would not leave this development without repairing all the roads". It appears that the offer being made now is simply a band~aide when, in fact, the problem is a compound fracture that continues to deteriorate.
Due to construction vehicle traffic the roads have deteriorated to their present condition and our now in need of total replacement. They will continue to get worse as this situation continues to drag on without any action.
The sales office continues to show this beautiful property but no remedy has been forthcoming to repair the roads according to Florida road construction standards.
We, therefore, request the CDD Board to pursue any legal avenue necessary with regard to the developer and the City of Lake Wales who we also believe have overlooked their fiduciary responsibility and continue to disregard their responsibilities towards this issue.
Ronald L White, President
Lake Ashton Homeowners Board of Directors
Friday, January 15, 2010
Remember "The Villages" class-action lawsuit, it will happen here
Monday, December 22, 2008
Villages settles $40 Million lawsuit
Article Courtesy of The Orlando Sentinel
By Stephen Hudak
Published Match 9, 2008
THE VILLAGES - The powerful developer and corporations behind The Villages have agreed in a civil court settlement to pay $40 million over 13 years to cover improvements and repairs to recreation centers, swimming pools and other facilities that make the retirement community alluring.
The class-action lawsuit contended monthly amenity fees paid by every homeowner in the sprawling community of 70,000 residents had been misused by The Villages of Lake-Sumter Inc., the Village Center Community Development District and developer H. Gary Morse.
Under the settlement, the money will replenish depleted accounts used to finance facility improvements and pay pool monitors, after-hours golf ambassadors and Neighborhood Watch staff.
The lawsuit was prompted by residents like Elaine Dreidame, 64, who complained about mildew and mold in the ceiling tiles of the Paradise Recreation Center, where she played bridge twice a week.
Dreidame, who moved to the retirement community in 1999, figured "Florida's Friendliest Hometown" had money set aside to improve its oldest recreational facility.
Well, not enough, she found out.
The retired university administrator from Dayton, Ohio, grew more concerned as she began noting similar, subtle drop-offs in other services throughout the community that she affectionately calls "year-round adult summer camp."
The money is supposed to be used to maintain the golf courses, swimming pools and other comforts that make The Villages a desirable home for active, older adults.
Long-shot lawsuit
The lawsuit seemed unlikely to succeed, according to court records showing that a retired judge and six major law firms from Tallahassee to Miami declined to take it.
But the case concluded last week in Lake County, where Circuit Judge Lawrence Semento approved a settlement agreement that requires the developer to pay about $40 million over the next 13 years to replenish maintenance accounts.
The settlement also requires the defendants to pay $50,000 each to Dreidame and four other named plaintiffs and $6.7 million to the plaintiffs' brother-sister legal team, Dougald McMillan and Carol McMillan Anderson.
Carol Anderson said she took the case because she lives in The Villages.
Her brother, a practicing lawyer for 50 years, was best known for prosecuting organized crime figure Meyer Lansky.
Through their defense lawyers, Stephen Johnson and Archie Lowery, Morse and the other defendants denied any wrongdoing or misappropriation.
"[The developer] has looked at the settlement as an issue of what's good for the community," Johnson said Wednesday in court.
The settlement includes confidentiality and nondisparagement clauses, which prevent the parties from discussing the case or criticizing Morse or The Villages.
'David and Goliath'
Donald Maciejewski, a Jacksonville lawyer who has handled mass-plaintiff air-disaster cases, called the lawsuit a "true David and Goliath" case, citing the defendants' financial strength.
In an affidavit submitted to the judge to justify attorney fees, Maciejewski said the novelty and complexity of the case suggested that the plaintiffs' chances for success were "virtually zero."
He also pointed out that McMillan and Anderson were "a last resort."
Dreidame had said that if the siblings wouldn't take their case, "she was going to drop the issue . . . and get back to enjoying retirement," Maciejewski said.
Anderson praised Morse and his lawyers, saying the settlement proves they have the community's best interest at heart.
Tee-time limits
The settlement also includes other provisions that can be classified as uniquely The Villages, including limits on the number of tee times that can be reserved by the developer's sales staff for prospective customers.
The developer also will provide money to widen six miles of golf-cart paths to better accommodate bicyclists, joggers and roller-skaters.
The agreement also creates a resident-controlled "Amenity Authority Committee" that will have a louder voice in the use of amenity fees
Villages settles $40 Million lawsuit
Article Courtesy of The Orlando Sentinel
By Stephen Hudak
Published Match 9, 2008
THE VILLAGES - The powerful developer and corporations behind The Villages have agreed in a civil court settlement to pay $40 million over 13 years to cover improvements and repairs to recreation centers, swimming pools and other facilities that make the retirement community alluring.
The class-action lawsuit contended monthly amenity fees paid by every homeowner in the sprawling community of 70,000 residents had been misused by The Villages of Lake-Sumter Inc., the Village Center Community Development District and developer H. Gary Morse.
Under the settlement, the money will replenish depleted accounts used to finance facility improvements and pay pool monitors, after-hours golf ambassadors and Neighborhood Watch staff.
The lawsuit was prompted by residents like Elaine Dreidame, 64, who complained about mildew and mold in the ceiling tiles of the Paradise Recreation Center, where she played bridge twice a week.
Dreidame, who moved to the retirement community in 1999, figured "Florida's Friendliest Hometown" had money set aside to improve its oldest recreational facility.
Well, not enough, she found out.
The retired university administrator from Dayton, Ohio, grew more concerned as she began noting similar, subtle drop-offs in other services throughout the community that she affectionately calls "year-round adult summer camp."
The money is supposed to be used to maintain the golf courses, swimming pools and other comforts that make The Villages a desirable home for active, older adults.
Long-shot lawsuit
The lawsuit seemed unlikely to succeed, according to court records showing that a retired judge and six major law firms from Tallahassee to Miami declined to take it.
But the case concluded last week in Lake County, where Circuit Judge Lawrence Semento approved a settlement agreement that requires the developer to pay about $40 million over the next 13 years to replenish maintenance accounts.
The settlement also requires the defendants to pay $50,000 each to Dreidame and four other named plaintiffs and $6.7 million to the plaintiffs' brother-sister legal team, Dougald McMillan and Carol McMillan Anderson.
Carol Anderson said she took the case because she lives in The Villages.
Her brother, a practicing lawyer for 50 years, was best known for prosecuting organized crime figure Meyer Lansky.
Through their defense lawyers, Stephen Johnson and Archie Lowery, Morse and the other defendants denied any wrongdoing or misappropriation.
"[The developer] has looked at the settlement as an issue of what's good for the community," Johnson said Wednesday in court.
The settlement includes confidentiality and nondisparagement clauses, which prevent the parties from discussing the case or criticizing Morse or The Villages.
'David and Goliath'
Donald Maciejewski, a Jacksonville lawyer who has handled mass-plaintiff air-disaster cases, called the lawsuit a "true David and Goliath" case, citing the defendants' financial strength.
In an affidavit submitted to the judge to justify attorney fees, Maciejewski said the novelty and complexity of the case suggested that the plaintiffs' chances for success were "virtually zero."
He also pointed out that McMillan and Anderson were "a last resort."
Dreidame had said that if the siblings wouldn't take their case, "she was going to drop the issue . . . and get back to enjoying retirement," Maciejewski said.
Anderson praised Morse and his lawyers, saying the settlement proves they have the community's best interest at heart.
Tee-time limits
The settlement also includes other provisions that can be classified as uniquely The Villages, including limits on the number of tee times that can be reserved by the developer's sales staff for prospective customers.
The developer also will provide money to widen six miles of golf-cart paths to better accommodate bicyclists, joggers and roller-skaters.
The agreement also creates a resident-controlled "Amenity Authority Committee" that will have a louder voice in the use of amenity fees
Lake Ashton residents we are getting screwed
Larry Maxwell will not do anything about the condition of the roads. This means A class action suit will be file with the courts. This cost will be around $100,000 and if he wins, it will cost us another $100,000 to appeal, and we are getting nothing done.
Because of Chinese Drywall in our community, some Realtors have refuse to sell your home. The value of all homes in this community has fallen.
Larry Maxwell has screw the residents of Lake Ashton. Even if your a golf player and wish just to play one game of golf, its going to cost you $100.00. If you live outside this community, it will cost you just $50.00 Something is wrong with the picture.
When he ask the city of Lake Wales for Bond Money other wise known as CDD, he got it and they never came over to look at the roads. We have to pay the CDD plus the cost of the house. Now we have to pay all over again to have the roads done again and the residents just doesn't understand that this will cost us around $9,000,000
The bowling alley is a mess, another $250,000 in repair cost.
The Management will do nothing but collect his fees on the MX for life and all the rents he receives from all the trailer parks. His total income I was told was around $100,000,000 a month plus expenses yet he does not want to help the residents of lake Ashton. He just refuses to answer his phone.
The Club house was just a front to lure you into buying into this community. Yes, we have all been taken in by his lure, now we are all going to pay.
Because of Chinese Drywall in our community, some Realtors have refuse to sell your home. The value of all homes in this community has fallen.
Larry Maxwell has screw the residents of Lake Ashton. Even if your a golf player and wish just to play one game of golf, its going to cost you $100.00. If you live outside this community, it will cost you just $50.00 Something is wrong with the picture.
When he ask the city of Lake Wales for Bond Money other wise known as CDD, he got it and they never came over to look at the roads. We have to pay the CDD plus the cost of the house. Now we have to pay all over again to have the roads done again and the residents just doesn't understand that this will cost us around $9,000,000
The bowling alley is a mess, another $250,000 in repair cost.
The Management will do nothing but collect his fees on the MX for life and all the rents he receives from all the trailer parks. His total income I was told was around $100,000,000 a month plus expenses yet he does not want to help the residents of lake Ashton. He just refuses to answer his phone.
The Club house was just a front to lure you into buying into this community. Yes, we have all been taken in by his lure, now we are all going to pay.
Meeting of 1/12/2010
This meeting was established to provide legal information concerning the contaminated drywall issue.
Attorney Dan Perry, at no cost to the residents, was the presenter.
A review of legal experiences with CRF was presented. If pursuit of legal action is determined necessary, those costs would need to be negotiated.
Since the presence of contaminated drywall in Lake Ashton potentially affects all owners by decrease in property values, consideration could be given to a more expansive lawsuit than just those owners with contaminated drywall.
At this time no decision has been made to pursue legal options or any other course of action.
Further information, due to the large number of inspections going on, will be helpful in determining future steps.
Prepared by : Arnold Loomis
Jackie Sobania
Attorney Dan Perry, at no cost to the residents, was the presenter.
A review of legal experiences with CRF was presented. If pursuit of legal action is determined necessary, those costs would need to be negotiated.
Since the presence of contaminated drywall in Lake Ashton potentially affects all owners by decrease in property values, consideration could be given to a more expansive lawsuit than just those owners with contaminated drywall.
At this time no decision has been made to pursue legal options or any other course of action.
Further information, due to the large number of inspections going on, will be helpful in determining future steps.
Prepared by : Arnold Loomis
Jackie Sobania
Summary of Lake Ashton Chinese Drywall Meetings
Meeting of 1/7/2010
Due to the seriousness of the contaminated drywall issue, it appeared that it was necessary to provide an informational meeting so that all are informed of the Lake Ashton situation.
As a result, this meeting was centered on three informational goals.
1.To provide factual information in order to quell many of the rumors concerning the issue.
2. To begin to provide strategy for identifying the scope of the problem.
3. Provide descriptive information of symptoms of contaminated drywall.
It was pointed out that the largest importation of the contaminated drywall was between the years 2004-2007. At this time in Lake Ashton there have been eight identified cases which have involved houses completed in 2006.
Typical identifiers are:
a. air conditioner coils corroding followed by leakage.
b. blackened electrical ground wires and blackened exposed copper.
c. appliances or electronic equipment stopping or operating erratically
d. blackened and corroded jewelry
e. presence of knauf Tianjin china drywall
f. physical symptoms can consist of unexplained rashes, dizziness, respiratory problems, unusual headaches, nosebleeds etc.
Amerispec Home Inspections is offering house inspections which are looking for the above items as identified by the Florida Department of Health.
Due to the seriousness of the contaminated drywall issue, it appeared that it was necessary to provide an informational meeting so that all are informed of the Lake Ashton situation.
As a result, this meeting was centered on three informational goals.
1.To provide factual information in order to quell many of the rumors concerning the issue.
2. To begin to provide strategy for identifying the scope of the problem.
3. Provide descriptive information of symptoms of contaminated drywall.
It was pointed out that the largest importation of the contaminated drywall was between the years 2004-2007. At this time in Lake Ashton there have been eight identified cases which have involved houses completed in 2006.
Typical identifiers are:
a. air conditioner coils corroding followed by leakage.
b. blackened electrical ground wires and blackened exposed copper.
c. appliances or electronic equipment stopping or operating erratically
d. blackened and corroded jewelry
e. presence of knauf Tianjin china drywall
f. physical symptoms can consist of unexplained rashes, dizziness, respiratory problems, unusual headaches, nosebleeds etc.
Amerispec Home Inspections is offering house inspections which are looking for the above items as identified by the Florida Department of Health.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Chinese Drywall
There is now 8 confirm cases of Chinese Drywall in Lake Ashton and still no word from the developer, Larry Maxwell.
Chinese Drywall Problems and Bingo Paul
As you all know Larry Maxwell is hiding in the closet from the stories he is hearing about the roads, Chinese drywall, Bowling Alley, Dock, and MX. If you look at his front door there is a long line of attorney's, two blocks long waiting to sit down with Mr Maxwell. As you all know Larry can do no wrong. Why is it that the residents of Lake Ashton just don't come to the CDD and the HOA meetings any more. Now we have Bingo Paul running for HOA, the biggest loser here at Lake Ashton. Paul, why don't you stay home and play BINGO with all that money you said you took from the residents of Lake Ashton.
CDD meeting on Dec 13, 2009
At the CDD meeting last week on Friday Dec 18, A gentleman stood up and said that his house is full of Chinese Drywall causing him a lot of illness, and that he must move out and requested to anyone if they knew of any place where he could stay. My good friend Richard Ralls stood up and said he has a place for you to stay. He was the only person that came forward to offer this person a place to live. Yes, there are people in Lake Ashton with a heart that care what is going on here in our community. 80% of the residents don't care and do nothing and they are all talk, and don't don't go to the meetings, yet they know all the facts and answers, their TV tube is more important. Even Tricia Adams rejected a free Christmas dance show of 35 young kids, ages 7-18, that I wish to put on in the ballroom next Monday Morning on Dec 21, at coffee meeting. When I say Joe Hunter And Tricia Adams just don't care, I mean what I said and I can back it up. My hand goes out to Richard Ralls, he has done so much for this community, also Jeff Salvin, president of the CDD and also John Chickness. The rest of the CDD members are useless and are pro developer, please prove me wrong. They are all fighting to improve the roads, put Bingo on the right side of the law, fighting to get a NEW Management here at Lake Ashton. The old Management must go because they are bleeding the residents dry and all his employees should follow suit. A new management could save us as much as $100,000 a year. We need a flesh look at lake Ashton with new faces and much better ideas. We want no phonies.
signature EDMUND W. KING
signature EDMUND W. KING
Jake Eaton
At the last CDD Meeting, Margot Stevens and Eaton
took over the Salvin Chair. Every day to me ,Margot Stevens look like Nancy
Pelosi and Jake Eaton looks and acts like Obama . What the hell is going on? This place is going to hell fast and no one cares. House for sell, cheap. Has Chinese drywall and Joe Hunter my next door neighbor.
took over the Salvin Chair. Every day to me ,Margot Stevens look like Nancy
Pelosi and Jake Eaton looks and acts like Obama . What the hell is going on? This place is going to hell fast and no one cares. House for sell, cheap. Has Chinese drywall and Joe Hunter my next door neighbor.
Bingo Paul again in the news
Bingo Paul is thinking about running for the HOA. He can't run Bingo on the level, how can he run the HOA. All he does is give everyone a line of bull. He voted to stop smoking outside the ballroom entrance and they still do with Bingo Paul calling the Bingo numbers. Give me a break. I think I will run for the HOA. Please respond, thanks.
Roads and fees
Roads were tested and the results were worst then expected. All roads need to be replaced. Could cost as much as $9,000,000. Start looking because your maintenance fees could more than double. Bowling Alley repair cost alone is $250,000. And all the other cost. Please buy my home! Thanks
SIMPLY THE BEST!!!
Crumbling roads
Chinese Drywall
Broken down bowling Alley
Crooked Bingo
Please buy my house?
Anonymous
Chinese Drywall
Broken down bowling Alley
Crooked Bingo
Please buy my house?
Anonymous
"Chinese Drywall Causing Home Owner Headaches":
I lived at Lake Ashton. I highly advise anyone interested in moving there to find another place to live.
Yes, it's beautiful but it is full of problems,i.e. roads, CDD, drywall,fighting factions among the residents..need I go on. Getting the builder to 'fess up' is a nightmare in itself.Expecting your sales agent to stand by you is a joke. The condition of the drywall has been going on since the phase of building following the hurricane. I know this for a fact.Even though at that time there were complaints and inquiries as to the smell in the new homes being built no one paid any attention. This could have all been avoided if anyone would have listened or cared. But no, money talks and lots of money was being made. NOW...there are two sides to this. Perhaps the builders in the area didn't know of the dry wall problem and I'm giving that a fair chance. BUT, there was such a 'buying frenzy greed' during the time period right before the 'great bubble burst' that well........that's what greed gets. All those who came in and bought homes to "flip" some buying two or more at a time. I can't feel sorry for you.
You came in to make money on a community by renting out homes to people that were not part of that community. That is what contributes to the downfall of any community. No one wanted that. But, money just kept rolling in, sales people were flying high, buildings with defective dry wall and who knows what else were going up faster than we could keep up. So to the "flippers' you gambled and lost. Well, too bad.
So did a community when you left your stinking homes sitting.
If you think you will get this builder to do anything, you have a headache to face. Sometimes we have to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em.
Lake Ashton, Florida in general is OVER folks. Retire elsewhere.
Anonymous
Yes, it's beautiful but it is full of problems,i.e. roads, CDD, drywall,fighting factions among the residents..need I go on. Getting the builder to 'fess up' is a nightmare in itself.Expecting your sales agent to stand by you is a joke. The condition of the drywall has been going on since the phase of building following the hurricane. I know this for a fact.Even though at that time there were complaints and inquiries as to the smell in the new homes being built no one paid any attention. This could have all been avoided if anyone would have listened or cared. But no, money talks and lots of money was being made. NOW...there are two sides to this. Perhaps the builders in the area didn't know of the dry wall problem and I'm giving that a fair chance. BUT, there was such a 'buying frenzy greed' during the time period right before the 'great bubble burst' that well........that's what greed gets. All those who came in and bought homes to "flip" some buying two or more at a time. I can't feel sorry for you.
You came in to make money on a community by renting out homes to people that were not part of that community. That is what contributes to the downfall of any community. No one wanted that. But, money just kept rolling in, sales people were flying high, buildings with defective dry wall and who knows what else were going up faster than we could keep up. So to the "flippers' you gambled and lost. Well, too bad.
So did a community when you left your stinking homes sitting.
If you think you will get this builder to do anything, you have a headache to face. Sometimes we have to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em.
Lake Ashton, Florida in general is OVER folks. Retire elsewhere.
Anonymous
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