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Anonymous
said...
Initially, board members thought it a good idea . . . but unfortunately, my suggestion was coincidental with the siding/roofing project in Condo 1. All the focus went there. At the same meeting, I presented a bag of 250 roofing nails that had not been cleaned up from the driveway--and complained about a "near miss" (falling debris). The Board told me emphatically, that we should know we were living in a "construction zone" and I (!) should be more careful. With no support from the "peanut gallery", I left the nails and went home--the last meeting I ever attended.
I wrote a letter with photos and bills attached to the HOA in regard to the 8 flat tires me, the wife and daughter got while they were doing my roof. My neighbors dog got a nail in her paw. They did nothing, never responded, and ignored the situation. Not to mention that the ceiling in my neighbors house never leaked before the "NEW" roof and now it pours out of the light socket. They haven't responded yet and we are going on 6 weeks.
Similar thing with water happened to me a few years back, it wound up being a hole in my roof. To add insult to injury, it was leaking in from the gutter area too. You should push the issue like I did. Before you know it, weeks later you have a walls full of mold.
Hey Kellly, Been away for a week. Hope you didn't give up on your probing efforts! Have you uncovered anything else? Monetary infractions aren't something that should be swept under the rug. We need to collectively pursue this as a community rather than on an individual effort. It's the only way I see us getting the answers we need
I have lived in my Condo for 5 years, and this past year, even though they keep raising our maintenance fees every year, they seem to keep doing less and less maintenance on the buildings & grounds. By no means am I accusing anyone of wrong doing but it would be nice to see where and how much money is being spent on maintenance. A breakdown would be nice to set my mind at ease.
Anyway, I did get copies of recent financals for both the HOA and Condo III. I called the office and asked for them - they claim that they felt the expense to distribute them was a waste since most people threw them away and supposedly, only one person has asked for a set in the last year (probably because they were either buying or selling their unit and the lender asked for them). My guess is that no one received a notice that they were available for pick up.
At any rate, they were about as useful as a water pistol against a forest fire without any back up documentation. They are certified by a CPA, but I don't see variances and explanations for certain increases. We should see about being able to access AP files and related documents (you can all stop laughing now). I need to revisit the By-Laws and see what the next step needs to be.
I have a suggestion for those of you who experinced problems with the roofing situation. I would contact the roofer directly and ask for reimbursement (it is possible they will assist you) or notify the Board that it is ther responsibility to control their contractors who are causing a hazardous situation and they need to reimburse you for your expenses (replacement tires and vet bills) or you will deduct the expenditures from your commons charges. They can recover the money from the roofing company - all THEY have to do is tell them they caused the damage (it doesn't rain roofing nails). The same would be the case for interior damages cause by a replaced roof that leaks.
I have a question. Garage doors. When we purchased our unit last year, it was noted as part of the "final inspection" that the garage door needs replacement. It is an old door, but it is structutally sound and works fine. As a matter of fact, it looks a lot less worse than some of the other doors in our section (of 24 doors I believe 4 are replaced and the balance are old and in varied condition). I have now received a letter from the board "ordering" me to advise them of the date for the replacement. I do not intend on replacing the door until it is necessary (aside from the fact I don't have $1200 laying around with nothing to do). Has anyone come up against this situation? Any suggestions?
What is the amount of our Reserve Fund set aside for each group of units?
My interpretation is that the reserve fund is set up by the condominium corporation to cover major repairs and upgrades to the building, including items such as the roof, grounds, parking lot, etc. A portion of each common expense payment goes to the Reserve Fund.
How much are we paying into the so-called "reserve fund" that doesn't seem to exist? I say this because every time something needs to be done, my common charges will increase.
If this does exist, why don't we get a statement from the board detailing how much is appropriated & what interest bearing investments they have the money in.
Excellent point. My guess would be that there isn't one (at least for Condo III) because we are being subjected to a $20/month increase for paving repairs. I don't understand why this wasn't budgeted.
I think another avenue to investigate, in addition to the reserve fund is who drafts the budgets? And why are maintenance items that should be no suprise (such as much needed paving repairs) are treated as such and then we are subjected to increases.
Are you aware that pursuant to Section 5 (Powers), item 12 of the Condo III By-Laws, it states that "...The Board of Managers may make additions, alterations or improvements to the common elements costing in excess if $5,000.00 only with the approval of a majority of the Home Owners.".
Has anyone ever received any type of notice from their respective Board of Managers advising of needed repairs and the requirement of a quorum to be able to initiate these repairs?
Perhaps we can use this forum to establish some type of "Resident Advocate" for each of the condo's to interact with the board and try to get our voices heard. It may be a less intimidating or confrontational way to allow condo residents to meet and air grievences, and concrens and come up with a way these items can be addressed to each of the condo BOM's. Another thing is that it could be an idea exchange where people can present situations and get some constructive advise from neighbors. Since we are broken up indo 4 different condos, perhaps looking at the individual groups issues may be a small step in working some larger problems.
Good point about the reserve funds. I would like to know more. I think it is pathetic that we are paying into something we know nothing about. I have lived here for 8 years, like most others, I couldn't tell you anything about it.
"Perhaps we can use this forum to establish some type of "Resident Advocate" for each of the condo's to interact with the board and try to get our voices heard. It may be a less intimidating or confrontational way to allow condo residents to meet and air grievences, and concrens and come up with a way these items can be addressed to each of the condo BOM's. Another thing is that it could be an idea exchange where people can present situations and get some constructive advise from neighbors. Since we are broken up indo 4 different condos, perhaps looking at the individual groups issues may be a small step in working some larger problems."
Hi Kelly,
Thank you for your fabulous "information exchange" suggestion. We are working on creating a separate area that will segregate comments into the 4 zones(Condo I,II,III,IV). By doing this, it will allow for more detailed question for your specific location.
Thank you - and I think your extension of this site to allow such an exchange is awesome.
I've done property management from both a commercial and residential standpoint and believe that an interactive Property Management entity is necessary. I suppose until such time arises that we can gather our resources and get someone profession on board, we need to use each other and tap our collective resources.
Well, it seems that we have a lot of people who live in this development that have a lot to complain about, but when push comes to shove and action is suggested, suddenly there not a soul to be heard.
Is it that most of the people who visit this site and contribute are merely here to badmouth board members and just complain for the sake of complaining? Or is it that those who complain and not want to do anything about the issues are content with being miserable?
I know everyone is busy, but I think that at the very least, those who spew the most venom should be the ones most anxious to get involved and try to do something about the mismanagement and corruption that they alledge is taking place. Or, is it just that since you have left the Board to do as they please and run this place into the ground, you are willing to let others fight the battle and you will merely criticize?
Dave said it best - people at WH seem to have Keyboard Courage. Lots to say when you can hide behind being anonymous, but no one is willing to stand up and be seen and heard when you have to come out of hiding.
"Only 1 person out of 600+ picked up a copy of the financials in the past year"
Seems as if it's back to all for 1 and 1 for all.
It is sad...but I will continue to stand up for what I believe.
From what I understand we have a "great" number of individuals who haven't paid their HOA monthly fees in many, many, many months. I believe someone somewhere was $8,000 in the rears..allegedly. I can easily become one of those people if I don't get what I believe it due to me as an owner.
I did it before and I will do it again....don't fix this, don't correct that (as it pertains to my individual unit) and I will take it out of my HOA fee. Cut off my cable and I'll get a dish, put a lean on my home....no problem...I'm not selling it.
Absurd. I hope all of you who pay on time enjoy giving your deadbeat neighbors a free ride. THIS is a perfect example as to why your HOA fees keep going up - unenforced late fees and delinquencies.
Right - we don't need an outside managing agent - there's no problem here...............
I just think it's crazy that everyone just pays the fee without questioning where the $ is going. As far as the balance sheet, they were sent out on an annual basis for years. My guess is that people like myself didn't know that they were discontinuing the correspondence. Great communication! They thought no one was reading them is a pretty lame excuse for not sending them. What are they doing trying to cut costs?
Yes, M. That is the supposed reason. I think they went a bit overboard, because apparently in their manic quest to cut costs, they also eliminated the notice to the residents advising the finanical statements were available for pick up.
I did recive a set after inquiring, and basically without the back up, the balance sheet is useless. I plan on making a request to review the books myself. What they send out is simply unacceptable.
The new construction by the old hyde and skin is ridiculous! I moved up here from Rockland County a few years back to get away from this sort of crap. It is an eyesore and it will create total havoc once the proposed Lows opens next year. Who approved this? Did the town have a vote on this or did thy just decide, "Hey, lets open a Lows and completely screw up the area?
Did you consider that we may be looking at a tax reduction?
At least we won't have an eyesore to look at any longer. That tannery made the area look like crap. Besides, the entrance will be off 94, as I understand it.
Do you know this for sure? If so, humor me as to the % my taxes will be reduced! It's defiantly not worth the noise pollution alone it will cause. The Hyde and Skin was part of the landscape, this thing is going to be the first thing you see entering and exiting Whispering Hills. A big eyesore!!
"May" means possible. If you want definite answers, talk to the town. I was only offering a constructive response, which seems to be contrary to all the whining and complaining that takes place on this site.
It's called expressing feelings toward my investment, it has nothing to do with whining. Why make the comment to begin with if you don't have the appropriate answer. Secondly, I can care less about a small reduction in taxes. It's the preservation of the area we should be concerned about.
The war is in Iraq, not here. Again, I am raising a concern. This is not an argument. Quit being so defensive. Please check your confrontational attitude. There is no place for it here.
Are you guys serious when you said that residents owe back fees to the tune of 8k? Before I go any further, if so, is there confirmation on this figure?
If more of the concerns were taken care of to begin with, the overall attitude would be more positive. It's like cancer, if you catch it early enough, you can treat it. The problem is, every topic of concern has a "complainer" lable attached to it. Meanwhile if the damn place took the time out to address issues, in some cases years ago, we could be talking about how peachy keen everything is. I'll say it again, I'm concerned about management, the grounds, and "the residential element". The individuals that sit on the board are responsible for making sure this happens. If they can't do the job, or think otherwise, you shouldn't have taken the position. Then you wonder why people question the integrity of management. Don't send me a juiced up activity flyer with my bill to make it seem like everything is ok. Because it's not! The few activities they provide don't account for the significant deterioration of management and property conditions.
It's time to stop the bleeding and start the healing people!
If everyone here is so concerned, then let your name be seen and get involved.
"I'm concerned about management, the grounds, and "the residential element". The individuals that sit on the board are responsible for making sure this happens. If they can't do the job, or think otherwise, you shouldn't have taken the position. Then you wonder why people question the integrity of management. Don't send me a juiced up activity flyer with my bill to make it seem like everything is ok. Because it's not! The few activities they provide don't account for the significant deterioration of management and property conditions."
Who are you? Which condo are you in? Your posting is in the spirit of what we want to go up against. If you are concerned, then please by all means, get on board - the more concerned residents we have, the better.
I'm willing to invest the time. One of two possible results can come of our making some serious inquiries and some investigating. The first is we will find that all is well and the allegations of mismanagement and corruption are unfounded and the Board is just "misunderstood". The other result is that these people clearly do not know what they are doing and are mismanaging our investments right into the ground.
Bottom line, complaining and ripping our neighbors apart will not do a thing. We need people to be involved, people to question the Board's actions (or in the case of uncollected delinquincies, nonaction). You don;t have to make this a full time job, there are enough residents here that if everybody kicked in a little, we can really make a difference.
Did I miss something here? If I'm not mistaken, our fees are suppose to take care of these things. I too, don't agree that we should have residents run a complex of this size therefore I would never have a desire to hold a position.
What are the board members qualifications to manage our complex? When you break it down, I'm sure 1/2 barely have a high school education. Are these so called "board members" educated in landscaping, negotiation or finance? My guess is a big fat no! Uneducated people running a million(s) dollar business isn't very sensible. So lets talk about the ROOT of the problem first and everything else will slowly correct itself.
Mismanagement is our worst enemy and unfortunately its happening here. Lets look at the background of who we are electing to these positions. Speculation only, I feel we will be very enlightened as to why there are serious problems occurring on a daily basis! Uneducated hierarchy. Keep that in mind next time you question something.
Looking into their backgrounds was something we had the opportunity to do when they held the elections.
An educated person would ask those exact questions you pose BEFORE a Board memener was elected. Too little, too late. We are now stuck with them until their terms run out or if we can "dethrone" them and bring in a third party management company.
If we had a third party professionally managing this complex, we would be albe to relegate the Board to major (educated)decision making as opposed to their half-assed attempt at day to day operations. A professional company would do all the necessary legwork (collect bids, assess repairs recommend the best and most cost effective way to resolve repairs). The Board would just have to approve what is proposed - not initiate the entire process.
A managing agent would also be able to more aggressively collect on arrears. I have a sneaking suspicion that in addition to limited resources to for forcing delinquent residents to pay up, those in arrears are selectively targeted for collection.
At any rate, we need to stop talking and do something.
I have VERY different feelings on the Lowes. I am FOR the Lowes, I am for the Indistrial Park, I am for Hotels, I am for Strip Malls, I am for Restaurants, and I am for BUSINESS....WHY you ask?
This kind of development while YES it bring a bit of congestion...it brings MONEY !
Every neighborhood I have ever lived in and any neighbor hood I have opened a hotel in, a restaurant in has benefited from such development.
I have developed hotels, high rises, and condos with my years wat Marriott and now with a private investment firm that builds hotels.
All this brings people...with people comes higher home prices and lower taxes. With more people come better schools, police, EMS, and on...on...on and on.
Enough of the crappy movie theatre, the broken down buildings and the falling structures.
Chester is no longer the FAR away place from Northern NJ or NYC is used to be. we are in the backyard to it all.
Look at Woodbury and the Target, the Outback, the new fast food and strip mall. Look behind KOHL's and you will see a 200 room Hampton Inn being built.
Wait until you see what is going in front of the Holiday Inn Express next door to us. Call the planning board and they will tell you.
Now that Camp LaGuardia is closed...let's get our home prices up to $300K, $350K. Now that most of the original owners that bought these units at $75K back in the 80's are moving out and being replaced with $200K+ owners.
Build...Build...Build...build on it all !!!!
Look at Middletown....Hampton Inn, Courtyard, and now a Microtel and a Comfort Inn and Suites. Next year we are getting a Cambria Suites, Residence Inn, and one other hotel that is still confidential.
Why all these hotels....??????????
Because BIG BUSINESS is coming....that's why there are so many hotels being built ! Those owners want to be the first to take the land before someone else does.
Someone asked why weren't we asked about the LOWES. Because at the end of the day no one really cares what we think. Chester is making out like a FAT PIG on this deal and they should !
You all hate the idea...bet you shop there?
Oh...the tannery was a part of the landscape..HUH...funny.
Answer this question...How many weeks/months was the Environmental Soil Remediation Equipment on site? Almost 3 months. Why? Because there was SO much chemical, animal waste, animal parts in the ground you would be sick if you knew exactly what was going on. Why were the people wearing NASA SPACE SUITS on that property for 3 months? Because that shit will kill you. AND it's was in OUR ground water.
Now my fingers hurt...
But again I say....build away !
Give the kids that roam the streets of WH a place to work, a place to have fun.
10 years from now....Chester will be the next Paramus !
P.S. Cheapest condo near Paramus is in Mahwah...$700,000 today. When I went to go buy that same condo back in 2002 it was $399,000.
David, Seriously informative post. I'm blown away. I'm speechless.
Question? Why are they building 3 hotels here. Why would this be a town where people would want to stay. Are they building an attraction or something? A casino in Chester would be nice.
All kidding aside, do you know if they have any other larger plans in store for the area. After reading your post, I had a complete change of mind toward the new additions. What you are saying makes complete sense in terms of progression.
Another concern though, area farming. Say goodbye to local farms.
I see your name all over this blotter. Board members don't get paid and board presidents don't work for you. They are individuals just like you trying their best to help this community. Therefore why aren't you on one of these boards instead of all over the blotter.
Personally I think the women in the clubhouse are doing a fine job.
For those who don't pay their common charges because they don't get what they want. They are big babbies.
For those who think the town has to report to them or ask for feed back. I say to you to a town board meeting.
Somewhere down the line the people who post here need a reality check.
Amazing post Dave. And for some who read this site, a slap in the face called reality.
As for you "Anonymous" who isn't afraid to post a comment with snide remarks directed at me, but are apparently afraid to use your name, when the Board elections were in progress, I had just recently moved in. I wanted to get a feel for how this place was run and gather some insight as to how this complex is run and what the neighborhood perception is of how the Board represents the community. I have nearly 20 years in Real Estate and Property Management and know full well the type of nonsense that ensues when a Board is involved. OTHER PERSONAL REASONS THAT I DO NOT FEEL I HAVE TO JUSTIFY have prevented me from getting more involved until now.
So, Mr. "Anonymous", as you stated "Board members don't get paid and board presidents don't work for you. They are individuals just like you trying their best to help this community." You are 100% wrong. By taking on the Board position, the Board in fact does work for me when it comes to maintaining the common areas of the property and managing the financial dealings of WH. If a Property Management company was hired, they would work for us, so your perception of the Board not working for any of the owners here is seriously misguided.
"Personally I think the women in the clubhouse are doing a fine job". As do I - I never made a negative remark about them and have had nothing bu pleasant dealings with them. Its the people they report to that I have the problem with. Oh, and it states inthe By-Laws that Board members are not to receive payment - funny thing is that a majority of people here believe otherwise - especially when it comes to certain board members that perform PAID maintenance at WH. Don;t you think that represents a conflict of interest and that particular Board memeber should choose whether he will be a maintenanc eperson or a board member - NOT BOTH.
"For those who don't pay their common charges because they don't get what they want. They are big babbies." Did you ever think that maybe these people have had roof leaks and damage done to their units and received no assistance from the Board? Or perhaps they collected over 250 roofing nails and paid to relace multiple blown out tires on their cars and again, received no assistance from the Board. Maybe that is the only recourse they had to receive some type of deserved action. Every case of delinquency is not as it may seem.
For your information, I am trying to get involved. I want to use what is within my rights as a resident to make sure the Board is working for me to the best of their ability. This site is a first step - I cannot do it alone. I am more than willing to work with others and hear different view points and concerns, which is why I am asking people who care to step up and get involved, too. Maybe some day I will try to get on the Board, but at this point in time I do not wish to jump aboard a train out of control heading for a cliff.
The farms will always be here....just less of them. No different than NJ, PA, or Long Island. It's evolution folks...natural evolution. Do I know things....yes and no. I do know more than the average person because I have the knowledge of where to look. Everyone has access to public records.
Or this... http://fwdodge.com/
Her is what I do know....
I have been in the hotel building business for 15 years. You build hotels on a promise of "MORE TO COME" You tell me why we need a Microtel (New - Middletown), Courtyard (Middletown), Hampton (Middletown), Comfort Inn (Middletown), Hampton Inn (Woodbury), Holiday Inn, (Middletown) and a Holiday Inn Express (Chester)all in a 5 -7 mile radius. Because more is coming. I know there is a 15 screen metroplex proposed next to the Target in Woodbury. I know there are 3 more hotels coming to our general area. They are coming for a reason. people build hotels based on an agreement that "this' or "that" is coming.
Did you all know that over by gatehouse #1 over the tree line up the hill where they are building those new houses. They had approval to build 200 homes there. Because of the turndown in RE....they have scaled it back to 30-ish homes.
I knew about the Lowes almost 2 years ago.
Mark these words....
We will have more mini-strip malls, another grocery store, another movie theatre, and many more chain restaurants coming in our back yard. Specifically on all that old broken down land on 17M toward Middletown. All that land will be developed.
The Lowes is the first to come and is setting the stage for it all.
Someone asked why is this a town where people want to stay...
It's simple....VERY VERY convienient to Northern, NJ, NYC, Trains, Buses, 287, 87, 84...Mass, RI, and PA.
I commute 1.25 hours to and 1.25 hours from work daily...WHY?
Because I could have a $4,000 mortgage payment and have that $700K condo in Mahway, Wayne, Leonia, Paramus, or Saddle River. Instead I choose to buy a $178K condo just as big and nice in Chester, NY. The drive to all those places I just mentioned is less than 1 hour away. I'll retire 15 years earlier and drive a bit more now while I am young. Pretty fair trade.
I love this place...I really do. Look at my unit...I trim my little section of bushes my self because I want a small green thumb from time to time...I was actually going to buy a lawn mower to mow my 8X8 square of grass because I missed mowing and that fresh grass smell.
But one thing I can't stand (and maybe it's the cheap JEW in me) I can't stand paying into something and feeling like I am being had and watching things get fixed to only be destroyed immediately after. (Dumpsters houses, privacy fences, garages that get flooded, roofs that leak...etc)
People...we need a professional condo management company. We take in $2 million dollars per year.
You people probably make $50K per year and up....why do you use a bank? Just let the the WH HOA hold your personal money. Deposit it with these unqualified, un-licensed, un-trained people. Why not? You are doing it already...that is what you are missing. We are already doing it. To the tune of $180,000 per month. We are GIVING $180,000 per month to everyday people. I am sure good people, I am sure professional in their own areas of expertise. Running a $2 million dollar a year complex with 600 units and OVER $2 million dollars in expense is NOT their area of expertise.
Next time you need an oil change for your car....bring it to your dentist and see what he/she says.
I see your name all over this blotter. Board members don't get paid and board presidents don't work for you. They are individuals just like you trying their best to help this community. Therefore why aren't you on one of these boards instead of all over the blotter.
Personally I think the women in the clubhouse are doing a fine job.
For those who don't pay their common charges because they don't get what they want. They are big babbies.
For those who think the town has to report to them or ask for feed back. I say to you to a town board meeting.
Somewhere down the line the people who post here need a reality check.
No doubt the anonymous poster are affiliated with WH. It would be nice if they crawled out from under their rock rather than hide behind anonymous and actually added positive feedback.
Jeff Jones, is that you?
The way you went off weeping a few months ago would explain the little digs here and there. The one that needs the reality check is you and your posse. Until you and your fellow cronies realize there are real inefficiencies here, nothing will ever change. It's not about Kelly, David, Myself or anyone else contributing more to the system. It's about you guys getting organized and realizing that residents are not happy with the current complacent pompous attitude. It's not how hard you guys work for Whispering Hills & the community, it's how smart you work that makes an impact.
Again, I ask - who wants to get involved? Who has concerns? Who wants to envoke their right to question the activities of the Board?
All it takes is a response of "I care and want to help" and a name (first name is fine) and a Condo number. This is not going to be a commitment like being on the Board, it's a group discussion - face to face amongst neighbors who have the same concerns as some of us do.
This property is a great thing - it's in a prime location and if properly managed and maintained will flourish and become a stable and beautiful place to live.
Do any of you seriously believe that if HOA fees keep going up and maintenance quality deteriorates that anyone selling their unit will be able to get a fair price for it? There are so many things out of our control in this world (fuel prices, cost of living, etc.) that we have an oppotunity to take some control of our corner of the world and make sure it is being taken care of to our satisfaction.
The Board CANNOT handle a complex this size and a financial structure this involved. We need professional help and need to relegate the Board to tasks that are more suitable for people who "want to help the community" but clearly have no practical experience managing a complex of this magnitude.
As far as back HOA fees that the deadbeats owe,is a lien the only solution or can they take these selfish morons to court for a more immediate action. I talked to my wife last evening and filled here in on what was going on here. She and myself couldn't believe that they would allow residents to become that delinquent.
My solution would be to impliment a credit card swiping device that would operate identically to the ones used in store.
Don't pay your bills, we shut you off. Patrol the walking paths and tennis courts and make sure thoes people are carriend proper ID. If they are listed as a deadbeat, leave. If you don't pay you don't play!
The way you make people keep current is to embarrass them in front of their neighbors.
Another thing, they should ban the dish from this place! The look terrible & is a serious loophole in an already flawed system! It's sad to say that the only way to get people to pay their fees is to shut their cable off. Since this is not currently working I ask ALL Board Members......WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING ABOUT THIS????? Am I going to have to attend a meeting to get the answer.
Sorry, you guys are the ones that need to figure this one out. Your little board meeting isn't going to solve this problem! Again I ask.....How is this PROBLEM going to be corrected.
This is not a gripe, it's me genuinely being pissed off about the $. It's disgusting! The culprit is the smoke and mirror ploy we fall into every time they tell us they are taking action.
Please use your name when you post! Your response is EXACTLY what we want to hear! Your feelings on the matter are exactly as they should be - pissed off about this.
Some of us pay increases for services, which in reality is that we are taking up the slack for those who do not pay their commons charges.
I agree- publishing the names of the unit owners in arrears is a BRILLIANT idea. It would bring a lot of issues to the surface- such as are they truly a deadbeat or, are they withholding HOA fees because they have unresolved mainteance issues? This would probably force residents to pay up or embarrass the Board into taking appropriate action.
Kelly, What is your plan of action? I am interested in the "Clean up Whispering Hills" campaign. I'd rather not give my unit out (Condo IV). We need to set up a centralized meeting place for anyone that is interested.
Information is priceless. It's not that Residents don't care is that they are not informed. I know I didn't realize the magnitude of the situation before I started reading this blog.
Steve Condo IV
p.s. I called the HOA this morning requesting more info on the current Condo IV roofing project and the financial statement. Should be interesting, I'll post my findings.
The dish issue is a DEAD issue. The Gov't & the FCC has written it into law allowing people to put up dishes ANYWHERE as long as it follows the guidlines of local placement. BUT...they MUST, by law allow placement, somewhere.
We don't have a plan yet. My thought was a meeting to hash out our issues and then decide collectively on a plan of action. This way, we ar all in agreement on what we are doing and will have an agreed upon course of action to pursue. The only thought I did have was that we break off into groups and start by investigating our own individual Condos. Other than that, I assume our findings and meetings will set their own corse of action.
I'm all for any suggestions and plans and concerns. It seems that the common denominator here is that the Board is non-responsive and people are tired of being in the dark about what is going on.
So far, we have one rep from Condos 2,3 and 4 (out of 670 units - very sad) but it is a start.
Someone suggest a meeting place and time (perhaps GW Tavern at the Bowling Alley? - neutral and casual -something along those lines)
The board members need to understand that we desire to form this action NOT because they are bad people not doing a good job we are forming this action because they are good people WAY over their heads with the size of this job and it shows in more ways than one.
They DO work for us (just as your bank, financial planner, and accountant does) and having donated time and volunteers just isn't good enough anymore.
The part that concerns me is when people get so offended and rally SUCH support to deny the rights of the people to meet, get information, and get NEW people involved and continue to post that "WE ARE OUT OF LINE" anonymously really makes me wonder if something illegal is going on under the sheets.
Don't you guys think that since the area is expanding rapidly, our complex should grow along with it?
Fixing the pool isn't what I'm talking about.
Actual features and additions to increase value and desirability. With the jump in industry there will come more housing. What sets Whispering Hills apart from a brand new complex that is put up around the corner?
Where is the progression? Not too much has changed in the prior 8 years I have lived here (except my HOA fees).
Great post in the NEWS section....AND...doesn't this sound all TOO familiar:
"Neuhaus, Jamieson, and Wensley have been running against what they call the “good old boy network,” playing up their youth and energy against a tired establishment that has held on to power for far too long."
Good old boys network....
What did Kelly say a while back about related board members...board members that do contract work here....people that have been on the board for 10+ 20+ years?
Sounds like an "Old Boys Club" to me.
Wait until you guys hear what is being proposed for the OLD Camp LaGuardia site. You want to talk about traffic?
How about Stewart "International" Airport and major airlines moving in and additional terminals and gates being built.
You think that Hilton is almost finished with a 200 room Homewood Suites RIGHT ON THE AIRPORT PROPERTY is a FLUKE.
Anyone that is interested in meeting this FRIDAY at Rhodes Tavern in Sloatsburg is invited.
Nothing heavy....just a "Hello, how the hell are ya" type of deal.
Plus the food is amazing and the beer is COLD !
Kelly I believe is on board, I will be there and hopefully you.
I will be at the bar, somewhere.
Give me a ring (845)321-2773 or stop by my place #2819 so we can connect. I'll be home all evening with the door open watching Colorado kick Bostons ASS.
Agreed. Stay home, be miserable, throw your money away and continue to spew your venom on a blog site instead of making an effort to do something.
It's people like you that put the Board in their Ivory Tower and allow the present situation to continue. It's people like us that will make a concerted effort to try to better the situation and improve the quality of life at WH, even for those of you who have done NOTHING but shoot down anyone who has had a constructive thought or opinion.
People like you are worse than the Board, who for all we know may have good intentions. All you do is convey negativity and misery.
Do not entertain negativity, thats just what he/she wants (it's a ploy). They figure if they get you down to their level and provoke an argument that it discredits everything we are trying to do here. Next thing he/she will mention is the negative environment etc. Been there, seen it, it isn't working anymore.
Judging by anonymous last comment about the baseball game clearly indicates that someone is trying to get under your skin.
Do not fall into Mr. or Ms. board member cancerous web.
Not under my skin. I don't like baseball - I'm a Ranger fan. Sadly, we have our own problems to contend with right now. The World Series is as far from my thoughts as could be!
I normally wouldn't take the time to respond, but I would like those who oppose to know that I am not deterred, intimidated or dismayed by the BS they choose to post and others shouldn't be either. Even if you are remotely curious and don't want to get involved, please come and see what the conversation between neighbors yields.
Hope to see all of those with POSITIVE attitudes there on Friday!!
I came across a site under construction that said "future home of the Whispering Hills Blog" and had a link to bring me back to the site we all currently use.
If you have intentions of moving the site, I wanted to ask if you could set up a posting area that we could use, but that you had to sign up for and log in to use so that there are NO anonymous postings. You can keep the same forum for those who just want to beat each other up and get nothing done, but for those of us who are on a mission, we should be able to communicate like responsible adults who can handle using our names when voicing opinions, perhaps in a separate area in addition to the general posting area.
We were waiting to publish plans for our new site we are constructing but apparently Kelly stumbled upon our "construction page" for our new site location.
Now that the proverbial cat is out of the bag, WHB will be informing our Community over the coming months of new events & feature that we will be implementing in our new design. Some new elements will include a membership process, log in/out & more comprehensive navigational ability.
Any suggestion or additions would be greatly appreciated & should be emailed to Whisperinghillsblog@yahoo.com.
Lame garage sale, the dumpster is littered with crap people didn't sell. Good try, unfortunately people can't play by the rules. Whats the problem with following instructions, we are all adults here?
Been to any Board meetings yet? Plan on going to any? Any other involvement on your part other than spreading discontent and misery?
Things take time to look into and investigate. It takes time and for those of us who WORK for a living, it needs to fit in to the small amount of free time we have to manage a situation that is being mismanaged by a Board who apparently has ample time on their hands.
People like you should disconnect your computers and live in discontentment all alone instead of infecting everyone else with your spiteful and mean comments.
I will be at the Condo III meeting this Saturday and will NOT be afraid to speak my mind, or let anyone know who I am, unlike yourself. At least those of us who care are TRYING to make a difference. Why don't you TRY to be a decent person?
Oh, and that is my opinion and I am entitled to it.
I was all set for the Condo II meeting this past Monday. I believe we were notified 2 weeks prior to the meeting date. Paid $150 to change my plane ticket (had a ticket to travel for work) cost me 1 night in the hotel to cancel and to top off the cake I get a letter on SATURDAY that it was cancelled. So now I had to re-reserve the hotel and pay another $150 to change my flight back again. Nice to get a 48 hour notice via a letter in the mail. The letter arrived on Saturday... if I didn't get my mail on Saturday I would have been really pissed.
Question...if we had a professional company running our 2 million dollar a year business would this be happening? I don't think so.
So my attempt to make a meeting has already cost me $500 bucks.
Who am I posting it for? I don't kowtow for an anonymous person. I'll make you a deal....come out from behind the bushes, come to my front door and if I produce 3 bill's that total "exactly" $487.32 then you will pay it? First I want your name then I want people to witness the agreement THEN you pay me back?
DEAL ?
Seems as if someone is upset that the meeting was cancelled and they think it was cancelled for a legitimate reason. I am sorry someone (and I know EXACTLY who you are) got sick in your family and the meeting had to be cancelled....but the REALITY is a 2 million dollar corporation doesn't cease to do "BUSINESS" because someone got sick..."IT" moves on because there is an "ORGANIZATION" backing it.
As for keeping my mouth "shut" last I checked there is a freedom of speech in this country and I plan to exercise my right. If you feel the need to crawl out from behind your keyboard....my unit number is #2819. If you have the need to make threats....at least do it to my face.
Boy, you "Anonymous" people are a real piece of work. Are you all cut from the same pathetic cloth? How dare you say something like that! That is not an opinion - it is just a blatantly rude and obnoxious remark with absolutely no point behind it other than to be a jackass.
Regardless of how much Dave had to lay out to rearrange his schedule to attend the now cancelled meeting, the material point is that the meeting was cancelled with 48 hours notice, because 1 person was sick. Is this a Board of One?
I agree - not acceptable. I don't think many companies cease to operate if one member of senior management fails to show up for work on a particular day.
Condo III meeting is tomorrow- this ought to be interesting. Any of the "Anonymous" contingency plan on showing up? Will you be visibly present or will you be hiding behind the furniture?
Why was the meeting last Monday canceled? They made it very public weeks before. I agree with David, its ridiculous they would call it off last minute. Clearly part of the reason why there is such animosity and resentment. How much more unorganized can you be?
I don't know how or why things got this far out of control.
Kelly, I can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve. It's refreshing to see someone take charge.
What is one person going to do? It seems pointless to bring a knife to a gunfight! That is exactly what is occurring. Do you actually think that things will change because a few residents don't thing the system is run up to snuff? What are you going to do, subpoena the entire board? Over the years there has been many who tried to change the system to no avail. What makes you any different?
They don't know what they are talking about. Have them name one condo that has a management board that is doing exactly what they say.
There is my challange to you. Name me a management company that is doing an outstanding job in Orange County and the Condo they represent. If you can't then stop complaining and start heleping around here if your that interested that you would pay $ 500.00dollars to attend a board meeting.
Management Boards just suck up your money so Dave and Kelly put up some of your management boards names and we can all check them out.
Why does it have to be a company that manages a condo in OC ?
The last 2 places I lived had a condo management company and they did a fabulous job. They managed our money, made us feel VERY good at meetings, the mettings were attended by 80% of the homeowners (we actually had to move the meetings to a local school cafeteria because it grew so big) and it was a TRUE pleasure to go. Our voiced were heard, our suggestions were heard, and we were VERY informed as to exactly where our pennies were being spent. They had been managing the complex for over 15 years. I lived there for 5 years and my fees went like this:
(Monthly) Year 1: $180 Year 2: $182 Year 3: $158 Year 4: $198* New roof, Installed 8 dog walking areas, Poop stations, new garage doors, and we enlarged all the patios with designer brick. Year 5: $165
YEAR 4: We the homeowners agreed to the $40 a month increase to get those items completed. They told us exactly how much it would cost (with possible run over) and they solicited 5 bids on each project then they got guaranteed bids and then went forward. It was a true pleasure.
I am 100% confident that if we had a professional MGT Co managing our $2 MILLION dollars...we would not have increases but actual decreases.
I don't think we even bid out the work here??
The column work, the balcony work, the patio work, the siding work are all done by the same person, that is a resident. Him being a resident is not the issue but when you see the same person soing the work....it leads people to think the we are not bidding the work out. Who knows....maybe we are bidding it out and he is the low bidder??? The problem is WE THE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW.
Knife to a gunfight - how funny and original! Think that one up all by yourself? How witty! Are you a MENSA member? Why don't you do us all a favor and please stop thinking so hard. We don't want to become intimidated by your overwhelming lack of common sense.
I attended the meeting Condo III this past Saturday. One gem that came about in the 2007 expense report was that $30,000 was spent replacing roofs that "blew off". For some unknown reason,this was NOT run through insurance, but through the operating budget.
I inquired as to why this was not an insurance claim and was basically looked at like I had 12 heads. Since we are obligated to insure the interior of our units to a certain limit, wouldn't it stand to reason that WH has to insure the STRUCTURE itself to cover something as basic and rudmentary as storm damage to the building?
I will follow up with more later, but thought I'd share that with the group. Although, I would imagine that the seriousness of that issue will sail over the heads of most (like Mr. Mensa), others will realize how clear cut a case of mismanagement this is, and the obvious need for a proper Managing Agent.
I didn't receive a notice that the board meeting was canceled! I noticed that condo 3 had a meeting this weekend, does anyone know when the meetings will proceed for the other areas?
Anyone attend the Condo 3 board meeting this weekend? I'm curious to see if anything surfaced and the overall general atmosphere.
In reference to the 3rd clause in the "notes" section. Labled "Future Major Repairs and Replacements"
I notice that we have a significant amount of money sitting in a reserve totaling $164,289 (as of Dec 2006) invested in separate interest bearing accounts.
It states and I quote " These funds are generally not available for operating purposes".
My question is why I'm paying significantly more in common charges for a new roof when there is a decent amount of money sitting in an account that apparently can't be touched. My point....at least a portion of these funds should be used to absorb some of the financial obligation on the part of homeowners.
(As of this moment I don't know if they have already took a part of the for mentioned reserve and applied it in the manner I stated.)
To Anonymous to claims that Dave & I don't know what we're talking about:
First, I think you need an identity instead of "Anonymous" (mainly because there are so many of you chickens out there). You have a big mouth and an (undereducated) opinion to go along with it, so why not use your name? Any name? Coward works for me.
For your information, we do know what we are talking about. Our backgounds stem from Real Estate, Property Management,Development and Finance.
Just because we haven't had the scheduling flexibility to campaign and politic ourselves onto the various Boards, doesn't mean we don't care and doesn't discount our efforts to try to force to light any mismanagements that we see. This is afterall, our hard earned money being pissed away by a group of volunteers with minimal Property Management experience (if any at all).
Property Management contracts are formulated in a way that the client's needs are served (imagine that!!). Whispering Hills is a corporation that pulls in over $2,000,000.00 per year. Sorry, but I don't feel that a well intentioned group of volunteers can effectively manage a property this size, and a budget of that magnitude. Case in point, the Board's failure to properly address paving needs in Condo III, and the necessity to increase my monthly charge by $20 to cover the cost. I would have very happily gone without new mailboxes if it meant not having to pay an increase.
Anyway, Management Agreements are generally fee based, percentage based and sometimes incentive based. I am most familiar with contracts that pay the MA a percentage of the revenue collected per month (in the case of this complex, it would help bring current some of the arrears we hear so much about). Incentive based agreements mean that the MA would collect a percentage of the amount of money saved annually out of the operating budget (this would benefit us by having projects and services bid competetively). Fee based is self explained, and would have to be negotiated based on the needs of the property and the budgetary allowances.
A Professional Manageing Agent would also bring to the table experiences and resources that would ultimately benefit the corporation. Collection Departments, Construction Department, Legal Departments are just a few of the resources generally available within a large scale Property Management Company. At times, if one company manages multiple properties, we would benefit from being part of a national vendor list and be priveledged to discounted services because the PM company can offer a larger scale of work (multiple properties) as opposed to just the one housing development. The list goes on, but I'm sure some of you can see where this is heading. It's sometimes better to be (part of) the big fish in the small pond.
More open dialogues about how money is spent and budgets being formulated would be a by-product of a proper MA, instead of budgets and reports that appear to be generated via Microsoft Home Office. This would be the case because we would make it part of the scope of work required by a Managing Agent because the distribution of financial information is in a sad state here. Most notably Steve's entry about $164,289 (as of Dec 2006) invested in separate interest bearing accounts and "These funds are generally not available for operating purposes". What exactly is that? Why is the existence of this money not explained, yet commons charges go up?
Bottom line is we are an asset. We are part of a +$2,000,000.00 corporation and would be in a position to solicit a professional Property Management company to oversee day to day operations and leave the Board to a decision making capacity, not as acting Managing Agents. We would determine the scope of work for the MA, WE would determine how the fee would be based. Why is it that everyone perceives themselves as the hapless victim instead of the boss? We are not individual unit owners, we make up a multi million dollar corporation.
To respond directly to Coward, I do not have a list of Managing Agents readily available for you to shoot down, nor is it my responsibility to come up with one. Where did you live that you had a bad experience with a Management Board that "sucked up your money" and why is that such a difference to what is being done to us now? Since you have such wisdom to impart and apparantly a host of bad experiences to share with the rest of us, why don't YOU "put up some of your management boards names and we can all check them out" and be sure to avoid the same horrible mistakes you already made.
Kelly brings up some very good points. Points that actually make sense. It's very obvious to me that the people out there who are against the very idea of even possibly bringing in a managing agent have their hands in someones pocket taking a few dollars out of it for themself.
What other reason would anyone care if we looked into the idea?
What's the harm in a feasibility study on what a management company can offer? Soliciting a service does not obligate you in any way. I'm all for saving money, or at the very least, stabilizing my monthly expenses.
Seems as if Kelly, Dave, and Steve are pissing on and in the apple cart? Good on ya.
I have been here for years. I am on original owner in WH.
Improprieties or inappropriate conduct has been going on her in this community from the word "GO"
Right from the way they were built (which we can all attest to) right down to the payoffs to get them approved.
Why, because people are greedy.
Here is a little hint for you all.
Anyone who is against an outside company coming in to give an "estimate" is absolutely on the take. It's human nature. They are protecting their personal interests. Otherwise there would be no problem. Hell, it wouldbe giving them more free time and saving THEM money in the long run.
As for the work that goes on around here. Scratch my back and I will nair, massage, and lotion yours.
Spill the beans? So now it's a big secret that managing this complex is a task over the heads of the cuurrent administration? Worried about appearances?
I'm more worried about the state of my finances than what some management company thinks about how mismanaged we are.
What do you mean by " Not to mention the fact that if something "funny" is going on with contracts, bids, etc., it will be dragged out." Dragged out where? Into the open for all of us to see?
The only harm I see is the fact that those benefitting from our loss now will watch the money train derail.
What everyone here needs to understand is that we all want what's best for WH and our own personal investments in this property be it as a primary residence, investment property or a tax shelter. If this place gets mismanaged into the ground, we ALL lose.
The real estate market is in a delicate state right now and we are fortunate enough to live just far enough from NYC to make it a reasonable commute and enjoy quality of life, yet benefit from our proximity to NYC by maintaining strong value on our units. If this place has common charges that continue to escalate, and the level of service continues to deteriorate, that will ultimately impact the value of our investements.
All we want is to be assured that we are getting the best possible deal on the money we spend. If we were individual home owners, and had to foot the cost for every service we engage, we would be watching those contractors like a bunch of hawks. Why is it different here with this board having such free reign?
Do you think Hudson Valley is doing a good job. I have lived here for 20 years. I have seen two or three outside contractors. Every homeowner wants there front stoop cleared by 6AM when it snows, is it possible in complex this size. People don't obey the rules here, they levave mattressed, sinks, doors etc by the dumsters. What do you do with these people. They go to the recyclable bins and dump rugs, tv, springs etc all over the place. Do you have answers for this. Do we need our own private control to monitor this place.
What do we do with the people who don't respect the Whispering Hills rules? The best way for us to increase value of our homes is for people to take pride in their homes. There are many, many people here who have no self respect and I am sure your not one of them. Take pride in where you live and your housing conditions. Speaking of that what; do you do with the pepole who decided to build bedroom, living rooms, studies, etc in their garages. This takes away from parking spaces and is in violation of all Whispering Hills rules. Is this OK with you? What is a management company going to do with these type of people?
All I can offer is that I don't agree with those who have opted to turn their garages into additional rooms. As far as it being a violation of Condo rules, I cannot say specifcally (because I don't have my copy of the by-laws with me, but would venture to guess that it is a violation). In good conscious, I would hope (key word - hope) that those who have chosen to turn their garages into living space don;t have more than the 2 allotted permitted vehicles. Like it or not, you are entitled to use 2 parking spaces here, regardless if your garage is empty, full or currently serving as a residence for someone's mother-in-law.
Having such a room IS a building code violation and I would almost guarantee done without proper permitting. It puts other residents at risk because I would imagine that additional wiring and such were done to facilitate the room. Personnally I think it a really bad idea just due to the carbon monoxide influx you would get from neighboring garages.
I once lived in a co-op complex that had mandatory yearly inspections (primarily to check for unauthorized appliances because the electric was included) but they also checked for unapproved work done in units and pets (none were allowed). Although I can see the validity int he inspection, I firmly resented the intrusion. And I would be DAMNED if I was to allow that to occurr in my home now.
What to do? Anonymous (you all certainly know the meaning of that word on this site!)calls to the building department may be an option, but short of having their cable service suspended, what would the HOA really be able to do?
Illegal dumping by your neighbors? My suggestion is to either say something directly to the offending party or to rat them out. Implore your Boards to send warning letters and fine them for the cost the HOA has to incur to properly dispose of the debris. I think dumpster monitors is a bit much, but like they say - "if you see something, say something". Someone else's laziness in the end costs us all money. We are provided with the facilities to properly dispose of cardboard, bottles and newspapers. I do beliebve that a better system needs to be put in place for large bulk items.
This is a narrative of my first WH Condo meeting. I though it might be useful or perhaps insightful to give some people (namely those of you who never get to attend meetings, especially those who choose to criticize some of our efforts on this site) an idea of some of the issues we have and the responses received from the Board. Given the size of the posting, I will try to post a new part every few days and keep you abreast of any responses or follow up received. I will also post this on the Condo III Information Exchange.
Part I
Ready to face the music for shooting off my big mouth, I went to my first WH Open Condo meeting for Condo III on the morning of November 17, 2007.
Armed with my (becoming dog-eared) copy of the By-Laws, a legal pad and a pen, I headed to the clubhouse for the meeting. I walked in, apparently 5 minutes late, signed in, picked up the agenda and sat down.
Meeting in progress, the Board President (Gene Wexler as I understand) was in the midst of reading the prior year’s financial report. I looked around the room and saw approximately 10 other people. Sad showing considering by my estimate, the number of units in Condo III should be 150+.
As the Board Prez. continued, I listened to the items listed as expenditures, “mailboxes, privacy fences, blah, blah, blah” and then this little gem gets read out “Roof Repairs: $30,000.00 for replacing roofs that blew off”. I let the Prez finish and not being one for formal protocol and wait to be asked if there are any questions, I raised my hand and asked he elaborate on the “Roof Repairs: $30,000.00”.
Kelly: These are newly installed roofs? Prez: Yes Kelly: Weren’t they under warranty? Prez: Warranty has expired. Kelly: Expired? How so – average warrant is 10 – 25 years on materials, varied on labor. Prez: Labor warranty has lapsed, material warranty is 25 years (pretty certain he said 25 years – bad note taking on my part). Kelly: You say these roofs “blew off”. Prez: Yes. Kelly: Why wasn’t this subrogated through the property insurance as opposed to paying the expense to replace through the operating budget? Prez: We aren’t insured for that. Kelly: Excuse me? Your common area insurance does not cover roof damage? What exactly are you insuring? Prez: We have liability insurance. Kelly: Let me get this straight, the HOA is responsible for the structure of the units (walls, roofs, etc) and the common area, we as unit owners are responsible for the interior yet you do not have the necessary coverage in place to insure against storm related damage to the buildings. How is this possible? Unknown Woman Board Member (I think she was the Treasurer): I don’t think you understand the nature of how we insure- this is not like a homeowner’s policy. Kelly: Let me clarify- I am fully aware of the requirements for insurance when there are multiple entities involved in the ownership of a piece of property. If you, meaning the HOA, are responsible for the structure of the building, and we as unit owners are obligated to maintain a specific level of insurance for the interior, it is assumed by both unit owner and the unit owners mortgage holder that you are responsible for insuring the structural walls, roof and foundations of the building. Is this not the case? Prez: I am not sure, we will have to look into this.
Great. Now not only am I wondering why what I perceive to be a $30,000.00 insurance claim is run through the operating budget and being paid for by the unit owners. I now have to be concerned about the level of common area insurance that is in effect. What type of exposure as a unit owner are we all potentially liable for?
Suggestion regarding the freeloading residents that don't pay common charges.
They should publish the addresses of those losers in the monthly WH publication. Shut off cable & all community privlages. This includes any associated activity with WH.
Punish by not issuing a parking permits, make them park on the road! Thy don't contribute to maintenance(snow removal etc.), they should not have the convince of parking in the lot.
I like the suggestion of a prior post, issue credit photo id cards. Swipe at all points to get in. tennis, clubhouse, etc.
Regulate walking path by organizing a spot id check. Check walkers ids.
No one rides for free.. it cost money to maintain these areas. They should not be used by the general public nor freeloaders who dont pay maintenance fees/
It would probably be in the best interest of the board if they clarified some of the B.S. they are feed us. It's gone on all these years because no one has contradicted their decisions. Now they are feeling a little heat, it will be interesting to see how they handle it.
The way I view the board is that they are a group of unqualified residents trying to preform professional tasks!
I agree - it is bogus. But in all fairness, the Board has had 11 days since the meeting and probably needs more time to respond to the questions they were asked.
Yes, I do live in Fantasy Land thinking we'll get some type of answer.
Thank you for the compliment.
By the way, I submitted a written request for a full financial review, including service contracts, project contracts and arrears reports (which I elaborate on a little later when I have the opp to write it up).
Kelly's post just reinforces the fact that we need to look toward a professional management company.
If you owned a large company would you hire your friend who is a garbageman to do your taxes, or a professional accountant? Thats what is happening here! What are these peoples qualifications? Do they have any sort of management or financial background? Are they skilled in the art of negotiation? Is it all just smoke and mirrors? How much money have we lost over the years letting amateurs do a professional job? How is this influencing current hoa fees?
I would like to commend the owner of this forum on the work you are doing here. The information that is presented by residents is worth it's weight in gold. Some may call it complaining, my observation is that the venting process is extremely proactive. Its reassuring seeing that action being taken and that residents actually care about the community.
Very informative and organized, Keep up the good work.
These are exactly the points we are trying to stress through this site and as Paul calls it, venting.
Aside from autobiographies distributed by various board members touting their dedication and love for WH in an attempt to secure or maintain their seat on the Board, we really have no idea of the level of experience, qualification or knowledge they have in running a property of this scope.
Further, all of M's questions "What are these peoples qualifications? Do they have any sort of management or financial background? Are they skilled in the art of negotiation? Is it all just smoke and mirrors? How much money have we lost over the years letting amateurs do a professional job? How is this influencing current hoa fees?" are right on target and EXACTLY what we are trying to decypher.
I saw this morning on the marquee that there is an open HOA meeting on January 17 at 7PM (that is a Thursday). I really think we should use this site to our best advantage and come up with a comprehensive list of questions and requests for information, present them to the HOA and see what their response is so that we can ascertain what type of job the HOA is actually doing here and if the need for professional management is warranted. This is the forum it needs to be addressed during and our moment to speak up is coming.
Above all, people here have to remember that this is not personal. It is business. Our business. Our money and investments are at stake here and we have every right to question how things are being run and how something as simple as a lack of experience and knowledge can have an adverse impact on us all. Like they say, good intentions pave the road to hell. To me, watching my investment tank would be hell.
The snow removal is inconsistent. Lets start by asking the board for an explanation as to why there is selective snow removal. They wait until its over to start the sidewalks. They use to maintain them throughout the night. What happened?
We need to look into a professional management company for the health of the entire complex.
In my experience, I have found that self-managed associations have higher expenses in the long run than those with professional management. Overall, self-managed associations pay more for maintenance and repairs, have more collection problems and pay out more legal fees because more mistakes tend to be made by the boards of these associations.
Self-managed associations tend to keep many lawyers working overtime.
What bugs me is that there are inconsistencies in every facet of management. For example, Whispering Hills has been using a resident to provide maintenance services to our association for several years. I just learned of the relationship because it was not previously disclosed to us. This a conflict of interest.
Whenever a management company uses a related party to provide services, it must be disclosed in writing, in advance. This type of conduct does not reflect positively on the board to say the least.
If you had half a brain you would see how many suggestions and questions that have already been made on the site. Sift through prior posts, you can harvest all the questions you need to confront the board for the next year. If you give them a printout of the questions posed here, it would take them months to come up with answers.
Taking into consideration they couldn't answer Kellys pop question and they are constantly tripping over their own feet.
Our friend here has more than half a brain. He sees the obvious, which is more than most see.
I did pose the question about Gene Collins (who by the way is the maintenance person and Board Member) and brought up the conflict of interest issue. I was extremely antagonistic (can you imagine??) in my exchange with Gene Wexler about this matter stating that this person has no business holding both positions.
The Board, in their infinite wisdom, has (supposedly) discussed this matter with their attorney (more of our money being pissed away) and it has been determined that this matter does not constitue a conflict of interest because Collins does not accept money for being on the Board, but for being a "Maintenance Supervisor".
I told the Prez that I disagreed because by being on the Board, Collins in technically in a decision making capacity that has a direct effect on his paying day job. I was told that he does not partake in any decisions that have any relevence to the maintenance issues at WH. I said flat out that I did not believe him and found it simply incredible that he is 100% removed from ANY involvement whatsoever from any decision making that has to do with maintenance.
I then went on to state that Collins is a rude and nasty man and has no idea how to deal with residents without being offensive and treating them like second class residents. Case in point was that my first dealing with him (to get a commone exterior water spigit repaired that unfortunately has to be done from my unit) had me so riled up that I fired off a 2 page complaint letter to the Board President (Wexler) that most likely ended up being filed in a trash bin because I never reveived any form of response.
I also informed the Prez that although LEGALLY, there may not TECHNICALLY be a conflict of interest, there is serious concern and a very strong level of discomfort amongst many residents regarding this matter and it would be appropriate for Colins to vacate one of his held positions. The Boards response was to change the subject as if I was invisible. It was clear however, that of the dozen Condo III residents at this meeting, the majority were in agreement that it was not appropriate.
What disturbs me here, almost as much as the issue itself, is the fact the the Board was more concerned about the legal ramifications and the possible conflict of interest than the fact that fellow residents are uncomfortable with Collins being in both positions, as well as finding it completely inappropriate that the situation has been allowed to continue.
And the Board is here to serve who? Sounds like they're doing a fine job of serving themselves. Anyone who belives otherwise is delusional.
We shouldn't have to wait for people to get old and die to make change. Obvious change.
I for one won't do it alone....I won't even do it with a dozen people. To put forth the efforts we need people....
600 units....on average 2 people per household. 1000-1200 people and we can't get more than 5 people to post with a name here.
You know what we need to do....we need to HAND deliver a notice to every resident directing them to this BLOG. The EXACT link to this VERY page. That will get people on board.
Who out there has time to help me?
I'll spend a whole day putting a letter that simply states...
To better understand what is going on in your community and how we need your help to improve, change, and hopefully make a better place to live for you...please go to the following website...etc.
I can do it...who else?
Send me an email:
davidkrauthamer@yahoo.com
...if you are interested in helping get the message out to every resident to join this site so we can start building a base of home owners who want to make change.
Without that base...Kelly will continue to solve her own issues and I will continue to solve mine.
BUT...we can't SOLVE YOUR issues without you.
I for one am tired of increased common charges without knowing why.
The ONLY way we can make change is if we have people....they HAVE to listen if we have PEOPLE....
Send me an email if you are willing to help distribute flyers on Saturday December 15th.
David hit the nail right on the head. Not enough people know the extent of the issue and topics raised on WHB. The key to gathering a large group of Residents is education. The way to do that is either by hand shaking or by visual enticement.
Going "door to door" and handing out flyers is something I considered. My only concern would be possible repercussion from Whispering Hills H.O.A.
The only thing I ask… Before any foot campaign proceeds, make certain it doesn’t interfere with any Whispering Hills bi-law. If there is no conflict, I will advertise the campaign on the front page of the three blogs to ascertain level of interest.
Blanketing the entire area with information will bring new views, ideas, suggestions & most importantly more action within our Community.
Regardless of the number of Residents who volunteer, I would be more than happy to participate in the campaign.
We'll have to look into it. I am partial to think there may not be a problem only because I had a bunch of political flyers shoved in my door recently, one of which was our neighbor who ran for a town position.
If I have to stand at the stop sign and hand them out that way I will.
There should not be any issues with distributing a note to all my fellow neighbors advising them that we have an online community we would like them to be a part of.
AND....I was reminded by a very nice police officer a few weeks ago that Whispering Hills is Town property and NOT private property. So handing out flyers from WH Drive should not be a problem.
Thanks for the chivalry, but it's not necessary at the expense of being rude to someone. I actually found their comment humerous and 100% correct. Time and time again, once a call for action (or arms in this case) was made, you can literally hear crickets chirping because it's so damn quiet.
ANYWAY.......
Under Article VIII, Section 8, (a) of the by-laws for Condo III "House Rules" it states that: No resident of the community shall post any advertisement or posters of any kind in or on the Community except as authorized by the Board of Managers.
I couldn't find anything similar under the HOA By-Laws, so it's probable covered under each of the individual condos.
In my opinion, we're not posting anything in the common area, we're distributing directly to each residence. I'm not interpreting our intentions as a conflict to this rule.
Anybody have anything useful to impart on this? Now that you have the area of the by-laws to look, can people form the other condos please check and let me know where we stand there? I would imagine it's the same, but I have no way to be sure.
As a resident of this community for 16 years I am thrilled that I stumbled upon this Blog site. I am of the opinion that it can be a wonderful opportunity to organize with like- minded people who want to enact positve change WITHOUT getting into petty cyber- sniping (let's leave that for the kiddies shall we)! The most recent posts pertaining to circulating flyers is a start, and I am in 100% agreement that an outside Management firm is long overdue to run a community of this size. I had brought up that point @ 3/4 years ago in a Condo IV meeting and promptly was told that it was a terrible, ill conceived idea that would NOT benefit the community at large. It does appear that self mangement is and has always been a conflict of interest that is in place to self serve a small number of individuals. When I have an issue that seems to require minimal WHHOA intervention, you would think that I was asking to over- throw the gov't! Maintenance items do get taken care of , BUT only after much proding by your's truly. I strongly feel that a profesional management firm can also deter the "less desirable element" that has permeated our community via the leasing/renting avenue from not paying their fair share of the common charges and having a vested interest in the overall health of WH. So many people have come and gone in my 16 years that it makes one's head spin to the point of nasuea. As far as the horrendous experience some of you posted earlier pertaining to roofing/etc, I must say in all honesty that the co. that did my building and a few adajacent ones this past summer were efficient, professional and maintained a safe and clean working environment. Perhaps this is a direct response to your terrible situation, who knows? I must say that I was in shock when I found out that my common charges were increased $100.00 w/o prior notification, but if the money is well spent (as with the roof/gutter upgrade) then I am more @ ease with this assessment, and I have been told that more capital profects are still in the works that may include decking, and patio improvements. I hope that we hold the line on any more price increases in the foreseeable future cause my salary ain't increasing @ that rate! My biggest concern over the years has been the inconsistency that the board deals with issues...........some follks get away with many violations while others do not, alot of this is due to complacency, ignorance and lack of common sense and civility, a microcosm of society for sure. I believe that I had perused a prior post of a contact e-mail to help organize! Count me in!
I strongly feel that a profesional management firm can also deter the "less desirable element" that has permeated our community via the leasing/renting avenue from not paying their fair share of the common charges and having a vested interest in the overall health of WH.
I couldn't agree with you more. The question I have is if the debt is carried over year to year? Is anything in place holding the owner of the unit responsible to pay the fees?
Never thought of a Managing Agent being involved in screening or managing the rental units. I think that there should be some form of governing the situation, but in all likliehood, it may require an amendment to the by-laws. THAT would be a constructive use of the Board's time.
I am under the impression that short of disconnecting cable service (which seeing as we pay for the service directly to Time Warner, other than being privelede to the bulk rate available in WH, I do not see where the Board has any right to terminate your service, but that's another issue), and suspending pool priveledges, not much more is done to collect arrears. Placing a Lien on the property is an option, but unless the unit owner has a mortgage on the unit and the loan prohibits any liens being placed on the mortgaged property; or if the unit is being ready to be sold and the liens show up in the title search, I don't really know what else is done. A Managing Agent would be able to serve as a "collection agent" in a sense and attempt to recover some of the unpaid fees to the corporation.
Once we have some momentum on this site, I think we need to formally request (via petition?) that the Board at the very least, begins a feasibility study and put the Managing Agent service out to bid. A scope of services to base the contract on can be formulated, based on the RESIDENT'S concerns (not the Board, I'm sorry, but they are FAR from a cross section representation of the average resident of this complex), and bids can be reviewed and presented to the residents for opinion and comment. Remember, a solicitation of a bid does not obligate any one to accept it. It's a huge step to entertain engaging a service like this and we should know what the potential impact will be to the residents - both on the expenditure and potential cost savings aspects.
Glad to have another body on board for the distribution project! The more the merrier and the more of us, the less time it will take to get the word out.
I put a flyer together that needs some editing. I would like to shoot it over to you via email and have you throw your two cents in. Please send me an email (whisperinghillsblog@yahoo.com)confirming the address I should send the attachment.
I'm assuming you have microsoft word. If you don't, I have resources to send it in several other formats.
To fellow Community Members:
Much gratitude to all that are supporting this effort! By working together we are building a stronger environment.
You owe all the citizens of this community an apology. You should step down immediately. How can you say the abduction of a child is over exgageriated and go two the newspaper stating you are the vice president of Whispering Hills.
How can you represent us in your capacity when you go saying supid redicilous comments. It's time for you to go. I am sure that no one in this community is taking this abduction lightly. What if this was your kid?
You should be realesed from the board and fired immediately if anyone is to take the Whispering Hills WHOA seriously.
Do the right thing and step down and appologize to the community.
Some say alleged Chester kidnapping case 'blown out of proportion'
By Raja Abdulrahim
Times Herald-Record December 09, 2007 Chester — A day after news publicly broke about a Whispering Hills woman who was charged with kidnapping an 11-year-old girl for 30 minutes, some seem to question the veracity of the accusations.
Tonia McHenry-Bailey, 48, was charged following a Nov. 26 incident in which police said she led the girl from a bus stop to her home before she released her unharmed.
"The whole thing was blown out of proportion," said Eugene Collins, who is vice president of the homeowners association.
He said the details all will come out in a grand jury hearing, which begins Tuesday.
He said neighbors were talking and whispering about the incident even before McHenry-Bailey was arrested on Thursday.
Collins said that McHenry-Bailey has been living for about five years in Whispering Hills, a community of 690 clustered yellow clapboard condos, divided up into four-condo sections. He said McHenry-Bailey, who works in New York City, as do many of the residents here, is a member of one of the condo boards.
"I've never seen that kind of attitude from her," Collins said.
McHenry-Bailey has no previous criminal record, Chester village police Chief Pete Graziano said.
Yesterday, no one answered the door at her condo, which had a Santa wreath on the door. But her mother, who answered the door Friday, said the problem her daughter had never should have been publicized.
The Whispering Hills blog, where much of the discussion tends to center around the homeowners association, was silent on the matter as of late yesterday.
"It's all the talk, but no one seems to know anything," said resident Bill DeVoe.
OK, Can we begin by saying how IRRESPONSIBLE it is to go on the record about a case that has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE HOA?? Does "No Comment" or "I have no knowledge of this matter" or better yet, "this has nothing to do with HOA business so I decline to comment" make any sense to this genius?
You clearly don't know when to stop and when it is appropriate to keep the HOA and other residents out of a situation that has nothing to do with you. It is high time you resign and end your irresponsible tenure before you do some serous damage that ends us up in litigation for libel or other damages.
Scary article on all fronts. Wow! I would think the HOA responded because a board member is in question. I agree, let the accused speak on their own behalf.
Board member or not...."no comment" is the only words that should EVER be spoken before you comment on anything that is possibly going to a "grand jury."
Also...if ANYONE ever gives my information like....where I work, how long I have lived in the community, and what type of person I am to a REPORTER of any kind I would be VERY upset.
This is no ones business.
Not so smart....coming to the defense of a board member before all the facts are sifted through, especially in the case of a child and kidnapping allegations.
I hope it plays out that it was all a misunderstanding....but I'll let the law make that decision.
Times Herald-Record December 08, 2007 Chester — For 30 minutes Tonia McHenry-Bailey remained in her house with an 11-year-old girl police said she had taken from a bus stop.
"I'm your new grandma," police said the 48-year-old Chester woman told the girl as she led her across the street by her sweater on Nov. 26.
The girl didn't ask to leave. But she didn't want to be there. She was scared, police said.
When the girl's younger brothers, whom she was supposed to meet at the bus stop, came home without her, the girl's parents called police, who began searching the Whispering Hills condo development.
McHenry-Bailey told the girl to go home once she saw police. The girl was not injured but was taken to the Arden Hill campus of Orange Regional Medical Center as a precaution.
The day of the incident, police charged McHenry-Bailey with harassment, a violation. When she appeared in Village Court Thursday on the lesser charge, police arrested her on felony kidnapping and misdemeanor unlawful imprisonment charges.
Chief Pete Graziano said the delay in the more serious charge was because of the ongoing investigation in conjunction with the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
McHenry-Bailey was arraigned and released on $250 bail. The case will go before a grand jury Tuesday. McHenry-Bailey's lawyer, Ben Greenwald, would not comment but said he did not expect his client to testify before the grand jury.
A woman who answered the door at McHenry-Bailey's home yesterday and identified herself as her mother said the incident wasn't as police described.
"It really wasn't anything to be published with the problem she had," she said.
Police are still investigating, specifically why the girl did not scream or try to run away.
"The kid just went with her," Graziano said. "I mean, the kid was scared."
Isn't there a conflict of interest here with our board members? Related members managing their area. I like condo 2, we have Jeff Jones taking on the responsibility of pres and vice pres.
Gee, I wonder why our heads are spinning here. Everywhere you look there is another flaw being uncovered. All these years of inconsistent management are finally catching up with them.
Where is the board to answer these questions? Don't tell me to go to some meeting, I don't do meetings! The way they make it sound in the monthly letter they send out, you would never know these things are occurring. If it wasn't for the post here, I would never know this happened. I'm supprised someone didn't post it sooner. What a mess.
Kidnapping is kidnapping. If the kid was enticed to enter the house, the predator that lured that child needs to be punished. More importantly, we need to make clear that our complex DOES NOT TOLERATE FREAKS! I was going to say pedifile but we don't know the psychos intention.
There are a lot of kids here, we need to protect them.
Unfortunately, the only forum to address these matters is at an open HOA meeting. There is a protocol to follow, although you wouldn't think so given the makeup of the Board.
Our intention here on this site is to spread the word and educate people about their rights and I hate to say it, obligations as a unit owner here at WH. I say obligations in the sense that you have the right to vote on Board Members, and you also have the right to question their motives. We all need to exercise these rights and obligations. It's what makes this a condo corporation. Otherwise, it's like living in somone else's house, under someone else's rules.
There is an open HOA meeting coming up, I believe January 17 (a Thursday). I think it in our best interest to gather thoughts here on this site and in a cohesive and intelligent manner, address them to the Board.
We have an absolute right to be heard and I think an open form is best because if the Board thinks they will dismiss our comments and requests for action, they are sadly mistaken.
I think some of the serious issues to address are:
Collins' Dismissal from the Board (legal conflict of interest or not, I think the only people who don't have a problem with him being a paid maintenance persona nd a memeber of the Board, is the Board itself). His recently published comments indicate he is not capable of acting in the best interests of the community because he simply can't turn off being "Mr. Big Man"
Feasibility Study of hiring a proper Managing Agent (sorry, but these people are incapable of running an organization that takes in over 2 million dollars a year and requires maintenance on a level beyond what we are receiving).
Insurance - the By-Laws apparently do not require that the buildings be insured for storm damage. Condo III recently paid out $30,000 from the operating budget to replace roofs (newly installed roofs) that "blew off". What would it cost the complex to add this additional insurance to our existing coverage? Can we afford to have to replace roofs and restore damage caused by weather out of our operating budgets?
Arrears: There are rumors circulating that arrears are in the thousands of dollars, yet increases in commons charges are becoming more commonplace. How bad is this arrears situation? What exactly being done about it?
Just a few thoughts to get the ball rolling.......
In regards to the person who is being accused of kidnapping, nowhere is her name to be found on the list of board members ( as per Collin's quote). Check an earlier post for personnel. I am in total agreement that our board is in way over their heads in trying to manage this community presently. While I give them kudos for taking on the responsibility, it should not, AND does not end there. It is time to bring in professionals that will work for, and answer to us, the hard working, tax paying OWNERS of Whispering Hills! Does anyone remember the article @ 4-6 weeks ago in the TH -Record that pertained to Condo owners paying their fair share of taxes? We already do when one takes into major consideration the area of Common Charges, they cover the same public services that single dwelling homeowner's taxes satisfy. I'm not confident our present board is up to the task.............
Topic shift>>>>>>>>> I am sick and tired of people who do not clean up after their dogs!!!!!!!! I almost stepped into some dog cookies @ 10 feet from my door today! I hope to find the SOB(s) who allow their muts to defacate wherever they want w/o repraisal. They just might get an early Christmas gift! I really dispised ignorance and incivility!
No property, we don't even own the outside of our homes. They don't think we are paying are share in taxes? What the $3300+ isn't enough? Between property tax and hoa fees, I am getting mugged!
Buzz, I would like to see the article. Can you post it?
Here is the link to a few articles from the TH -Record "pc"! http://search.ottaway.com/search?q=condos+and+taxes&btnG=Google%2BSearch&access=p&sort=date%253AD%253AL%253Ad1&output=xml_no_dtd&ie=UTF-8&oe=latin1&client=thr&proxystylesheet=thr&site=thr-archive&imgSubmit.x=0&imgSubmit.y=0
Here is the latest one I could find from the TH Record website. WOW! It is from September, it seemed more recent than that and my memory ain't what it used to be! The proposed legislation is for new construction, so we dodge that bullet, for now!
Officials seek tax hike on new condominiums By Chris McKenna
Times Herald-Record September 26, 2007
Middletown — State lawmakers are looking to hike property taxes on condominiums again, this time targeting only newly built units.
Owners of existing condos would be spared. But anyone buying into a new complex in the Hudson Valley and beyond would lose a decades-old assessment break that keeps their taxes well below those of comparably priced single-family houses.
Angry condo representatives plan to voice their opposition today at a hearing at the Paramount Theater in Middletown, the second stop this year for a state Assembly panel seeking public input on several pending tax proposals.
Condo owners insist they deserve to be taxed less than other homeowners, since they typically pay extra fees for road maintenance and other services that others get from their municipalities.
Pave their roads and run their wells, they say, and they can live with a jump in their bills.
"We have no problem with the taxing, but give us the same services," said Aileen Silver, president of the homeowners association at the 80-unit Cromwell Hill Commons complex in Monroe. "We don't want to pay twice."
Take the $300,000 road paving bill her association is weighing.
"If we're going to do this — and we might do a patch job instead — that's $300,000 divided by 80," she said. "And that's a lot of extra money."
The Real Property Taxation Committee — which held its first hearing in Albany in February and has one scheduled for Oct. 17 on Long Island — is looking for comments on a variety of tax bills, including one to create a commission that would look at revamping the entire property-tax system.
But the condo bill appears to be the lightning rod.
Similar legislation advanced in the state Legislature in 2005 until opponents flattened it.
That version would have raised taxes on existing condos, too — by as much as double, according to some estimates.
The new bill would apply only to condos and cooperative apartments built after Jan. 1, 2008, and it would exclude New York City and Nassau County. Supporters calculate that leaving out existing condos will defuse the opposition.
One impetus for the bill is an increasingly common abuse of the condo tax break: In Sullivan County and elsewhere, developers have been building single-family houses and classifying them as condos to lower their taxes and make them more marketable.
Tax hearing State lawmakers are fielding comments on six pending bills, all related to property taxes. The public hearing begins at 11 a.m. at the Paramount Theater, 17-19 South St. in Middletown.
The hot topic is likely to be a proposal to tax new condominiums the same way as single-family homes, effectively hiking the bills for condo owners.
That bill is awaiting committee action in both the Assembly and Senate. Supporters feel that exempting existing condo owners gives it a better chance of passing than in 2005, when opponents stopped it.
Hearing speakers had to sign up by Sept. 19, but anyone can go to listen. For a list of bills under consideration, go to assembly.state.ny.us/comm/RealProp/
"Alleged" Kidnapping. This is in today's paper. Why do they keep stating that she is on the board?!?! Can someone show me where her name appears on the WHHOA website? Please!
Kidnapping suspect gives her side of story By Raja Abdulrahim
Times Herald-Record December 13, 2007
CHESTER — Tonia McHenry-Bailey was getting the mail when she said she saw a girl stepping off the curb into the road.
"And I see this car coming and this girl is going to get hit," McHenry-Bailey recalled. "I said, 'Little girl, little girl you're going to get hit.'"
The 11-year-old girl was not hurt, but shaken up.
McHenry-Bailey said she took her to her Whispering Hills condo to offer her juice or water. The girl did not want anything and did not want to call her parents, McHenry-Bailey said of the Nov. 26 incident.
After eight minutes — nine, tops — the girl left and went home, she said.
Police call it kidnapping.
McHenry-Bailey was arrested and charged with a felony for what she deems as doing the right thing.
Police maintain she took the girl from a bus stop to her house for 30 minutes before the girl was released unharmed.
"I never kidnapped no kid, I don't mistreat nobody's kids," McHenry-Bailey said. "That's all I wanted to do was help a child. I said, 'Honey, you got to be careful.'"
McHenry-Bailey, who has a 14-year-old son, said she initially thought the girl was one of her son's friends.
"If she was trying to protect a child, why did she bring her across the street and into her house?" Chester village police Chief Pete Graziano asked..
He rejected claims that the police and Orange County District Attorney's Office overreacted to the incident.
"She took a child that didn't belong to her," he said. "We believe the charges are appropriate."
Graziano said the girl never mentioned nearly getting hit by a car.
McHenry-Bailey moved to the condo community from Yonkers almost four years ago.
She has worked on Wall Street for more than 10 years and is a board member of her condo section.
McHenry-Bailey was initially charged with harassment the day of the incident. When she showed up for court almost two weeks later, she was charged with the more serious crimes of kidnapping and imprisonment.
"My whole reputation is ruined," she said.
The case went before the grand jury Tuesday. Her lawyer, Ben Greenwald, did not blame the police or prosecutors for the charges.
The girl "is blowing it out of proportion," he said. "They probably reacted to what the complainant said. We obviously have a very differing point of view."
I just found out that she IS in on the Board! Hmm.......I don't recall ever seeing her name on a ballot, and I always vote! Well, if this the case, she NEEDS TO BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY!!!!!
What are you talking about? What do we have supplemental board members? Whats going on here? A prior post lists all the members. Was she elected or appointed?
I think we need to keep in perspective that first and foremost, this is a legal matter and the authorities are the ones to sort things out.
Second, we need to NOT post personal information about people on this site. We already had that idiot Collins release personal info about her to the press, which is a major problem and needs to be addressed at the open HOA meeting on January 17.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You have the right to voice your opinion and the upcoming meeting is timed perfectly. Not only is this our opportunity to vote people off the board, but we can call for removal of officers if their term is not up.
This is a serious matter and needs to be addressed. I do not want individuals who have no common sense and a pathetic sense of right and wrong running this complex. All this negative publicity, and where is a statement to the residents from the head of the HOA?
"This is a serious matter and needs to be addressed. I do not want individuals who have no common sense and a pathetic sense of right and wrong running this complex. All this negative publicity, and where is a statement to the residents from the head of the HOA?" Well stated.........
Property Taxes - $3300? I get near that number AFTER my STAR reductions AND the additional rebate offered this year. We're more in the $4,000 + range here.
What's the deal for Saturday? Need to know - have stuff to do later in the day and want to make sure I have ample time to do what needs to be done. I have the morning set aside.
I agree, we don't even know the details of the case. To castrate someone without knowing the facts is ignorant. Last time I looked the law still states innocent until proven guilty.
We do have to watch what we say. Judging by what the paper states at the end of sundays article, the editor obviously came here to research if anything was written.
"I agree, we don't even know the details of the case. To castrate someone without knowing the facts is ignorant."
I haven't read anything that "castrates" the alleged, just the process on how she was elected, etc to the board. I think we just want some answers, that's all.
Why do the snowplows continue to push the damn curbs on the grass?????? It's like a broken record, winter, after winter, after winter! Nice job on the signs and trees lining the road, half are busted already. How much more damage will you cause this winter with your plow? Nice snow job!
Ya, give this recommendation to the board at the next meeting. Clear the sidewalks more than once during a storm. I came home from work walking through 6 inches of snow in $150.00 shoes.
First. What were you doing out by a bus stop alone after your kid went to school.
Second. Why did you not wait with the kid for the school bus.
Third. Why would you take a kid to your house for beverages when she was waiting for the school bus.
Fourth. Your reputation is ruined; what kind of person does what you did and want us to believe you. Grab a kid tell then your their new grandmother and take them to your house. Get real.
Your as jerkie as they get. What kind of jerk wears $ 150.00 shoes to work when they know it is going to snow. This is the country. It is now 9PM and Hudson Valley has done an excellent job of cleaning around here.
Wear boots to work when it is going to snow and get real.
167 comments:
Initially, board members thought it a good idea . . . but unfortunately, my suggestion was coincidental with the siding/roofing project in Condo 1. All the focus went there. At the same meeting, I presented a bag of 250 roofing nails that had not been cleaned up from the driveway--and complained about a "near miss" (falling debris). The Board told me emphatically, that we should know we were living in a "construction zone" and I (!) should be more careful. With no support from the "peanut gallery", I left the nails and went home--the last meeting I ever attended.
Funny stuff!
I wrote a letter with photos and bills attached to the HOA in regard to the 8 flat tires me, the wife and daughter got while they were doing my roof. My neighbors dog got a nail in her paw. They did nothing, never responded, and ignored the situation. Not to mention that the ceiling in my neighbors house never leaked before the "NEW" roof and now it pours out of the light socket. They haven't responded yet and we are going on 6 weeks.
Similar thing with water happened to me a few years back, it wound up being a hole in my roof. To add insult to injury, it was leaking in from the gutter area too. You should push the issue like I did. Before you know it, weeks later you have a walls full of mold.
Hey Kellly,
Been away for a week. Hope you didn't give up on your probing efforts! Have you uncovered anything else? Monetary infractions aren't something that should be swept under the rug.
We need to collectively pursue this as a community rather than on an individual effort. It's the only way I see us getting the answers we need
Jim
I have lived in my Condo for 5 years, and this past year, even though they keep raising our maintenance fees every year, they seem to keep doing less and less maintenance on the buildings & grounds. By no means am I accusing anyone of wrong doing but it would be nice to see where and how much money is being spent on maintenance. A breakdown would be nice to set my mind at ease.
Good Morning-
Sorry to be absent for a while -
Anyway, I did get copies of recent financals for both the HOA and Condo III. I called the office and asked for them - they claim that they felt the expense to distribute them was a waste since most people threw them away and supposedly, only one person has asked for a set in the last year (probably because they were either buying or selling their unit and the lender asked for them). My guess is that no one received a notice that they were available for pick up.
At any rate, they were about as useful as a water pistol against a forest fire without any back up documentation. They are certified by a CPA, but I don't see variances and explanations for certain increases. We should see about being able to access AP files and related documents (you can all stop laughing now). I need to revisit the By-Laws and see what the next step needs to be.
I have a suggestion for those of you who experinced problems with the roofing situation. I would contact the roofer directly and ask for reimbursement (it is possible they will assist you) or notify the Board that it is ther responsibility to control their contractors who are causing a hazardous situation and they need to reimburse you for your expenses (replacement tires and vet bills) or you will deduct the expenditures from your commons charges. They can recover the money from the roofing company - all THEY have to do is tell them they caused the damage (it doesn't rain roofing nails). The same would be the case for interior damages cause by a replaced roof that leaks.
I have a question. Garage doors. When we purchased our unit last year, it was noted as part of the "final inspection" that the garage door needs replacement. It is an old door, but it is structutally sound and works fine. As a matter of fact, it looks a lot less worse than some of the other doors in our section (of 24 doors I believe 4 are replaced and the balance are old and in varied condition). I have now received a letter from the board "ordering" me to advise them of the date for the replacement. I do not intend on replacing the door until it is necessary (aside from the fact I don't have $1200 laying around with nothing to do). Has anyone come up against this situation? Any suggestions?
What is the amount of our Reserve Fund set aside for each group of units?
My interpretation is that the reserve fund is set up by the condominium corporation to cover major repairs and upgrades to the building, including items such as the roof, grounds, parking lot, etc. A portion of each common expense payment goes to the Reserve Fund.
How much are we paying into the so-called "reserve fund" that doesn't seem to exist? I say this because every time something needs to be done, my common charges will increase.
If this does exist, why don't we get a statement from the board detailing how much is appropriated & what interest bearing investments they have the money in.
Excellent point. My guess would be that there isn't one (at least for Condo III) because we are being subjected to a $20/month increase for paving repairs. I don't understand why this wasn't budgeted.
I think another avenue to investigate, in addition to the reserve fund is who drafts the budgets? And why are maintenance items that should be no suprise (such as much needed paving repairs) are treated as such and then we are subjected to increases.
Are you aware that pursuant to Section 5 (Powers), item 12 of the Condo III By-Laws, it states that "...The Board of Managers may make additions, alterations or improvements to the common elements costing in excess if $5,000.00 only with the approval of a majority of the Home Owners.".
Has anyone ever received any type of notice from their respective Board of Managers advising of needed repairs and the requirement of a quorum to be able to initiate these repairs?
Is there any type of resident representatives that currently interact with the board? This would be an easy way to level out the playing field.
Kelly,
There should be more neighbors like you in our community.
Thanks, M. I am flattered.
Perhaps we can use this forum to establish some type of "Resident Advocate" for each of the condo's to interact with the board and try to get our voices heard. It may be a less intimidating or confrontational way to allow condo residents to meet and air grievences, and concrens and come up with a way these items can be addressed to each of the condo BOM's. Another thing is that it could be an idea exchange where people can present situations and get some constructive advise from neighbors. Since we are broken up indo 4 different condos, perhaps looking at the individual groups issues may be a small step in working some larger problems.
Good point about the reserve funds. I would like to know more. I think it is pathetic that we are paying into something we know nothing about. I have lived here for 8 years, like most others, I couldn't tell you anything about it.
Good Stuff Kelly!
You said...
"Perhaps we can use this forum to establish some type of "Resident Advocate" for each of the condo's to interact with the board and try to get our voices heard. It may be a less intimidating or confrontational way to allow condo residents to meet and air grievences, and concrens and come up with a way these items can be addressed to each of the condo BOM's. Another thing is that it could be an idea exchange where people can present situations and get some constructive advise from neighbors. Since we are broken up indo 4 different condos, perhaps looking at the individual groups issues may be a small step in working some larger problems."
Hi Kelly,
Thank you for your fabulous "information exchange" suggestion. We are working on creating a separate area that will segregate comments into the 4 zones(Condo I,II,III,IV). By doing this, it will allow for more detailed question for your specific location.
We will have the additional page up shortly.
Thank You,
The Boss
Keep your suggestions & comments coming!
Morning Boss!
Thank you - and I think your extension of this site to allow such an exchange is awesome.
I've done property management from both a commercial and residential standpoint and believe that an interactive Property Management entity is necessary. I suppose until such time arises that we can gather our resources and get someone profession on board, we need to use each other and tap our collective resources.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Hey Boss-
Looks amazing- damn you work fast!
Wish we had a bottle of champagne to christen it!!
Well, it seems that we have a lot of people who live in this development that have a lot to complain about, but when push comes to shove and action is suggested, suddenly there not a soul to be heard.
Is it that most of the people who visit this site and contribute are merely here to badmouth board members and just complain for the sake of complaining? Or is it that those who complain and not want to do anything about the issues are content with being miserable?
I know everyone is busy, but I think that at the very least, those who spew the most venom should be the ones most anxious to get involved and try to do something about the mismanagement and corruption that they alledge is taking place. Or, is it just that since you have left the Board to do as they please and run this place into the ground, you are willing to let others fight the battle and you will merely criticize?
Dave said it best - people at WH seem to have Keyboard Courage. Lots to say when you can hide behind being anonymous, but no one is willing to stand up and be seen and heard when you have to come out of hiding.
Very sad..............
I think what the HOA told you speaks volumes....
"Only 1 person out of 600+ picked up a copy of the financials in the past year"
Seems as if it's back to all for 1 and 1 for all.
It is sad...but I will continue to stand up for what I believe.
From what I understand we have a "great" number of individuals who haven't paid their HOA monthly fees in many, many, many months. I believe someone somewhere was $8,000 in the rears..allegedly. I can easily become one of those people if I don't get what I believe it due to me as an owner.
I did it before and I will do it again....don't fix this, don't correct that (as it pertains to my individual unit) and I will take it out of my HOA fee. Cut off my cable and I'll get a dish, put a lean on my home....no problem...I'm not selling it.
$8,000 in arrears? That's YEARS woth of HOA fees!
Absurd. I hope all of you who pay on time enjoy giving your deadbeat neighbors a free ride. THIS is a perfect example as to why your HOA fees keep going up - unenforced late fees and delinquencies.
Right - we don't need an outside managing agent - there's no problem here...............
I just think it's crazy that everyone just pays the fee without questioning where the $ is going. As far as the balance sheet, they were sent out on an annual basis for years. My guess is that people like myself didn't know that they were discontinuing the correspondence.
Great communication!
They thought no one was reading them is a pretty lame excuse for not sending them. What are they doing trying to cut costs?
Yes, M. That is the supposed reason. I think they went a bit overboard, because apparently in their manic quest to cut costs, they also eliminated the notice to the residents advising the finanical statements were available for pick up.
I did recive a set after inquiring, and basically without the back up, the balance sheet is useless. I plan on making a request to review the books myself. What they send out is simply unacceptable.
Which Condo do you live in?
The new construction by the old hyde and skin is ridiculous! I moved up here from Rockland County a few years back to get away from this sort of crap. It is an eyesore and it will create total havoc once the proposed Lows opens next year. Who approved this? Did the town have a vote on this or did thy just decide, "Hey, lets open a Lows and completely screw up the area?
It probably was approved by the town.
Did you consider that we may be looking at a tax reduction?
At least we won't have an eyesore to look at any longer. That tannery made the area look like crap. Besides, the entrance will be off 94, as I understand it.
"May be looking at a tax deduction"
Do you know this for sure? If so, humor me as to the % my taxes will be reduced! It's defiantly not worth the noise pollution alone it will cause. The Hyde and Skin was part of the landscape, this thing is going to be the first thing you see entering and exiting Whispering Hills. A big eyesore!!
They should have been opposed to building the industrial park & this project. Whats next a 20 story building? Where does it end?
There is absolutely no place for something as large as a Lows in our backyard. Period!
"May" means possible. If you want definite answers, talk to the town. I was only offering a constructive response, which seems to be contrary to all the whining and complaining that takes place on this site.
It's called expressing feelings toward my investment, it has nothing to do with whining. Why make the comment to begin with if you don't have the appropriate answer. Secondly, I can care less about a small reduction in taxes. It's the preservation of the area we should be concerned about.
The war is in Iraq, not here. Again, I am raising a concern. This is not an argument. Quit being so defensive. Please check your confrontational attitude. There is no place for it here.
Are you guys serious when you said that residents owe back fees to the tune of 8k? Before I go any further, if so, is there confirmation on this figure?
If more of the concerns were taken care of to begin with, the overall attitude would be more positive. It's like cancer, if you catch it early enough, you can treat it. The problem is, every topic of concern has a "complainer" lable attached to it. Meanwhile if the damn place took the time out to address issues, in some cases years ago, we could be talking about how peachy keen everything is.
I'll say it again, I'm concerned about management, the grounds, and "the residential element". The individuals that sit on the board are responsible for making sure this happens. If they can't do the job, or think otherwise, you shouldn't have taken the position. Then you wonder why people question the integrity of management. Don't send me a juiced up activity flyer with my bill to make it seem like everything is ok. Because it's not! The few activities they provide don't account for the significant deterioration of management and property conditions.
It's time to stop the bleeding and start the healing people!
If everyone here is so concerned, then let your name be seen and get involved.
"I'm concerned about management, the grounds, and "the residential element". The individuals that sit on the board are responsible for making sure this happens. If they can't do the job, or think otherwise, you shouldn't have taken the position. Then you wonder why people question the integrity of management. Don't send me a juiced up activity flyer with my bill to make it seem like everything is ok. Because it's not! The few activities they provide don't account for the significant deterioration of management and property conditions."
Who are you? Which condo are you in? Your posting is in the spirit of what we want to go up against. If you are concerned, then please by all means, get on board - the more concerned residents we have, the better.
I'm willing to invest the time. One of two possible results can come of our making some serious inquiries and some investigating. The first is we will find that all is well and the allegations of mismanagement and corruption are unfounded and the Board is just "misunderstood". The other result is that these people clearly do not know what they are doing and are mismanaging our investments right into the ground.
Bottom line, complaining and ripping our neighbors apart will not do a thing. We need people to be involved, people to question the Board's actions (or in the case of uncollected delinquincies, nonaction). You don;t have to make this a full time job, there are enough residents here that if everybody kicked in a little, we can really make a difference.
Did I miss something here? If I'm not mistaken, our fees are suppose to take care of these things. I too, don't agree that we should have residents run a complex of this size therefore I would never have a desire to hold a position.
What are the board members qualifications to manage our complex? When you break it down, I'm sure 1/2 barely have a high school education. Are these so called "board members" educated in landscaping, negotiation or finance? My guess is a big fat no! Uneducated people running a million(s) dollar business isn't very sensible. So lets talk about the ROOT of the problem first and everything else will slowly correct itself.
Mismanagement is our worst enemy and unfortunately its happening here. Lets look at the background of who we are electing to these positions. Speculation only, I feel we will be very enlightened as to why there are serious problems occurring on a daily basis!
Uneducated hierarchy. Keep that in mind next time you question something.
Looking into their backgrounds was something we had the opportunity to do when they held the elections.
An educated person would ask those exact questions you pose BEFORE a Board memener was elected. Too little, too late. We are now stuck with them until their terms run out or if we can "dethrone" them and bring in a third party management company.
If we had a third party professionally managing this complex, we would be albe to relegate the Board to major (educated)decision making as opposed to their half-assed attempt at day to day operations. A professional company would do all the necessary legwork (collect bids, assess repairs recommend the best and most cost effective way to resolve repairs). The Board would just have to approve what is proposed - not initiate the entire process.
A managing agent would also be able to more aggressively collect on arrears. I have a sneaking suspicion that in addition to limited resources to for forcing delinquent residents to pay up, those in arrears are selectively targeted for collection.
At any rate, we need to stop talking and do something.
Again- who is willing to get involved?
apparantly no one is.
I have VERY different feelings on the Lowes. I am FOR the Lowes, I am for the Indistrial Park, I am for Hotels, I am for Strip Malls, I am for Restaurants, and I am for BUSINESS....WHY you ask?
This kind of development while YES it bring a bit of congestion...it brings MONEY !
Every neighborhood I have ever lived in and any neighbor hood I have opened a hotel in, a restaurant in has benefited from such development.
I have developed hotels, high rises, and condos with my years wat Marriott and now with a private investment firm that builds hotels.
All this brings people...with people comes higher home prices and lower taxes. With more people come better schools, police, EMS, and on...on...on and on.
Enough of the crappy movie theatre, the broken down buildings and the falling structures.
Chester is no longer the FAR away place from Northern NJ or NYC is used to be. we are in the backyard to it all.
Look at Woodbury and the Target, the Outback, the new fast food and strip mall. Look behind KOHL's and you will see a 200 room Hampton Inn being built.
Wait until you see what is going in front of the Holiday Inn Express next door to us. Call the planning board and they will tell you.
Now that Camp LaGuardia is closed...let's get our home prices up to $300K, $350K. Now that most of the original owners that bought these units at $75K back in the 80's are moving out and being replaced with $200K+ owners.
Build...Build...Build...build on it all !!!!
Look at Middletown....Hampton Inn, Courtyard, and now a Microtel and a Comfort Inn and Suites. Next year we are getting a Cambria Suites, Residence Inn, and one other hotel that is still confidential.
Why all these hotels....??????????
Because BIG BUSINESS is coming....that's why there are so many hotels being built ! Those owners want to be the first to take the land before someone else does.
Someone asked why weren't we asked about the LOWES. Because at the end of the day no one really cares what we think. Chester is making out like a FAT PIG on this deal and they should !
You all hate the idea...bet you shop there?
Oh...the tannery was a part of the landscape..HUH...funny.
Answer this question...How many weeks/months was the Environmental Soil Remediation Equipment on site? Almost 3 months. Why? Because there was SO much chemical, animal waste, animal parts in the ground you would be sick if you knew exactly what was going on. Why were the people wearing NASA SPACE SUITS on that property for 3 months? Because that shit will kill you. AND it's was in OUR ground water.
Now my fingers hurt...
But again I say....build away !
Give the kids that roam the streets of WH a place to work, a place to have fun.
10 years from now....Chester will be the next Paramus !
P.S. Cheapest condo near Paramus is in Mahwah...$700,000 today. When I went to go buy that same condo back in 2002 it was $399,000.
I want to have an 80% return on my home !
David,
Seriously informative post. I'm blown away. I'm speechless.
Question? Why are they building 3 hotels here. Why would this be a town where people would want to stay. Are they building an attraction or something? A casino in Chester would be nice.
All kidding aside, do you know if they have any other larger plans in store for the area. After reading your post, I had a complete change of mind toward the new additions. What you are saying makes complete sense in terms of progression.
Another concern though, area farming. Say goodbye to local farms.
Kelly
I see your name all over this blotter. Board members don't get paid and board presidents don't work for you. They are individuals just like you trying their best to help this community. Therefore why aren't you on one of these boards instead of all over the blotter.
Personally I think the women in the clubhouse are doing a fine job.
For those who don't pay their common charges because they don't get what they want. They are big babbies.
For those who think the town has to report to them or ask for feed back. I say to you to a town board meeting.
Somewhere down the line the people who post here need a reality check.
Amazing post Dave. And for some who read this site, a slap in the face called reality.
As for you "Anonymous" who isn't afraid to post a comment with snide remarks directed at me, but are apparently afraid to use your name, when the Board elections were in progress, I had just recently moved in. I wanted to get a feel for how this place was run and gather some insight as to how this complex is run and what the neighborhood perception is of how the Board represents the community. I have nearly 20 years in Real Estate and Property Management and know full well the type of nonsense that ensues when a Board is involved. OTHER PERSONAL REASONS THAT I DO NOT FEEL I HAVE TO JUSTIFY have prevented me from getting more involved until now.
So, Mr. "Anonymous", as you stated "Board members don't get paid and board presidents don't work for you. They are individuals just like you trying their best to help this community." You are 100% wrong. By taking on the Board position, the Board in fact does work for me when it comes to maintaining the common areas of the property and managing the financial dealings of WH. If a Property Management company was hired, they would work for us, so your perception of the Board not working for any of the owners here is seriously misguided.
"Personally I think the women in the clubhouse are doing a fine job". As do I - I never made a negative remark about them and have had nothing bu pleasant dealings with them. Its the people they report to that I have the problem with. Oh, and it states inthe By-Laws that Board members are not to receive payment - funny thing is that a majority of people here believe otherwise - especially when it comes to certain board members that perform PAID maintenance at WH. Don;t you think that represents a conflict of interest and that particular Board memeber should choose whether he will be a maintenanc eperson or a board member - NOT BOTH.
"For those who don't pay their common charges because they don't get what they want. They are big babbies." Did you ever think that maybe these people have had roof leaks and damage done to their units and received no assistance from the Board? Or perhaps they collected over 250 roofing nails and paid to relace multiple blown out tires on their cars and again, received no assistance from the Board. Maybe that is the only recourse they had to receive some type of deserved action. Every case of delinquency is not as it may seem.
For your information, I am trying to get involved. I want to use what is within my rights as a resident to make sure the Board is working for me to the best of their ability. This site is a first step - I cannot do it alone. I am more than willing to work with others and hear different view points and concerns, which is why I am asking people who care to step up and get involved, too. Maybe some day I will try to get on the Board, but at this point in time I do not wish to jump aboard a train out of control heading for a cliff.
The farms will always be here....just less of them. No different than NJ, PA, or Long Island. It's evolution folks...natural evolution. Do I know things....yes and no. I do know more than the average person because I have the knowledge of where to look. Everyone has access to public records.
Or this... http://fwdodge.com/
Her is what I do know....
I have been in the hotel building business for 15 years. You build hotels on a promise of "MORE TO COME" You tell me why we need a Microtel (New - Middletown), Courtyard (Middletown), Hampton (Middletown), Comfort Inn (Middletown), Hampton Inn (Woodbury), Holiday Inn, (Middletown) and a Holiday Inn Express (Chester)all in a 5 -7 mile radius. Because more is coming. I know there is a 15 screen metroplex proposed next to the Target in Woodbury. I know there are 3 more hotels coming to our general area.
They are coming for a reason. people build hotels based on an agreement that "this' or "that" is coming.
Did you all know that over by gatehouse #1 over the tree line up the hill where they are building those new houses. They had approval to build 200 homes there. Because of the turndown in RE....they have scaled it back to 30-ish homes.
I knew about the Lowes almost 2 years ago.
Mark these words....
We will have more mini-strip malls, another grocery store, another movie theatre, and many more chain restaurants coming in our back yard. Specifically on all that old broken down land on 17M toward Middletown. All that land will be developed.
The Lowes is the first to come and is setting the stage for it all.
Someone asked why is this a town where people want to stay...
It's simple....VERY VERY convienient to Northern, NJ, NYC, Trains, Buses, 287, 87, 84...Mass, RI, and PA.
I commute 1.25 hours to and 1.25 hours from work daily...WHY?
Because I could have a $4,000 mortgage payment and have that $700K condo in Mahway, Wayne, Leonia, Paramus, or Saddle River. Instead I choose to buy a $178K condo just as big and nice in Chester, NY. The drive to all those places I just mentioned is less than 1 hour away. I'll retire 15 years earlier and drive a bit more now while I am young. Pretty fair trade.
I love this place...I really do. Look at my unit...I trim my little section of bushes my self because I want a small green thumb from time to time...I was actually going to buy a lawn mower to mow my 8X8 square of grass because I missed mowing and that fresh grass smell.
But one thing I can't stand (and maybe it's the cheap JEW in me) I can't stand paying into something and feeling like I am being had and watching things get fixed to only be destroyed immediately after. (Dumpsters houses, privacy fences, garages that get flooded, roofs that leak...etc)
People...we need a professional condo management company. We take in $2 million dollars per year.
You people probably make $50K per year and up....why do you use a bank? Just let the the WH HOA hold your personal money. Deposit it with these unqualified, un-licensed, un-trained people. Why not? You are doing it already...that is what you are missing. We are already doing it. To the tune of $180,000 per month. We are GIVING $180,000 per month to everyday people. I am sure good people, I am sure professional in their own areas of expertise. Running a $2 million dollar a year complex with 600 units and OVER $2 million dollars in expense is NOT their area of expertise.
Next time you need an oil change for your car....bring it to your dentist and see what he/she says.
Why afraid to post your name?
Kelly
I see your name all over this blotter. Board members don't get paid and board presidents don't work for you. They are individuals just like you trying their best to help this community. Therefore why aren't you on one of these boards instead of all over the blotter.
Personally I think the women in the clubhouse are doing a fine job.
For those who don't pay their common charges because they don't get what they want. They are big babbies.
For those who think the town has to report to them or ask for feed back. I say to you to a town board meeting.
Somewhere down the line the people who post here need a reality check.
No doubt the anonymous poster are affiliated with WH. It would be nice if they crawled out from under their rock rather than hide behind anonymous and actually added positive feedback.
Jeff Jones, is that you?
The way you went off weeping a few months ago would explain the little digs here and there. The one that needs the reality check is you and your posse. Until you and your fellow cronies realize there are real inefficiencies here, nothing will ever change. It's not about Kelly, David, Myself or anyone else contributing more to the system. It's about you guys getting organized and realizing that residents are not happy with the current complacent pompous attitude. It's not how hard you guys work for Whispering Hills & the community, it's how smart you work that makes an impact.
Jim
Well put, neighbor.
Again, I ask - who wants to get involved? Who has concerns? Who wants to envoke their right to question the activities of the Board?
All it takes is a response of "I care and want to help" and a name (first name is fine) and a Condo number. This is not going to be a commitment like being on the Board, it's a group discussion - face to face amongst neighbors who have the same concerns as some of us do.
This property is a great thing - it's in a prime location and if properly managed and maintained will flourish and become a stable and beautiful place to live.
Do any of you seriously believe that if HOA fees keep going up and maintenance quality deteriorates that anyone selling their unit will be able to get a fair price for it? There are so many things out of our control in this world (fuel prices, cost of living, etc.) that we have an oppotunity to take some control of our corner of the world and make sure it is being taken care of to our satisfaction.
The Board CANNOT handle a complex this size and a financial structure this involved. We need professional help and need to relegate the Board to tasks that are more suitable for people who "want to help the community" but clearly have no practical experience managing a complex of this magnitude.
So, who wants to get involved?
P.S. Thanks, Jim!
As far as back HOA fees that the deadbeats owe,is a lien the only solution or can they take these selfish morons to court for a more immediate action. I talked to my wife last evening and filled here in on what was going on here. She and myself couldn't believe that they would allow residents to become that delinquent.
My solution would be to impliment a credit card swiping device that would operate identically to the ones used in store.
Don't pay your bills, we shut you off.
Patrol the walking paths and tennis courts and make sure thoes people are carriend proper ID.
If they are listed as a deadbeat, leave.
If you don't pay you don't play!
The way you make people keep current is to embarrass them in front of their neighbors.
Another thing, they should ban the dish from this place! The look terrible & is a serious loophole in an already flawed system! It's sad to say that the only way to get people to pay their fees is to shut their cable off. Since this is not currently working I ask ALL Board Members......WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING ABOUT THIS????? Am I going to have to attend a meeting to get the answer.
Sorry, you guys are the ones that need to figure this one out. Your little board meeting isn't going to solve this problem! Again I ask.....How is this PROBLEM going to be corrected.
This is not a gripe, it's me genuinely being pissed off about the $. It's disgusting! The culprit is the smoke and mirror ploy we fall into every time they tell us they are taking action.
Please, please, please ...
Please use your name when you post! Your response is EXACTLY what we want to hear! Your feelings on the matter are exactly as they should be - pissed off about this.
Some of us pay increases for services, which in reality is that we are taking up the slack for those who do not pay their commons charges.
I agree- publishing the names of the unit owners in arrears is a BRILLIANT idea. It would bring a lot of issues to the surface- such as are they truly a deadbeat or, are they withholding HOA fees because they have unresolved mainteance issues? This would probably force residents to pay up or embarrass the Board into taking appropriate action.
Kelly,
What is your plan of action? I am interested in the "Clean up Whispering Hills" campaign. I'd rather not give my unit out (Condo IV). We need to set up a centralized meeting place for anyone that is interested.
Information is priceless.
It's not that Residents don't care is that they are not informed. I know I didn't realize the magnitude of the situation before I started reading this blog.
Steve
Condo IV
p.s. I called the HOA this morning requesting more info on the current Condo IV roofing project and the financial statement. Should be interesting, I'll post my findings.
I care and I want to help.
David Krauthamer
Condo II
The dish issue is a DEAD issue. The Gov't & the FCC has written it into law allowing people to put up dishes ANYWHERE as long as it follows the guidlines of local placement. BUT...they MUST, by law allow placement, somewhere.
Hi Steve, thanks for giving your name.
We don't have a plan yet. My thought was a meeting to hash out our issues and then decide collectively on a plan of action. This way, we ar all in agreement on what we are doing and will have an agreed upon course of action to pursue. The only thought I did have was that we break off into groups and start by investigating our own individual Condos. Other than that, I assume our findings and meetings will set their own corse of action.
I'm all for any suggestions and plans and concerns. It seems that the common denominator here is that the Board is non-responsive and people are tired of being in the dark about what is going on.
So far, we have one rep from Condos 2,3 and 4 (out of 670 units - very sad) but it is a start.
Someone suggest a meeting place and time (perhaps GW Tavern at the Bowling Alley? - neutral and casual -something along those lines)
The board members need to understand that we desire to form this action NOT because they are bad people not doing a good job we are forming this action because they are good people WAY over their heads with the size of this job and it shows in more ways than one.
They DO work for us (just as your bank, financial planner, and accountant does) and having donated time and volunteers just isn't good enough anymore.
The part that concerns me is when people get so offended and rally SUCH support to deny the rights of the people to meet, get information, and get NEW people involved and continue to post that "WE ARE OUT OF LINE" anonymously really makes me wonder if something illegal is going on under the sheets.
But for the record...I don't think that !
Don't you guys think that since the area is expanding rapidly, our complex should grow along with it?
Fixing the pool isn't what I'm talking about.
Actual features and additions to increase value and desirability. With the jump in industry there will come more housing. What sets Whispering Hills apart from a brand new complex that is put up around the corner?
Where is the progression? Not too much has changed in the prior 8 years I have lived here (except my HOA fees).
Steve
Condo IV
Right now, I would like to start small by stopping any further increases and steeping up the quality of the maintenance here.
I do agree that we need to keep up with the times and increase value and desirability, but we need to stabilize first.
Read the article under the news section. Ironically it brings up some of the topics we are speaking about within Chester.
Great post in the NEWS section....AND...doesn't this sound all TOO familiar:
"Neuhaus, Jamieson, and Wensley have been running against what they call the “good old boy network,” playing up their youth and energy against a tired establishment that has held on to power for far too long."
Good old boys network....
What did Kelly say a while back about related board members...board members that do contract work here....people that have been on the board for 10+ 20+ years?
Sounds like an "Old Boys Club" to me.
Wait until you guys hear what is being proposed for the OLD Camp LaGuardia site. You want to talk about traffic?
How about Stewart "International" Airport and major airlines moving in and additional terminals and gates being built.
You think that Hilton is almost finished with a 200 room Homewood Suites RIGHT ON THE AIRPORT PROPERTY is a FLUKE.
NO WAY !
Promises were made !!!!!!!
OK folks...(READ ON)
Anyone that is interested in meeting this FRIDAY at Rhodes Tavern in Sloatsburg is invited.
Nothing heavy....just a "Hello, how the hell are ya" type of deal.
Plus the food is amazing and the beer is COLD !
Kelly I believe is on board, I will be there and hopefully you.
I will be at the bar, somewhere.
Give me a ring (845)321-2773 or stop by my place #2819 so we can connect. I'll be home all evening with the door open watching Colorado kick Bostons ASS.
www.rhodesnorth.com
Hope to see you there.
Say....6:30-ish? I'll be there at 5:30.
Rhodes Bar
Sounds just like your style.
Drink a couple of beers, complain and get nothing done. Can't wait unitl Friday to see how many people show up.
Have fun and watch Boston
win the World Series
I'm in. Sounds like a good casual way to start.
"Rhodes Bar
Sounds just like your style.
Drink a couple of beers, complain and get nothing done. Can't wait unitl Friday to see how many people show up."
So will you be there? The one with the scowl?
Rhodes Tavern....and it's EXACTLY my style.
There is no plan to get anything done except to put a face to a name and meet a neighbor.
Complainers not welcome. People with ideas and support for others are.
Personally, I am fine being there by myself but hope a few show.
As for the anonymous person(s)...come on out...no one here bites. We would love to meet you.
OR...continue behind your 13 inch monitor. We understand your fears.
Agreed. Stay home, be miserable, throw your money away and continue to spew your venom on a blog site instead of making an effort to do something.
It's people like you that put the Board in their Ivory Tower and allow the present situation to continue. It's people like us that will make a concerted effort to try to better the situation and improve the quality of life at WH, even for those of you who have done NOTHING but shoot down anyone who has had a constructive thought or opinion.
People like you are worse than the Board, who for all we know may have good intentions. All you do is convey negativity and misery.
Do not entertain negativity, thats just what he/she wants (it's a ploy). They figure if they get you down to their level and provoke an argument that it discredits everything we are trying to do here. Next thing he/she will mention is the negative environment etc. Been there, seen it, it isn't working anymore.
Judging by anonymous last comment about the baseball game clearly indicates that someone is trying to get under your skin.
Do not fall into Mr. or Ms. board member cancerous web.
Jim,
You are 100% correct...and you and I both know Colorado's gonna' win :)
Honestly...nothing get's under my skin. This life is too short to let anyone take a minute of happiness away.
Thanks for keeping me in check though. I appreciate it.
Hope to see you at Rhodes Friday !
Dave
Not under my skin. I don't like baseball - I'm a Ranger fan. Sadly, we have our own problems to contend with right now. The World Series is as far from my thoughts as could be!
I normally wouldn't take the time to respond, but I would like those who oppose to know that I am not deterred, intimidated or dismayed by the BS they choose to post and others shouldn't be either. Even if you are remotely curious and don't want to get involved, please come and see what the conversation between neighbors yields.
Hope to see all of those with POSITIVE attitudes there on Friday!!
Hey Boss-
I came across a site under construction that said "future home of the Whispering Hills Blog" and had a link to bring me back to the site we all currently use.
If you have intentions of moving the site, I wanted to ask if you could set up a posting area that we could use, but that you had to sign up for and log in to use so that there are NO anonymous postings. You can keep the same forum for those who just want to beat each other up and get nothing done, but for those of us who are on a mission, we should be able to communicate like responsible adults who can handle using our names when voicing opinions, perhaps in a separate area in addition to the general posting area.
Is something like that at all possible?
Hi Residents,
We were waiting to publish plans for our new site we are constructing but apparently Kelly stumbled upon our "construction page" for our new site location.
Now that the proverbial cat is out of the bag, WHB will be informing our Community over the coming months of new events & feature that we will be implementing in our new design. Some new elements will include a membership process, log in/out & more comprehensive navigational ability.
Any suggestion or additions would be greatly appreciated & should be emailed to Whisperinghillsblog@yahoo.com.
Thank You,
The Boss
Yeah Boss...I have a suggestion.
Don't tell Kelly when you are planning a suprise party :)
NBL = Nothing but love !
Dave
Oops! Sorry!
At least you know I'm on board!
Hope to meet some new folks tonight.
www.rhodesnorth.com
Dave
845-321-2773
How did the meeting go last night?
It wasn't a meeting that we were having it was a "get to know you" and it went pretty well.
I was suprised to see as many show that did.
Thanks to all tha came and looking forward to seeing you soon.
Dave
That it did- it was very enlightening.
Have enough encouragement to go to the next level.
Stay tuned............
OPEN CONDO MEETINGS ARE SCHEDULED FOR THIS MONTH.
ATTEND THEM!! QUESTION THE BOARD'S ACTIONS!! DON'T LEAVE YOUR INVESTMENT'S FINANCIAL FUTURE IN SOMEONE ELSE'S HANDS!!!
Lame garage sale, the dumpster is littered with crap people didn't sell. Good try, unfortunately people can't play by the rules. Whats the problem with following instructions, we are all adults here?
Have not been here for a while, what happened? All talk no action again? How is the "BIG" investigation going? Another one bites the dust!
To Anonymous-
Been to any Board meetings yet? Plan on going to any? Any other involvement on your part other than spreading discontent and misery?
Things take time to look into and investigate. It takes time and for those of us who WORK for a living, it needs to fit in to the small amount of free time we have to manage a situation that is being mismanaged by a Board who apparently has ample time on their hands.
People like you should disconnect your computers and live in discontentment all alone instead of infecting everyone else with your spiteful and mean comments.
I will be at the Condo III meeting this Saturday and will NOT be afraid to speak my mind, or let anyone know who I am, unlike yourself. At least those of us who care are TRYING to make a difference. Why don't you TRY to be a decent person?
Oh, and that is my opinion and I am entitled to it.
I was all set for the Condo II meeting this past Monday. I believe we were notified 2 weeks prior to the meeting date. Paid $150 to change my plane ticket (had a ticket to travel for work) cost me 1 night in the hotel to cancel and to top off the cake I get a letter on SATURDAY that it was cancelled. So now I had to re-reserve the hotel and pay another $150 to change my flight back again. Nice to get a 48 hour notice via a letter in the mail. The letter arrived on Saturday... if I didn't get my mail on Saturday I would have been really pissed.
Question...if we had a professional company running our 2 million dollar a year business would this be happening? I don't think so.
So my attempt to make a meeting has already cost me $500 bucks.
What a joke.
Dave
Doubt it was very unlikely that you changed your plane ticket. Can you post proof. If you can't then keep your mouth shut
Who am I posting it for? I don't kowtow for an anonymous person. I'll make you a deal....come out from behind the bushes, come to my front door and if I produce 3 bill's that total "exactly" $487.32 then you will pay it? First I want your name then I want people to witness the agreement THEN you pay me back?
DEAL ?
Seems as if someone is upset that the meeting was cancelled and they think it was cancelled for a legitimate reason. I am sorry someone (and I know EXACTLY who you are) got sick in your family and the meeting had to be cancelled....but the REALITY is a 2 million dollar corporation doesn't cease to do "BUSINESS" because someone got sick..."IT" moves on because there is an "ORGANIZATION" backing it.
As for keeping my mouth "shut" last I checked there is a freedom of speech in this country and I plan to exercise my right. If you feel the need to crawl out from behind your keyboard....my unit number is #2819. If you have the need to make threats....at least do it to my face.
Boy, you "Anonymous" people are a real piece of work. Are you all cut from the same pathetic cloth? How dare you say something like that! That is not an opinion - it is just a blatantly rude and obnoxious remark with absolutely no point behind it other than to be a jackass.
Regardless of how much Dave had to lay out to rearrange his schedule to attend the now cancelled meeting, the material point is that the meeting was cancelled with 48 hours notice, because 1 person was sick. Is this a Board of One?
I agree - not acceptable. I don't think many companies cease to operate if one member of senior management fails to show up for work on a particular day.
Condo III meeting is tomorrow- this ought to be interesting.
Any of the "Anonymous" contingency plan on showing up? Will you be visibly present or will you be hiding behind the furniture?
Why was the meeting last Monday canceled? They made it very public weeks before. I agree with David, its ridiculous they would call it off last minute. Clearly part of the reason why there is such animosity and resentment. How much more unorganized can you be?
I don't know how or why things got this far out of control.
Kelly,
I can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve. It's refreshing to see someone take charge.
Jim, Condo I
What is one person going to do? It seems pointless to bring a knife to a gunfight! That is exactly what is occurring. Do you actually think that things will change because a few residents don't thing the system is run up to snuff? What are you going to do, subpoena the entire board? Over the years there has been many who tried to change the system to no avail. What makes you any different?
To Everyone
Kelly & Dave
They don't know what they are talking about. Have them name one condo that has a management board that is doing exactly what they say.
There is my challange to you. Name me a management company that is doing an outstanding job in Orange County and the Condo they represent. If you can't then stop complaining and start heleping around here if your that interested that you would pay $ 500.00dollars to attend a board meeting.
Management Boards just suck up your money so Dave and Kelly put up some of your management boards names and we can all check them out.
Just another anonymous voice....
Jim,
The notice came on Saturday and said that the meeting was cancelled due to a board member family illness and I believe no reschedule date was set.
I actually threw it out in frustration.
Why does it have to be a company that manages a condo in OC ?
The last 2 places I lived had a condo management company and they did a fabulous job. They managed our money, made us feel VERY good at meetings, the mettings were attended by 80% of the homeowners (we actually had to move the meetings to a local school cafeteria because it grew so big) and it was a TRUE pleasure to go. Our voiced were heard, our suggestions were heard, and we were VERY informed as to exactly where our pennies were being spent. They had been managing the complex for over 15 years. I lived there for 5 years and my fees went like this:
(Monthly)
Year 1: $180
Year 2: $182
Year 3: $158
Year 4: $198*
New roof, Installed 8 dog walking areas, Poop stations, new garage doors, and we enlarged all the patios with designer brick.
Year 5: $165
YEAR 4: We the homeowners agreed to the $40 a month increase to get those items completed. They told us exactly how much it would cost (with possible run over) and they solicited 5 bids on each project then they got guaranteed bids and then went forward. It was a true pleasure.
I am 100% confident that if we had a professional MGT Co managing our $2 MILLION dollars...we would not have increases but actual decreases.
I don't think we even bid out the work here??
The column work, the balcony work, the patio work, the siding work are all done by the same person, that is a resident. Him being a resident is not the issue but when you see the same person soing the work....it leads people to think the we are not bidding the work out. Who knows....maybe we are bidding it out and he is the low bidder??? The problem is WE THE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW.
Knife to a gunfight - how funny and original! Think that one up all by yourself? How witty! Are you a MENSA member? Why don't you do us all a favor and please stop thinking so hard. We don't want to become intimidated by your overwhelming lack of common sense.
I attended the meeting Condo III this past Saturday. One gem that came about in the 2007 expense report was that $30,000 was spent replacing roofs that "blew off". For some unknown reason,this was NOT run through insurance, but through the operating budget.
I inquired as to why this was not an insurance claim and was basically looked at like I had 12 heads. Since we are obligated to insure the interior of our units to a certain limit, wouldn't it stand to reason that WH has to insure the STRUCTURE itself to cover something as basic and rudmentary as storm damage to the building?
I will follow up with more later, but thought I'd share that with the group. Although, I would imagine that the seriousness of that issue will sail over the heads of most (like Mr. Mensa), others will realize how clear cut a case of mismanagement this is, and the obvious need for a proper Managing Agent.
I didn't receive a notice that the board meeting was canceled! I noticed that condo 3 had a meeting this weekend, does anyone know when the meetings will proceed for the other areas?
Anyone attend the Condo 3 board meeting this weekend? I'm curious to see if anything surfaced and the overall general atmosphere.
M
Here is the deal
I am going over condo IV Ballance sheet.
In reference to the 3rd clause in the "notes" section. Labled "Future Major Repairs and Replacements"
I notice that we have a significant amount of money sitting in a reserve totaling $164,289 (as of Dec 2006) invested in separate interest bearing accounts.
It states and I quote " These funds are generally not available for operating purposes".
My question is why I'm paying significantly more in common charges for a new roof when there is a decent amount of money sitting in an account that apparently can't be touched.
My point....at least a portion of these funds should be used to absorb some of the financial obligation on the part of homeowners.
(As of this moment I don't know if they have already took a part of the for mentioned reserve and applied it in the manner I stated.)
To Anonymous to claims that Dave & I don't know what we're talking about:
First, I think you need an identity instead of "Anonymous" (mainly because there are so many of you chickens out there). You have a big mouth and an (undereducated) opinion to go along with it, so why not use your name? Any name? Coward works for me.
For your information, we do know what we are talking about. Our backgounds stem from Real Estate, Property Management,Development and Finance.
Just because we haven't had the scheduling flexibility to campaign and politic ourselves onto the various Boards, doesn't mean we don't care and doesn't discount our efforts to try to force to light any mismanagements that we see. This is afterall, our hard earned money being pissed away by a group of volunteers with minimal Property Management experience (if any at all).
Property Management contracts are formulated in a way that the client's needs are served (imagine that!!). Whispering Hills is a corporation that pulls in over $2,000,000.00 per year. Sorry, but I don't feel that a well intentioned group of volunteers can effectively manage a property this size, and a budget of that magnitude. Case in point, the Board's failure to properly address paving needs in Condo III, and the necessity to increase my monthly charge by $20 to cover the cost. I would have very happily gone without new mailboxes if it meant not having to pay an increase.
Anyway, Management Agreements are generally fee based, percentage based and sometimes incentive based. I am most familiar with contracts that pay the MA a percentage of the revenue collected per month (in the case of this complex, it would help bring current some of the arrears we hear so much about). Incentive based agreements mean that the MA would collect a percentage of the amount of money saved annually out of the operating budget (this would benefit us by having projects and services bid competetively). Fee based is self explained, and would have to be negotiated based on the needs of the property and the budgetary allowances.
A Professional Manageing Agent would also bring to the table experiences and resources that would ultimately benefit the corporation. Collection Departments, Construction Department, Legal Departments are just a few of the resources generally available within a large scale Property Management Company. At times, if one company manages multiple properties, we would benefit from being part of a national vendor list and be priveledged to discounted services because the PM company can offer a larger scale of work (multiple properties) as opposed to just the one housing development. The list goes on, but I'm sure some of you can see where this is heading. It's sometimes better to be (part of) the big fish in the small pond.
More open dialogues about how money is spent and budgets being formulated would be a by-product of a proper MA, instead of budgets and reports that appear to be generated via Microsoft Home Office. This would be the case because we would make it part of the scope of work required by a Managing Agent because the distribution of financial information is in a sad state here. Most notably Steve's entry about $164,289 (as of Dec 2006) invested in separate interest bearing accounts and "These funds are generally not available for operating purposes". What exactly is that? Why is the existence of this money not explained, yet commons charges go up?
Bottom line is we are an asset. We are part of a +$2,000,000.00 corporation and would be in a position to solicit a professional Property Management company to oversee day to day operations and leave the Board to a decision making capacity, not as acting Managing Agents. We would determine the scope of work for the MA, WE would determine how the fee would be based. Why is it that everyone perceives themselves as the hapless victim instead of the boss? We are not individual unit owners, we make up a multi million dollar corporation.
To respond directly to Coward, I do not have a list of Managing Agents readily available for you to shoot down, nor is it my responsibility to come up with one. Where did you live that you had a bad experience with a Management Board that "sucked up your money" and why is that such a difference to what is being done to us now? Since you have such wisdom to impart and apparantly a host of bad experiences to share with the rest of us, why don't YOU "put up some of your management boards names and we can all check them out" and be sure to avoid the same horrible mistakes you already made.
Kelly brings up some very good points. Points that actually make sense. It's very obvious to me that the people out there who are against the very idea of even possibly bringing in a managing agent have their hands in someones pocket taking a few dollars out of it for themself.
What other reason would anyone care if we looked into the idea?
Name one?
I agree.
What's the harm in a feasibility study on what a management company can offer? Soliciting a service does not obligate you in any way. I'm all for saving money, or at the very least, stabilizing my monthly expenses.
The harm is when a new company comes in and sees what is going on, they will spill the beans on how mismanaged we are.
Not to mention the fact that if something "funny" is going on with contracts, bids, etc., it will be dragged out.
My opinion, thats what is going on!
Amen Kelly!
You are paranoid. Or hding somethng. Or both.
300k for snow removal and landscaping. Did we get reimbursed for the damages they caused?
107k for special projects. What the hell is "special projects", does anyone know?
Seems as if Kelly, Dave, and Steve are pissing on and in the apple cart? Good on ya.
I have been here for years. I am on original owner in WH.
Improprieties or inappropriate conduct has been going on her in this community from the word "GO"
Right from the way they were built (which we can all attest to) right down to the payoffs to get them approved.
Why, because people are greedy.
Here is a little hint for you all.
Anyone who is against an outside company coming in to give an "estimate" is absolutely on the take. It's human nature. They are protecting their personal interests. Otherwise there would be no problem. Hell, it wouldbe giving them more free time and saving THEM money in the long run.
As for the work that goes on around here. Scratch my back and I will nair, massage, and lotion yours.
Good day and good luck.
Spill the beans? So now it's a big secret that managing this complex is a task over the heads of the cuurrent administration? Worried about appearances?
I'm more worried about the state of my finances than what some management company thinks about how mismanaged we are.
What do you mean by " Not to mention the fact that if something "funny" is going on with contracts, bids, etc., it will be dragged out." Dragged out where? Into the open for all of us to see?
The only harm I see is the fact that those benefitting from our loss now will watch the money train derail.
What everyone here needs to understand is that we all want what's best for WH and our own personal investments in this property be it as a primary residence, investment property or a tax shelter. If this place gets mismanaged into the ground, we ALL lose.
The real estate market is in a delicate state right now and we are fortunate enough to live just far enough from NYC to make it a reasonable commute and enjoy quality of life, yet benefit from our proximity to NYC by maintaining strong value on our units. If this place has common charges that continue to escalate, and the level of service continues to deteriorate, that will ultimately impact the value of our investements.
All we want is to be assured that we are getting the best possible deal on the money we spend. If we were individual home owners, and had to foot the cost for every service we engage, we would be watching those contractors like a bunch of hawks. Why is it different here with this board having such free reign?
Kelly
Do you think Hudson Valley is doing a good job. I have lived here for 20 years. I have seen two or three outside contractors. Every homeowner wants there front stoop cleared by 6AM when it snows, is it possible in complex this size. People don't obey the rules here, they levave mattressed, sinks, doors etc by the dumsters. What do you do with these people. They go to the recyclable bins and dump rugs, tv, springs etc all over the place. Do you have answers for this. Do we need our own private control to monitor this place.
Kelly
What do we do with the people who don't respect the Whispering Hills rules?
The best way for us to increase value of our homes is for people to take pride in their homes. There are many, many people here who have no self respect and I am sure your not one of them. Take pride in where you live and your housing conditions. Speaking of that what; do you do with the pepole who decided to build bedroom, living rooms, studies, etc in their garages. This takes away from parking spaces and is in violation of all Whispering Hills rules. Is this OK with you? What is a management company going to do with these type of people?
I feel like I should have my own column.
All I can offer is that I don't agree with those who have opted to turn their garages into additional rooms. As far as it being a violation of Condo rules, I cannot say specifcally (because I don't have my copy of the by-laws with me, but would venture to guess that it is a violation). In good conscious, I would hope (key word - hope) that those who have chosen to turn their garages into living space don;t have more than the 2 allotted permitted vehicles. Like it or not, you are entitled to use 2 parking spaces here, regardless if your garage is empty, full or currently serving as a residence for someone's mother-in-law.
Having such a room IS a building code violation and I would almost guarantee done without proper permitting. It puts other residents at risk because I would imagine that additional wiring and such were done to facilitate the room. Personnally I think it a really bad idea just due to the carbon monoxide influx you would get from neighboring garages.
I once lived in a co-op complex that had mandatory yearly inspections (primarily to check for unauthorized appliances because the electric was included) but they also checked for unapproved work done in units and pets (none were allowed). Although I can see the validity int he inspection, I firmly resented the intrusion. And I would be DAMNED if I was to allow that to occurr in my home now.
What to do? Anonymous (you all certainly know the meaning of that word on this site!)calls to the building department may be an option, but short of having their cable service suspended, what would the HOA really be able to do?
Illegal dumping by your neighbors? My suggestion is to either say something directly to the offending party or to rat them out. Implore your Boards to send warning letters and fine them for the cost the HOA has to incur to properly dispose of the debris. I think dumpster monitors is a bit much, but like they say - "if you see something, say something". Someone else's laziness in the end costs us all money. We are provided with the facilities to properly dispose of cardboard, bottles and newspapers. I do beliebve that a better system needs to be put in place for large bulk items.
My First WH Condo Meeting
This is a narrative of my first WH Condo meeting. I though it might be useful or perhaps insightful to give some people (namely those of you who never get to attend meetings, especially those who choose to criticize some of our efforts on this site) an idea of some of the issues we have and the responses received from the Board. Given the size of the posting, I will try to post a new part every few days and keep you abreast of any responses or follow up received. I will also post this on the Condo III Information Exchange.
Part I
Ready to face the music for shooting off my big mouth, I went to my first WH Open Condo meeting for Condo III on the morning of November 17, 2007.
Armed with my (becoming dog-eared) copy of the By-Laws, a legal pad and a pen, I headed to the clubhouse for the meeting. I walked in, apparently 5 minutes late, signed in, picked up the agenda and sat down.
Meeting in progress, the Board President (Gene Wexler as I understand) was in the midst of reading the prior year’s financial report. I looked around the room and saw approximately 10 other people. Sad showing considering by my estimate, the number of units in Condo III should be 150+.
As the Board Prez. continued, I listened to the items listed as expenditures, “mailboxes, privacy fences, blah, blah, blah” and then this little gem gets read out “Roof Repairs: $30,000.00 for replacing roofs that blew off”. I let the Prez finish and not being one for formal protocol and wait to be asked if there are any questions, I raised my hand and asked he elaborate on the “Roof Repairs: $30,000.00”.
Kelly: These are newly installed roofs?
Prez: Yes
Kelly: Weren’t they under warranty?
Prez: Warranty has expired.
Kelly: Expired? How so – average warrant is 10 – 25 years on materials, varied on labor.
Prez: Labor warranty has lapsed, material warranty is 25 years (pretty certain he said 25 years – bad note taking on my part).
Kelly: You say these roofs “blew off”.
Prez: Yes.
Kelly: Why wasn’t this subrogated through the property insurance as opposed to paying the expense to replace through the operating budget?
Prez: We aren’t insured for that.
Kelly: Excuse me? Your common area insurance does not cover roof damage? What exactly are you insuring?
Prez: We have liability insurance.
Kelly: Let me get this straight, the HOA is responsible for the structure of the units (walls, roofs, etc) and the common area, we as unit owners are responsible for the interior yet you do not have the necessary coverage in place to insure against storm related damage to the buildings. How is this possible?
Unknown Woman Board Member (I think she was the Treasurer): I don’t think you understand the nature of how we insure- this is not like a homeowner’s policy.
Kelly: Let me clarify- I am fully aware of the requirements for insurance when there are multiple entities involved in the ownership of a piece of property. If you, meaning the HOA, are responsible for the structure of the building, and we as unit owners are obligated to maintain a specific level of insurance for the interior, it is assumed by both unit owner and the unit owners mortgage holder that you are responsible for insuring the structural walls, roof and foundations of the building. Is this not the case?
Prez: I am not sure, we will have to look into this.
Great. Now not only am I wondering why what I perceive to be a $30,000.00 insurance claim is run through the operating budget and being paid for by the unit owners. I now have to be concerned about the level of common area insurance that is in effect. What type of exposure as a unit owner are we all potentially liable for?
More to follow....
Suggestion regarding the freeloading residents that don't pay common charges.
They should publish the addresses of those losers in the monthly WH publication. Shut off cable & all community privlages. This includes any associated activity with WH.
Punish by not issuing a parking permits, make them park on the road! Thy don't contribute to maintenance(snow removal etc.), they should not have the convince of parking in the lot.
I like the suggestion of a prior post, issue credit photo id cards. Swipe at all points to get in. tennis, clubhouse, etc.
Regulate walking path by organizing a spot id check. Check walkers ids.
No one rides for free.. it cost money to maintain these areas. They should not be used by the general public nor freeloaders who dont pay maintenance fees/
Absolutely bogus!! So what they are saying is that they are not properly insured and we are paying for it.
Judging by the treasures response, it looks as if there is no coverage for the roof event!
By the way, great post. You sound like a prosecutor.
It would probably be in the best interest of the board if they clarified some of the B.S. they are feed us. It's gone on all these years because no one has contradicted their decisions. Now they are feeling a little heat, it will be interesting to see how they handle it.
The way I view the board is that they are a group of unqualified residents trying to preform professional tasks!
I agree - it is bogus. But in all fairness, the Board has had 11 days since the meeting and probably needs more time to respond to the questions they were asked.
Yes, I do live in Fantasy Land thinking we'll get some type of answer.
Thank you for the compliment.
By the way, I submitted a written request for a full financial review, including service contracts, project contracts and arrears reports (which I elaborate on a little later when I have the opp to write it up).
Kelly's post just reinforces the fact that we need to look toward a professional management company.
If you owned a large company would you hire your friend who is a garbageman to do your taxes, or a professional accountant?
Thats what is happening here! What are these peoples qualifications? Do they have any sort of management or financial background? Are they skilled in the art of negotiation? Is it all just smoke and mirrors? How much money have we lost over the years letting amateurs do a professional job? How is this influencing current hoa fees?
I would like to commend the owner of this forum on the work you are doing here. The information that is presented by residents is worth it's weight in gold. Some may call it complaining, my observation is that the venting process is extremely proactive. Its reassuring seeing that action being taken and that residents actually care about the community.
Very informative and organized,
Keep up the good work.
Paul C.
Condo I
These are exactly the points we are trying to stress through this site and as Paul calls it, venting.
Aside from autobiographies distributed by various board members touting their dedication and love for WH in an attempt to secure or maintain their seat on the Board, we really have no idea of the level of experience, qualification or knowledge they have in running a property of this scope.
Further, all of M's questions "What are these peoples qualifications? Do they have any sort of management or financial background? Are they skilled in the art of negotiation? Is it all just smoke and mirrors? How much money have we lost over the years letting amateurs do a professional job? How is this influencing current hoa fees?" are right on target and EXACTLY what we are trying to decypher.
I saw this morning on the marquee that there is an open HOA meeting on January 17 at 7PM (that is a Thursday). I really think we should use this site to our best advantage and come up with a comprehensive list of questions and requests for information, present them to the HOA and see what their response is so that we can ascertain what type of job the HOA is actually doing here and if the need for professional management is warranted. This is the forum it needs to be addressed during and our moment to speak up is coming.
Above all, people here have to remember that this is not personal. It is business. Our business. Our money and investments are at stake here and we have every right to question how things are being run and how something as simple as a lack of experience and knowledge can have an adverse impact on us all. Like they say, good intentions pave the road to hell. To me, watching my investment tank would be hell.
Hey Kelly-
It's amazing how quiet this site gets once you ask people to do something besides criticize and bad mouth the Board Members.
The snow removal is inconsistent. Lets start by asking the board for an explanation as to why there is selective snow removal. They wait until its over to start the sidewalks. They use to maintain them throughout the night. What happened?
We need to look into a professional management company for the health of the entire complex.
In my experience, I have found that self-managed associations have higher expenses in the long run than those with professional management. Overall, self-managed associations pay more for maintenance and repairs, have more collection problems and pay out more legal fees because more mistakes tend to be made by the boards of these associations.
Self-managed associations tend to keep many lawyers working overtime.
What bugs me is that there are inconsistencies in every facet of management. For example, Whispering Hills has been using a resident to provide maintenance services to our association for several years. I just learned of the relationship because it was not previously disclosed to us. This a conflict of interest.
Whenever a management company uses a related party to provide services, it must be disclosed in writing, in advance. This type of conduct does not reflect positively on the board to say the least.
On the contrary negative anonymous.
If you had half a brain you would see how many suggestions and questions that have already been made on the site. Sift through prior posts, you can harvest all the questions you need to confront the board for the next year. If you give them a printout of the questions posed here, it would take them months to come up with answers.
Taking into consideration they couldn't answer Kellys pop question and they are constantly tripping over their own feet.
Our friend here has more than half a brain. He sees the obvious, which is more than most see.
I did pose the question about Gene Collins (who by the way is the maintenance person and Board Member) and brought up the conflict of interest issue. I was extremely antagonistic (can you imagine??) in my exchange with Gene Wexler about this matter stating that this person has no business holding both positions.
The Board, in their infinite wisdom, has (supposedly) discussed this matter with their attorney (more of our money being pissed away) and it has been determined that this matter does not constitue a conflict of interest because Collins does not accept money for being on the Board, but for being a "Maintenance Supervisor".
I told the Prez that I disagreed because by being on the Board, Collins in technically in a decision making capacity that has a direct effect on his paying day job. I was told that he does not partake in any decisions that have any relevence to the maintenance issues at WH. I said flat out that I did not believe him and found it simply incredible that he is 100% removed from ANY involvement whatsoever from any decision making that has to do with maintenance.
I then went on to state that Collins is a rude and nasty man and has no idea how to deal with residents without being offensive and treating them like second class residents. Case in point was that my first dealing with him (to get a commone exterior water spigit repaired that unfortunately has to be done from my unit) had me so riled up that I fired off a 2 page complaint letter to the Board President (Wexler) that most likely ended up being filed in a trash bin because I never reveived any form of response.
I also informed the Prez that although LEGALLY, there may not TECHNICALLY be a conflict of interest, there is serious concern and a very strong level of discomfort amongst many residents regarding this matter and it would be appropriate for Colins to vacate one of his held positions. The Boards response was to change the subject as if I was invisible. It was clear however, that of the dozen Condo III residents at this meeting, the majority were in agreement that it was not appropriate.
What disturbs me here, almost as much as the issue itself, is the fact the the Board was more concerned about the legal ramifications and the possible conflict of interest than the fact that fellow residents are uncomfortable with Collins being in both positions, as well as finding it completely inappropriate that the situation has been allowed to continue.
And the Board is here to serve who? Sounds like they're doing a fine job of serving themselves. Anyone who belives otherwise is delusional.
Well....I feel terrible to say the least as I am doing so much travel for work I can't be as involved as I want.
That aside...
What is the next step to making a change here? We need to grow this effort in numbers as Kelly can't do this single handed.
We can all continue to question the boards actions single file but we all know that will get us nowhere.
I have sent several letters over the years to the office in regard to issues and yet to hear from anyone....even once.
I agree with the maintenance issue, I agree we need a professional organization to manage WH....
We need to organize...we need to get together aside from this blog and have a meeting to decide what direction we are headed.
This is the same issue I had 3 years back....I had about 10 people all set to move forward but 10 people just didn't cut it.
The question is where/what/how do we move to the next level with our concerns and can we move forward without the power in numbers?
We shouldn't have to wait for people to get old and die to make change. Obvious change.
I for one won't do it alone....I won't even do it with a dozen people. To put forth the efforts we need people....
600 units....on average 2 people per household. 1000-1200 people and we can't get more than 5 people to post with a name here.
You know what we need to do....we need to HAND deliver a notice to every resident directing them to this BLOG. The EXACT link to this VERY page. That will get people on board.
Who out there has time to help me?
I'll spend a whole day putting a letter that simply states...
To better understand what is going on in your community and how we need your help to improve, change, and hopefully make a better place to live for you...please go to the following website...etc.
I can do it...who else?
Send me an email:
davidkrauthamer@yahoo.com
...if you are interested in helping get the message out to every resident to join this site so we can start building a base of home owners who want to make change.
Without that base...Kelly will continue to solve her own issues and I will continue to solve mine.
BUT...we can't SOLVE YOUR issues without you.
I for one am tired of increased common charges without knowing why.
The ONLY way we can make change is if we have people....they HAVE to listen if we have PEOPLE....
Send me an email if you are willing to help distribute flyers on Saturday December 15th.
We only need a few people to get the word out.
davidkrauthamer@yahoo.com
I'm in.
Hey Boss, what's up with the advertising campaign? We're willing to be your means for distribution.......
Thank you David for all your posts!
David hit the nail right on the head. Not enough people know the extent of the issue and topics raised on WHB. The key to gathering a large group of Residents is education. The way to do that is either by hand shaking or by visual enticement.
Going "door to door" and handing out flyers is something I considered. My only concern would be possible repercussion from Whispering Hills H.O.A.
The only thing I ask… Before any foot campaign proceeds, make certain it doesn’t interfere with any Whispering Hills bi-law. If there is no conflict, I will advertise the campaign on the front page of the three blogs to ascertain level of interest.
Blanketing the entire area with information will bring new views, ideas, suggestions & most importantly more action within our Community.
Regardless of the number of Residents who volunteer, I would be more than happy to participate in the campaign.
Thanks for your suggestion,
The Boss
We'll have to look into it. I am partial to think there may not be a problem only because I had a bunch of political flyers shoved in my door recently, one of which was our neighbor who ran for a town position.
We'll look before we act.
If I have to stand at the stop sign and hand them out that way I will.
There should not be any issues with distributing a note to all my fellow neighbors advising them that we have an online community we would like them to be a part of.
Right?
AND....I was reminded by a very nice police officer a few weeks ago that Whispering Hills is Town property and NOT private property. So handing out flyers from WH Drive should not be a problem.
Whispering Hills Drive...not Whispering Hills.
Correct. The main road and the streets leading to the driveways are city streets. The driveways and parking lots are not.
Wow!
Listen to that deafening silence.
It's amazing how a call to arms quiets the crowd.
What a bunch of pansies you all are.
Anonymous,
The obvious reason why they are trying to get the word out. Man, your batting 1.000 with your moronic comments!
Did you volunteer? No?
Ya, I thought so.
Did you?
Thanks for the chivalry, but it's not necessary at the expense of being rude to someone. I actually found their comment humerous and 100% correct. Time and time again, once a call for action (or arms in this case) was made, you can literally hear crickets chirping because it's so damn quiet.
ANYWAY.......
Under Article VIII, Section 8, (a) of the by-laws for Condo III "House Rules" it states that:
No resident of the community shall post any advertisement or posters of any kind in or on the Community except as authorized by the Board of Managers.
I couldn't find anything similar under the HOA By-Laws, so it's probable covered under each of the individual condos.
In my opinion, we're not posting anything in the common area, we're distributing directly to each residence. I'm not interpreting our intentions as a conflict to this rule.
Anybody have anything useful to impart on this? Now that you have the area of the by-laws to look, can people form the other condos please check and let me know where we stand there? I would imagine it's the same, but I have no way to be sure.
As a resident of this community for 16 years I am thrilled that I stumbled upon this Blog site. I am of the opinion that it can be a wonderful opportunity to organize with like- minded people who want to enact positve change WITHOUT getting into petty cyber- sniping (let's leave that for the kiddies shall we)! The most recent posts pertaining to circulating flyers is a start, and I am in 100% agreement that an outside Management firm is long overdue to run a community of this size. I had brought up that point @ 3/4 years ago in a Condo IV meeting and promptly was told that it was a terrible, ill conceived idea that would NOT benefit the community at large. It does appear that self mangement is and has always been a conflict of interest that is in place to self serve a small number of individuals. When I have an issue that seems to require minimal WHHOA intervention, you would think that I was asking to over- throw the gov't! Maintenance items do get taken care of , BUT only after much proding by your's truly. I strongly feel that a profesional management firm can also deter the "less desirable element" that has permeated our community via the leasing/renting avenue from not paying their fair share of the common charges and having a vested interest in the overall health of WH. So many people have come and gone in my 16 years that it makes one's head spin to the point of nasuea.
As far as the horrendous experience some of you posted earlier pertaining to roofing/etc, I must say in all honesty that the co. that did my building and a few adajacent ones this past summer were efficient, professional and maintained a safe and clean working environment. Perhaps this is a direct response to your terrible situation, who knows? I must say that I was in shock when I found out that my common charges were increased $100.00 w/o prior notification, but if the money is well spent (as with the roof/gutter upgrade) then I am more @ ease with this assessment, and I have been told that more capital profects are still in the works that may include decking, and patio improvements. I hope that we hold the line on any more price increases in the foreseeable future cause my salary ain't increasing @ that rate!
My biggest concern over the years has been the inconsistency that the board deals with issues...........some follks get away with many violations while others do not, alot of this is due to complacency, ignorance and lack of common sense and civility, a microcosm of society for sure. I believe that I had perused a prior post of a contact e-mail to help organize! Count me in!
I strongly feel that a profesional management firm can also deter the "less desirable element" that has permeated our community via the leasing/renting avenue from not paying their fair share of the common charges and having a vested interest in the overall health of WH.
I couldn't agree with you more. The question I have is if the debt is carried over year to year? Is anything in place holding the owner of the unit responsible to pay the fees?
Awesome post "Buzz"!
Never thought of a Managing Agent being involved in screening or managing the rental units. I think that there should be some form of governing the situation, but in all likliehood, it may require an amendment to the by-laws. THAT would be a constructive use of the Board's time.
I am under the impression that short of disconnecting cable service (which seeing as we pay for the service directly to Time Warner, other than being privelede to the bulk rate available in WH, I do not see where the Board has any right to terminate your service, but that's another issue), and suspending pool priveledges, not much more is done to collect arrears. Placing a Lien on the property is an option, but unless the unit owner has a mortgage on the unit and the loan prohibits any liens being placed on the mortgaged property; or if the unit is being ready to be sold and the liens show up in the title search, I don't really know what else is done. A Managing Agent would be able to serve as a "collection agent" in a sense and attempt to recover some of the unpaid fees to the corporation.
Once we have some momentum on this site, I think we need to formally request (via petition?) that the Board at the very least, begins a feasibility study and put the Managing Agent service out to bid. A scope of services to base the contract on can be formulated, based on the RESIDENT'S concerns (not the Board, I'm sorry, but they are FAR from a cross section representation of the average resident of this complex), and bids can be reviewed and presented to the residents for opinion and comment. Remember, a solicitation of a bid does not obligate any one to accept it. It's a huge step to entertain engaging a service like this and we should know what the potential impact will be to the residents - both on the expenditure and potential cost savings aspects.
Glad to have another body on board for the distribution project! The more the merrier and the more of us, the less time it will take to get the word out.
OK, Boss - looks like you have 3 live bodies willing to distribute flyers. How do you propose we proceed?
Kelly,
I put a flyer together that needs some editing. I would like to shoot it over to you via email and have you throw your two cents in. Please send me an email (whisperinghillsblog@yahoo.com)confirming the address I should send the attachment.
I'm assuming you have microsoft word. If you don't, I have resources to send it in several other formats.
To fellow Community Members:
Much gratitude to all that are supporting this effort! By working together we are building a stronger environment.
The Boss
Special thanks to Kelly & Dave!
Boss....
I sent you an email on Friday...check your spam box.
Let's just make sure the flyer is simple and to the point making it easy for people to understand and follow.
After the final flyer is approved....send it to me so I can make 700 copies for distribution.
When (time) and where do we want to meet?
We can all meet at my house....unless you want to meet somewhere neutral?
Let me know.
EUGENE COLLINS
You owe all the citizens of this community an apology. You should step down immediately. How can you say the abduction of a child is over exgageriated and go two the newspaper stating you are the vice president of Whispering Hills.
How can you represent us in your capacity when you go saying supid redicilous comments. It's time for you to go. I am sure that no one in this community is taking this abduction lightly. What if this was your kid?
You should be realesed from the board and fired immediately if anyone is to take the Whispering Hills WHOA seriously.
Do the right thing and step down and appologize to the community.
WHAT????
Please don't be cryptic - what article and please elaborate - retype if necessary -this is news to me..............
For people (like me) can you shed some light on this situation? First...has the child been found?
What paper and when?
Please...factual information. Those are some heavy accusations.
Bogus accusations.
What article stated this? What are ya trying to start trouble?
Found the Article:
Times Herald-Record
December 09, 2007
Some say alleged Chester kidnapping case 'blown out of proportion'
By Raja Abdulrahim
Times Herald-Record
December 09, 2007
Chester — A day after news publicly broke about a Whispering Hills woman who was charged with kidnapping an 11-year-old girl for 30 minutes, some seem to question the veracity of the accusations.
Tonia McHenry-Bailey, 48, was charged following a Nov. 26 incident in which police said she led the girl from a bus stop to her home before she released her unharmed.
"The whole thing was blown out of proportion," said Eugene Collins, who is vice president of the homeowners association.
He said the details all will come out in a grand jury hearing, which begins Tuesday.
He said neighbors were talking and whispering about the incident even before McHenry-Bailey was arrested on Thursday.
Collins said that McHenry-Bailey has been living for about five years in Whispering Hills, a community of 690 clustered yellow clapboard condos, divided up into four-condo sections. He said McHenry-Bailey, who works in New York City, as do many of the residents here, is a member of one of the condo boards.
"I've never seen that kind of attitude from her," Collins said.
McHenry-Bailey has no previous criminal record, Chester village police Chief Pete Graziano said.
Yesterday, no one answered the door at her condo, which had a Santa wreath on the door. But her mother, who answered the door Friday, said the problem her daughter had never should have been publicized.
The Whispering Hills blog, where much of the discussion tends to center around the homeowners association, was silent on the matter as of late yesterday.
"It's all the talk, but no one seems to know anything," said resident Bill DeVoe.
OK, Can we begin by saying how IRRESPONSIBLE it is to go on the record about a case that has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE HOA?? Does "No Comment" or "I have no knowledge of this matter" or better yet, "this has nothing to do with HOA business so I decline to comment" make any sense to this genius?
You clearly don't know when to stop and when it is appropriate to keep the HOA and other residents out of a situation that has nothing to do with you. It is high time you resign and end your irresponsible tenure before you do some serous damage that ends us up in litigation for libel or other damages.
Scary article on all fronts. Wow! I would think the HOA responded because a board member is in question. I agree, let the accused speak on their own behalf.
Man thats a bad situation. It's not looking good
Why would a "board member" comment on a criminal case and assume just because he may or may not know her that it was "blown out of proportion?"
Just a simple case of stupidity.
I don't know Eugene but he seems like a total moron to me.
What idiot does this?
Goes to show me how little education of any sort this person who we have as our VP of WH has.
He is running our community?
How about "we have no comment?"
I am very concerned that he isn't the least bit concerned.
Board member or not...."no comment" is the only words that should EVER be spoken before you comment on anything that is possibly going to a "grand jury."
Also...if ANYONE ever gives my information like....where I work, how long I have lived in the community, and what type of person I am to a REPORTER of any kind I would be VERY upset.
This is no ones business.
Not so smart....coming to the defense of a board member before all the facts are sifted through, especially in the case of a child and kidnapping allegations.
I hope it plays out that it was all a misunderstanding....but I'll let the law make that decision.
Times Herald-Record
December 08, 2007
Chester — For 30 minutes Tonia McHenry-Bailey remained in her house with an 11-year-old girl police said she had taken from a bus stop.
"I'm your new grandma," police said the 48-year-old Chester woman told the girl as she led her across the street by her sweater on Nov. 26.
The girl didn't ask to leave. But she didn't want to be there. She was scared, police said.
When the girl's younger brothers, whom she was supposed to meet at the bus stop, came home without her, the girl's parents called police, who began searching the Whispering Hills condo development.
McHenry-Bailey told the girl to go home once she saw police. The girl was not injured but was taken to the Arden Hill campus of Orange Regional Medical Center as a precaution.
The day of the incident, police charged McHenry-Bailey with harassment, a violation. When she appeared in Village Court Thursday on the lesser charge, police arrested her on felony kidnapping and misdemeanor unlawful imprisonment charges.
Chief Pete Graziano said the delay in the more serious charge was because of the ongoing investigation in conjunction with the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
McHenry-Bailey was arraigned and released on $250 bail. The case will go before a grand jury Tuesday. McHenry-Bailey's lawyer, Ben Greenwald, would not comment but said he did not expect his client to testify before the grand jury.
A woman who answered the door at McHenry-Bailey's home yesterday and identified herself as her mother said the incident wasn't as police described.
"It really wasn't anything to be published with the problem she had," she said.
Police are still investigating, specifically why the girl did not scream or try to run away.
"The kid just went with her," Graziano said. "I mean, the kid was scared."
A board member did this? Not only should Colllins be gone...but I am hoping this person is gone also.
Seems as if changes need to be made. On all fronts!!!
BOD
Eugene Wetzel
Eugene Collins
Pat Morgan
Joan DeVoe
Jeff Jones
William Calloway
Bruce Green
Christine David-Collins
Condo 1
Eugene Collins
John Felice
Lorraine Johanson
Christine David-Collins
Phil Hilden
Condo 2
Jeff Jones
Chris Murphy
Larry Diee
John Stephenson
Condo 3
Eugene Wetzel
Danielle August
Joan DeVoe
Faith Wetzel
Miriam Gomez
Condo 4
William D. Calloway
Gregory Jackson
Mary Friedel
Brian Griffin
H. Lynn Brokenshire
Isn't there a conflict of interest here with our board members? Related members managing their area. I like condo 2, we have Jeff Jones taking on the responsibility of pres and vice pres.
Gee, I wonder why our heads are spinning here. Everywhere you look there is another flaw being uncovered. All these years of inconsistent management are finally catching up with them.
Where is the board to answer these questions? Don't tell me to go to some meeting, I don't do meetings! The way they make it sound in the monthly letter they send out, you would never know these things are occurring. If it wasn't for the post here, I would never know this happened. I'm supprised someone didn't post it sooner. What a mess.
Does the accused have any ties to the board?
Kidnapping is kidnapping. If the kid was enticed to enter the house, the predator that lured that child needs to be punished. More importantly, we need to make clear that our complex DOES NOT TOLERATE FREAKS! I was going to say pedifile but we don't know the psychos intention.
There are a lot of kids here, we need to protect them.
Unfortunately, the only forum to address these matters is at an open HOA meeting. There is a protocol to follow, although you wouldn't think so given the makeup of the Board.
Our intention here on this site is to spread the word and educate people about their rights and I hate to say it, obligations as a unit owner here at WH. I say obligations in the sense that you have the right to vote on Board Members, and you also have the right to question their motives. We all need to exercise these rights and obligations. It's what makes this a condo corporation. Otherwise, it's like living in somone else's house, under someone else's rules.
There is an open HOA meeting coming up, I believe January 17 (a Thursday). I think it in our best interest to gather thoughts here on this site and in a cohesive and intelligent manner, address them to the Board.
We have an absolute right to be heard and I think an open form is best because if the Board thinks they will dismiss our comments and requests for action, they are sadly mistaken.
I think some of the serious issues to address are:
Collins' Dismissal from the Board (legal conflict of interest or not, I think the only people who don't have a problem with him being a paid maintenance persona nd a memeber of the Board, is the Board itself). His recently published comments indicate he is not capable of acting in the best interests of the community because he simply can't turn off being "Mr. Big Man"
Feasibility Study of hiring a proper Managing Agent (sorry, but these people are incapable of running an organization that takes in over 2 million dollars a year and requires maintenance on a level beyond what we are receiving).
Insurance - the By-Laws apparently do not require that the buildings be insured for storm damage. Condo III recently paid out $30,000 from the operating budget to replace roofs (newly installed roofs) that "blew off". What would it cost the complex to add this additional insurance to our existing coverage? Can we afford to have to replace roofs and restore damage caused by weather out of our operating budgets?
Arrears: There are rumors circulating that arrears are in the thousands of dollars, yet increases in commons charges are becoming more commonplace. How bad is this arrears situation? What exactly being done about it?
Just a few thoughts to get the ball rolling.......
Boss....12/15 not 11/15 on the flyer dist. Cover of the blog says....11/15.
Thanks
Thanks.
The correction is made.
The Boss
In regards to the person who is being accused of kidnapping, nowhere is her name to be found on the list of board members ( as per Collin's quote). Check an earlier post for personnel.
I am in total agreement that our board is in way over their heads in trying to manage this community presently. While I give them kudos for taking on the responsibility, it should not, AND does not end there. It is time to bring in professionals that will work for, and answer to us, the hard working, tax paying OWNERS of Whispering Hills! Does anyone remember the article @ 4-6 weeks ago in the TH -Record that pertained to Condo owners paying their fair share of taxes? We already do when one takes into major consideration the area of Common Charges, they cover the same public services that single dwelling homeowner's taxes satisfy. I'm not confident our present board is up to the task.............
Topic shift>>>>>>>>>
I am sick and tired of people who do not clean up after their dogs!!!!!!!! I almost stepped into some dog cookies @ 10 feet from my door today! I hope to find the SOB(s) who allow their muts to defacate wherever they want w/o repraisal. They just might get an early Christmas gift! I really dispised ignorance and incivility!
No property, we don't even own the outside of our homes. They don't think we are paying are share in taxes? What the $3300+ isn't enough? Between property tax and hoa fees, I am getting mugged!
Buzz, I would like to see the article. Can you post it?
Here is the link to a few articles from the TH -Record "pc"!
http://search.ottaway.com/search?q=condos+and+taxes&btnG=Google%2BSearch&access=p&sort=date%253AD%253AL%253Ad1&output=xml_no_dtd&ie=UTF-8&oe=latin1&client=thr&proxystylesheet=thr&site=thr-archive&imgSubmit.x=0&imgSubmit.y=0
Here is the latest one I could find from the TH Record website. WOW! It is from September, it seemed more recent than that and my memory ain't what it used to be! The proposed legislation is for new construction, so we dodge that bullet, for now!
Officials seek tax hike on new condominiums
By Chris McKenna
Times Herald-Record
September 26, 2007
Middletown — State lawmakers are looking to hike property taxes on condominiums again, this time targeting only newly built units.
Owners of existing condos would be spared. But anyone buying into a new complex in the Hudson Valley and beyond would lose a decades-old assessment break that keeps their taxes well below those of comparably priced single-family houses.
Angry condo representatives plan to voice their opposition today at a hearing at the Paramount Theater in Middletown, the second stop this year for a state Assembly panel seeking public input on several pending tax proposals.
Condo owners insist they deserve to be taxed less than other homeowners, since they typically pay extra fees for road maintenance and other services that others get from their municipalities.
Pave their roads and run their wells, they say, and they can live with a jump in their bills.
"We have no problem with the taxing, but give us the same services," said Aileen Silver, president of the homeowners association at the 80-unit Cromwell Hill Commons complex in Monroe. "We don't want to pay twice."
Take the $300,000 road paving bill her association is weighing.
"If we're going to do this — and we might do a patch job instead — that's $300,000 divided by 80," she said. "And that's a lot of extra money."
The Real Property Taxation Committee — which held its first hearing in Albany in February and has one scheduled for Oct. 17 on Long Island — is looking for comments on a variety of tax bills, including one to create a commission that would look at revamping the entire property-tax system.
But the condo bill appears to be the lightning rod.
Similar legislation advanced in the state Legislature in 2005 until opponents flattened it.
That version would have raised taxes on existing condos, too — by as much as double, according to some estimates.
The new bill would apply only to condos and cooperative apartments built after Jan. 1, 2008, and it would exclude New York City and Nassau County. Supporters calculate that leaving out existing condos will defuse the opposition.
One impetus for the bill is an increasingly common abuse of the condo tax break: In Sullivan County and elsewhere, developers have been building single-family houses and classifying them as condos to lower their taxes and make them more marketable.
Tax hearing
State lawmakers are fielding comments on six pending bills, all related to property taxes. The public hearing begins at 11 a.m. at the Paramount Theater, 17-19 South St. in Middletown.
The hot topic is likely to be a proposal to tax new condominiums the same way as single-family homes, effectively hiking the bills for condo owners.
That bill is awaiting committee action in both the Assembly and Senate. Supporters feel that exempting existing condo owners gives it a better chance of passing than in 2005, when opponents stopped it.
Hearing speakers had to sign up by Sept. 19, but anyone can go to listen. For a list of bills under consideration, go to assembly.state.ny.us/comm/RealProp/
"Alleged" Kidnapping.
This is in today's paper. Why do they keep stating that she is on the board?!?! Can someone show me where her name appears on the WHHOA website? Please!
Kidnapping suspect gives her side of story
By Raja Abdulrahim
Times Herald-Record
December 13, 2007
CHESTER — Tonia McHenry-Bailey was getting the mail when she said she saw a girl stepping off the curb into the road.
"And I see this car coming and this girl is going to get hit," McHenry-Bailey recalled. "I said, 'Little girl, little girl you're going to get hit.'"
The 11-year-old girl was not hurt, but shaken up.
McHenry-Bailey said she took her to her Whispering Hills condo to offer her juice or water. The girl did not want anything and did not want to call her parents, McHenry-Bailey said of the Nov. 26 incident.
After eight minutes — nine, tops — the girl left and went home, she said.
Police call it kidnapping.
McHenry-Bailey was arrested and charged with a felony for what she deems as doing the right thing.
Police maintain she took the girl from a bus stop to her house for 30 minutes before the girl was released unharmed.
"I never kidnapped no kid, I don't mistreat nobody's kids," McHenry-Bailey said. "That's all I wanted to do was help a child. I said, 'Honey, you got to be careful.'"
McHenry-Bailey, who has a 14-year-old son, said she initially thought the girl was one of her son's friends.
"If she was trying to protect a child, why did she bring her across the street and into her house?" Chester village police Chief Pete Graziano asked..
He rejected claims that the police and Orange County District Attorney's Office overreacted to the incident.
"She took a child that didn't belong to her," he said. "We believe the charges are appropriate."
Graziano said the girl never mentioned nearly getting hit by a car.
McHenry-Bailey moved to the condo community from Yonkers almost four years ago.
She has worked on Wall Street for more than 10 years and is a board member of her condo section.
McHenry-Bailey was initially charged with harassment the day of the incident. When she showed up for court almost two weeks later, she was charged with the more serious crimes of kidnapping and imprisonment.
"My whole reputation is ruined," she said.
The case went before the grand jury Tuesday. Her lawyer, Ben Greenwald, did not blame the police or prosecutors for the charges.
The girl "is blowing it out of proportion," he said. "They probably reacted to what the complainant said. We obviously have a very differing point of view."
rabdulrahim@th-record.com
I just found out that she IS in on the Board! Hmm.......I don't recall ever seeing her name on a ballot, and I always vote! Well, if this the case, she NEEDS TO BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY!!!!!
What are you talking about? What do we have supplemental board members? Whats going on here? A prior post lists all the members. Was she elected or appointed?
Messed up!
"McHenry-Bailey moved to the condo community from Yonkers almost four years ago.
She has worked on Wall Street for more than 10 years and is a board member of her condo section."
Who the hell is this person?
Of course she thinks it's being blown out of proportion, she is the accused. Are we to expect that she is going to say that she is guilty.
If I was in her shoes I would have walked with her to one of the clubhouses or just stood there and called the police.
What dummy brings a strange child IN THEIR HOUSE?
Very strange.
That is exactly what I was writing about! How the hell did she get appointed to the board! I want some answers from the WHHOA NOW!!!
Boss,
Where and what time are we meeting Saturday morning?
I think we need to keep in perspective that first and foremost, this is a legal matter and the authorities are the ones to sort things out.
Second, we need to NOT post personal information about people on this site. We already had that idiot Collins release personal info about her to the press, which is a major problem and needs to be addressed at the open HOA meeting on January 17.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You have the right to voice your opinion and the upcoming meeting is timed perfectly. Not only is this our opportunity to vote people off the board, but we can call for removal of officers if their term is not up.
This is a serious matter and needs to be addressed. I do not want individuals who have no common sense and a pathetic sense of right and wrong running this complex. All this negative publicity, and where is a statement to the residents from the head of the HOA?
"This is a serious matter and needs to be addressed. I do not want individuals who have no common sense and a pathetic sense of right and wrong running this complex. All this negative publicity, and where is a statement to the residents from the head of the HOA?"
Well stated.........
Property Taxes - $3300? I get near that number AFTER my STAR reductions AND the additional rebate offered this year. We're more in the $4,000 + range here.
Hey Boss!
What's the deal for Saturday? Need to know - have stuff to do later in the day and want to make sure I have ample time to do what needs to be done. I have the morning set aside.
Let's collaborate via email and come up with a definitive plan. After an affirmative conclusion, I will email the interested residents the details.
I will be in a business meeting most of the day. I will follow up early evening.
Thanks,
The Boss
I agree, we don't even know the details of the case. To castrate someone without knowing the facts is ignorant. Last time I looked the law still states innocent until proven guilty.
We do have to watch what we say. Judging by what the paper states at the end of sundays article, the editor obviously came here to research if anything was written.
We don't have to watch what we say (but we should)
If the editor is getting any of his factual information from this blog he should be fired also.
"I agree, we don't even know the details of the case. To castrate someone without knowing the facts is ignorant."
I haven't read anything that "castrates" the alleged, just the process on how she was elected, etc to the board. I think we just want some answers, that's all.
Why do the snowplows continue to push the damn curbs on the grass?????? It's like a broken record, winter, after winter, after winter! Nice job on the signs and trees lining the road, half are busted already. How much more damage will you cause this winter with your plow? Nice snow job!
Something else to be brought up in the next meeting. Are they going to fix the street & lamp posts. Just level them.
Ya, give this recommendation to the board at the next meeting. Clear the sidewalks more than once during a storm. I came home from work walking through 6 inches of snow in $150.00 shoes.
Tonia McHenry
First. What were you doing out by a bus stop alone after your kid went to school.
Second. Why did you not wait with the kid for the school bus.
Third. Why would you take a kid to your house for beverages when she was waiting for the school bus.
Fourth. Your reputation is ruined; what kind of person does what you did and want us to believe you.
Grab a kid tell then your their new grandmother and take them to your house. Get real.
Wet Shoes
Your as jerkie as they get. What kind of jerk wears $ 150.00 shoes to work when they know it is going to snow. This is the country.
It is now 9PM and Hudson Valley has done an excellent job of cleaning around here.
Wear boots to work when it is going to snow and get real.
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