Is there any way pool hours can be extended 1 hour? I work in the city and get home at 6pm by the time I get situated, pool is closed. It would be nice to go for an evening swim.
The Recreation department is doing a good job, I too would like to see the pool open later as well as more activities for both children and adults. I recently went to the gym, I was floored when I saw all the equipment added since I've been there last (its been quite a while). I could not get over the "mini NY sports club" we have right in our backyard. My only negative comment would be on the tennis and basketball courts, They look horrible. I obviously play tennis on the upper courts because the lower are not functional. It would be nice if they resurfaced the courts up top seeing that the lower as stated by the hoa, cannot be done.
I can confirm the abuse by nonresidents using our luxuries. Checking ID's would be a great idea here. There are many people that use our walking path, bball,handball, and tennis courts that don't live here. Since id's are checked to use the pool and rec area, wouldn't it be sensible to check the other amenities as well?
Remember folks, New York's 168th Orange County Family Fair July 16th - July 27th 2008 is currently in progress. For discount coupons, general information and entertainment lineups, cut and paste the following link/URL into your browser address bar:
Does anyone have a bad feeling that the Lowe's in town will never be opened? That when construction is over Lowes will decide they can't open it? We will be stuck with a gigantic warehouse for no use. I'm starting to miss the Meat/Hide Plant. A least it had a rustic flavor that made the town look small and nice.
I was speaking to a town representative the other day. He said that Lowes should be opened in October and that they are about 1 month behind schedule. Originally, the plan was to open for business fiscal 3rd quarter, apparently it was a building material thing. Go figure.
Is it against the Condo rules to tie animals outside your residence? There's a poor cat tied outside the house of some retards! Cats aren't supposed to be outside, get a dog! Whats the number to the Chester ASPCA!!??
Thanks. I feel bad for the cat since its tie-up from early in the morning till the late evening. The poor thing sometimes scratches at the door to get in. GET A LITTERBOX!
Please contact one of your Condo board members or the HOA office and report this issue.
No animal (cat or dog) is to be tied to any trees. Beside the fact that anything outside ones front door is considered common areas what they are doing is cruel and inhumane.
Has anyone had problems with Tim Smith from All County Doors Chester NY? I was wondering if anyone has had problems getting there garage door installed. I have been waiting 3 mons for him. I have heard problems with inventory, to back problems and now people who passed away in his family. He seems like the kid in school that told the teacher the dog ate his homework and you find out He never owned a dog.
No, Never used All county overhead doors but from what I've read and heard, stay away. Try looking them up on the BBB website to see if there are any complains against them. I can tell you that I've used Castle windows and doors to replace 6 windows and a slider. They were in and out within 3 hours. I can't see a garage door taking more than a few hours to install.
Anyone with a new roof experiencing a pungent odor? I believe the "woody" smell is coming off the roof when it heats up. Is anyone experiencing the same smell?
I used Tim from All County Doors, he made me wait about 4 months to put the door in every time he was going to put the door in he had a problem. My friend also went to have a door put in by him and he waited 5 months with no door. He got his money back. I would not recommend his company to anybody.
Thanks for the info on Tim Smith from All County Door. He canceled again. I ask for my money back and I suppose to get it tomorrow. I would not recommend this guy at all. Warn your friends if they are looking for a new door, unless they want to wait mons and listen to stories. I can't believe He told me his Mother died and I found out from a neighbor He heard that story 2 years ago. The club house should want people about this guy.
Hi...I'm new to the area and would like to speak about the area of the 4200 block. We have been having some serious problems with kids late at night. When I say kids I mean hoodlums around the age of 18-20. They been hanging out by the big rock in the parking lot and also in the driveways causing havoc, drinking and fighting and leaving garbage all over. I and another neigbor have called 911 twice this month. When the police arrive they scatter like rats running through the complex. The other night there were about 30 of them, bashing their cars into to each other, screaming about weapons and you can only imagine the rest. I DID NOT MOVE INTO THIS COMPLEX TO BE OVER RUN BY A BUNCH OF HOODLUMS, THIS AREA IS IN THE BACK AND OUT OF SIGHT AND I BELIEVE THAT WHY THEY HANG THERE!!!!!!!!!I have been to the office and Joan said this is the first she has heard of this problem and was kind enough to say she would look into it. I've spoken with various neighbors and yes they heard the fighting too but where to scared to do anything. I was hoping that someone could lead me in the right direction and help me gets some answers and solutions to this problem. Thanks...any reply would be helpful ne
Hudson Valley Landscaping is once again dropping the ball, things are starting to get sloppy. Terrible mowing job, half the grass isn't cut at all. High and low spots not to mention the terrible edging job. I'm talking 8-10 inches of grass underneath my fence. Can HOA please talk to these clowns. I've noticed a steady decline in workmanship over the past few months. If someone isn't on these people they take advantage of it. Has HOA walked the premises lately? If not, they need to!
< Re-posting error> This post was accidentally deleted and re-posted erroneously. The comment was written by Jim (I apologize Jim).
Thanks,
The Boss ___________________________________
ne,
I haven't noticed anything recently, I live in that area.
Anyway, they have cameras in that area pointed in that direction. Joan should be able to run the video tape and at the very least be able to make out make of cars and if they are lucky recognize a few faces. If not, a request to re-position the cameras in the area questioned shouldn't be unreasonable. IMHO I feel it would be in the complex best interest to add more video surveillance. With that said, it's defiantly a good point to bring up at the next hoa meeting.
The other night a police officer followed me from the stop sign clubhouse all the way to my mailbox, but when I showed him my shield and ID he said they are having problems in that lot and he was checking around for problems. I believe his name was Officer Rysler. Also one night I was talking one my cellphone before comeing into the house and another officer approached my car checking on me, same thing showed him my badge and ID and he explained the same thing. Great job to the Village police, they are being proactive and trying. Last summer I called them when a group was smoking pot and hanging out. They just better not mess with me or they will get a Mossberg 410 up their ass!
Why is there black electrical tape on the lights down by the dumpsters? It looks bad and makes the area darker. You can start by taking the tape off the lights and making it brighter at night.
Just last night I came home from the Mets game around 12:10am. No parking spots by my unit so I usually just go around as there is always spots by the big rock in the 4200 section.
Yep...there were 5-7 kids just hanging out doing nothing. One had a basketball in there hand and the others were just sitting down on the trunk of a gold car (I think) and a few others just standing. There is ALWAYS garbage scattered around in that spot so I am not sure if it was from them. BUT....if I was a woman I would have not felt comfortable parking with all those kids there. I don't want to call them hoodlums because I really didn't see anything wrong with sitting there...but it sounds like the same kids as described above.
There is no loitering allowed in the complex, period. There is something wrong with kids hanging out 12:00 am, they are doing something wrong by just being there. I think if you see kids there and feel uneasy about it, notify the hoa. They should notify Chester PD to keep more of an eye out. The road being closed for so long is adding fuel to the fire and adding an inconvenience factor to the amount of protection Chester's finest provide. I'm sure everyone who lives here has seen a decline of patrol since the road has been closed. Seems like Chester agreed to the Lowes project and road expansion without thinking of who exactly it's hurting. It's Whispering Hills problem now, and it needs to be addressed through HOA, not the residents. I know as a 5'1" 100lb woman, the last thing I want to see are thugs out and about. Chester police need to step it up and patrol more or it will get worse, then say bye-bye to your home value. It affects everyone who owns a townhouse here, not just the 4200 section.
Not saying they are or they aren't but why assume they are "thugs?"
If it was a group of white kids hanging out in a group of 7-10 by their car all reading Hawthorn novels would we be having this conversation? Let's not jump to conclusions and assume everyone who is standing around talking is causing trouble. They didn't bother me last night, they actually said hello, my car was fine in the AM and I didn't recognize any additional trash.
I think I was more afraid of the 50 wild cats then the kids.
Thugs, punks, delinquents, loiterers, I think you are missing the point. I haven't noticed noticed anything either but if someone feels uncomfortable, it needs to be addressed. Also, white black, hispanic, whats the difference if they're violating the law?
"I think I was more afraid of the 50 wild cats then the kids."
And the cat tied outside the house by me. Poor cat, the other day he was jumping in the air like a popcorn because the sidewalk was so hot burning his damn paws! Couldn't go anywhere else cause his dirty rope was too short!
Are you calling someone about the cat bopper? This is getting ridiculous that someone isn't notifying the proper authorities to save the cat. Post the unit number where the cat is tied up, I'll call today.
Bopper...PLEASE provide more information about the cat that is left outside. What unit is he at? You posted twice about this issue and from what I can decipher the HOA and/or Condo Board members have not been notified. I am truly concerned about this cats safety. I am more than willing to address the issue on your behalf if you are unable or unwilling to do it.
Summers are so short up here, it seems as if fall is here already. Cool nights and the sun is going down faster now at night. Too bad, I HATE the winter!
How's the pretty, lovely Joan doing in the clubhouse?
WOW bopper you sure like to throw that into every one of your posts. Almost makes it sound you "wanted" to be an officer...but just couldn't make it.
[shrug]
When you talk so tall about the cat but refuse to give the info AND throw around all the weapons you "could" use on thiefs...almost guarantees you are a wanna be.
Lay off and be a positive part of the board instead of a threatning show off.
Generally when people use quotation marks around words it means you are trying to infer an ironic sense only when the irony might otherwise be missed. Thus "wanted" in your sense means I really DIDN'T want to be a police officer. You should have put the quotations around the word "officer". And its really funny that you state I refuse to give any info and yet you sign your post with anonymous! Why don't you give us YOUR info. I risk the safety of my family, children and I if I reveal who I am on the internet. But rest assure that while you are making hamburgers in Wendy's I'm writing tickets on people who disobey railroad crossing signals in Long Island, riding my Electra Glide or papering drivers who are speeding on the Whitestone Bridge. Also when you get your $75 weekly check from cold cut factory you work in go buy a sense of humour. Have you ever heard of parody, exgeration and jokes? MORON!
What exactly did I say in my post that reflectly poorly on my job? What I post in here does not reflect anything with my job but what I see in here at Whispering Hills. Please, don't ever stop to think, we may not be able start you up again!
I wasn't trying to cut you down bopper, really I wasn't. It is a bit alarming when you hear an officer of the law make such comments as "They just better not mess with me or they will get a Mossberg 410 up their ass!" and other sorts of threatning comments I have read in the past. Typically officers like to keep the fact they are an officer on the down low, the fact they have multiple weapons in the house on the down low also. It just gives a very agressive representation of yourself and I don't think that is how you really are.
Throwing out you have an electra glide, how proudly you write tickets for people and to have an officer of the law...someone who is supposed be supporting the community, the people, encouraging humans to be good and live a straight life....cutting down the fact someone would would work at Wendy's and insinuating they are less than someone else, sort of a loser? What's wrong with working in a cold cut factory? It's an honest job, isn't it? Some would say reading a radar gun number and scribbling mumbo jumbo on a yellow slip of paper is easier than serving the public and dealing with customers and hospitality at Wendy's. Not so sure your captain would be so proud to have you on his team if he read your words.
That's all I am saying. Don't reply to the nay sayers with negativity I DO expect more from officers of the law than most. I have a few in the family and I can tell you are just as good of a person as they are.
I don't work in any community. I am empowered in all of New York State and Connecticut. Unless you consider 157 St and Broadway where I was sitting the other day in the median killing some time, thats a real jungle! And again, what I post in here is parody and jokes, you do not know what I do on the job and how I help distressed and stranded motorists, or the many motorists who I give verbal warnings to instead of having their auto insurance rates go up. And my superiors love my work, I am no nonsense with the officers under me and expect them to do their best. What I post in here has NOTHING to do with my job. You state you are not cutting me down and then you cut me down, its all so conflicting! I would try to read your mind but the print is to small!
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The way our society hates police officers you can imagine the possibilty of lawsuits that would occur and even disciplinary action from my department if I were to be an armed vigilante while off-duty. Of course this does not mean that if I saw weapons displayed or a felony in progress that I would turn the other way. I have called the Village Police on several occassions when I have observed unlawful acts and once assisted in aprehending a youth running from the Village police from the main road into the woods at the 4200 section.
Sunday 11:30 pm It's late and I'm tired....Tired of the police coming to the 4000 block, 4 times this month. Tired of all the people the police try to hunt down. The other day I heard about the police questioning a young lady walking her dog as to the whereabouts of a felon that lived near by. Tired of the white loud car that comes tearing down the big hump in the road all hours of the night, with it's loud muffler!!!!!He almost hit a kid one day. Tired of people calling 911 or the police and it just seems to be getting worse. It's gotten really out of control...Somebody out there please respond with some type of solution...or maybe a sympathic ear....I'm just plain tired of the craziness... Thanks..
Did you bring it up to WH management? Are they aware of the number of calls police are making. Personally I don't have that "issue" in my area I live in a nice "quiet" part of WH but I do see "things" from time to time that I'm unhappy with. Did you attend any of the meetings and bring up the severity of the noted occurrences? Summer is almost over, the road being out for the past year hasn't helped matters. As someone mentioned in an earlier post, "that road being out isn't a town problem, it's a WH problem". hit the nail on the head. Less police patrol and more boardem ='s loitering and contributes to a host of other problems. Neighborhood watch is a great idea. Anyone ever bring it up to management? This blog says that it will implement a section dedicated to crime and vandalism, great idea, how will it work? Post names and license plate numbers where management or the proper authorities can view to come down on offenders? I agree, something needs to be done, our complex is too big to ignore the fact that there are problems that are not being addressed. I've been here for 12 yrs and for the first time, I'm starting to worry that the complex as a whole is beginning to be tagged as "the ghetto" of Chester. What happened to Board member Mr Calloways comments here, at least there was some resolution when the guy posted answers. The guy got re-elected and then disappeared like a piece of crack in front of a crackhead. Does anyone care anymore that the price of our home is indicative of how the area is cared for (that doesn't mean a fresh coat of paint and a powerwash). We pay a lot in hoa fees, are we getting what we deserve? A little help here!
I have suggested in here and to the HOA to form a citizens watch. We could work with the Chester police via cellphones and purchase some two way radios with a 27 mile radius to talk to each other. Once the trouble makers know they are being watched they will go away. Its been very quiet in the 4200 section compared to last summer thanks to the aggressive patrol by the Village police. I called them several times last year and they always came and scared the wannabee hoods away.
Got the flyer today about close accidents almost occurring in the driveways due to speeding. Does anyone know where and what happened? Why so so many kids play in the driveways and people BBQ in them as well? Where I live there is so many parked cars in the driveways you can't even drive through them. On Whispering Hills Drive them shortline buses go really fast, I visually estimated one today going at least 45 MPH.
I don't think anything happened YET, the key word is YET. Kids shoulsnt be playing in the street or in lots, they do though. I personally almost clipped a few kids darting out of the driveways. What is sickning is that the parents let small children, I'm talking 4-6 yrs old, play without supervision all over the complex. The rules specify no loitering in lots, people do. Grilling, kids skateboarding, slamming balls on garage doors is unacceptable. I feel things are getting out more and more out of hand because there is nothing but "you better not" letters coming from hoa rather than someone actually patrolling the premises and enforcing the law.
Why isn't there someone checking parking sticker, dumping issues and loitering. Loitering is becoming an epidemic here. Something needs to be done in order to preserve the integrity of the complex. I hate to say it on a public blog that anyone can see but we are going down hill fast. It's not the way the place looks, it's the low class people that are starting to slowly starting to infiltrate our once cherished complex. Sad to say that I would never have said this 5 years ago. I think an outside management company is looking more and more appealing especially seeing we have seem to become complacent and management can't seem keep up with the current state of affairs. I'm talking about real problems, not griping, just stating the facts. Anyone that states different, is living in the clouds. I own my unit, I don't want to loose more money that I have to because management cant run the place correctly or make informed decisions that will either make or break the area.
It's a borderline travesty what is happening, if you go to a meeting and bring anything negative up, they will sugar coat it or say that it's not in their budget to do something about it. I too am tired of "it". Tired of the runaround, tired of the broken/empty promises, tired of the finger pointing, tired of lazy management, tired of the excuses, etc.
How about hiring a security company to patrol the units? A security company would take care of 90% of the problems. Don't have money? Maybe they should consider collecting ALL the back hoa fees owed, totaling thousands of dollars.
I think that all this blogging is getting us no where. It seems that we all have good intentions, but the problem is we need to form a group and not hide under "ANONYMOUS"on a blog which the ass. says is not even part of Whispering Hills. At first I had put my real name in any some of my neibghors said I was crazy and should be afraid of the reprecussions. So I stopped, but what good is all this blogging going to do, except give us a place to vent These problem are beyond venting. Action needs to be taken. Going to the office and telling them of my complaints gets me know where. They say that they not are aware of problems on certain blocks..Not aware the police have been here 5 times in the last 2 months. The police last week also went door to door looking for the drug dealer who they say is a felon. And lives in the community.. I feel we need to take a stand together in person, the more the merrier, that is the only way the they will take us seriouly. Going to the office one by one gets us no where. I've spoken to neighbors who said they made complains in writing and physically have gone down to the office about certain problem and then when I go about the same problems they tell me this is the first they heard about it. This is insanity and like I said if we go as a group and band together maybe we can get somewhere. Like the lady said in a previous blog this area is becoming the getto of Chester. I did not invest my life saving to loss it because of incompetent people. I SPOKEN TO ALOT OF PEOPLE AND EVEYONE SEEMS KINDA SCARED. DO WANT TO LIVE IN A AREA WHERE WE ARE AFRAID TO VOICE OUR CONCERNS AND HIDE UNDER THE COVERS LIKE THEY DON'T EXIST...I SURELY DON'T AND WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO... Thanks for listening...please respond all you out there and let me know how u feel Have a good holiday weekend
All excellant posts. Unfortunately its one of the prices of urban sprawl. Maybe once the construction is over the kids can at least walk to the Mall and hang out there. Now you can't even do that!
Of course hoa doesn't acknowledge this blog, it is a direct threat to them. As far as forming a group, it won't work. Ever go to a meeting? In an organized group environment they still don't acknowledge there are problems. If they do, they give you the standard canned response. It's frustrating because there's no where to turn, it feels like our backs are against the wall. This blog at least offers some confirmation that the problems are not in my head, they are real and widespread.
Boycott the next election!! Tell them it's time to incorporate a management company. This crap has gone on long enough! We are losing the battle and the war with these clowns representing the community. A group is a great idea, it would be nice to get 75-100 people to speak. How about a petition for action? What do you guys think about creating a petition to clean up whispering hills? It's apparent something over and above needs to be done to jolt the hell out of the association.
Anyone happen to see the hoods carrying a stolen sign from the bridge work site? The arrogant punks were holding it up while on there way to the park. When the group of 15 kids reached the park they camped out at the top of the walking path and sat in the middle of it blocking anyone that was interested in taking an evening stroll. I agree something need to be done, a petition is a fantastic idea and a good place to start.
I guess the one positive thing about Whispering Hills turning into a Ghetto would be I can draw abstract art of people dancing, wear funny hats and praise the concoction Kool Aid! DYNOMITE~!
"It's the job of a parent to raise their kids. Since when can you make the WHOA responsible for the correct upbringing of kids.
There are police you can call if you see something going on. Why do you become more responsible?"
You can't be serious. I pay to live here and for everything associated with the complex. Whether it is a light post or a planted tree, you name it, our association fees pay for it. If something gets ruined or destroyed due to vandalism, rather than have to put out funds unnecessarily, a security system of some type should be put into place. This is not my responsibility as a homeowner, it is the responsibility of the complex to look into possible solutions to address the increasing breach in security issue. Security means anything dealing with cars, loitering, vandalism etc. I know that if I drove through the complex and saw the kids hanging out like they do, I would be extremely turned off to buying a place here. The person who wrote the quoted post must rent and not own.
Trust me, as a long time blogger on this site, the association reads this forum. They know that it exists, it's been brought up many times in meetings not to mention there have been a few board members who posted comments in the past. There is no guarantee that they are taking everything here seriously but they do throw it up on their cpu to see what is being said and what the general consensus is.
An open blog to those concerned about W.H. turning into a "Chester Ghetto": Relax folks, all communities (and life in general) are not perfect, but to state that we are falling off into the abyss is an over-exaggeration. I have been an owner since '91 and I have seen situations ebb 'n flow ( pretty much like life), and just roll with it and try to add some positive feedback and action. Usually things work out in the end.
Am I concerned about the lack of parental supervision? You bet!
Am I concerned about being intimidated (and retaliation) by the local youth? No, not really. I find that being up- front and rational works to my advantage.
Am I concerned about my property value diminishing due to the aforementioned? NO! I am still of the opinion that this community is healthy.
Would I like to see the WHHOA step up and be more proactive? Hell yes!!!!!!!!!
Am I concerned about the type of"homeowner" moving in? YES!
I do find it disheartening that there is a lack of consideration and decency in WH at times. Such is life I guess, but I choose to make the best of it! Peace.... PS William Calloway; where did you go? I hope that all is well for you and your family! WE miss your entries bro'!
PS(s): big bopper: Great entry in reference to "GOOD TIMES" LMAO on that one man!
Today was so nice in Whispering Hills and its the reason why I love living here. Everybody was out BBQ'ing with friends and family, nieghbors walking by saying hello and engaging is small talk. It seems as sometimes time does slow down around here and its not rush, rush, rush, commute, commute, commute! Also let us not forget that this weekend is the 6th anniversary of the great fire of 2002 that occured in the corner units. That was a terrible time. I had lots of friends in those units that burned up and I miss them and all the nice times we had together drinking beer and talking. But the folks who moved into the rebuilt units are very nice too! Including the fat guy with the German shepherd dog and the lady with the German shepherd dog.
Good post Buzz, I agree with everything you said but have to tell you that it's getting more and more difficult to remain positive. If HOA would show they were interested in finding solutions to common problems, I think it would alleviate a large portion of the tension and negativity. We can only hope and pray that the people that run our fine community begin to take a look at the underling issues and like Buzz mentioned, take a more proactive approach.
The lanscapers have completely destroyed the BRAND NEW dumpster enclosures. From plowing snow right through the side puncturing holes to the weed whackers completely destroying the beautiful siding we just paid to put on them.
How much is it going to cost us (2 years later) to replace them again. In my opinion this is a much bigger eye sore than anything else.
Didn't they install fence guards to protect the posts from the weed whacker? I've seen protective plastic at the base of the new fence posts to help that.
Good Day to Everyone! I have always been a keen reader of this blog and try to keep abreast of the goings on in residents heads. No I didn't disappear like a piece of crack in front of a crack fiend and I resent the inference being made. It isn't a responsibility of mine to make entrie on this blog to appease anyone's concerns. I was making entries out of the kindness of my heart nad the dedication to my community. For all of thenaysayers and detractors I ondly state the following as I have so many times before: "If you don't like what is going on, REUN FOR THE BOARD TAKE A SEAT AND DO SOMETHNG" Until you do that you are doing nothing but asking for action without a plan. Many bloggers and posts are tainted with nothing but the negativity that all state that they emphatically dislike about the HOA. Well, when are you going to step up to the plate and do something about it. Instead of "Anonymously" posting and making awful insuations. Let me put it to you in plain english. You don't want kids hanging out in the area, talk to the parents and tell them to stay out. A kid is just that....a kid. They will hang wherever and whenever they possibly can. (Remember when we were kids?) I can tell ou firsthand that if you approach these kids and ASK them to hold down the noise, ASK them to put the litter in the garbage, ASK them if they would mind moving down to the park, you will find that they will respect you for treating them as HUMANS not as some "THUG, HOOLIGAN or MISCREANT" They are still the future of this nation. If we treat them with respect, they will respond accordingly. If the worst of our problems is 10 kids sitting near my unit, I'll take t, I'd rather that then having robberies, thefts, burglaries and the like. I used to live in the Bronx and gunshots were a nightly sound. A fight, I can go out and speak to the kids like young men and women and let them know that it isn't going to accomplish anything. And trust me I do. You have a problem with kids playing in the driveways, talk to the parents, trust me I have and it WORKS. You may have to form a routine about it, but being NEIGHBORLY about it helps. And just so you all know, I DO have a life apart from this blog, and lately I have chosen to LIVE it. I have been dilligently handling as much Condo IV business as possible. JUST BECAUSE I CHOOSE NOT TO BLOG DOES NOT MEAN THAT I AHVE LESSEND MY WORK FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND I RESENT THE IMPLICATION. And by the way, when I have more than three people in an open board meeting, I'll start to know about some of the problems that I can bring to the HOA in general. As a side note, I wasn't RE-ELECTED....NO ONE ELSE RAN!!!! I would gladly give the two AM phone calls, the Sunday phone calls, the requests for me to ask another owner to quiet down, the bitching about someone letting their child play in the driveway, the whining about how the grass wasn't cut properly, the complaining about how things aren't getting done to SOMEONE ELSE!!! Tell you what, which one of you "Anonymous" posters is runngin for a board set? Oh, that's right you won't. Which one of you "Anonymous" posters is going to speak to the homeowners to tell them their kids are congregating in an area improperly? Oh, that's right you won't. How about this for a logical solution....... GET OFF OF YOUR COLLECTIVE "ANONYMOUS" ASS AND SPEAK UP like a community. We have a large voting baase, we can vote for change in the village, town AND the HOA. But then again only about 100 people even vote in the elections AND WE HAVE A POLLING STATION ON SITE. Once again we are at an impasse...... anonymous posters with nothing but negativity and me like a fool trying to spur action from people who say they care but won't do anything that shows they care. Do me a favor and think about this: 1) Where do our youth have to go to enjoy themselves - we could hang out on the lawn and laugh and joke when we were young, but some residents don't want that or have forgotten what a community used to be. 2)How do we as a HOA Board police every child of every owner/renter - many in WH have forgotten that when we were young if you acted up, your neighbor whupped you and then you got it agin when you got home (heaven forbid if you even SPEAK to a child that is in the wrong in WH) 3) With so many "problems" why are not more community members attending their board meetings, open HOA meetings? 4) When fines / tickets are issued why are they even argued with - even when you as an owner/renter are dead wrong? 5) When you know a board member, why do you feel that you can disobey the rules? (I fine anyone that is wrong....EVEN MY DAUGHTERS!!! 6) If I put so much into being president of Condo IV (residents have my phone number, they know where I live, they ask me to quell disturbances, request that I act on situations that are totally out of my control) why is it that I feel the above blogs/comments are a slap in my face.
Maybe I should become "Anonymous" and blog about those of us that take absolutely no action (except complain anonymously)to help our community, but always feel free to assign blame to others for not doing aything even though they are the ones trying to do something. Sorry about the length of this post, but I had a lot on my mind after being compared to a piece of crack. WE NOW RETURN YOU TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED COMPLAINT SESSION...........................
The picnic yesterday was better than expected. Prizes, food, pony rides and face painting for the children. Good job to make the best of the situation (weather), it really was a fun time!
As soon as someone speaks negatively about the complex or the job you guys are doing, there's a defensive posture taken. I don't see negative comments here as being complaints I see them as being concerns that aren't addressed. Seeing that a 2 bedroom unit in WH was just sold for $179,000.000, you better damn well know that we need to do everything in our power to combat the falling real estate market. Why are there so many people selling their homes here? Could it be that we are becoming a less desirable community? Food for thought.
I'm only playing Calloway. You post makes sense. Sometimes we tend to live in our homes like cocoons and hope our problems are solved by someone else. There have a FEW occasions where I have expressed my displeasure to parents who have lost control of thier children playing around my place and have told them with good results. Its the problem of sprawl. One of the clubhouses should be converted to a little grocery store where people can hang out and talk, pick up some milk and walk instead of to a gas station a mile away.
Saturday, September 13, 2008 Whispering Hills HOA, Inc. 692 Whispering Hills Chester, NY 10918 Hours: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Donate Double Red Cells at this drive
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But we also know that it is nice to be recognized for the commitment and courage you show by being a blood donor. That’s why we are proud to offer “Points for Pints”, a program that allows you to accumulate points for various activities that support the blood supply, and then redeem these points for special Red Cross merchandise, or Red Cross services such as First Aid or CPR training courses.
To access the special "Points for Pints" web site go directly to www.PointsForPints.org
I believe that it is in the best interest of our community that the content of this blogg be considered private to our community and accessible to community members only. We consider ourselves free to air dirty laundry, exaggerated negatives and consistently refer to management in terms of distaste and distrust. Prospective buyers, real estate agents and investors develop a perception of WH culture and property value based on the information presented here. What a sad description of this community and what a sad description of the events of the summer at WH. Read posts from July to Sept and find a cat tied to a post, a police officer defending his sense of humor and integrity, a community activist and volunteer defending his perceived absence and resulting defamations, teens and young adults referred to as hoodlums and a new excessively derogatory (in the intended context presented) descriptive phrase - "Chester Ghetto" add the perception of greatly declining property values with reference to the recent sale price of a two bedroom unit and ask yourself - Do we really want to portray our community this way publicly? I’m not an advocate of holding our tongues and I appreciate that the Boss keeps things civil and Bopper keeps things Bopperistic and everyone does a great job of expressing themselves whether we all agree or not – these are all god things but to the outsider reading for the purpose of learning about life at WH this format is overwhelmingly negative and showing it to the world is counterproductive.
Please consider making this site exclusive to our community members
Please consider, a registration process so that participants are identified in terms of Condo Group 1,2,3 & 4 with WH resident’s exclusive access and an email link to HOA so that concerns are forwarded to people dedicated to making this community the best that it can be. Lets help this community. With a little cooperation in the form of communication of concerns, problems and suggestions as well as offers of volunteerism by way of direct email to HOA and or your local Condo Board officers. If you do not know who they are ask HOA and they will give you the information you need. Bill is Condo 4, I am on Condo 2 Board as VP, I refer to myself as CD1, and my name is Carole my email: cd1home@aol.com
Please consider reference to Condo 1,2,3 or 4 when blogging about concerns. Each condo group has its own Board; it would be helpful to be able to see issues of concern to the particular groups. Especially to board members who really do want to help.
I live in the 4000 section, what condo is that? Also the poor cat is still out there! The other day the poor thing was jumping in the air trying to chase away the bugs that were eating its butt!
Bopper my name is Danielle and I am on the Condo 3 board.
1) If you are in a unit between 4001 - 4024 you are in Condo 3.
2) On July 31; I responded to your post asking for the information about the cat. I am willing to address this issue for you as I understand these people are most likely your neighbors and you do not want to cause friction.
My number is 469 9614 please call me and leave me the unit number where the cat is so this matter of cruelty can finally be resolved.
Any board member that would like a copy of my response to Carole's post and my proposal to close Whispering Hills Blog to Community Members only, contact me via email: whisperinghillsblog@yahoo.com.
Be sure to identify who you are and which condo you represent.
"carole condo 2" makes a valid proposal and is absolutely on the mark: we should "close" this board and make it "for residents only". My past experience tells me activity on the board may suffer a bit . . . but a registration process to keep "what happens in Whispering Hills, in Whispering Hills", is certainly to our benefit.
Good evening all......... I would like to address two previous posts:
1) Carole Condo 2 Board said... "Please consider reference to Condo 1,2,3 or 4 when blogging about concerns. Each condo group has its own Board; it would be helpful to be able to see issues of concern to the particular groups."
This Blog site has that option already, please see "Whispering Hills Information Exchange" http://www.whisperinghillsblog2.blogspot.com/
2)Blogger dads8t2 said... "carole condo 2" makes a valid proposal and is absolutely on the mark: we should "close" this board and make it "for residents only". My past experience tells me activity on the board may suffer a bit . . . but a registration process to keep "what happens in Whispering Hills, in Whispering Hills", is certainly to our benefit."
I would have to respectfully disagree with your assessment. I think quite the contrary that if this blog site is left open to the cyberspace viewing public to view, it shows that there is a healthy discourse in this community and the common desire to keep WH a desirable place to live. No place is perfect, but it is up to ALL of us, owners and board members to maintain what is good and to improve upon what is not. My .02 for what it is worth. Peace.........
Of course the board wants to close the blog to residents. No different than the government wanting to hide all the dirty things they do or don't do.
It's a public blog and it needs to stay that way.
The major problem with blogs s in any situation and it's human nature, the people who aren't happy have the loudest voices. Happy people stand in the corner and continue to be happy.
Closing the blog will be the day it dies. My opinion of course.
I would expect you to fully read the blog and make an accurate comment about it instead of completely picking it apart and bringing to light the negative or problematic pieces. You are an officer of the board how about commenting on all the positive posts, the positivity, and the good it had done?
No different than the meetings. Pretty much all negativity.
TIZ why no one goes. (light bulb goes off above your head)
Who changes the lightbulbs on the lightposts? All of the posts are blown out at the 4200 homes and at night its real spooky walking through there! There's like 12 dogs in the area always barking especially the German Shepherd dogs and the cat tied outside the house! Please change the lightbulbs!
Please remember that this blog is not the proper forum for work order requests. Requests for light bulb changes, repairs needed in common areas, etc. need to be taken to the club house. There are forms there you can fill out.
Also, on a personal note, it is very difficult to understand why Bopper continues to write about the poor cat tied to the tree when I have offered multiple times to address the issue.
The post related to making this blog "for WH eyes only" was NOT presented by our HOA, commonly referred to as “The” Board.
Each Condo Group has its own board, which is separate from HOA.
The business of HOA is exclusive to HOA, the business of each Condo Group Board is exclusive to that board and the group of community members that it serves.
The HOA manages all matters common to all members of our entire community. These include all blanket/ community wide contracts related to landscaping, utilities, garbage disposal and snow removal, common buildings, insurance policies, professional services such as legal and accounting services and office staff.
Individual Condo Group Boards manage all matters exclusive to their Condo Group Including maintaining roads on the interior of the community that are for exclusive use by that Condo Group, special projects exclusive to the Condo Group such as new roofs, new decks and patio upgrades ongoing maintenance of our buildings including paint and damage control such as roof leaks, garage flooding and any other issues of concern exclusive to the particular Condo Group.
Condo Group Board Members
- Act as go to points for residents of their Condo Group Members of the community should make us this resource and voice concerns, complaints and suggestions to their Condo Group board members to make the Condo Group Board aware of individual concerns. Members of the Condo Group Board act on the behalf of the member to address concerns, offer guidance and take action to develop positive outcomes.
- Develop Condo Group Projects
Board members work to define project scope, project budgets, solicits bids for work and select vendors. Develop contracts and work orders and manage project expenses and schedules.
- Manage their Specific Condo Group Budget
Each Condo Group is a separate Corporation. Each separate corporation has its own operating budget. The Condo Group Board sets and manages an annual budget. That budget accounts for work that is scheduled to be performed in the given year as well as future projects projected out up to several years.
This includes current work schedules, financial reviews , cash flow management and review of work quality all as concern Condo Group specific projects. The Condo Group Board is responsible for maintaining healthy cash flow. A goal of the board is to develop a healthy reserve to allow current projects to run smoothly and time line goals to be met as well as to fund looming future large capital projects.
- Act as Community Liaison
Condo Board Members share community concerns with interested residents and eagerly share issues of mutual concern to residents such as information related to special projects such as roofs, Condo Group roadways and any other matters of direct concern to the specific condo group upon request. Each Condo Group Board holds its own monthly meeting. Open meetings are held a couple of times each year.
Condo Group Board officers meet with the HOA Board monthly. Matters of concern common to the community are discussed and all interact with each other to share concerns that they have been made aware of by their Condo Group members and the community of Chester at large. From that interaction we learn more about concerns that are common to all. This information is used to identify community wide concerns and learn from the process of sharing information. Action plans are developed as a result of these exchanges.
Members of the community are our most important source of information related to what is important to this community. It is very important that community members realize the important role that they play. It is equally important that community members realize that their individual Condo Boards should be used as their go to for concerns to ensure that board members are informed of concerns in order that these concerns be presented to HOA in context of the collective voice of to the community they serve.
Please work with your board, if you are in Condo 2 please contact me with your concerns.
I did not understand anything whatsoever in that long post, could it be wrapped up to summarize its jist in one paragraph, I'm confused. I'm going to spend the night breaking it down. BTW any Wall Street people in here lost their jobs in the mess from the last several days?
The repaving of the Section 3700 driveway was well done! Common charges once again well spent! Thank you Mr. Calloway for delivering as promised! Much appreciated...........
Whats the deal with that tremendous container taking up three parking spots!? Does it have a parking permit affixed to it? Will it get a $25 fine like I did when I had my permit hanging from the rearview mirror? Will I have to go to the clubhouse to put in a work order for this also?
I think they did them about 4 years ago. We don't need them done again then parking will really suck! On the good side maybe they will pave over some of them feral cats running around the dumpster.
"Hi Does anyone know when they are doing the driveways in the 4200 block" You should have received a letter from W.H.H.O.A. that has that info, if not I would suggest you give Joan a call.........
...............I think the black toppers forgot to come back and cut the tape for the Section 3700 driveway!!!!! It was done on Wednesday, and it only needs two days to cure. It sure would be nice to have access to my garage again!
We are pleased to inform you that WHB created a Neighborhood Watch Section dedicated to the safety of our Complex and it's Residents. Please visit our site extension and express your opinion about the program.
Whispering Hills Blog Neighborhood Watch page can be found either using our "site extension" link bar located on the right-hand-side of our index pages or by cutting and pasting the following URL in your browser address bar:
My name is Victoria and I recently involved my daughter in 4-H, Goshen chapter. My goal is to establish a 4-H club in Chester but we need 6-8 children in order to do so (so far we have 3 children interested). With the help of Whispering Hills and the use of the clubhouse we can bring 4-H to our town.
If you are interested in having your child become part of the 4-H club, please email me your contact information at chester4h@yahoo.com. I would appreciate it if you could let me know as soon as possible so we can get this established asap.
If you would like to learn more about 4-H and what it can do for your child, here is the website.
Good news for first time buyers purchasing between April 9, 2008 through June 30, 2009, you might qualify for a $7,500 tax credit. The single largest provision in the $15.1 billion package of housing tax incentives in the recently enacted Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008 (the “Housing Act”) is a measure allowing individuals buying their first home to take a tax credit of up to $7,500 of the purchase price. Qualified homebuyers can subtract the credit amount from their federal income tax when they buy a home and even get a refund if the credit exceeds the tax. However, they are then required to pay the credit back over 15 years, interest free. Here are the details of the new credit:
* The home must be located in the U.S. and must be the taxpayer’s principal residence (main home). The taxpayer (and the taxpayer’s spouse if married) must not have owned another principal residence in the U.S. in the three-year period before purchasing the new home. Thus, the home doesn’t literally have to be the taxpayer’s first home. * The home must have been purchased from April 9, 2008 through June 30, 2009, inclusive. Purchases from certain related persons and acquisitions by gift or inheritance don’t qualify. A home constructed by the taxpayer does qualify if the taxpayer moves in from April 9, 2008 through June 30, 2009. * A special rule allows taxpayers who purchase a principal residence in the first six months of 2009 to treat the purchase as if made on Dec. 31, 2008. This allows the taxpayer to claim the credit for 2008 rather than 2009. * The credit is equal to 10% of the price paid for the home, up to a maximum of $7,500. The $7,500 maximum credit applies both to individuals and married couples filing a joint return. A married individual filing separately can claim a maximum credit of $3,750. * The credit is phased out for individual taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income (AGI) between $75,000 and $95,000 ($150,000 and $170,000 for joint filers) for the year of purchase. Taxpayers with modified AGI over $95,000 ($170,000 for joint filers) can’t claim the credit. * The credit is refundable, meaning that households with incomes too low to owe income tax can benefit from it. * In the second year after purchase, taxpayers who took the credit must start paying back the credit in equal installments over 15 years, with no interest charge. This works as follows. Suppose a first-time homebuyer purchases a home for $100,000 this coming December and claims the maximum credit of $7,500 on his 2008 tax return. He would then be required to pay back $500 (one-fifteenth of the credit) on his tax return for 2010 and for each of the following 14 years, through 2024. * If the taxpayer sells the home (or the home ceases to be the principal residence of the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse) before complete repayment of the credit, any remaining credit is due on the tax return for the year in which the home is sold (or ceases to be the principal residence). If the home was sold at a loss to an unrelated person, repayment of the remaining credit is forgiven to the extent of the loss. * No credit is allowed if: the taxpayer was ever entitled to a N.Y. homebuyer credit; the home purchase was financed through tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds; the taxpayer is a nonresident alien; or the taxpayer disposes of the residence (or it ceases to be a principal residence) in the year of purchase.
I did not know that the units had funny names like Cedar, Alpine, Oakwood II, Butterscotch. What are the differences? Also I did not know our lovely Joan was the one who wrote the quotables in the Whispering Hills box when you enter the complex! No wonder these quotes were so cute, deep and thought provoking! Thank you Joan!
Ugene Wetzle is an ass! The guy should not be running this complex with his piss poor attitude. He is by far the most disrespectful arrogant person I have come across.
Get a life you crabby old bast@$%! No wonder why this place is falling apart.
You just figured that out now? I experienced his antics a few years back at a board meeting. He is a complete moron and likes to talk around any negative issue you bring up. Can you say loser! DO NOT VOTE THIS FOOL INTO OFFICE NEXT ELECTION!!!!!
Ya, Wetzle sits there on his can all day doing nothing and discourages any suggestions. You are a joke Wetzle! I am ashamed to be part of a place that is run by you jokers. Speak positively about what? Hide the true colors of how this place is run and expose the morons that are responsible for making decisions. Absolutely disgusting!
I do not wish to be part of these childish discussions I only write in defense of the other semi-normal residents of our community. It is of course only the opinion of this one semi-rational resident that the majority of persons using this means of communication do not in any way represent the majority of Whispering Hills. If you believe what is writen here It seems the most common sur-name in Whispering Hills is Anonymous. It is amazing that all the children of that infamous couple Mr and Mrs Anonymous have gravitated to our community. "Welcome" As to our elected HOA President when you grow up and attain one half the life experience he has perhaps you can get elected by "your peers". That is if you and them ever attain the level of intelligence necessary to decipher the intricacy of voting. Until that time please try to learn how to spell a persons name when you complain about them or their actions, even if you can not spell your own. Have a very pleasant day.
Bla,bla,bla, it's my opinion, not a discussion. No matter how you slice it, the guy is a obnoxious old man. You can put lipstick on a pig, in the end it's still a pig. It's not about being a genius, it's about being a leader. Clearly Gene lacks both qualities. Probably why we spend twice the amount of money and time on everything we do here. We need professionals not firemen who want to be professionals to run wh. I would love to see all of your qualifications and school history. Anyone ever attend college for accounting? What qualifies you people to do your job? It's apparent all you need is a fake smile and some palm grease. No matter who runs for a position, Joan and crew still count the votes. 1 for you 3 for me (wink,wink). Stop defending and start doing.
I am not saying I agree or disagree with the above comments but it is definitely time to lock this place down to registered guests only. Time to put some accountability to these posts.
We have retained a Web designer to move the entire blog to a Hosting company. Unfortunately resources are at a premium and the project is moving slower than anticipated. Estimated sequential relation between site construction and actual launch is unknown.
We are diligently working on making the transformation happen ASAP.
I have read the posts and these vile attacks against one person are unfair. My family and I have lived here for the past few years, and while I agree that everything here has not been run perfectly, and there is some room for improvements, we should not point our fingers at one person as in the previous posts. There is a very simple solution to getting things changed, take some action! Attend the HOA meetings, I do and it is very disheartening to sit at the meetings with five to ten other people. The boards will take our suggestions a little more seriously if we show up in large numbers. For the few of us that show up at the meetings it is very disheartening to see our fellow residents come in with a chip on their shoulders, and resort to juvenile tactics that pin the board members against their fellow residents. Come in say your piece and if enough people agree they will have your backing.
I just want to assure the people here that I have no affiliation with the board AT ALL!
Also is it possible to set up an email address for Whispering HIlls where concerned residents can email the office about their issues or concerns? Let's face it, it is probably easier for most of us to send an email request to the association rather than dropping off a letter or making a phone call during the day.
The only thing that will put an end to the resentment would be to hire a professional management company. It was brought up last year and there was never any follow through. The meetings are bogus because they want to hear themselves speak and not you, that's why no one attends.
I have to agree, meetings are a waste of time. The email idea is a good one but it will never happen. Too much work for the office to process complaints coming from 760 units. The last thing they want is more work.
Personally I am very concerned about the creditability of this web site.
I thought for awhile that this site was beginning to be used for a genuine good then all this b.s. again of name calling.
How do I know that some 10 year old isn't on this web site. From what I read on this site that's what it sounds like.
I believe it is time for the WHOA to open it's own web site and give each resident its own sining on number for security purposes. This was if your not a homeowner you can't sign on or if your a kid.
They can call the site the Offical Whispering Hills Web Site and let all the jerks have this site. They publish the truth not just bs.
Most all of you should be ashamed of yourselves; don't we have more important issues like the economy for us adults to worry about.
Well i would like to say, that of all the things that goes on in this place it should be run better, and should be on the ball when it come to running this place. When we all made the choice to move and better our families we chose "Whispering Hills" for a new start. Well it feel like I am back in New York City.
"Most all of you should be ashamed of yourselves; don't we have more important issues like the economy for us adults to worry about."
Hilarious post, i almost fell out of my chair when i read it. What you dont realize is that my house is my investment. How wh is run directly effects my net worth. If the ship sinks, my equity goes down with it. We can't control the economy, we can control how this place is run. Whispering hills will never take you up on your suggestion because they don't want to hear your complaints. They also wouldn't spend the time or money putting it together. You're on another planet man and its clear what your tying to do.
Do you think the board controls your property values. Well think agian. When was the last time you changed your carpets, installed new bathrooms, cleaned your house or gave a shit.
Maybe you do but maybe your neighbors don't.
There are many pigs living in here. And if you don't think your pets smell up your house then don't flush your toilets. So a pig is a pig unless you care about your neighbors.
Eugene, you have a lot of little friends on the board coming to your defense. we need to do an investigation on all the people who volunteer and are employed through whispering hills. Yes we should be ashamed of ourselves, for trusting clowns like you.
While opinions and viewpoints are always welcomed, we must take others feelings and emotions into consideration.
The following is a continually updated partial list of forum rules compiled by the administrators and moderators of Whispering Hills Blog. By participating you must abide by and agree to the following rules and guidelines:
Personal attacks and flames targeted toward others, moderators, or anyone visiting the forum are NOT TOLERATED. Violations include, but are not limited to, posts containing racial, ethnic, or sexual slur, offensive language, insults towards one’s abilities, attacks on personal beliefs or opinions, etc.
Posts containing information and/or links to illegal, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate material are STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. Violations include, but are not limited to, posts displaying or linking to pornography, illegal activities, hate sites, illegal products, etc.
Posts containing fraudulent information or attempting to defraud Members of the board or the Community will NOT BE TOLERATED. Violations include, but are not limited to, fraudulent or misleading information or claims concerning a fellow Community member, business, organization, or other party.
If these rules are followed, we can express our opinion (negative or positive) without incident.
I agree we need to password protect the blog. It's sad that there is so much resentment built up. It's like a pimple ready to pop. Not enough communication and to much finger pointing.
There is a way to "invite" people to post comments and cut out "anonymous" posting but it is not a solution the problem, it is merely a band aid.
Our conclusion is that the only way to control comments is to move the entire blog to our own Web site. By doing this we are creating a more interactive, informative environment that takes the away the autonomous element.
The plan is to issue a username and password which participating Residents choose. Upon registration we require name and unit number which gives Whispering Hills Blog complete control over who can and who cannot participate.
The process is already in motion, we have pointed our domain (www.whisperinghillsblog.com) to a designated hosting company. The creative process will commence as soon as our new record propagates to all name servers on the Internet(usually 3-4 days).
We are using server based blogging technology that will be hosted on our designated server rather than Google's. WhisperingHills Blog will also get a face-lift with a custom Web site design.
Any questions or comments feel free to post them or email us @: whisperinghillsblog@yahoo.com
Committee for Positive Action at Whispering Hills Want to join, it’s not a board and it’s all up to you Recipe- Define a need or desired outcome Develop a positive plan of action Implement your positive action plan.
Example 1: Neighborhood watch Talk to your neighbors Find a few people willing to help make a contact list Set a schedule Develop a Buddy System Gather tools and supplies -A clipboard -A flashlight -A pen Start watching and recording incidences. Use the blog to post your reports
Select a liaison from your group to work with HOA and local law enforcement To address your concerns, use your documentation to support the process
The HOA and local law enforcement will be glad to have the help and consistent action Will act as a deterrent especially if you disturb people that hang out habitually where they do not belong.
Example 2: Determine Whether our Community Would Truly Benefit from Professional Management
What services the community should contract for? Keep in mind 1– A Strong Board of Directors is every reputable professional management company’s first requirement – Management companies work through the HOA Boards; the HOA Board continues to manage everyday business.
Keep in mind 2- The common charges that we currently pay cover garbage, water, landscaping/snow removal, insurance of buildings and liability coverage, staff salaries, professional services, pool chemicals, lifeguards and surrounding area, Clubhouse facility overhead, common area power/light, general common area maintenance of roads, common plumbing / sewer lines, common drainage and maintenance of common sidewalks and common recreational areas. A portion goes to the particular Condo group for reserve for projects and maintenance within the area common to that group Its internal roads, roofs, driveways, drain, plumbing and insurance.
All of the above overhead would still exist so the cost of the management fee would Be added on over our current common charges.
How much money would each of your neighbors agree to pay for professional management?
Communicate with your neighbors, kick these questions around, gather a consensus and come to the table with an outline for action.
Realize that you are the glue and your efforts are the power of this community. Organization starts with neighbors talking to neighbors about issues of mutual concern and working together to develop plans of action that take into account their concerns and needs.
Our five boards need your support Condo I, Condo II, Condo III and Condo IV as well as our HOA Board. Join these volunteers. Bring information Bring ideas Bring action plans Join together to confront the real challenges that our community faces. Our Board Members welcome the opportunity to be the stewards of any working program that our community members develop for the good of the community. Positive change is the product of positive action. Get involved in a good way.
Why does every single garage have a flyer taped to it? This morning the flyers are all over the place. I was under the impression that taping advertisments to the garages or anywhere in WH was no prohibited? Who is going to fund the clean up?
I get a lot of people peddling anywhere from vacuums to religious services. Like the last person said, I thought there is no solicitation in Whispering Hills.
By the way, fabulous comment Carole. It's reassuring to see interest in 2 way communication.
I see what your saying Carole about management cost in addition to the current fees, I have a problem with your assessment. If we were managed by professionals, it would eliminate all the current employees salaries, there would be a formal bidding process on any work that needs to be done, more negotiating on the best terms possible for goods not to mention everyone would be forced to pay their HOA fees. Your payment would go directly to them similar to a credit card payment. There's more to it than just speculating on cost involved, there are actual checks and balances that need to be worked out before anyone can say if it makes sense or not. Has anyone in management ever crunched the numbers? If so, can you name the professional companies we approached for their management services. Looking forward to a response.
In Virginia we went from a HOA to a MGT Co. and after the first year my fees went down by $18/month.
In the first year...I got a credit back of $84 bucks.
On Long Island we had a management company. Year 1 to 2 my fees were reduced by $3/month. Year 2 they went down by $14/month and year 3 they went up $7.
Just an example.
Oink is correct...it's not a lock that anything will go up...it's actually more likely that fees will go down. Salaries go away (huge chunk) and they are more likely to bid things out differently than they are now.
Right now...other than the landscape and snow removal contracts...it's all done by a residents company. I could be wrong by saying ALL...but I am sure the decks, balcony's, columns, signs, stair rails, and most or all of the outside work seems to always go to this residents company.
I see him all the time and he seem like a real nice guy. It has nothing to do with him it's just weird that he get's all the work. Maybe he always gives the best price? Being in the hotel business I can honestly say that if the same people do the work all the time...leads people to believe it's not being bid out properly. Could he have the VERY best price for quality work...absolutely it's possible. Plus...we know where he is if a project goes wrong.
Hi Everyone Are you talking about Jan, who does alot of work for people in the complex? If so he has done alot of work for me and eventhough you might think he's alittle high in price, it's worth it. He's reliable and know the units like the back of his hand. There is no wondering about how your job will be done, if you use him you know your job will be done right. About some other postings...
I also moved from Northern Virginia and owned properites that were run by management companies like David K. and I found it to be alot more effective. I've had alot of issuses and have written on the blog before, gone to the office, spoken with the the proper board members to voice my concerns and so on and so on and have gotten no where. I really don't like being dismissed and being told "OH THE 4200 BLK. HAS ALOT OF ISSUES BUT WHISPERING HILLS IS NOT RESPOSIBLE"
I have stated before, that instead of venting on a blog that maybe we should try to figure out a better way to get things done. Yes, I hate complaining, I'm more of a doer. I would like to meet some of the bloggers, especially the ones that live near me on the 4200 blk....and yes it is dark on my block and I don't know where the lights or the cameras are????? I was told there are cameras, somewhere out there????
Also David K. on a more personal level you stated that you are in the hotel industry, I have an exstensive background in the hospitality field and would like to run something by you if I could.
where did the bus shelters go? I thought they were doing some work on them but they never reappeared.
Also, you are defeating the purpose of the blog by requiring registration that makes people identify themselves. A better solution is to require approval of comments before they are shown to the public.
I must also add that you would be better served by forum software and not a blog. There are no "blogs here, just a bunch of comments unrelated to any specific topic. That is what forums are for. The moderation capabilities will also be better.
I am in favor that this "Blog" site remain as is (with all of it's imperfections, kinda like life don't you think ?), and to just improve upon it. My suggestion would be to have specific blog topics that people (and yes that would include our neighbors, Mr. & Ms. anonymous) can share their opinions, thoughts, frustrations, solutions, etc, etc. This may lead to less randomness, and still allow community members to voice their opinion in any manner that they may wish to! We can't control entries that are written by cyberspace folks that may or may not live in this community, or under- aged kids that are entitled to their opinion as well. There is nothing wrong in poking a stick into the hornet's nest once and awhile to solicit a reaction. The last time I checked we STILL live in a free country, right?
My .02 for what it is worth (inflation not withstanding).............
if the owner of this blog wants to actually "blog" and have people comment on his entries, that is fine. as it stands the person is trying to run a forum with blog software.
First... We will be integrating phbBB forum software into our new site. Here is a short description of the package:
"Open-source bulletin-board package, works well, simple user interface and admin panel, clean look, scales well, and can be customized."
You can view the demo here: http://www.phpbb.com/community/
ang section 3700... I can appreciate the level of comfort using our site in current format but unfortunately WHB has outgrown its "running" comment configuration. With well over 1200 posts written by Residents over the prior year-and-a-half, many important topics have been thrown aside. I have received emails from a number of Residents requesting "bulletin board" format. After careful consideration, this would be an obvious choice for the betterment of Whispering Hills Blog.
Second.... Should our forum be closed and require registration? Should we continue to allow anonymous posting? These are two extremely relevant questions that directly influence the future of WHB.
We have been going back and forth with this argument over the past year and our conclusion is still ambiguous.
We want to hear your opinion, please voice your concerns and comments...
Over the next few weeks we will draw a final conclusion based upon your comments and suggestions. Since there are new members of the WHB Community, an additional 2 polls will be set up for Residents to vote either yes or no to the above questions. The poll results will be final and the end result will determine what is incorporated into our new Web design.
Residents, this forum was created for YOU. Please vote and comment on how YOU would like it customized!
Thanks anonymous for your concerns about our format. If you read my prior comments you will appreciate the fact we have addressed any and all future structural and design aspects of WHB.
I simply wont be back if PII (personally Identifying Information) is required. If you want honest opinions, I will be happy to give them in an anonymous format. I have no need open myself to harrassment because I am not towing the community group-think line. This is not my blog, and Im not trying to tell the owner what to do. I am just stating what I will do. I wish everyone good luck.
I am @ 2819 and you are more than welcome to drop by and ring the bell. Watch out for my 10lb. killer Shih Tzu...he'll lick your skin right to the bone :0)
Or you can call (845)321-2773 or email me davidkrauthamer@yahoo.com
I have been in the buiz since 1989. I started as a desk clerk @ 18 years old while in college now VP Sales & Marketing for a firm out of Fairfield, NJ.
The Big Bopper would like to thank all concerned and the this bored for fixing the lights at the 4200 section. Now all I have to look out for are the feral cats! Thanks all and especially the lovely Joan!
Catching up with Oink, Oink regarding relative cost of contracting a management company whether plus/minus current common charge rate and related issues. Whispering Hills is unique. We are not one entity. We are a group of four separate corporations. Each with its own budget, its own operating account and its own needs and each with its own common charge rate. (Disparities in the rates are reflective of the value of additional costs incurred, improvements realized and investments made in developing reserves, which are different for each group.) This adds a layer of administrative complexity, time expense and where professional management is concerned related cost. Whether management of four separate entities is 4x the price of management of 1 - I do not know. But there are four separate sets of books, one for each of our condo groups and one set for HOA, which reflect our overall operating costs for all things common. Our office staff, which is small and very effective, appears to me to be a great asset and value. Our office takes care of all 5 sets of books HOA, and each of the four condo groups and provides administrative support for the entire community. Use of management services on the HOA level only where we outsource the administrative duties related to HOA would leave us without the common resources that we now have that accommodate the needs of each individual condo group corporation. How would we replace that support? Would each Condo group contract for admin support services as well? Based on our structure each would address this separately under separate contract. We would need to distinguish precisely what services we would need, what staff we would need and whether we can find cost savings in this anywhere. This is how we are structured and this does not lend to cost efficiencies as concerns professional management since this isn’t a simple one size fits all environment.
In my opinion, the most efficient use of management services for our community would involve contracting for select professional services on an as need basis. This would enable us to contract for services that would strengthen the reach of our HOA without disrupting our current operating structure, could be implemented immediately and with the least amount of expense – best of all nothing falls off of the apple cart. I am aware, based on my own research that such service structures do exist. The structure is similar to other professional service fee structures including monthly retainer fee and contract-by-contract fees based on project scope and or project value and the extent of or scope of services required. This allows us to maintain our structure and secure professional assistance in key sensitive areas like contract negotiation, vendor selection, contract writing and could include other select services such as collection of delinquent CC’s. Please note we do have an improved approach to this challenge recently put in place which utilizes existing office staff. It is possible but in my opinion unlikely that savings related to skillful negotiation would offset the additional fees incurred which would be over and above the common charges of the day both on the HOA and Condo Group side. Whether the additional costs are " worth it" would be left to opinion based on individual satisfaction levels as they are now. For the record I thank our HOA and office staff everyday for taking care of our community. I know that they make a very tough job look way too easy. I invite all to join me in heart felt appreciation and graditude for the efforts of all of our hard working members and staff. To the Boss thank you for this opportunity to share. Carole Condo 2
So we have similar businesses that are all operated differently by different people? Sounds like we can consense and save, no?
The office is effective? I am glad that is your opinion but are you qualified to say it's effective? How do you know it's effective, because the place hasn't blown up?
Carole, no offense but you sound like a politician that has just told the public how doing anything different will not benefit us because "YOU" think things are ok.
How about getting actual bids for the scope of work instead of just giving us your opinion?
Do you know for a fact that getting rid of all the office staff and allowing an experienced corporation wouldn't save us money and possibly do the job better? Or are we concerned about keeping people employed?
Your blog answered nothing. It was an attempt to keep things "just the way they are" and a poor job of it.
I agree, it's a bunch of jargon. The same answer I got last year when it was proposed to the board. Gene the ringleader tries to put a spin on the idea without facts. Sorry Carole, seems your trying to justify the existence of an outdated process without the actual facts to back up your assessment. Anyone with actual numbers to prove that there isn't a better solution for the exciting problem? And yes there is a problem with mismanagement and abuse of power. If you think the current status of Whispering Hill can't be greatly approved upon, you're not seeing the entire picture or brainwashed into thinking everything is hunkie dori. Please provide facts that it wouldn't be more lucrative to combine the entire complex and hire a management company.
I agree with OINK OINK AND ANONYMOUS!!!!!I would rather our complex run by a professional corporation than people with their own agenda. And why can't the complex be looked at as one instead of being broken up into 4 parts????I would like to know what exactly each condo board member does??????
To all of those who are so smart. How do you know that a management company is better. Have you done your facts or just running your mouths like always.
Show me the numnbers please or keep your mouths shut. You see to know so much but produce so little.
Nows your chance. Produce your numnbers how much is a management company going to cost us a month. Whats your figures or are you just full of b.S.
So we have similar businesses that are all operated differently by different people? Sounds like we can consense and save, no?
Response Carole Condo 2
Our four independent corporations are just like any other unrelated group of corporations. Like any other group of corporations if we were to joint together to form one large corporation each share holder group, in this example Condo Group 1,2,3&4 would settle on ownership of shares in proportion to the Condo Groups relative value. So if the value of the whole is 100 and one group has much stronger assets than the others it might be worth 50% of the total value of the whole – now how comfortable would you be to have one set of our citizens that quantitatively amount to 25% percent of the population represent a 50% of the “voting power” – what I am saying is that we do not start with 4 equal yet separate elements. We start with 4 separate elements of varying value.
The office is effective? I am glad that is your opinion but are you qualified to say it's effective? How do you know it's effective, because the place hasn't blown up?
Response Carole Condo 2
I never asked anyone to share my opinion. I never pretended that my opinion should be received, as though undisputable what I said is that I am of the opinion. Further it is my opinion that I am entitled to my opinion which is based on my experience in working with the members of our HOA, various boards and directly on specific projects including budget management for Condo 2 and our Condo 2 roofing project for which I co-wrote and managed our prospective vendor list, developed our bid outline and project scope, distributed bids and assembled responses for the then board. I was not a member of any board at that time. I was a member of a subcommittee that the Condo 2 put together in this instance in which more help was needed and people were requested to volunteer, which I elected to do.
Carole, no offense but you sound like a politician that has just told the public how doing anything different will not benefit us because "YOU" think things are ok.
Response Carole Condo 2
Wow, I didn’t hear myself telling anyone anything of the sort. What I intended was to share information that I sought through interviews with board members and for having become a member of Condo 2 – my interest in the community lead me to ask questions just like everyone else. My hope is to share information with others who are interested. Everyone is free to question and research the validity of my Information on their own and either disprove or accept and share so that we can work together to address community concerns. Our goals and plans need to be based on something, why not get a handle on the dynamics of our reality and build from there?
How about getting actual bids for the scope of work instead of just giving us your opinion?
Response Carole Condo 2
How about it? Please, all of us are in the exactly same position here. You are not reliant on me for anything. Perhaps if your data comes from yourself you will develop your own opinions, which you will respect and share. I for one will have a great deal of respect for anyone who actually takes the time to find something out for themselves and then dares to share it with others in the form of opinion. I am glad to know that this has you thinking, that’s a great first step. The natural next step would be to go out and get the information that you desire which you can do best on your own as I have.
Do you know for a fact that getting rid of all the office staff and allowing an experienced corporation wouldn't save us money and possibly do the job better? Or are we concerned about keeping people employed? Response Carole Condo 2 I know that this would not even be feasible, based on our structure which is a matter of fact. The questions raised are good ones, can we consolidate, what would be involved, what would that cost, would it make sense and I said I do not know. If anyone wants to persue any of this please do and share.
Your blog answered nothing. It was an attempt to keep things "just the way they are" and a poor job of it.
Response Carole Condo 2
Please do not expect me to deliver answers; I am not a dictator of anything to anyone. This is sharing - My opinion is my opinion and the facts are the facts.
oink oink said... I agree, it's a bunch of jargon. The same answer I got last year when it was proposed to the board. Gene the ringleader tries to put a spin on the idea without facts. Sorry Carole, seems your trying to justify the existence of an outdated process without the actual facts to back up your assessment. Response Carole Condo 2 What I offered here is a set of knowns - who and what WH is and what some of the challenges are. I encourage everyone to go out and find out to the extent of their satisfaction whatever they need to know and take positive action of any measure that will make a positive difference.
Then you wrote: Anyone with actual numbers to prove that there isn't a better solution for the exciting problem? And yes there is a problem with mismanagement and abuse of power. If you think the current status of Whispering Hill can't be greatly approved upon, you're not seeing the entire picture or brainwashed into thinking everything is hunkie dori.
Response Carole Condo 2
I have taken it upon myself, on my own, to find out how things work and how we are constructed and I come up with an idea that believe would enable immediate progress in critical areas, than I shared that idea and the community responded.
Please provide facts that it wouldn't be more lucrative to combine the entire complex and hire a management company.
Response Carole Condo 2
Please provide the facts that it would be. Develop a list of service requirements that suites the needs of all entities, the HOA, and each Condo Group. (Allow for differences -It might be different for each group in that one Condo Group might decide that landscaping is more important than another, or that security is more important, or feral cat management, or drainage require special attention.) Once an outline is completed and we define what services each of our groups would want, what the community service structure on the HOA level needs to be comprised of we can then bring that to management companies for them to review along with our request for their service outline and fee structures. We also need to find out what the legal ramifications are of combining our 4 corporations, what the cost involved in legal fees would be to consolidate our 4 corporations, what the ownership share ramifications would be and how we would manage community oversight of the entire process and how we would define what we are left with or what we create.
October 28, 2008 Anonymous said... I agree with OINK OINK AND ANONYMOUS!!!!!I would rather our complex run by a professional corporation than people with their own agenda
Response Carole Condo 2
Agenda of professional management – to manage your community for the sole purpose of making money. – unless you think that a management company has a different agenda?????
And why can't the complex be looked at as one instead of being broken up into 4 parts???? Response Carole Condo 2 Go to the mall, you see that there is a group of stores at the mall, each with a different owner, each its own corporation – if you go to mall management and say OK why cant Shoprite, Payless, The Liquour Store and Dunkin Donuts be one store – they would say THEY ARE NOT ONE BIG STORE.
You Wrote : I would like to know what exactly each condo board member does?????? Response Carole Condo 2 Our voting ballots offer an outline that might answer your question in part. Positions listed include President, VP, Treasurer and Secretary The President and VP typically have check signing ability. The Treasurer keeps track of the budget and monies The Secretary records the business of the board. There are formal processes such as taking of minutes and meetings follow a traditional formal format that includes that at least 3 board members be present for the purpose of quorum.Typical meeting format: - Role call - Reading of minutes of prior meeting - Motion to accept minutes - Discussion about old business - Discussion about new business - Votes are taken when need to demonstrate consensus when key issues are addressed such as vote to accept a budget, et. Vote to accept a proposal made by a contractor for work on a bid project. - Motion to Adjourn This is a broad strokes simple outline, if it doesn’t meet your needs you might want to contact HOA with more specific questions or ask me and I will try to be more helpful. It is important to note that anyone can run for a board seat where there is an opening.
Nice post, thanks for clarifying. While what most of what you are saying makes sence, I disagree that a management company is here solely to make money. We obviously would hire them to provide a service just like the current employees of HOA. I think a logical approach would be to allow:
a. residents vote on major issues similar to the government. b. residents vote on whether they want a professional company to be explored. c. take some of the power away from management and put more into the homeowners hands.
What gives the board the right to make decisions on how and who cant be contracted for goods and services that affect my investment? The board and management should act only as mediators while the complex would vote and be the decision makers. It's time for a change that's long overdue. I've been here for 13 years and have seen good and bad. For the betterment of WH we need to refine our current system and start taking back our community. We need to take the negativity and understand why we have residents the way they are. Management and board need to listen rather than chalk everything up as complaining. Some are nonsense, most are legitimate.
Other than the scam artist that drives around in the grey van, is Gene an company (management) on the Whispering Hills payroll? If so, as a paying resident, how much do they make annually?
I would like to know also what these people get paid.......Since it is our monies paying them it should be public knowledge I feel like all this is similar to our real presidential election..BLAH-BLAH-BLAH. A lot of BS...no real answers or solutions. It's time for a change, and no I don't have the facts or figures, but I'm willing to put my head together with others to figure this out, because the way it's working now is unexceptable
I would like to know also what these people get paid.......Since it is our monies paying them it should be public knowledge I feel like all this is similar to our real presidential election..BLAH-BLAH-BLAH. A lot of BS...no real answers or solutions. It's time for a change, and no I don't have the facts or figures, but I'm willing to put my head together with others to figure this out, because the way it's working now is unexceptable
We will NEVER get that info. They cover it up like it was the button to the nukes.
One thing I DO know....
I was NOT allowed to expand my privacy area when I moved in. I put in a request and was told NO I Was NOT ALOWED TO DO IT.
Mysteriously 2 years later I was ASKED if I wanted it done and if I did it was going to cost me $1000 bucks and the work was to be done by the man in the grey van.
Funny thing, no approval was needed for HIM to do it.
This is when I began to believe this whole community opporation was crooked.
Some people can have fans in the window and others get fined.
Some people can leave garbage on their balconys and other get fined for it.
Some people can put flyers on the units and others get chastised for it.
Some people get away without paying months and YEARS of HOA fees but others get threatning letters.
What specific question did you ask that has not been responded to?
You wrote: Anonymous said... Carole, Nice post, thanks for clarifying. While what most of what you are saying makes sense, I disagree that a management company is here solely to make money. What gives the board the right to make decisions on how and who cant be contracted for goods and services that affect my investment?
Carole Condo 2 Response
The Board meaning both our HOA Board and the individual Condo Group Boards are made up of ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY – VOLUNTEERS, UNPAID, ELECTED BY THE COMMUNITY TO ACT AS AGENTS OF THE COMMUNITY. WE GIVE THEM THE RIGHT TO ACT ON THE BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY WHEN WE VOTE THEM INTO OFFICE. WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE BOARD MEMBERS WE RUN FOR OFFICE FILL A VACANT SEAT AND BE A PART OF THE PROCESS.
Your idea of how things should work: The board and management should act only as mediators while the complex would vote and be the decision makers.
Carole Condo 2 Response
I agree, the community should be involved and should be a part of every major decision however - There are rules that regulate what constitutes a voting majority. If we were to adopt a vote by majority rule process The fist step would be to have the majority of members be involved, they would have to vote. Votes that reflect the position of 5- 10% of the community cannot be considered as “majority rule”; we would need a legitimate majority. Currently members are not active enough to make this happen. The majority of the members of our community do not participate in meetings or in voting for our various board positions; further some board positions remain vacant because people do not come forward to fill them. A grass roots “get involved campaign” might be something that you might want to spearhead – that would certainly help lead to the end that you propose.
You wrote: Management and board need to listen rather than chalk everything up as complaining. Some are nonsense, most are legitimate.
Carole Condo 2 Response
All communication is worthwhile. It has been my experience that apart from the resource of this blog members don’t take or have the opportunity to develop ideas and plans. Opened Board meetings aren’t an ideal place for members to present the raw observations and complaints of individuals and have them received as anything more than what they are – opening statements. I think that in the forum of a formal meeting when members voice concerns and do not offer plans that might be considered to address those concerns the impression of the board is that there is no community consensus regarding the issue. Conversely members seem to expect the board should develop action plans based on raw individual complaints and that just isn’t typically possible. The board(s) will work on the behalf of the community to implement community developed plans based on community consensus. The community needs to rally into grass roots action to develop ideas and plans based on consensus and then bring those plans to HOA to address how HOA could work to support putting those plans in motion. From what I have observed members doesn’t seem to see it this way. Members more often lay their concerns and complaints at the threshold of HOA one at a time and expect some kind of action to develop in the form of HOA developing and implementing a plan. This happens in an environment in which we nearly never get more than 20 people to attend an opened HOA meeting. It is difficult for the board to recognize any consensus of community on any issue. Of course the board does recognize consensus when it is evident and to that end we do have a program that allows for expanding patio areas – enough of members cared about this issue and the issue was addressed and offered with options while preserving the cohesive look of the community.
You wrote: oink said... Other than the scam artist that drives around in the grey van, is Gene an company (management) on the Whispering Hills payroll? If so, as a paying resident, how much do they make annually?
Carole Condo 2 Response
The Board meaning both our HOA Board and the individual Condo Group Boards are made up of ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY – THEY ARE VOLUNTEERS, UNPAID AND ARE ELECTED BY THE COMMUNITY TO ACT AS AGENTS OF THE COMMUNITY. YOU GIVE THEM THE RIGHT TO ACT ON THE BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE A BOARD MEMBER YOU NEED TO RUN FOR OFFICE, FILL A VACANT SEAT AND BE A PART OF THE PROCESS.
Jan, who you refer to as the guy with the van, presented proposals for our Deck / Patio project and was selected by the board as our General Contractor. Jan is a self employed General Contractor with years of experience in WH. Jan is also a resident.
As concerns patios/ decks - All members were given the option to upgrade their patio and expand at their own expense or to opt for standard restoration, which was offered at no additional cost. For those who did opt to upgrade Jan acted as project manager and facilitated the dig and pour through companies that he subcontracted to. He was forced to work with a consistent price which he had quoted (equal patios were done at equal costs for all) and handled the paperwork related to the dig and pour. His company put in the fences. This assured the community of coordination of effort, continuity in process, consistent work quality and controlled cost.
You wrote: oink oink said... I also want to know how much Joan and crew make and who and what dictate their pay increase when they get one.
Carole Condo 2 Response
Feel free to ask HOA for this information, I am not sure whether this is public knowledge; I expect that the answer would be in terms of XYZ dollars budged for office staff and expenses – probably not be in terms of this person makes this much, et. The budget value should answer your question, which goes to operating overhead cost budgeted the year.
You said:
Anonymous said...
I was NOT allowed to expand my privacy area when I moved in. I put in a request and was told NO I Was NOT ALLOWED TO DO IT.
Carole Condo 2 Response
Your request would have been denied if it were made prior to the HOA decision to provide a patio expansion program along with the restoration program. This was done in response to the many individual requests that were received to expand patio space. HOA listened to community’s urging, evaluated the option and put together a program that would enforce community aesthetic consistency while offering choices to members. The program that they came up with offers a lot of flexibility and individual members are able to decide whether or not to expand. You were unable to do this before a plan was put in place, everyone that asked was denied as well until a plan that would answer everyone’s needs was developed and could be offered.
You said - Funny thing, no approval was needed for HIM to do it. (You were referring Jan as General Contractor.) This is when I began to believe this whole community opporation was crooked.
Carole Condo 2 Response
Do you feel the same way now that this has been explained to you?
You wrote: Some people can have fans in the window and others get fined. Some people can leave garbage on their balconys and other get fined for it. Some people can put flyers on the units and others get chastised for it.
Carole Condo 2 Response
All of the items listed above fall under the same category of requests for enforcement of rules by community members. The citizens of the community drive enforcement. When a member points to a violation that they find offensive and brings this to the attention of their Condo Board or the HOA action is taken. If appropriate a fine is issued or a notice is sent. Actions are taken in response to complaint – there isn’t anything arbitrary about it – it is the direct result of neighbors reporting on their neighbor’s offensive behavior. Some people tie their dogs out others are not able to without receipt of complaint, some neighbors block garages with cars routinely, others get towed – this isn’t a decision made by the board these responses to complaints made by our members. Since member complaints are sporadic so are fines and notices. You said: Some people get away without paying months and YEARS of HOA fees but others get threatening letters.
Carole Condo 2 Response
Payment of common charges is crucial to the financial health of our community. Common charges are our only income. Our admin office has a system in place; it is the same for every member and is based on the extent of negligence. For an explanation of that process please contact HOA. You will find that all members are treated equally and you will also find that our HOA is doing its best to keep everyone in compliance with payment of CC’s on time. HOA now accepts credit card payments for common charges. This new service is being offered to help members’ bridge cash flow gaps and make payments on time. If interested in making CC payments please contact HOA. Once again I hope that I have been helpful. Take care - best wishes to all
Now that you have explained it. It's true, we do live in the perfect place. Let's keep everything the way it is. We shouldn't ever change it or look into change because it's perfect.
But can we at a minimum get the landscapers to fix the dumpster surrounds they destroyed LAST winter or do you have a reasonable explaination as to why we are leaving the damage and letting them get away with it?
Forgetaboutit, I am sure our common charges will go up if we want them repaired and really, it's been 11 months what's another 5 years. Let's just wait for them to go out of business then we can just charge the residents to fix them. Oh wait, we did that once already with the landscappers going out of business? Or should we fix the pool twice? Or should we have to cover the legal bills to sue the landscapers that went out of business? Oh wait.. we are perfect. I forgot again.
At least the power doesn't go out every 4 days now.
I have lived here for 18 year...I can go on for ever with the shady S%$T that goes on.
There's defiantly is a double standard. Example, look at Jan's patio. I thought that there is a standard the complex uses. Why is his block while everyone else must have a concrete one? You mean to tell me that if I wanted to paint my door blue i could? If I wanted to paint my fence white there would be no repercussion? Thanks Jan for paving the way, it seems ok for you to do what you want, I'll do the same!
Now that you have explained it. It's true, we do live in the perfect place. Let's keep everything the way it is. We shouldn't ever change it or look into change because it's perfect.
But can we at a minimum get the landscapers to fix the dumpster surrounds they destroyed LAST winter or do you have a reasonable explaination as to why we are leaving the damage and letting them get away with it?
Forgetaboutit, I am sure our common charges will go up if we want them repaired and really, it's been 11 months what's another 5 years. Let's just wait for them to go out of business then we can just charge the residents to fix them. Oh wait, we did that once already with the landscappers going out of business? Or should we fix the pool twice? Or should we have to cover the legal bills to sue the landscapers that went out of business? Oh wait.. we are perfect. I forgot again.
At least the power doesn't go out every 4 days now.
I have lived here for 18 year...I can go on for ever with the shady S%$T that goes on.
Obama will fix everything for us :0)
This post sums up where some of your money is going and how we have to pay for the mismanagement of WH. There's nothing anyone can say that can dispute these facts! Lets hear it board members, lets hear how you squirm out of this one. I would love to see what goes on behind closed doors and how much extra we have to pay because of thick-headed amateurs that think they know what they're doing.......Pointing a finger at
Eugene Wetzel
Eugene Collins
Pat Morgan
John Stephenson
William Calloway
Christine David
Stop your BS! The reason why these guys are in office is because your vote doesn't count. The same people are in there every year to cover up the crap they pull. There will never be a management company brought here because all the people listed above are in fear of being exposed and will be forced to move out of the complex out of embarrassment. You all should be ashamed of yourselves. We need to cut out the cancer, we own the community, not management!
What has been done to research management companies????????????? There is still no answer just sugar coating and excuses!
William Calloway is on the board? I didn't even know that.
Who was the child he paid or was it a family member he has TAPE A FLYER TO EVERY GARAGE IN THE COMMUNITY?
I had visitors that night and the first thing they said to me was...looks like you live it the ghetto with all these flyers tapped on the garages...and HALF of them are blowing all over the community.
I threw my flyer out but was he advertising an identity theft class "for the residents?"
I can't believe he doesn't or didn't have some sort of back end financial gain from doing that class? Did anyone go? Was there any "you can hire me if this type of thing happens" type of deal?
Just asking the question.
The other question...can I tape flyers on everyones garages? Or will I be fined for that? If so, did William get fined for that?
Wo did we pay for the clean up of the flyers? Who paid for that?
I saw the same flyers all over the ground outside! That's the abuse of power the other comment was talking about. It's ok for him to hang his flyer up but you try to, you'll get fined.
The man in the grey van is the crook they hire (who happens to live here) to do all the maintenance. The guy charges an outrageous amount for everything he does. I can guarantee we are paying him 40-50% more than we should. We need to look into a maintenance company, not some fat loser who claims he's a contractor that charges whatever he feels like!
Come on its fun - Be a volunteer. Its fun to join WH management - really. Don’t worry you don’t ever really get used to having people refer to you as though you are a power hungry sinister criminal secretly filling your pockets with peat moss and extra wood screws when no one is looking and laughing all the way to your garage. Its fun - come on its really not that bad, you get to give up your free time, grieve the concerns of others and have people falsely accuse you of perpetuating BS - come on its fun - really.
Carole Condo 2 said... Come on its fun - Be a volunteer. Its fun to join WH management - really. Don’t worry you don’t ever really get used to having people refer to you as though you are a power hungry sinister criminal secretly filling your pockets with peat moss and extra wood screws when no one is looking and laughing all the way to your garage. Its fun - come on its really not that bad, you get to give up your free time, grieve the concerns of others and have people falsely accuse you of perpetuating BS - come on its fun - really.
My REPLY:
How confident should the residents be about board members effectivness when they descrive the job like that? Well Carole?
Not such a great advertisment to run for the next election?
If I was that unhappy about doing what you do...I'd probably fudge that I got 3 bids on a job too.
If I was that unhappy at my job I can honestly say that I would do as little work as possible until I got fired.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm....sounds familiar. Problem is...no one ever gets fired.
That was your best post ever Carole. Shows how you really feel about the job you are doing and how much interest you really have.
P.S. I am the first one to admit that a blog should be to get things stirred up then get things resolved..but Boss...please, DO NOT allow people to slander others like what they are saying about Jan. I may not agree with everything that is going on in WH but we can't stand for direct slander like him hitting on peoples wives and posting his unit number. That is not right.
My name is Jan Plotczyk and I live at 3402 and my telephone numnber is 781-0695. This is for all of the anonymous that don't have a life.
It seems that many of you jealous people don't know what you are talking about or just talking out you ass.
First I have invested over 100,000 dollars of equipment to handle the needs of Whispering Hills. Second I am a professional who does the job right.
As far as my entrance way goes it is not a patio, it is an entrance way without the flower garden.
I filled out a request form to do the work and was granted permission by the Condo two board. Then I paid for it myself. Oh by the was I also install kitchen, bathrooms, painting, electrical, tiling etc.
If you live in Condo two and want one I am sure if you take the time to fill out the proper paper work they will let you have one if it is done professionally. They are not interested in having homeowners who don't know what they are doing do the work.
As far as what I charge I charge a reasonable rate. What do you think your worth? How much do you pay a backhoe person per hour, or a carpenter, painter of electrician. Did you know that a car mechanic charges 80 dollars per hour.
As far as the jerk who called me a fat loser you be best to look at yourself? I like to enjoy life you like to bitch.
This blog, like the Economy has gotten pretty ugly!
This yin & yang bickering won't get anything solved! It does make for some comical relief, but in the final analysis serves nothing more than to spew venom from afar w/o face to face repercussion.
As far as Jan is concerned, he's done right by me when it comes to maintenance in this complex!
If you can do better than being an anonymous fool, and sit back and criticize the board, Grey vans and anything else that may seep into you cranium, then by all means, please step up and be counted! I have served on boards and I am still removing the arrows from my BACK.............. A thankless job? HELL YES! But I am grateful that SOMEONE/SOMEBODY is willing to step up and serve this community!!!!!!!! Can it be better? ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!! That said, it would behoove all of us to try to side- step the ridiculous name calling and finger pointing and try to get some positive change implemented!
I must say that was pretty unprofessional of you. Using vulgar then stooping to the level of the others just goes to show that you aren't a professional. Just another one of them.
Just another reason why we need 3 bids on every job.
You gave us your phone number and house number. But any professional would have given us his state permit number first. Do you have one? Do you have insurance? Are you bonded? I;d like to know that information.
What are your qualifications? Did you go to a trade school? College?
How long have you been in the buisness?
That is the info a professional would have given us. Not calling us asses and fat losers.
Be a professiona, be above them.
In my opinion you NEED to be better. We don't think your unreasonable but WE do think that due to the fact you get EVERY job and YOU LIVE HERE...it does raise RED flags. Wouldn't you/Couldn't you admit that?
$100,000 worth of equiptment....WOW...does that make you qualified to do the work?
Strp up Jan. Be a professional. Not another whiney low class resident.
First i would like to thank the person or person's who made this Blog. The main thing I would like to bring is we as home owners would like to live the country life and leave the life of the city behind us. My name is CO and I approve this message.
Blog all of your community Opinion & Comments here.
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Is there any way pool hours can be extended 1 hour? I work in the city and get home at 6pm by the time I get situated, pool is closed. It would be nice to go for an evening swim.
The Recreation department is doing a good job, I too would like to see the pool open later as well as more activities for both children and adults. I recently went to the gym, I was floored when I saw all the equipment added since I've been there last (its been quite a while). I could not get over the "mini NY sports club" we have right in our backyard. My only negative comment would be on the tennis and basketball courts, They look horrible. I obviously play tennis on the upper courts because the lower are not functional. It would be nice if they resurfaced the courts up top seeing that the lower as stated by the hoa, cannot be done.
I can confirm the abuse by nonresidents using our luxuries. Checking ID's would be a great idea here. There are many people that use our walking path, bball,handball, and tennis courts that don't live here. Since id's are checked to use the pool and rec area, wouldn't it be sensible to check the other amenities as well?
Remember folks, New York's 168th Orange County Family Fair July 16th - July 27th 2008 is currently in progress. For discount coupons, general information and entertainment lineups, cut and paste the following link/URL into your browser address bar:
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Enjoy!
The Boss
Does anyone have a bad feeling that the Lowe's in town will never be opened?
That when construction is over Lowes will decide they can't open it?
We will be stuck with a gigantic warehouse for no use. I'm starting to miss the Meat/Hide Plant. A least it had a rustic flavor that made the town look small and nice.
I was speaking to a town representative the other day. He said that Lowes should be opened in October and that they are about 1 month behind schedule. Originally, the plan was to open for business fiscal 3rd quarter, apparently it was a building material thing. Go figure.
K
Is it against the Condo rules to tie animals outside your residence?
There's a poor cat tied outside the house of some retards!
Cats aren't supposed to be outside, get a dog!
Whats the number to the Chester ASPCA!!??
Check this link Bopper:
http://shelters.theanimalnet.com/NewYorkpets.htm
With the hot weather, the cat will be dead if its tied up.
Thanks.
I feel bad for the cat since its tie-up from early in the morning till the late evening. The poor thing sometimes scratches at the door to get in.
GET A LITTERBOX!
Please contact one of your Condo board members or the HOA office and report this issue.
No animal (cat or dog) is to be tied to any trees. Beside the fact that anything outside ones front door is considered common areas what they are doing is cruel and inhumane.
Has anyone had problems with Tim Smith from All County Doors Chester NY? I was wondering if anyone has had problems getting there garage door installed. I have been waiting 3 mons for him. I have heard problems with inventory, to back problems and now people who passed away in his family. He seems like the kid in school that told the teacher the dog ate his homework and you find out He never owned a dog.
Do you have a written contract?
Perhaps the terms may have passed and you can cancel out and get any money you may have laid out.
No,
Never used All county overhead doors but from what I've read and heard, stay away. Try looking them up on the BBB website to see if there are any complains against them.
I can tell you that I've used Castle windows and doors to replace 6 windows and a slider. They were in and out within 3 hours. I can't see a garage door taking more than a few hours to install.
K
Anyone with a new roof experiencing a pungent odor? I believe the "woody" smell is coming off the roof when it heats up. Is anyone experiencing the same smell?
Yeah it smells like marijuana burning.
Hope I don't fail my random drug test!
Chris,
I used Tim from All County Doors, he made me wait about 4 months to put the door in every time he was going to put the door in he had a problem. My friend also went to have a door put in by him and he waited 5 months with no door. He got his money back. I would not recommend his company to anybody.
People tieing they cat on a leash outside their crib like Art Carney on a Greyhound bus with a cat!
Bopper,
Call the HOA and make them aware of the cat. I thought you were calling someone the other day. What happened?
My cellphone died.
Thanks for the info on Tim Smith from All County Door. He canceled again. I ask for my money back and I suppose to get it tomorrow. I would not recommend this guy at all. Warn your friends if they are looking for a new door, unless they want to wait mons and listen to stories. I can't believe He told me his Mother died and I found out from a neighbor He heard that story 2 years ago. The club house should want people about this guy.
Sorry for the typo. "The Club House should WARN people about this guy."
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Hi...I'm new to the area and would like to speak about the area of the 4200 block. We have been having some serious problems with kids late at night. When I say kids I mean hoodlums around the age of 18-20. They been hanging out by the big rock in the parking lot and also in the driveways causing havoc, drinking and fighting and leaving garbage all over. I and another neigbor have called 911 twice this month. When the police arrive they scatter like rats running through the complex. The other night there were about 30 of them, bashing their cars into to each other, screaming about weapons and you can only imagine the rest. I DID NOT MOVE INTO THIS COMPLEX TO BE OVER RUN BY A BUNCH OF HOODLUMS, THIS AREA IS IN THE BACK AND OUT OF SIGHT AND I BELIEVE THAT WHY THEY HANG THERE!!!!!!!!!I have been to the office and Joan said this is the first she has heard of this problem and was kind enough to say she would look into it. I've spoken with various neighbors and yes they heard the fighting too but where to scared to do anything. I was hoping that someone could lead me in the right direction and help me gets some answers and solutions to this problem. Thanks...any reply would be helpful
ne
Hudson Valley Landscaping is once again dropping the ball, things are starting to get sloppy. Terrible mowing job, half the grass isn't cut at all. High and low spots not to mention the terrible edging job. I'm talking 8-10 inches of grass underneath my fence. Can HOA please talk to these clowns. I've noticed a steady decline in workmanship over the past few months. If someone isn't on these people they take advantage of it. Has HOA walked the premises lately? If not, they need to!
< Re-posting error> This post was accidentally deleted and re-posted erroneously. The comment was written by Jim (I apologize Jim).
Thanks,
The Boss
___________________________________
ne,
I haven't noticed anything recently, I live in that area.
Anyway, they have cameras in that area pointed in that direction. Joan should be able to run the video tape and at the very least be able to make out make of cars and if they are lucky recognize a few faces. If not, a request to re-position the cameras in the area questioned shouldn't be unreasonable. IMHO I feel it would be in the complex best interest to add more video surveillance.
With that said, it's defiantly a good point to bring up at the next hoa meeting.
The other night a police officer followed me from the stop sign clubhouse all the way to my mailbox, but when I showed him my shield and ID he said they are having problems in that lot and he was checking around for problems. I believe his name was Officer Rysler. Also one night I was talking one my cellphone before comeing into the house and another officer approached my car checking on me, same thing showed him my badge and ID and he explained the same thing.
Great job to the Village police, they are being proactive and trying. Last summer I called them when a group was smoking pot and hanging out.
They just better not mess with me or they will get a Mossberg 410 up their ass!
Why is there black electrical tape on the lights down by the dumpsters? It looks bad and makes the area darker. You can start by taking the tape off the lights and making it brighter at night.
In regard to the kids in the 4200 section.
Just last night I came home from the Mets game around 12:10am. No parking spots by my unit so I usually just go around as there is always spots by the big rock in the 4200 section.
Yep...there were 5-7 kids just hanging out doing nothing. One had a basketball in there hand and the others were just sitting down on the trunk of a gold car (I think) and a few others just standing. There is ALWAYS garbage scattered around in that spot so I am not sure if it was from them. BUT....if I was a woman I would have not felt comfortable parking with all those kids there. I don't want to call them hoodlums because I really didn't see anything wrong with sitting there...but it sounds like the same kids as described above.
There is no loitering allowed in the complex, period. There is something wrong with kids hanging out 12:00 am, they are doing something wrong by just being there. I think if you see kids there and feel uneasy about it, notify the hoa. They should notify Chester PD to keep more of an eye out. The road being closed for so long is adding fuel to the fire and adding an inconvenience factor to the amount of protection Chester's finest provide. I'm sure everyone who lives here has seen a decline of patrol since the road has been closed. Seems like Chester agreed to the Lowes project and road expansion without thinking of who exactly it's hurting. It's Whispering Hills problem now, and it needs to be addressed through HOA, not the residents. I know as a 5'1" 100lb woman, the last thing I want to see are thugs out and about. Chester police need to step it up and patrol more or it will get worse, then say bye-bye to your home value. It affects everyone who owns a townhouse here, not just the 4200 section.
Not saying they are or they aren't but why assume they are "thugs?"
If it was a group of white kids hanging out in a group of 7-10 by their car all reading Hawthorn novels would we be having this conversation? Let's not jump to conclusions and assume everyone who is standing around talking is causing trouble. They didn't bother me last night, they actually said hello, my car was fine in the AM and I didn't recognize any additional trash.
I think I was more afraid of the 50 wild cats then the kids.
Thugs, punks, delinquents, loiterers, I think you are missing the point. I haven't noticed noticed anything either but if someone feels uncomfortable, it needs to be addressed. Also, white black, hispanic, whats the difference if they're violating the law?
"I think I was more afraid of the 50 wild cats then the kids."
And the cat tied outside the house by me. Poor cat, the other day he was jumping in the air like a popcorn because the sidewalk was so hot burning his damn paws!
Couldn't go anywhere else cause his dirty rope was too short!
Are you calling someone about the cat bopper? This is getting ridiculous that someone isn't notifying the proper authorities to save the cat. Post the unit number where the cat is tied up, I'll call today.
Bopper...PLEASE provide more information about the cat that is left outside. What unit is he at? You posted twice about this issue and from what I can decipher the HOA and/or Condo Board members have not been notified. I am truly concerned about this cats safety. I am more than willing to address the issue on your behalf if you are unable or unwilling to do it.
Let me know where the cat lives and I will go there and cut the rope and set him free.
Summers are so short up here, it seems as if fall is here already. Cool nights and the sun is going down faster now at night.
Too bad, I HATE the winter!
How's the pretty, lovely Joan doing in the clubhouse?
You're a nut bopper. How about more information on that cat?
As far as cat goes, everything is purr-fect!
ASPCA came for his apprehesion but
22 slugs were bad for his complexion!
Hunh?
MTA PD Highway Unit....
WOW bopper you sure like to throw that into every one of your posts. Almost makes it sound you "wanted" to be an officer...but just couldn't make it.
[shrug]
When you talk so tall about the cat but refuse to give the info AND throw around all the weapons you "could" use on thiefs...almost guarantees you are a wanna be.
Lay off and be a positive part of the board instead of a threatning show off.
Generally when people use quotation marks around words it means you are trying to infer an ironic sense only when the irony might otherwise be missed.
Thus "wanted" in your sense means I really DIDN'T want to be a police officer. You should have put the quotations around the word
"officer".
And its really funny that you state I refuse to give any info and yet you sign your post with anonymous!
Why don't you give us YOUR info.
I risk the safety of my family, children and I if I reveal who I am on the internet.
But rest assure that while you are making hamburgers in Wendy's I'm writing tickets on people who disobey railroad crossing signals in Long Island, riding my Electra Glide or papering drivers who are speeding on the Whitestone Bridge.
Also when you get your $75 weekly check from cold cut factory you work in go buy a sense of humour. Have you ever heard of parody, exgeration and jokes?
MORON!
Bopper, all I can say is wow. Not the representation I was expecting from an officer of the law.
What exactly did I say in my post that reflectly poorly on my job?
What I post in here does not reflect anything with my job but what I see in here at Whispering Hills.
Please, don't ever stop to think, we may not be able start you up again!
I wasn't trying to cut you down bopper, really I wasn't. It is a bit alarming when you hear an officer of the law make such comments as "They just better not mess with me or they will get a Mossberg 410 up their ass!" and other sorts of threatning comments I have read in the past. Typically officers like to keep the fact they are an officer on the down low, the fact they have multiple weapons in the house on the down low also. It just gives a very agressive representation of yourself and I don't think that is how you really are.
Throwing out you have an electra glide, how proudly you write tickets for people and to have an officer of the law...someone who is supposed be supporting the community, the people, encouraging humans to be good and live a straight life....cutting down the fact someone would would work at Wendy's and insinuating they are less than someone else, sort of a loser? What's wrong with working in a cold cut factory? It's an honest job, isn't it? Some would say reading a radar gun number and scribbling mumbo jumbo on a yellow slip of paper is easier than serving the public and dealing with customers and hospitality at Wendy's. Not so sure your captain would be so proud to have you on his team if he read your words.
That's all I am saying. Don't reply to the nay sayers with negativity I DO expect more from officers of the law than most. I have a few in the family and I can tell you are just as good of a person as they are.
Kill them with kindness Bopper.
Have an awesome weekend guys.
I don't work in any community. I am empowered in all of New York State and Connecticut.
Unless you consider 157 St and Broadway where I was sitting the other day in the median killing some time, thats a real jungle!
And again, what I post in here is parody and jokes, you do not know what I do on the job and how I help distressed and stranded motorists, or the many motorists who I give verbal warnings to instead of having their auto insurance rates go up.
And my superiors love my work, I am no nonsense with the officers under me and expect them to do their best. What I post in here has NOTHING to do with my job.
You state you are not cutting me down and then you cut me down, its all so conflicting!
I would try to read your mind but the print is to small!
Just a reminder again...
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Also watch your language. This forum does not allow swearing, and flaming other users will not be accepted!
Discussions and disagreements are part of blogging. Become a positive influence on fellow community members. Always keep your comments clean & respectful.
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Thank You,
The Boss
Big Bopper
Since your so empowered why haven't you cleaned up the mess in the 4000 section with kids smoking pot and drinking beer.
Maybe they are not afraid of your gun or you.
You sound like the type of cop that we are going to seen on eyewitness news for killing and innocent person.
Personally I think your a jerk and should hand in your shield.
The way our society hates police officers you can imagine the possibilty of lawsuits that would occur and even disciplinary action from my department if I were to be an armed vigilante while off-duty. Of course this does not mean that if I saw weapons displayed or a felony in progress that I would turn the other way.
I have called the Village Police on several occassions when I have observed unlawful acts and once assisted in aprehending a youth running from the Village police from the main road into the woods at the 4200 section.
Sunday 11:30 pm
It's late and I'm tired....Tired of the police coming to the 4000 block, 4 times this month. Tired of all the people the police try to hunt down. The other day I heard about the police questioning a young lady walking her dog as to the whereabouts of a felon that lived near by. Tired of the white loud car that comes tearing down the big hump in the road all hours of the night, with it's loud muffler!!!!!He almost hit a kid one day. Tired of people calling 911 or the police and it just seems to be getting worse. It's gotten really out of control...Somebody out there please respond with some type of solution...or maybe a sympathic ear....I'm just plain tired of the craziness...
Thanks..
Did you bring it up to WH management? Are they aware of the number of calls police are making. Personally I don't have that "issue" in my area I live in a nice "quiet" part of WH but I do see "things" from time to time that I'm unhappy with. Did you attend any of the meetings and bring up the severity of the noted occurrences? Summer is almost over, the road being out for the past year hasn't helped matters. As someone mentioned in an earlier post, "that road being out isn't a town problem, it's a WH problem". hit the nail on the head. Less police patrol and more boardem ='s loitering and contributes to a host of other problems. Neighborhood watch is a great idea. Anyone ever bring it up to management? This blog says that it will implement a section dedicated to crime and vandalism, great idea, how will it work? Post names and license plate numbers where management or the proper authorities can view to come down on offenders? I agree, something needs to be done, our complex is too big to ignore the fact that there are problems that are not being addressed. I've been here for 12 yrs and for the first time, I'm starting to worry that the complex as a whole is beginning to be tagged as "the ghetto" of Chester. What happened to Board member Mr Calloways comments here, at least there was some resolution when the guy posted answers. The guy got re-elected and then disappeared like a piece of crack in front of a crackhead. Does anyone care anymore that the price of our home is indicative of how the area is cared for (that doesn't mean a fresh coat of paint and a powerwash). We pay a lot in hoa fees, are we getting what we deserve? A little help here!
I made a post Sunday evening at 11:30 p.m.. I made an error in saying the 4000 block...What I meant was the 4200 block and that area.
Sorry
I have suggested in here and to the HOA to form a citizens watch. We could work with the Chester police via cellphones and purchase some two way radios with a 27 mile radius to talk to each other.
Once the trouble makers know they are being watched they will go away. Its been very quiet in the 4200 section compared to last summer thanks to the aggressive patrol by the Village police. I called them several times last year and they always came and scared the wannabee hoods away.
Got the flyer today about close accidents almost occurring in the driveways due to speeding. Does anyone know where and what happened?
Why so so many kids play in the driveways and people BBQ in them as well? Where I live there is so many parked cars in the driveways you can't even drive through them.
On Whispering Hills Drive them shortline buses go really fast, I visually estimated one today going at least 45 MPH.
I don't think anything happened YET, the key word is YET.
Kids shoulsnt be playing in the street or in lots, they do though. I personally almost clipped a few kids darting out of the driveways. What is sickning is that the parents let small children, I'm talking 4-6 yrs old, play without supervision all over the complex. The rules specify no loitering in lots, people do. Grilling, kids skateboarding, slamming balls on garage doors is unacceptable. I feel things are getting out more and more out of hand because there is nothing but "you better not" letters coming from hoa rather than someone actually patrolling the premises and enforcing the law.
Why isn't there someone checking parking sticker, dumping issues and loitering. Loitering is becoming an epidemic here. Something needs to be done in order to preserve the integrity of the complex. I hate to say it on a public blog that anyone can see but we are going down hill fast. It's not the way the place looks, it's the low class people that are starting to slowly starting to infiltrate our once cherished complex. Sad to say that I would never have said this 5 years ago. I think an outside management company is looking more and more appealing especially seeing we have seem to become complacent and management can't seem keep up with the current state of affairs. I'm talking about real problems, not griping, just stating the facts. Anyone that states different, is living in the clouds. I own my unit, I don't want to loose more money that I have to because management cant run the place correctly or make informed decisions that will either make or break the area.
It's a borderline travesty what is happening, if you go to a meeting and bring anything negative up, they will sugar coat it or say that it's not in their budget to do something about it. I too am tired of "it". Tired of the runaround, tired of the broken/empty promises, tired of the finger pointing, tired of lazy management, tired of the excuses, etc.
How about hiring a security company to patrol the units? A security company would take care of 90% of the problems. Don't have money? Maybe they should consider collecting ALL the back hoa fees owed, totaling thousands of dollars.
The problem is the parents.They alwasys want someone elese to except their responsiblilty.
I think that all this blogging is getting us no where. It seems that we all have good intentions, but the problem is we need to form a group and not hide under "ANONYMOUS"on a blog which the ass. says is not even part of Whispering Hills.
At first I had put my real name in any some of my neibghors said I was crazy and should be afraid of the reprecussions. So I stopped, but what good is all this blogging going to do, except give us a place to vent
These problem are beyond venting. Action needs to be taken. Going to the office and telling them of my complaints gets me know where. They say that they not are aware of problems on certain blocks..Not aware the police have been here 5 times in the last 2 months. The police last week also went door to door looking for the drug dealer who they say is a felon. And lives in the community..
I feel we need to take a stand together in person, the more the merrier, that is the only way the they will take us seriouly.
Going to the office one by one gets us no where.
I've spoken to neighbors who said they made complains in writing and physically have gone down to the office about certain problem and then when I go about the same problems they tell me this is the first they heard about it.
This is insanity and like I said if we go as a group and band together maybe we can get somewhere.
Like the lady said in a previous blog this area is becoming the getto of Chester. I did not invest my life saving to loss it because of incompetent people. I SPOKEN TO ALOT OF PEOPLE AND EVEYONE SEEMS KINDA SCARED. DO WANT TO LIVE IN A AREA WHERE WE ARE AFRAID TO VOICE OUR CONCERNS AND HIDE UNDER THE COVERS LIKE THEY DON'T EXIST...I SURELY DON'T AND WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO...
Thanks for listening...please respond all you out there and let me know how u feel
Have a good holiday weekend
All excellant posts. Unfortunately its one of the prices of urban sprawl. Maybe once the construction is over the kids can at least walk to the Mall and hang out there.
Now you can't even do that!
Of course hoa doesn't acknowledge this blog, it is a direct threat to them. As far as forming a group, it won't work. Ever go to a meeting? In an organized group environment they still don't acknowledge there are problems. If they do, they give you the standard canned response. It's frustrating because there's no where to turn, it feels like our backs are against the wall. This blog at least offers some confirmation that the problems are not in my head, they are real and widespread.
Keep up the good work here!
PS. What happened to William Calloway?
Boycott the next election!! Tell them it's time to incorporate a management company. This crap has gone on long enough! We are losing the battle and the war with these clowns representing the community. A group is a great idea, it would be nice to get 75-100 people to speak. How about a petition for action? What do you guys think about creating a petition to clean up whispering hills? It's apparent something over and above needs to be done to jolt the hell out of the association.
Anyone happen to see the hoods carrying a stolen sign from the bridge work site? The arrogant punks were holding it up while on there way to the park. When the group of 15 kids reached the park they camped out at the top of the walking path and sat in the middle of it blocking anyone that was interested in taking an evening stroll. I agree something need to be done, a petition is a fantastic idea and a good place to start.
It's the job of a parent to raise their kids. Since when can you make the WHOA responsible for the correct upbringing of kids.
There are police you can call if you see something going on. Why do you become more responsible?
I guess the one positive thing about Whispering Hills turning into a Ghetto would be I can draw abstract art of people dancing, wear funny hats and praise the concoction Kool Aid!
DYNOMITE~!
"It's the job of a parent to raise their kids. Since when can you make the WHOA responsible for the correct upbringing of kids.
There are police you can call if you see something going on. Why do you become more responsible?"
You can't be serious. I pay to live here and for everything associated with the complex. Whether it is a light post or a planted tree, you name it, our association fees pay for it. If something gets ruined or destroyed due to vandalism, rather than have to put out funds unnecessarily, a security system of some type should be put into place. This is not my responsibility as a homeowner, it is the responsibility of the complex to look into possible solutions to address the increasing breach in security issue. Security means anything dealing with cars, loitering, vandalism etc. I know that if I drove through the complex and saw the kids hanging out like they do, I would be extremely turned off to buying a place here. The person who wrote the quoted post must rent and not own.
Trust me, as a long time blogger on this site, the association reads this forum. They know that it exists, it's been brought up many times in meetings not to mention there have been a few board members who posted comments in the past. There is no guarantee that they are taking everything here seriously but they do throw it up on their cpu to see what is being said and what the general consensus is.
An open blog to those concerned about W.H. turning into a "Chester Ghetto":
Relax folks, all communities (and life in general) are not perfect, but to state that we are falling off into the abyss is an over-exaggeration. I have been an owner since '91 and I have seen situations ebb 'n flow ( pretty much like life), and just roll with it and try to add some positive feedback and action. Usually things work out in the end.
Am I concerned about the lack of parental supervision?
You bet!
Am I concerned about being intimidated (and retaliation) by the local youth?
No, not really. I find that being up- front and rational works to my advantage.
Am I concerned about my property value diminishing due to the aforementioned?
NO! I am still of the opinion that this community is healthy.
Would I like to see the WHHOA step up and be more proactive?
Hell yes!!!!!!!!!
Am I concerned about the type of"homeowner" moving in?
YES!
I do find it disheartening that there is a lack of consideration and decency in WH at times. Such is life I guess, but I choose to make the best of it!
Peace....
PS William Calloway; where did you go? I hope that all is well for you and your family! WE miss your entries bro'!
PS(s): big bopper: Great entry in reference to "GOOD TIMES" LMAO on that one man!
Today was so nice in Whispering Hills and its the reason why I love living here. Everybody was out BBQ'ing with friends and family, nieghbors walking by saying hello and engaging is small talk.
It seems as sometimes time does slow down around here and its not rush, rush, rush, commute, commute, commute!
Also let us not forget that this weekend is the 6th anniversary of the great fire of 2002 that occured in the corner units. That was a terrible time. I had lots of friends in those units that burned up and I miss them and all the nice times we had together drinking beer and talking.
But the folks who moved into the rebuilt units are very nice too!
Including the fat guy with the German shepherd dog and the lady with the German shepherd dog.
Good post Buzz, I agree with everything you said but have to tell you that it's getting more and more difficult to remain positive. If HOA would show they were interested in finding solutions to common problems, I think it would alleviate a large portion of the tension and negativity. We can only hope and pray that the people that run our fine community begin to take a look at the underling issues and like Buzz mentioned, take a more proactive approach.
The lanscapers have completely destroyed the BRAND NEW dumpster enclosures. From plowing snow right through the side puncturing holes to the weed whackers completely destroying the beautiful siding we just paid to put on them.
How much is it going to cost us (2 years later) to replace them again. In my opinion this is a much bigger eye sore than anything else.
Didn't they install fence guards to protect the posts from the weed whacker? I've seen protective plastic at the base of the new fence posts to help that.
I think that person was referring to the house that contains the garbage dumpster. Not the privacy fences.
Good Day to Everyone!
I have always been a keen reader of this blog and try to keep abreast of the goings on in residents heads. No I didn't disappear like a piece of crack in front of a crack fiend and I resent the inference being made. It isn't a responsibility of mine to make entrie on this blog to appease anyone's concerns. I was making entries out of the kindness of my heart nad the dedication to my community. For all of thenaysayers and detractors I ondly state the following as I have so many times before: "If you don't like what is going on, REUN FOR THE BOARD TAKE A SEAT AND DO SOMETHNG" Until you do that you are doing nothing but asking for action without a plan. Many bloggers and posts are tainted with nothing but the negativity that all state that they emphatically dislike about the HOA. Well, when are you going to step up to the plate and do something about it. Instead of "Anonymously" posting and making awful insuations. Let me put it to you in plain english. You don't want kids hanging out in the area, talk to the parents and tell them to stay out. A kid is just that....a kid. They will hang wherever and whenever they possibly can. (Remember when we were kids?) I can tell ou firsthand that if you approach these kids and ASK them to hold down the noise, ASK them to put the litter in the garbage, ASK them if they would mind moving down to the park, you will find that they will respect you for treating them as HUMANS not as some "THUG, HOOLIGAN or MISCREANT" They are still the future of this nation. If we treat them with respect, they will respond accordingly. If the worst of our problems is 10 kids sitting near my unit, I'll take t, I'd rather that then having robberies, thefts, burglaries and the like. I used to live in the Bronx and gunshots were a nightly sound. A fight, I can go out and speak to the kids like young men and women and let them know that it isn't going to accomplish anything. And trust me I do. You have a problem with kids playing in the driveways, talk to the parents, trust me I have and it WORKS. You may have to form a routine about it, but being NEIGHBORLY about it helps. And just so you all know, I DO have a life apart from this blog, and lately I have chosen to LIVE it. I have been dilligently handling as much Condo IV business as possible. JUST BECAUSE I CHOOSE NOT TO BLOG DOES NOT MEAN THAT I AHVE LESSEND MY WORK FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND I RESENT THE IMPLICATION. And by the way, when I have more than three people in an open board meeting, I'll start to know about some of the problems that I can bring to the HOA in general. As a side note, I wasn't RE-ELECTED....NO ONE ELSE RAN!!!! I would gladly give the two AM phone calls, the Sunday phone calls, the requests for me to ask another owner to quiet down, the bitching about someone letting their child play in the driveway, the whining about how the grass wasn't cut properly, the complaining about how things aren't getting done to SOMEONE ELSE!!! Tell you what, which one of you "Anonymous" posters is runngin for a board set? Oh, that's right you won't. Which one of you "Anonymous" posters is going to speak to the homeowners to tell them their kids are congregating in an area improperly? Oh, that's right you won't. How about this for a logical solution.......
GET OFF OF YOUR COLLECTIVE "ANONYMOUS" ASS AND SPEAK UP like a community. We have a large voting baase, we can vote for change in the village, town AND the HOA. But then again only about 100 people even vote in the elections AND WE HAVE A POLLING STATION ON SITE. Once again we are at an impasse...... anonymous posters with nothing but negativity and me like a fool trying to spur action from people who say they care but won't do anything that shows they care. Do me a favor and think about this:
1) Where do our youth have to go to enjoy themselves - we could hang out on the lawn and laugh and joke when we were young, but some residents don't want that or have forgotten what a community used to be.
2)How do we as a HOA Board police every child of every owner/renter - many in WH have forgotten that when we were young if you acted up, your neighbor whupped you and then you got it agin when you got home (heaven forbid if you even SPEAK to a child that is in the wrong in WH)
3) With so many "problems" why are not more community members attending their board meetings, open HOA meetings?
4) When fines / tickets are issued why are they even argued with - even when you as an owner/renter are dead wrong?
5) When you know a board member, why do you feel that you can disobey the rules? (I fine anyone that is wrong....EVEN MY DAUGHTERS!!!
6) If I put so much into being president of Condo IV (residents have my phone number, they know where I live, they ask me to quell disturbances, request that I act on situations that are totally out of my control) why is it that I feel the above blogs/comments are a slap in my face.
Maybe I should become "Anonymous" and blog about those of us that take absolutely no action (except complain anonymously)to help our community, but always feel free to assign blame to others for not doing aything even though they are the ones trying to do something.
Sorry about the length of this post, but I had a lot on my mind after being compared to a piece of crack.
WE NOW RETURN YOU TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED COMPLAINT SESSION...........................
Whats "REUN FOR THE BOARD TAKE A SEAT AND DO SOMETHNG" mean?
bopper, you of all people know how typos sneak in when you're upset....RUN FOREST RUN
Mr. Calloway
Maybe now you finally realize that most of the people who post here are just do nothings, winers, and back stabbers.
Thanks William,
Your comments are greatly appreciated. Good to see you back.
K
The picnic yesterday was better than expected. Prizes, food, pony rides and face painting for the children. Good job to make the best of the situation (weather), it really was a fun time!
Mr Calloway,
As soon as someone speaks negatively about the complex or the job you guys are doing, there's a defensive posture taken. I don't see negative comments here as being complaints I see them as being concerns that aren't addressed. Seeing that a 2 bedroom unit in WH was just sold for $179,000.000, you better damn well know that we need to do everything in our power to combat the falling real estate market. Why are there so many people selling their homes here? Could it be that we are becoming a less desirable community? Food for thought.
I'm only playing Calloway.
You post makes sense. Sometimes we tend to live in our homes like cocoons and hope our problems are solved by someone else.
There have a FEW occasions where I have expressed my displeasure to parents who have lost control of thier children playing around my place and have told them with good results.
Its the problem of sprawl. One of the clubhouses should be converted to a little grocery store where people can hang out and talk, pick up some milk and walk instead of to a gas station a mile away.
Family starts at home. and a society is only as good as the peoeple that live in it.
Are you the one that writes the lines in the Whispering Hills box when you drive in?
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Whispering Hills HOA, Inc.
692 Whispering Hills
Chester, NY 10918
Hours: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Donate Double Red Cells at this drive
No Appointment Necessary
American Red Cross Blood Services, New York-Penn Region
825 John Street — West Henrietta, NY, 14586 — (585) 760-5555
Wants to Reward You for Your Commitment to Saving Lives
We understand that you donate blood voluntarily for one reason—to help save lives. Your generosity speaks for itself.
But we also know that it is nice to be recognized for the commitment and courage you show by being a blood donor. That’s why we are proud to offer “Points for Pints”, a program that allows you to accumulate points for various activities that support the blood supply, and then redeem these points for special Red Cross merchandise, or Red Cross services such as First Aid or CPR training courses.
To access the special "Points for Pints" web site go directly to www.PointsForPints.org
I hope that you find this information helpful
CD1
I believe that it is in the best interest of our community that the content of this blogg be considered private to our community and accessible to community members only.
We consider ourselves free to air dirty laundry, exaggerated negatives and consistently refer to management in terms of distaste and distrust. Prospective buyers, real estate agents and investors develop a perception of WH culture and property value based on the information presented here. What a sad description of this community and what a sad description of the events of the summer at WH. Read posts from July to Sept and find a cat tied to a post, a police officer defending his sense of humor and integrity, a community activist and volunteer defending his perceived absence and resulting defamations, teens and young adults referred to as hoodlums and a new excessively derogatory (in the intended context presented) descriptive phrase - "Chester Ghetto" add the perception of greatly declining property values with reference to the recent sale price of a two bedroom unit and ask yourself - Do we really want to portray our community this way publicly?
I’m not an advocate of holding our tongues and I appreciate that the Boss keeps things civil and Bopper keeps things Bopperistic and everyone does a great job of expressing themselves whether we all agree or not – these are all god things but to the outsider reading for the purpose of learning about life at WH this format is overwhelmingly negative and showing it to the world is counterproductive.
Please consider making this site exclusive to our community members
Please consider, a registration process so that participants are identified in terms of Condo Group 1,2,3 & 4 with WH resident’s exclusive access and an email link to HOA so that concerns are forwarded to people dedicated to making this community the best that it can be. Lets help this community. With a little cooperation in the form of communication of concerns, problems and suggestions as well as offers of volunteerism by way of direct email to HOA and or your local Condo Board officers. If you do not know who they are ask HOA and they will give you the information you need. Bill is Condo 4, I am on Condo 2 Board as VP, I refer to myself as CD1, and my name is Carole my email: cd1home@aol.com
Please consider reference to Condo 1,2,3 or 4 when blogging about concerns. Each condo group has its own Board; it would be helpful to be able to see issues of concern to the particular groups.
Especially to board members who really do want to help.
Thank you for your consideration.
CD1 / Condo 2
I live in the 4000 section, what condo is that?
Also the poor cat is still out there! The other day the poor thing was jumping in the air trying to chase away the bugs that were eating its butt!
Bopper my name is Danielle and I am on the Condo 3 board.
1) If you are in a unit between 4001 - 4024 you are in Condo 3.
2) On July 31; I responded to your post asking for the information about the cat. I am willing to address this issue for you as I understand these people are most likely your neighbors and you do not want to cause friction.
My number is 469 9614 please call me and leave me the unit number where the cat is so this matter of cruelty can finally be resolved.
Carole,
Please check your email for a response to your post. I will also be forwarding the email over to William Calloway.
Thanks,
The Boss
Any board member that would like a copy of my response to Carole's post and my proposal to close Whispering Hills Blog to Community Members only, contact me via email: whisperinghillsblog@yahoo.com.
Be sure to identify who you are and which condo you represent.
The Boss
I strongly feel that making this a "closed" members only site would be a greater benefit to the community as a whole.
"carole condo 2" makes a valid proposal and is absolutely on the mark: we should "close" this board and make it "for residents only". My past experience tells me activity on the board may suffer a bit . . . but a registration process to keep "what happens in Whispering Hills, in Whispering Hills", is certainly to our benefit.
Good evening all.........
I would like to address two previous posts:
1) Carole Condo 2 Board said...
"Please consider reference to Condo 1,2,3 or 4 when blogging about concerns. Each condo group has its own Board; it would be helpful to be able to see issues of concern to the particular groups."
This Blog site has that option already, please see "Whispering Hills Information Exchange"
http://www.whisperinghillsblog2.blogspot.com/
2)Blogger dads8t2 said...
"carole condo 2" makes a valid proposal and is absolutely on the mark: we should "close" this board and make it "for residents only". My past experience tells me activity on the board may suffer a bit . . . but a registration process to keep "what happens in Whispering Hills, in Whispering Hills", is certainly to our benefit."
I would have to respectfully disagree with your assessment. I think quite the contrary that if this blog site is left open to the cyberspace viewing public to view, it shows that there is a healthy discourse in this community and the common desire to keep WH a desirable place to live. No place is perfect, but it is up to ALL of us, owners and board members to maintain what is good and to improve upon what is not.
My .02 for what it is worth.
Peace.........
Of course the board wants to close the blog to residents. No different than the government wanting to hide all the dirty things they do or don't do.
It's a public blog and it needs to stay that way.
The major problem with blogs s in any situation and it's human nature, the people who aren't happy have the loudest voices. Happy people stand in the corner and continue to be happy.
Closing the blog will be the day it dies. My opinion of course.
Dear Carole,
I would expect you to fully read the blog and make an accurate comment about it instead of completely picking it apart and bringing to light the negative or problematic pieces. You are an officer of the board how about commenting on all the positive posts, the positivity, and the good it had done?
No different than the meetings. Pretty much all negativity.
TIZ why no one goes. (light bulb goes off above your head)
Who changes the lightbulbs on the lightposts? All of the posts are blown out at the 4200 homes and at night its real spooky walking through there!
There's like 12 dogs in the area always barking especially the German Shepherd dogs and the cat tied outside the house!
Please change the lightbulbs!
Please remember that this blog is not the proper forum for work order requests. Requests for light bulb changes, repairs needed in common areas, etc. need to be taken to the club house. There are forms there you can fill out.
Also, on a personal note, it is very difficult to understand why Bopper continues to write about the poor cat tied to the tree when I have offered multiple times to address the issue.
Danielle,
We have been reading Bopper's posts for the past year. It's real easy for the rest of us to understand.
The post related to making this blog "for WH eyes only" was NOT presented by our HOA, commonly referred to as “The” Board.
Each Condo Group has its own board, which is separate from HOA.
The business of HOA is exclusive to HOA, the business of each Condo Group Board is exclusive to that board and the group of community members that it serves.
The HOA manages all matters common to all members of our entire community.
These include all blanket/ community wide contracts related to landscaping, utilities, garbage disposal and snow removal, common buildings, insurance policies, professional services such as legal and accounting services and office staff.
Individual Condo Group Boards manage all matters exclusive to their Condo Group
Including maintaining roads on the interior of the community that are for exclusive use by that Condo Group, special projects exclusive to the Condo Group such as new roofs, new decks and patio upgrades ongoing maintenance of our buildings including paint and damage control such as roof leaks, garage flooding and any other issues of concern exclusive to the particular Condo Group.
Condo Group Board Members
- Act as go to points for residents of their Condo Group
Members of the community should make us this resource and voice concerns, complaints and suggestions to their Condo Group board members to make the Condo Group Board aware of individual concerns. Members of the Condo Group Board act on the behalf of the member to address concerns, offer guidance and take action to develop positive outcomes.
- Develop Condo Group Projects
Board members work to define project scope, project budgets, solicits bids for work and select vendors. Develop contracts and work orders and manage project expenses and schedules.
- Manage their Specific Condo Group Budget
Each Condo Group is a separate Corporation. Each separate corporation has its own operating budget. The Condo Group Board sets and manages an annual budget. That budget accounts for work that is scheduled to be performed in the given year as well as future projects projected out up to several years.
This includes current work schedules, financial reviews , cash flow management and review of work quality all as concern Condo Group specific projects. The Condo Group Board is responsible for maintaining healthy cash flow. A goal of the board is to develop a healthy reserve to allow current projects to run smoothly and time line goals to be met as well as to fund looming future large capital projects.
- Act as Community Liaison
Condo Board Members share community concerns with interested residents and eagerly share issues of mutual concern to residents such as information related to special projects such as roofs, Condo Group roadways and any other matters of direct concern to the specific condo group upon request.
Each Condo Group Board holds its own monthly meeting. Open meetings are held a couple of times each year.
Condo Group Board officers meet with the HOA Board monthly. Matters of concern common to the community are discussed and all interact with each other to share concerns that they have been made aware of by their Condo Group members and the community of Chester at large. From that interaction we learn more about concerns that are common to all. This information is used to identify community wide concerns and learn from the process of sharing information. Action plans are developed as a result of these exchanges.
Members of the community are our most important source of information related to what is important to this community. It is very important that community members realize the important role that they play. It is equally important that community members realize that their individual Condo Boards should be used
as their go to for concerns to ensure that board members are informed of concerns in order that these concerns be presented to HOA in context of the collective voice of to the community they serve.
Please work with your board, if you are in Condo 2 please contact me with your concerns.
Carole Condo 2
cd1home@aoal.com
Sorry email address error CD1 shoudl be cd1hom@aol.com
Thanks Carole
I did not understand anything whatsoever in that long post, could it be wrapped up to summarize its jist in one paragraph, I'm confused.
I'm going to spend the night breaking it down.
BTW any Wall Street people in here lost their jobs in the mess from the last several days?
I don't understand Danielle.
You want to resolves the cat issue but don't want to resolve replacing lights in the lightposts.
Whats next? Trying to solve the mystery of the Titanic sinking!!??
The repaving of the Section 3700 driveway was well done! Common charges once again well spent!
Thank you Mr. Calloway for delivering as promised!
Much appreciated...........
Whats the deal with that tremendous container taking up three parking spots!?
Does it have a parking permit affixed to it?
Will it get a $25 fine like I did when I had my permit hanging from the rearview mirror?
Will I have to go to the clubhouse to put in a work order for this also?
Hi
Does anyone know when they are doing the driveways in the 4200 block
I think they did them about 4 years ago. We don't need them done again then parking will really suck!
On the good side maybe they will pave over some of them feral cats running around the dumpster.
Anonymous said...
"Hi
Does anyone know when they are doing the driveways in the 4200 block"
You should have received a letter from W.H.H.O.A. that has that info, if not I would suggest you give Joan a call.........
...............I think the black toppers forgot to come back and cut the tape for the Section 3700 driveway!!!!! It was done on Wednesday, and it only needs two days to cure. It sure would be nice to have access to my garage again!
Hi Residents,
We are pleased to inform you that WHB created a Neighborhood Watch Section dedicated to the safety of our Complex and it's Residents. Please visit our site extension and express your opinion about the program.
Whispering Hills Blog Neighborhood Watch page can be found either using our "site extension" link bar located on the right-hand-side of our index pages or by cutting and pasting the following URL in your browser address bar:
http://whisperinghillsneighborhoodwatch.blogspot.com/
Thank you for your support!
The Boss
To all parents of children 5-7 yrs old.
My name is Victoria and I recently involved my daughter in 4-H, Goshen chapter. My goal is to establish a 4-H club in Chester but we need 6-8 children in order to do so (so far we have 3 children interested). With the help of Whispering Hills and the use of the clubhouse we can bring 4-H to our town.
If you are interested in having your child become part of the 4-H club, please email me your contact information at chester4h@yahoo.com. I would appreciate it if you could let me know as soon as possible so we can get this established asap.
If you would like to learn more about 4-H and what it can do for your child, here is the website.
http://www.4husa.org/
Thank You,
Victoria
email- chester4h@yahoo.com
Boss,
If it isn't too much trouble, can you run my 4-H post as the "post of the day" for a few days?
Victoria
It's been quiet here, I guess no news is good news.
k
First Time Buyer tax credit of $7,500
Good news for first time buyers purchasing between April 9, 2008 through June 30, 2009, you might qualify for a $7,500 tax credit. The single largest provision in the $15.1 billion package of housing tax incentives in the recently enacted Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008 (the “Housing Act”) is a measure allowing individuals buying their first home to take a tax credit of up to $7,500 of the purchase price. Qualified homebuyers can subtract the credit amount from their federal income tax when they buy a home and even get a refund if the credit exceeds the tax. However, they are then required to pay the credit back over 15 years, interest free. Here are the details of the new credit:
* The home must be located in the U.S. and must be the taxpayer’s principal residence (main home). The taxpayer (and the taxpayer’s spouse if married) must not have owned another principal residence in the U.S. in the three-year period before purchasing the new home. Thus, the home doesn’t literally have to be the taxpayer’s first home.
* The home must have been purchased from April 9, 2008 through June 30, 2009, inclusive. Purchases from certain related persons and acquisitions by gift or inheritance don’t qualify. A home constructed by the taxpayer does qualify if the taxpayer moves in from April 9, 2008 through June 30, 2009.
* A special rule allows taxpayers who purchase a principal residence in the first six months of 2009 to treat the purchase as if made on Dec. 31, 2008. This allows the taxpayer to claim the credit for 2008 rather than 2009.
* The credit is equal to 10% of the price paid for the home, up to a maximum of $7,500. The $7,500 maximum credit applies both to individuals and married couples filing a joint return. A married individual filing separately can claim a maximum credit of $3,750.
* The credit is phased out for individual taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income (AGI) between $75,000 and $95,000 ($150,000 and $170,000 for joint filers) for the year of purchase. Taxpayers with modified AGI over $95,000 ($170,000 for joint filers) can’t claim the credit.
* The credit is refundable, meaning that households with incomes too low to owe income tax can benefit from it.
* In the second year after purchase, taxpayers who took the credit must start paying back the credit in equal installments over 15 years, with no interest charge. This works as follows. Suppose a first-time homebuyer purchases a home for $100,000 this coming December and claims the maximum credit of $7,500 on his 2008 tax return. He would then be required to pay back $500 (one-fifteenth of the credit) on his tax return for 2010 and for each of the following 14 years, through 2024.
* If the taxpayer sells the home (or the home ceases to be the principal residence of the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse) before complete repayment of the credit, any remaining credit is due on the tax return for the year in which the home is sold (or ceases to be the principal residence). If the home was sold at a loss to an unrelated person, repayment of the remaining credit is forgiven to the extent of the loss.
* No credit is allowed if: the taxpayer was ever entitled to a N.Y. homebuyer credit; the home purchase was financed through tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds; the taxpayer is a nonresident alien; or the taxpayer disposes of the residence (or it ceases to be a principal residence) in the year of purchase.
No new is good new!
I did not know that the units had funny names like Cedar, Alpine, Oakwood II, Butterscotch.
What are the differences?
Also I did not know our lovely Joan was the one who wrote the quotables in the Whispering Hills box when you enter the complex!
No wonder these quotes were so cute, deep and thought provoking!
Thank you Joan!
Actually Big Bop man the units are:
Butternut,
Aspen,
Dogwood,
Cedar I and II
Thank you I did not know that!
I just thought mine was called the "crap shack hovel".
"Big Bopper said...
Thank you I did not know that!
I just thought mine was called the "crap shack hovel".
LMAO
Ugene Wetzle is an ass! The guy should not be running this complex with his piss poor attitude. He is by far the most disrespectful arrogant person I have come across.
Get a life you crabby old bast@$%! No wonder why this place is falling apart.
You just figured that out now? I experienced his antics a few years back at a board meeting. He is a complete moron and likes to talk around any negative issue you bring up. Can you say loser! DO NOT VOTE THIS FOOL INTO OFFICE NEXT ELECTION!!!!!
Ugene is a scumbag!
If you don't have something positive to say then you should keep your mouth shut or you should put yourself in his shoes.
That will most likely be too much for a jerk like you.
Ya, Wetzle sits there on his can all day doing nothing and discourages any suggestions. You are a joke Wetzle! I am ashamed to be part of a place that is run by you jokers. Speak positively about what? Hide the true colors of how this place is run and expose the morons that are responsible for making decisions. Absolutely disgusting!
well if you guys feel that way about gene then at the next board meeting VOTE him out.
I do not wish to be part of these childish discussions I only write in defense of the other semi-normal residents of our community. It is of course only the opinion of this one semi-rational resident that the majority of persons using this means of communication do not in any way represent the majority of Whispering Hills. If you believe what is writen here It seems the most common sur-name in Whispering Hills is Anonymous. It is amazing that all the children of that infamous couple Mr and Mrs Anonymous have gravitated to our community. "Welcome" As to our elected HOA President when you grow up and attain one half the life experience he has perhaps you can get elected by "your peers". That is if you and them ever attain the level of intelligence necessary to decipher the intricacy of voting. Until that time please try to learn how to spell a persons name when you complain about them or their actions, even if you can not spell your own. Have a very pleasant day.
Bla,bla,bla, it's my opinion, not a discussion. No matter how you slice it, the guy is a obnoxious old man. You can put lipstick on a pig, in the end it's still a pig. It's not about being a genius, it's about being a leader. Clearly Gene lacks both qualities. Probably why we spend twice the amount of money and time on everything we do here. We need professionals not firemen who want to be professionals to run wh. I would love to see all of your qualifications and school history. Anyone ever attend college for accounting? What qualifies you people to do your job? It's apparent all you need is a fake smile and some palm grease. No matter who runs for a position, Joan and crew still count the votes. 1 for you 3 for me (wink,wink). Stop defending and start doing.
Dear Boss,
I am not saying I agree or disagree with the above comments but it is definitely time to lock this place down to registered guests only. Time to put some accountability to these posts.
Just my .02.
Dave
Dave,
We have retained a Web designer to move the entire blog to a Hosting company. Unfortunately resources are at a premium and the project is moving slower than anticipated. Estimated sequential relation between site construction and actual launch is unknown.
We are diligently working on making the transformation happen ASAP.
The Boss
Thought there was a way to dis-allow anonymous posts?
I have read the posts and these vile attacks against one person are unfair. My family and I have lived here for the past few years, and while I agree that everything here has not been run perfectly, and there is some room for improvements, we should not point our fingers at one person as in the previous posts. There is a very simple solution to getting things changed, take some action! Attend the HOA meetings, I do and it is very disheartening to sit at the meetings with five to ten other people. The boards will take our suggestions a little more seriously if we show up in large numbers. For the few of us that show up at the meetings it is very disheartening to see our fellow residents come in with a chip on their shoulders, and resort to juvenile tactics that pin the board members against their fellow residents. Come in say your piece and if enough people agree they will have your backing.
I just want to assure the people here that I have no affiliation with the board AT ALL!
Also is it possible to set up an email address for Whispering HIlls where concerned residents can email the office about their issues or concerns? Let's face it, it is probably easier for most of us to send an email request to the association rather than dropping off a letter or making a phone call during the day.
I hope you all have a pleasant week.
The only thing that will put an end to the resentment would be to hire a professional management company. It was brought up last year and there was never any follow through. The meetings are bogus because they want to hear themselves speak and not you, that's why no one attends.
I have to agree, meetings are a waste of time. The email idea is a good one but it will never happen. Too much work for the office to process complaints coming from 760 units. The last thing they want is more work.
Personally I am very concerned about the creditability of this web site.
I thought for awhile that this site was beginning to be used for a genuine good then all this b.s. again of name calling.
How do I know that some 10 year old isn't on this web site. From what I read on this site that's what it sounds like.
I believe it is time for the WHOA to open it's own web site and give each resident its own sining on number for security purposes. This was if your not a homeowner you can't sign on or if your a kid.
They can call the site the Offical Whispering Hills Web Site and let all the jerks have this site. They publish the truth not just bs.
Most all of you should be ashamed of yourselves; don't we have more important issues like the economy for us adults to worry about.
Well i would like to say, that of all the things that goes on in this place it should be run better, and should be on the ball when it come to running this place.
When we all made the choice to move and better our families we chose "Whispering Hills" for a new start. Well it feel like I am back in New York City.
hey c.o. way to GO
"Most all of you should be ashamed of yourselves; don't we have more important issues like the economy for us adults to worry about."
Hilarious post, i almost fell out of my chair when i read it.
What you dont realize is that my house is my investment. How wh is run directly effects my net worth. If the ship sinks, my equity goes down with it. We can't control the economy, we can control how this place is run. Whispering hills will never take you up on your suggestion because they don't want to hear your complaints. They also wouldn't spend the time or money putting it together. You're on another planet man and its clear what your tying to do.
Do you think the board controls your property values. Well think agian.
When was the last time you changed your carpets, installed new bathrooms, cleaned your house or gave a shit.
Maybe you do but maybe your neighbors don't.
There are many pigs living in here. And if you don't think your pets smell up your house then don't flush your toilets. So a pig is a pig unless you care about your neighbors.
Eugene, you have a lot of little friends on the board coming to your defense. we need to do an investigation on all the people who volunteer and are employed through whispering hills. Yes we should be ashamed of ourselves, for trusting clowns like you.
While opinions and viewpoints are always welcomed, we must take others feelings and emotions into consideration.
The following is a continually updated partial list of forum rules compiled by the administrators and moderators of Whispering Hills Blog. By participating you must abide by and agree to the following rules and guidelines:
Personal attacks and flames targeted toward others, moderators, or anyone visiting the forum are NOT TOLERATED. Violations include, but are not limited to, posts containing racial, ethnic, or sexual slur, offensive language, insults towards one’s abilities, attacks on personal beliefs or opinions, etc.
Posts containing information and/or links to illegal, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate material are STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. Violations include, but are not limited to, posts displaying or linking to pornography, illegal activities, hate sites, illegal products, etc.
Posts containing fraudulent information or attempting to defraud Members of the board or the Community will NOT BE TOLERATED. Violations include, but are not limited to, fraudulent or misleading information or claims concerning a fellow Community member, business, organization, or other party.
If these rules are followed, we can express our opinion (negative or positive) without incident.
The Boss
Good post boss,
I agree we need to password protect the blog. It's sad that there is so much resentment built up. It's like a pimple ready to pop. Not enough communication and to much finger pointing.
k
Dave & WHB Community,
There is a way to "invite" people to post comments and cut out "anonymous" posting but it is not a solution the problem, it is merely a band aid.
Our conclusion is that the only way to control comments is to move the entire blog to our own Web site. By doing this we are creating a more interactive, informative environment that takes the away the autonomous element.
The plan is to issue a username and password which participating Residents choose. Upon registration we require name and unit number which gives Whispering Hills Blog complete control over who can and who cannot participate.
The process is already in motion, we have pointed our domain (www.whisperinghillsblog.com) to a designated hosting company. The creative process will commence as soon as our new record propagates to all name servers on the Internet(usually 3-4 days).
We are using server based blogging technology that will be hosted on our designated server rather than Google's. WhisperingHills Blog will also get a face-lift with a custom Web site design.
Any questions or comments feel free to post them or email us @: whisperinghillsblog@yahoo.com
The Boss
In the words of a famous Man "Can't We Just Get Along"
Committee for Positive Action at Whispering Hills
Want to join, it’s not a board and it’s all up to you
Recipe-
Define a need or desired outcome
Develop a positive plan of action
Implement your positive action plan.
Example 1: Neighborhood watch
Talk to your neighbors
Find a few people willing to help make a contact list
Set a schedule
Develop a Buddy System
Gather tools and supplies
-A clipboard
-A flashlight
-A pen
Start watching and recording incidences.
Use the blog to post your reports
Select a liaison from your group to work with HOA and local law enforcement
To address your concerns, use your documentation to support the process
The HOA and local law enforcement will be glad to have the help and consistent action
Will act as a deterrent especially if you disturb people that hang out habitually where they do not belong.
Example 2: Determine Whether our Community Would Truly Benefit from Professional Management
What services the community should contract for?
Keep in mind 1–
A Strong Board of Directors is every reputable professional management company’s first requirement – Management companies work through the HOA Boards; the HOA Board continues to manage everyday business.
Keep in mind 2-
The common charges that we currently pay cover garbage, water, landscaping/snow removal, insurance of buildings and liability coverage, staff salaries, professional services, pool chemicals, lifeguards and surrounding area, Clubhouse facility overhead, common area power/light, general common area maintenance of roads, common plumbing / sewer lines, common drainage and maintenance of common sidewalks and common recreational areas. A portion goes to the particular
Condo group for reserve for projects and maintenance within the area common to that group
Its internal roads, roofs, driveways, drain, plumbing and insurance.
All of the above overhead would still exist so the cost of the management fee would
Be added on over our current common charges.
How much money would each of your neighbors agree to pay for professional management?
Communicate with your neighbors, kick these questions around, gather a consensus and come to the table with an outline for action.
Realize that you are the glue and your efforts are the power of this community.
Organization starts with neighbors talking to neighbors about issues of mutual concern and working together to develop plans of action that take into account their concerns and needs.
Our five boards need your support Condo I, Condo II, Condo III and Condo IV as well as our HOA Board.
Join these volunteers.
Bring information
Bring ideas
Bring action plans
Join together to confront the real challenges that our community faces.
Our Board Members welcome the opportunity to be the stewards of any working program that our community members develop for the good of the community.
Positive change is the product of positive action.
Get involved in a good way.
Carole Condo 2
Carole
You have heart
I have a report.
ALL THE LIGHTS ARE OUT AT THE 4200 WALKWAY, ITS VERY DARK AND SCARY AT NIGHT.
OVER AND OUT
10-4 NINER SIX.
Why does every single garage have a flyer taped to it? This morning the flyers are all over the place. I was under the impression that taping advertisments to the garages or anywhere in WH was no prohibited? Who is going to fund the clean up?
Just curious.
I get a lot of people peddling anywhere from vacuums to religious services. Like the last person said, I thought there is no solicitation in Whispering Hills.
By the way, fabulous comment Carole. It's reassuring to see interest in 2 way communication.
k
I see what your saying Carole about management cost in addition to the current fees, I have a problem with your assessment. If we were managed by professionals, it would eliminate all the current employees salaries, there would be a formal bidding process on any work that needs to be done, more negotiating on the best terms possible for goods not to mention everyone would be forced to pay their HOA fees. Your payment would go directly to them similar to a credit card payment. There's more to it than just speculating on cost involved, there are actual checks and balances that need to be worked out before anyone can say if it makes sense or not. Has anyone in management ever crunched the numbers? If so, can you name the professional companies we approached for their management services. Looking forward to a response.
Complex brings in est. 2.5 million a year.
Is there a RFQ or RFP process in place? Please respond.
FYI....
In Virginia we went from a HOA to a MGT Co. and after the first year my fees went down by $18/month.
In the first year...I got a credit back of $84 bucks.
On Long Island we had a management company. Year 1 to 2 my fees were reduced by $3/month. Year 2 they went down by $14/month and year 3 they went up $7.
Just an example.
Oink is correct...it's not a lock that anything will go up...it's actually more likely that fees will go down. Salaries go away (huge chunk) and they are more likely to bid things out differently than they are now.
Right now...other than the landscape and snow removal contracts...it's all done by a residents company. I could be wrong by saying ALL...but I am sure the decks, balcony's, columns, signs, stair rails, and most or all of the outside work seems to always go to this residents company.
Just my opinion.
Are you talking about the guy who drives around in the grey van? He wanted to rip me off for my patio extension.
"Anonymous said...
Are you talking about the guy who drives around in the grey van? He wanted to rip me off for my patio extension."
That would be him!
I see him all the time and he seem like a real nice guy. It has nothing to do with him it's just weird that he get's all the work. Maybe he always gives the best price? Being in the hotel business I can honestly say that if the same people do the work all the time...leads people to believe it's not being bid out properly. Could he have the VERY best price for quality work...absolutely it's possible. Plus...we know where he is if a project goes wrong.
So...positives to having him do the work also.
Just thinking outloud here...that's all.
Hi Everyone
Are you talking about Jan, who does alot of work for people in the complex? If so he has done alot of work for me and eventhough you might think he's alittle high in price, it's worth it. He's reliable and know the units like the back of his hand. There is no wondering about how your job will be done, if you use him you know your job will be done right.
About some other postings...
I also moved from Northern Virginia and owned properites that were run by management companies like David K. and I found it to be alot more effective.
I've had alot of issuses and have written on the blog before, gone to the office, spoken with the the proper board members to voice my concerns and so on and so on and have gotten no where. I really don't like being dismissed and being told "OH THE 4200 BLK. HAS ALOT OF ISSUES BUT WHISPERING HILLS IS NOT RESPOSIBLE"
I have stated before, that instead of venting on a blog that maybe we should try to figure out a better way to get things done.
Yes, I hate complaining, I'm more of a doer. I would like to meet some of the bloggers, especially the ones that live near me on the 4200 blk....and yes it is dark on my block and I don't know where the lights or the cameras are?????
I was told there are cameras, somewhere out there????
Also David K. on a more personal level you stated that you are in the hotel industry, I have an exstensive background in the hospitality field and would like to run something by you if I could.
Have a nice weekend
nina
where did the bus shelters go? I thought they were doing some work on them but they never reappeared.
Also, you are defeating the purpose of the blog by requiring registration that makes people identify themselves. A better solution is to require approval of comments before they are shown to the public.
I must also add that you would be better served by forum software and not a blog. There are no "blogs
here, just a bunch of comments unrelated to any specific topic. That is what forums are for. The moderation capabilities will also be better.
Is there a way that the 4200 section succeed from the Whispering Hills HOA and we make the tied up cat the president?
I am in favor that this "Blog" site remain as is (with all of it's imperfections, kinda like life don't you think ?), and to just improve upon it. My suggestion would be to have specific blog topics that people (and yes that would include our neighbors, Mr. & Ms. anonymous) can share their opinions, thoughts, frustrations, solutions, etc, etc. This may lead to less randomness, and still allow community members to voice their opinion in any manner that they may wish to! We can't control entries that are written by cyberspace folks that may or may not live in this community, or under- aged kids that are entitled to their opinion as well. There is nothing wrong in poking a stick into the hornet's nest once and awhile to solicit a reaction. The last time I checked we STILL live in a free country, right?
My .02 for what it is worth (inflation not withstanding).............
if the owner of this blog wants to actually "blog" and have people comment on his entries, that is fine. as it stands the person is trying to run a forum with blog software.
Here’s the deal folk,
A few things I would like to address.
First... We will be integrating phbBB forum software into our new site. Here is a short description of the package:
"Open-source bulletin-board package, works well, simple user interface and admin panel, clean look, scales well, and can be customized."
You can view the demo here: http://www.phpbb.com/community/
ang section 3700... I can appreciate the level of comfort using our site in current format but unfortunately WHB has outgrown its "running" comment configuration. With well over 1200 posts written by Residents over the prior year-and-a-half, many important topics have been thrown aside. I have received emails from a number of Residents requesting "bulletin board" format. After careful consideration, this would be an obvious choice for the betterment of Whispering Hills Blog.
Second.... Should our forum be closed and require registration? Should we continue to allow anonymous posting? These are two extremely relevant questions that directly influence the future of WHB.
We have been going back and forth with this argument over the past year and our conclusion is still ambiguous.
We want to hear your opinion, please voice your concerns and comments...
Over the next few weeks we will draw a final conclusion based upon your comments and suggestions. Since there are new members of the WHB Community, an additional 2 polls will be set up for Residents to vote either yes or no to the above questions. The poll results will be final and the end result will determine what is incorporated into our new Web design.
Residents, this forum was created for YOU. Please vote and comment on how YOU would like it customized!
The Boss
Dear Boss,
Your feedback has been duly noted! Will proceed accordingly............
Just checked out that website. I am in favor of it!
Thanks anonymous for your concerns about our format. If you read my prior comments you will appreciate the fact we have addressed any and all future structural and design aspects of WHB.
The Boss
I simply wont be back if PII (personally Identifying Information) is required. If you want honest opinions, I will be happy to give them in an anonymous format. I have no need open myself to harrassment because I am not towing the community group-think line. This is not my blog, and Im not trying to tell the owner what to do. I am just stating what I will do. I wish everyone good luck.
Dear Nina,
I am @ 2819 and you are more than welcome to drop by and ring the bell. Watch out for my 10lb. killer Shih Tzu...he'll lick your skin right to the bone :0)
Or you can call (845)321-2773 or email me davidkrauthamer@yahoo.com
I have been in the buiz since 1989. I started as a desk clerk @ 18 years old while in college now VP Sales & Marketing for a firm out of Fairfield, NJ.
Feel free to ask away.
Dave
P.S. Ang....you are right on the money!
The Big Bopper would like to thank all concerned and the this bored for fixing the lights at the 4200 section. Now all I have to look out for are the feral cats!
Thanks all and especially the lovely Joan!
Catching up with Oink, Oink regarding relative cost of contracting a management company whether plus/minus current common charge rate and related issues. Whispering Hills is unique. We are not one entity. We are a group of four separate corporations. Each with its own budget, its own operating account and its own needs and each with its own common charge rate. (Disparities in the rates are reflective of the value of additional costs incurred, improvements realized and investments made in developing reserves, which are different for each group.) This adds a layer of administrative complexity, time expense and where professional management is concerned related cost. Whether management of four separate entities is 4x the price of management of 1 - I do not know. But there are four separate sets of books, one for each of our condo groups and one set for HOA, which reflect our overall operating costs for all things common. Our office staff, which is small and very effective, appears to me to be a great asset and value. Our office takes care of all 5 sets of books HOA, and each of the four condo groups and provides administrative support for the entire community. Use of management services on the HOA level only where we outsource the administrative duties related to HOA would leave us without the common resources that we now have that accommodate the needs of each individual condo group corporation. How would we replace that support? Would each Condo group contract for admin support services as well? Based on our structure each would address this separately under separate contract. We would need to distinguish precisely what services we would need, what staff we would need and whether we can find cost savings in this anywhere. This is how we are structured and this does not lend to cost efficiencies as concerns professional management since this isn’t a simple one size fits all environment.
In my opinion, the most efficient use of management services for our community would involve contracting for select professional services on an as need basis. This would enable us to contract for services that would strengthen the reach of our HOA without disrupting our current operating structure, could be implemented immediately and with the least amount of expense – best of all nothing falls off of the apple cart. I am aware, based on my own research that such service structures do exist. The structure is similar to other professional service fee structures including monthly retainer fee and contract-by-contract fees based on project scope and or project value and the extent of or scope of services required. This allows us to maintain our structure and secure professional assistance in key sensitive areas like contract negotiation, vendor selection, contract writing and could include other select services such as collection of delinquent CC’s. Please note we do have an improved approach to this challenge recently put in place which utilizes existing office staff. It is possible but in my opinion unlikely that savings related to skillful negotiation would offset the additional fees incurred which would be over and above the common charges of the day both on the HOA and Condo Group side. Whether the additional costs are " worth it" would be left to opinion based on individual satisfaction levels as they are now.
For the record I thank our HOA and office staff everyday for taking care of our community. I know that they make a very tough job look way too easy. I invite all to join me in heart felt appreciation and graditude for the efforts of all of our hard working members and staff. To the Boss thank you for this opportunity to share.
Carole Condo 2
"Our office staff, which is small and very effective, appears to me to be a great asset and value."
You got that right, especially the lovely & pretty Joan!
Carole,
So we have similar businesses that are all operated differently by different people? Sounds like we can consense and save, no?
The office is effective? I am glad that is your opinion but are you qualified to say it's effective? How do you know it's effective, because the place hasn't blown up?
Carole, no offense but you sound like a politician that has just told the public how doing anything different will not benefit us because "YOU" think things are ok.
How about getting actual bids for the scope of work instead of just giving us your opinion?
Do you know for a fact that getting rid of all the office staff and allowing an experienced corporation wouldn't save us money and possibly do the job better? Or are we concerned about keeping people employed?
Your blog answered nothing. It was an attempt to keep things "just the way they are" and a poor job of it.
I agree, it's a bunch of jargon. The same answer I got last year when it was proposed to the board. Gene the ringleader tries to put a spin on the idea without facts. Sorry Carole, seems your trying to justify the existence of an outdated process without the actual facts to back up your assessment. Anyone with actual numbers to prove that there isn't a better solution for the exciting problem? And yes there is a problem with mismanagement and abuse of power. If you think the current status of Whispering Hill can't be greatly approved upon, you're not seeing the entire picture or brainwashed into thinking everything is hunkie dori. Please provide facts that it wouldn't be more lucrative to combine the entire complex and hire a management company.
I agree with OINK OINK AND ANONYMOUS!!!!!I would rather our complex run by a professional corporation than people with their own agenda. And why can't the complex be looked at as one instead of being broken up into 4 parts????I would like to know what exactly each condo board member does??????
The facts would be nice. Which is it, we looked into a professional management company or not?
To all of those who are so smart. How do you know that a management company is better. Have you done your facts or just running your mouths like always.
Show me the numnbers please or keep your mouths shut. You see to know so much but produce so little.
Nows your chance. Produce your numnbers how much is a management company going to cost us a month. Whats your figures or are you just full of b.S.
us said...
Carole,
So we have similar businesses that are all operated differently by different people? Sounds like we can consense and save, no?
Response Carole Condo 2
Our four independent corporations are just like any other unrelated group of corporations. Like any other group of corporations if we were to joint together to form one large corporation each share holder group, in this example Condo Group 1,2,3&4 would settle on ownership of shares in proportion to the Condo Groups relative value. So if the value of the whole is 100 and one group has much stronger assets than the others it might be worth 50% of the total value of the whole – now how comfortable would you be to have one set of our citizens that quantitatively amount to 25% percent of the population represent a 50%
of the “voting power” – what I am saying is that we do not start with
4 equal yet separate elements. We start with 4 separate elements of varying value.
The office is effective? I am glad that is your opinion but are you qualified to say it's effective? How do you know it's effective, because the place hasn't blown up?
Response Carole Condo 2
I never asked anyone to share my opinion. I never pretended that my opinion should be received, as though undisputable what I said is that I am of the opinion. Further it is my opinion that I am entitled to my opinion which is based on my experience in working with the members of our HOA, various boards and directly on specific projects including budget management for Condo 2 and our Condo 2 roofing project for which I co-wrote and managed our prospective vendor list, developed our bid outline and project scope, distributed bids and assembled responses for the then board. I was not a member of any board at that time. I was a member of a subcommittee that the Condo 2 put together in this instance in which more help was needed and people were requested to volunteer, which I elected to do.
Carole, no offense but you sound like a politician that has just told the public how doing anything different will not benefit us because "YOU" think things are ok.
Response Carole Condo 2
Wow, I didn’t hear myself telling anyone anything of the sort. What I intended was to share information that I sought through interviews with board members and for having become a member of Condo 2 – my interest in the community lead me to ask questions just like everyone else. My hope is to share information with others who are interested. Everyone is free to question and research the validity of my
Information on their own and either disprove or accept and share so that we can work together to address community concerns. Our goals and plans need to be based on something, why not get a handle on the dynamics of our reality and build from there?
How about getting actual bids for the scope of work instead of just giving us your opinion?
Response Carole Condo 2
How about it? Please, all of us are in the exactly same position here. You are not reliant on me for anything.
Perhaps if your data comes from yourself you will develop your own opinions, which you will respect and share. I for one will have a great deal of respect for anyone who actually takes the time to find something out for themselves and then dares to share it with others in the form of opinion. I am glad to know that this has you thinking, that’s a great first step. The natural next step would be to go out and get the information that you desire which you can do best on your own as I have.
Do you know for a fact that getting rid of all the office staff and allowing an experienced corporation wouldn't save us money and possibly do the job better? Or are we concerned about keeping people employed?
Response Carole Condo 2
I know that this would not even be feasible, based on our structure which is a matter of fact. The questions raised are good ones, can we consolidate, what would be involved, what would that cost, would it make sense and I said I do not know. If anyone wants to persue any of this please do and share.
Your blog answered nothing. It was an attempt to keep things "just the way they are" and a poor job of it.
Response Carole Condo 2
Please do not expect me to deliver answers; I am not a dictator of anything to anyone. This is sharing - My opinion is my opinion and the facts are the facts.
oink oink said...
I agree, it's a bunch of jargon. The same answer I got last year when it was proposed to the board. Gene the ringleader tries to put a spin on the idea without facts. Sorry Carole, seems your trying to justify the existence of an outdated process without the actual facts to back up your assessment.
Response Carole Condo 2
What I offered here is a set of knowns - who and what WH is and what some of the challenges are. I encourage everyone to go out and find out to the extent of their satisfaction whatever they need to know and take positive action of any measure that will make a positive difference.
Then you wrote: Anyone with actual numbers to prove that there isn't a better solution for the exciting problem? And yes there is a problem with mismanagement and abuse of power. If you think the current status of Whispering Hill can't be greatly approved upon, you're not seeing the entire picture or brainwashed into thinking everything is hunkie dori.
Response Carole Condo 2
I have taken it upon myself, on my own, to find out how things work and how we are constructed and I come up with an idea that believe would enable immediate progress in critical areas, than I shared that idea and the community responded.
Please provide facts that it wouldn't be more lucrative to combine the entire complex and hire a management company.
Response Carole Condo 2
Please provide the facts that it would be.
Develop a list of service requirements that suites the needs of all entities, the HOA, and each Condo Group. (Allow for differences -It might be different for each group in that one Condo Group might decide that landscaping is more important than another, or that security is more important, or feral cat management, or drainage require special attention.) Once an outline is completed and we define what services each of our groups would want, what the community service structure on the HOA level needs to be comprised of we can then bring that to management companies for them to review along with our request for their service outline and fee structures. We also need to find out what the legal ramifications are of combining our 4 corporations, what the cost involved in legal fees would be to consolidate our 4 corporations, what the ownership share ramifications would be and how we would manage community oversight of the entire process and how we would define what we are left with or what we create.
October 28, 2008
Anonymous said...
I agree with OINK OINK AND ANONYMOUS!!!!!I would rather our complex run by a professional corporation than people with their own agenda
Response Carole Condo 2
Agenda of professional management – to manage your community for the sole purpose of making money. – unless you think that a management company has a different agenda?????
And why can't the complex be looked at as one instead of being broken up into 4 parts????
Response Carole Condo 2
Go to the mall, you see that there is a group of stores at the mall, each with a different owner, each its own corporation – if you go to mall management and say OK why cant Shoprite, Payless, The Liquour Store and Dunkin Donuts be one store – they would say THEY ARE NOT ONE BIG STORE.
You Wrote : I would like to know what exactly each condo board member does??????
Response Carole Condo 2
Our voting ballots offer an outline that might answer your question in part.
Positions listed include President, VP, Treasurer and Secretary
The President and VP typically have check signing ability.
The Treasurer keeps track of the budget and monies
The Secretary records the business of the board.
There are formal processes such as taking of minutes and meetings follow a traditional formal format that includes that at least 3 board members be present for the purpose of quorum.Typical meeting format:
- Role call
- Reading of minutes of prior meeting
- Motion to accept minutes
- Discussion about old business
- Discussion about new business
- Votes are taken when need to demonstrate consensus when key issues are addressed such as vote to accept a budget, et. Vote to accept a proposal made by a contractor for work on a bid project.
- Motion to Adjourn
This is a broad strokes simple outline, if it doesn’t meet your needs you might want to contact HOA with more specific questions or ask me and I will try to be more helpful. It is important to note that anyone can run for a board seat where there is an opening.
Thanks again Carole Condo 2
Again, no answers.
SAD.
Carole,
Nice post, thanks for clarifying. While what most of what you are saying makes sence, I disagree that a management company is here solely to make money. We obviously would hire them to provide a service just like the current employees of HOA. I think a logical approach would be to allow:
a. residents vote on major issues similar to the government.
b. residents vote on whether they want a professional company to be explored.
c. take some of the power away from management and put more into the homeowners hands.
What gives the board the right to make decisions on how and who cant be contracted for goods and services that affect my investment? The board and management should act only as mediators while the complex would vote and be the decision makers. It's time for a change that's long overdue. I've been here for 13 years and have seen good and bad. For the betterment of WH we need to refine our current system and start taking back our community. We need to take the negativity and understand why we have residents the way they are. Management and board need to listen rather than chalk everything up as complaining. Some are nonsense, most are legitimate.
Other than the scam artist that drives around in the grey van, is Gene an company (management) on the Whispering Hills payroll? If so, as a paying resident, how much do they make annually?
I also want to know how much Joan and crew make and who and what dictate their pay increase when they get one.
I would like to know also what these people get paid.......Since it is our monies paying them
it should be public knowledge
I feel like all this is similar to our real presidential election..BLAH-BLAH-BLAH.
A lot of BS...no real answers or solutions. It's time for a change, and no I don't have the facts or figures, but I'm willing to put my head together with others to figure this out, because the way it's working now is unexceptable
I would like to know also what these people get paid.......Since it is our monies paying them
it should be public knowledge
I feel like all this is similar to our real presidential election..BLAH-BLAH-BLAH.
A lot of BS...no real answers or solutions. It's time for a change, and no I don't have the facts or figures, but I'm willing to put my head together with others to figure this out, because the way it's working now is unexceptable
We will NEVER get that info. They cover it up like it was the button to the nukes.
One thing I DO know....
I was NOT allowed to expand my privacy area when I moved in. I put in a request and was told NO I Was NOT ALOWED TO DO IT.
Mysteriously 2 years later I was ASKED if I wanted it done and if I did it was going to cost me $1000 bucks and the work was to be done by the man in the grey van.
Funny thing, no approval was needed for HIM to do it.
This is when I began to believe this whole community opporation was crooked.
Some people can have fans in the window and others get fined.
Some people can leave garbage on their balconys and other get fined for it.
Some people can put flyers on the units and others get chastised for it.
Some people get away without paying months and YEARS of HOA fees but others get threatning letters.
Something is wrong.
You said:
Anonymous said...
Again, no answers.
SAD.
Carole Condo 2 Response
What specific question did you ask that has not been responded to?
You wrote:
Anonymous said...
Carole,
Nice post, thanks for clarifying. While what most of what you are saying makes sense, I disagree that a management company is here solely to make money. What gives the board the right to make decisions on how and who cant be contracted for goods and services that affect my investment?
Carole Condo 2 Response
The Board meaning both our HOA Board and the individual Condo Group Boards are made up of ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY – VOLUNTEERS, UNPAID, ELECTED BY THE COMMUNITY TO ACT AS AGENTS OF THE COMMUNITY. WE GIVE THEM THE RIGHT TO ACT ON THE BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY WHEN WE VOTE THEM INTO OFFICE. WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE BOARD MEMBERS WE RUN FOR OFFICE FILL A VACANT SEAT AND BE A PART OF THE PROCESS.
Your idea of how things should work:
The board and management should act only as mediators while the complex would vote and be the decision makers.
Carole Condo 2 Response
I agree, the community should be involved and should be a part of every major decision however - There are rules that regulate what constitutes a voting majority. If we were to adopt a vote by majority rule process
The fist step would be to have the majority of members be involved, they would have to vote. Votes that reflect the position of 5- 10% of the community cannot be considered as “majority rule”; we would need a legitimate majority. Currently members are not active enough to make this happen. The majority of the members of our community do not participate in meetings or in voting for our various board positions; further some board positions remain vacant because people do not come forward to fill them. A grass roots “get involved campaign” might be something that you might want to spearhead – that would certainly help lead to the end that you propose.
You wrote:
Management and board need to listen rather than chalk everything up as complaining. Some are nonsense, most are legitimate.
Carole Condo 2 Response
All communication is worthwhile. It has been my experience that apart from the resource of this blog members don’t take or have the opportunity to develop ideas and plans. Opened Board meetings aren’t
an ideal place for members to present the raw observations and complaints of individuals and have them received as anything more than what they are – opening statements. I think that in the forum of a formal meeting when members voice concerns and do not offer plans that might be considered to address those concerns the impression of the board is that there is no community consensus regarding the issue.
Conversely members seem to expect the board should develop action plans based on raw individual complaints and that just isn’t typically possible. The board(s) will work on the behalf of the community to implement community developed plans based on community consensus.
The community needs to rally into grass roots action to develop ideas and plans based on consensus and then bring those plans to HOA to address how HOA could work to support putting those plans in motion. From what I have observed members doesn’t seem to see it this way. Members more often lay their concerns and complaints at the threshold of HOA one at a time and expect some kind of action to develop in the form of HOA developing and implementing a plan. This happens in an environment in which we nearly never get more than 20 people to attend an opened HOA meeting. It is difficult for the board to recognize any consensus of community on any issue. Of course the board does recognize consensus when it is evident and to that end we do have a program that allows for expanding patio areas – enough of members cared about this issue and the issue was addressed and offered with options while preserving the cohesive look of the community.
You wrote:
oink said...
Other than the scam artist that drives around in the grey van, is Gene an company (management) on the Whispering Hills payroll? If so, as a paying resident, how much do they make annually?
Carole Condo 2 Response
The Board meaning both our HOA Board and the individual Condo Group Boards are made up of ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY – THEY ARE VOLUNTEERS, UNPAID AND ARE ELECTED BY THE COMMUNITY TO ACT AS AGENTS OF THE COMMUNITY. YOU GIVE THEM THE RIGHT TO ACT ON THE BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE A BOARD MEMBER YOU NEED TO RUN FOR OFFICE, FILL A VACANT SEAT AND BE A PART OF THE PROCESS.
Jan, who you refer to as the guy with the van, presented proposals for our Deck / Patio project and was selected by the board as our General Contractor. Jan is a self employed General Contractor with years of experience in WH. Jan is also a resident.
As concerns patios/ decks -
All members were given the option to upgrade their patio and expand at their own expense or to opt for standard restoration, which was offered at no additional cost. For those who did opt to upgrade Jan acted as project manager and facilitated the dig and pour through companies that he subcontracted to. He was forced to work with a consistent price which he had quoted (equal patios were done at equal costs for all) and handled the paperwork related to the dig and pour. His company put in the fences. This assured the community of coordination of effort, continuity in process, consistent work quality and controlled cost.
You wrote:
oink oink said...
I also want to know how much Joan and crew make and who and what dictate their pay increase when they get one.
Carole Condo 2 Response
Feel free to ask HOA for this information, I am not sure whether this is public knowledge; I expect that the answer would be in terms of XYZ dollars budged for office staff and expenses – probably not be in terms of this person makes this much, et. The budget value should answer your question, which goes to operating overhead cost budgeted the year.
You said:
Anonymous said...
I was NOT allowed to expand my privacy area when I moved in. I put in a request and was told NO I Was NOT ALLOWED TO DO IT.
Carole Condo 2 Response
Your request would have been denied if it were made prior to the HOA decision to provide a patio expansion program along with the restoration program. This was done in response to the many individual requests that were received to expand patio space. HOA listened to community’s urging, evaluated the option and put together a program that would enforce community aesthetic consistency while offering choices to members. The program that they came up with offers a lot of flexibility and individual members are able to decide whether or not to expand. You were unable to do this before a plan was put in place, everyone that asked was denied as well until a plan that would answer everyone’s needs was developed and could be offered.
You said -
Funny thing, no approval was needed for HIM to do it. (You were referring Jan as General Contractor.)
This is when I began to believe this whole community opporation was crooked.
Carole Condo 2 Response
Do you feel the same way now that this has been explained to you?
You wrote:
Some people can have fans in the window and others get fined.
Some people can leave garbage on their balconys and other get fined for it.
Some people can put flyers on the units and others get chastised for it.
Carole Condo 2 Response
All of the items listed above fall under the same category of requests for enforcement of rules by community members. The citizens of the community drive enforcement. When a member points to a violation that they find offensive and brings this to the attention of their Condo Board or the HOA action is taken. If appropriate a fine is issued or a notice is sent. Actions are taken in response to complaint – there isn’t anything arbitrary about it – it is the direct result of neighbors reporting on their neighbor’s offensive behavior. Some people tie their dogs out others are not able to without receipt of complaint, some neighbors block garages with cars routinely, others get towed – this isn’t a decision made by the board these responses to complaints made by our members.
Since member complaints are sporadic so are fines and notices.
You said:
Some people get away without paying months and YEARS of HOA fees but others get threatening letters.
Carole Condo 2 Response
Payment of common charges is crucial to the financial health of our community. Common charges are our only income. Our admin office has a system in place; it is the same for every member and is based on the extent of negligence. For an explanation of that process please contact HOA. You will find that all members are treated equally and you will also find that our HOA is doing its best to keep everyone in compliance with payment of CC’s on time. HOA now accepts credit card payments for common charges. This new service is being offered to help members’ bridge cash flow gaps and make payments on time. If interested in making CC payments please contact HOA.
Once again I hope that I have been helpful.
Take care - best wishes to all
Carole Condo 2
Very informative post Carole. Thanks for your information.
My apologies Carole,
Now that you have explained it. It's true, we do live in the perfect place. Let's keep everything the way it is. We shouldn't ever change it or look into change because it's perfect.
But can we at a minimum get the landscapers to fix the dumpster surrounds they destroyed LAST winter or do you have a reasonable explaination as to why we are leaving the damage and letting them get away with it?
Forgetaboutit, I am sure our common charges will go up if we want them repaired and really, it's been 11 months what's another 5 years. Let's just wait for them to go out of business then we can just charge the residents to fix them. Oh wait, we did that once already with the landscappers going out of business? Or should we fix the pool twice? Or should we have to cover the legal bills to sue the landscapers that went out of business? Oh wait.. we are perfect. I forgot again.
At least the power doesn't go out every 4 days now.
I have lived here for 18 year...I can go on for ever with the shady S%$T that goes on.
Obama will fix everything for us :0)
There's defiantly is a double standard. Example, look at Jan's patio. I thought that there is a standard the complex uses. Why is his block while everyone else must have a concrete one? You mean to tell me that if I wanted to paint my door blue i could? If I wanted to paint my fence white there would be no repercussion? Thanks Jan for paving the way, it seems ok for you to do what you want, I'll do the same!
Anonymous said...
My apologies Carole,
Now that you have explained it. It's true, we do live in the perfect place. Let's keep everything the way it is. We shouldn't ever change it or look into change because it's perfect.
But can we at a minimum get the landscapers to fix the dumpster surrounds they destroyed LAST winter or do you have a reasonable explaination as to why we are leaving the damage and letting them get away with it?
Forgetaboutit, I am sure our common charges will go up if we want them repaired and really, it's been 11 months what's another 5 years. Let's just wait for them to go out of business then we can just charge the residents to fix them. Oh wait, we did that once already with the landscappers going out of business? Or should we fix the pool twice? Or should we have to cover the legal bills to sue the landscapers that went out of business? Oh wait.. we are perfect. I forgot again.
At least the power doesn't go out every 4 days now.
I have lived here for 18 year...I can go on for ever with the shady S%$T that goes on.
Obama will fix everything for us :0)
This post sums up where some of your money is going and how we have to pay for the mismanagement of WH. There's nothing anyone can say that can dispute these facts! Lets hear it board members, lets hear how you squirm out of this one. I would love to see what goes on behind closed doors and how much extra we have to pay because of thick-headed amateurs that think they know what they're doing.......Pointing a finger at
Eugene Wetzel
Eugene Collins
Pat Morgan
John Stephenson
William Calloway
Christine David
Stop your BS! The reason why these guys are in office is because your vote doesn't count. The same people are in there every year to cover up the crap they pull. There will never be a management company brought here because all the people listed above are in fear of being exposed and will be forced to move out of the complex out of embarrassment. You all should be ashamed of yourselves. We need to cut out the cancer, we own the community, not management!
What has been done to research management companies????????????? There is still no answer just sugar coating and excuses!
WHO THE HELL IS THE MAN IN THE GREY VAN??????WILL SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME. I FEEL LEFT OUT
William Calloway is on the board? I didn't even know that.
Who was the child he paid or was it a family member he has TAPE A FLYER TO EVERY GARAGE IN THE COMMUNITY?
I had visitors that night and the first thing they said to me was...looks like you live it the ghetto with all these flyers tapped on the garages...and HALF of them are blowing all over the community.
I threw my flyer out but was he advertising an identity theft class "for the residents?"
I can't believe he doesn't or didn't have some sort of back end financial gain from doing that class? Did anyone go? Was there any "you can hire me if this type of thing happens" type of deal?
Just asking the question.
The other question...can I tape flyers on everyones garages? Or will I be fined for that? If so, did William get fined for that?
Wo did we pay for the clean up of the flyers? Who paid for that?
I hope not the community.
I saw the same flyers all over the ground outside! That's the abuse of power the other comment was talking about. It's ok for him to hang his flyer up but you try to, you'll get fined.
The man in the grey van is the crook they hire (who happens to live here) to do all the maintenance. The guy charges an outrageous amount for everything he does. I can guarantee we are paying him 40-50% more than we should. We need to look into a maintenance company, not some fat loser who claims he's a contractor that charges whatever he feels like!
His name is Jan, he lives in the 4000's. You will see his grey van always parked in the road.
Come on its fun - Be a volunteer.
Its fun to join WH management - really. Don’t worry you don’t ever really get used to having people refer to you as though you are a power hungry sinister criminal secretly filling your pockets with peat moss and extra wood screws when no one is looking and laughing all the way to your garage. Its fun - come on its really not that bad, you get to give up your free time, grieve the concerns of others and have people falsely accuse you of perpetuating BS - come on its fun - really.
You earned my respect Carole, the others are all cowards! The problems and concerns are real and they aren't disappearing.
Carole said:
Carole Condo 2 said...
Come on its fun - Be a volunteer.
Its fun to join WH management - really. Don’t worry you don’t ever really get used to having people refer to you as though you are a power hungry sinister criminal secretly filling your pockets with peat moss and extra wood screws when no one is looking and laughing all the way to your garage. Its fun - come on its really not that bad, you get to give up your free time, grieve the concerns of others and have people falsely accuse you of perpetuating BS - come on its fun - really.
My REPLY:
How confident should the residents be about board members effectivness when they descrive the job like that? Well Carole?
Not such a great advertisment to run for the next election?
If I was that unhappy about doing what you do...I'd probably fudge that I got 3 bids on a job too.
If I was that unhappy at my job I can honestly say that I would do as little work as possible until I got fired.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm....sounds familiar. Problem is...no one ever gets fired.
That was your best post ever Carole. Shows how you really feel about the job you are doing and how much interest you really have.
P.S. I am the first one to admit that a blog should be to get things stirred up then get things resolved..but Boss...please, DO NOT allow people to slander others like what they are saying about Jan. I may not agree with everything that is going on in WH but we can't stand for direct slander like him hitting on peoples wives and posting his unit number. That is not right.
well if you dont like to hear the truth then dont come to this site. The truth will always set you free.
Hello
My name is Jan Plotczyk and I live at 3402 and my telephone numnber is 781-0695. This is for all of the anonymous that don't have a life.
It seems that many of you jealous people don't know what you are talking about or just talking out you ass.
First I have invested over 100,000 dollars of equipment to handle the needs of Whispering Hills. Second I am a professional who does the job right.
As far as my entrance way goes it is not a patio, it is an entrance way without the flower garden.
I filled out a request form to do the work and was granted permission by the Condo two board. Then I paid for it myself. Oh by the was I also install kitchen, bathrooms, painting, electrical, tiling etc.
If you live in Condo two and want one I am sure if you take the time to fill out the proper paper work they will let you have one
if it is done professionally. They are not interested in having homeowners who don't know what they are doing do the work.
As far as what I charge I charge a reasonable rate. What do you think your worth? How much do you pay a backhoe person per hour, or a carpenter, painter of electrician. Did you know that a car mechanic charges 80 dollars per hour.
As far as the jerk who called me a fat loser you be best to look at yourself? I like to enjoy life you like to bitch.
This blog, like the Economy has gotten pretty ugly!
This yin & yang bickering won't get anything solved! It does make for some comical relief, but in the final analysis serves nothing more than to spew venom from afar w/o face to face repercussion.
As far as Jan is concerned, he's done right by me when it comes to maintenance in this complex!
If you can do better than being an anonymous fool, and sit back and criticize the board, Grey vans and anything else that may seep into you cranium, then by all means, please step up and be counted!
I have served on boards and I am still removing the arrows from my BACK..............
A thankless job?
HELL YES!
But I am grateful that SOMEONE/SOMEBODY is willing to step up and serve this community!!!!!!!!
Can it be better?
ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!
That said, it would behoove all of us to try to side- step the ridiculous name calling and finger pointing and try to get some positive change implemented!
HAPPy Halloween everyone!
OBAMA/BIDEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jan,
I must say that was pretty unprofessional of you. Using vulgar then stooping to the level of the others just goes to show that you aren't a professional. Just another one of them.
Just another reason why we need 3 bids on every job.
You gave us your phone number and house number. But any professional would have given us his state permit number first. Do you have one? Do you have insurance? Are you bonded? I;d like to know that information.
What are your qualifications? Did you go to a trade school? College?
How long have you been in the buisness?
That is the info a professional would have given us. Not calling us asses and fat losers.
Be a professiona, be above them.
In my opinion you NEED to be better.
We don't think your unreasonable but WE do think that due to the fact you get EVERY job and YOU LIVE HERE...it does raise RED flags. Wouldn't you/Couldn't you admit that?
$100,000 worth of equiptment....WOW...does that make you qualified to do the work?
Strp up Jan. Be a professional. Not another whiney low class resident.
First i would like to thank the person or person's who made this Blog. The main thing I would like to bring is we as home owners would like to live the country life and leave the life of the city behind us.
My name is CO and I approve this message.
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