Looking for Trouble in All the Wrong Places
At the May 4 Delegates Meeting, we spent a lot of time on two issues that never should have come up.
Dorothy Tetro proposed moving money around in the budget because we don’t have enough money in road reserves. She also was concerned that “we have many line items with no expenses.” Former Treasure Ed Black explained that filling up line items is unnecessary because we have adequate reserves and insurance for the things like roads and hurricanes that Dorothy is worried about.
The financials shown clearly prove there is $90,575.38 in road reserves although we still owe $149,424.62 more. There's also a $755,625 remaining surplus which would allow for the balance to be paid -- still leaving more than $600,000.00 and the one month’s surplus which the Auditor, Dorothy and Ed agree should remain for our protection. The money is there to pay our bills and we are current in all payments. Pumping up line items for contingencies already accounted for will only lead to unnecessary budget increases for residents.
Let’s not forget that the budget prepared for 2012 saved residents money. Why change a budget structure that follows standard accounting practice and has proven its validity? Dorothy wants to do a good job, but she needs to listen to Ed and other accountants who can compensate for her lack of credentials in finance.
Ed Grossman didn’t think our paving contractor was living up to our contract, so he turned us in to the authorities for a code violation—striping in some cases exactly doesn’t match the stipulated 9-foot length for the lines delineating parking spaces. Could there have been a more destructive way to handle this?
To make a point (Ed said he had tried to get the contractor to respond to the issues he raised), he put the whole Village at risk for enormous disruption if we are forced to redo all the striping. Working through the proper processes might have taken longer, but we would have gotten this resolved. But instead, who gets hurt? Residents and the Village generally if code inspectors demand that the striping is redone. Then there’s the Pandora’s Box that will open when inspectors come in and begin to identify more and more non-critical, non-life threatening violations that come with a huge 40-year-old complex where compliance is bound to be less than perfect.
We need mature management of our finances and affairs by people who know what they are doing. Officers like Dorothy can turn to the talent that resides in the Village and is willing to help. Ed Grossman can find better ways to solve problems. Wholesale disruption of our meetings for issues best resolved elsewhere is not the way to go. Dorothy and Ed, please put your energies toward things that will improve life for our residents. Line item formats and parking lot stripes are not what we need from our officers.
Well said, Anita. The meeting was full of sarcasm, cinisism and finger pointing. It was disrupting and out of place. Couldn't agree more with you.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Anita. There were many inappropriate discussions that had no place at the Delegates meeting. If Ed Grossman is so knowledgeable why doesn't he volunteer for the finance committee or at least offer his expertise using the proper channels. I was disgusted by some the comments.
ReplyDeleteHi all,
ReplyDeleteThe entire kabuki was orchestrated. It started at the Officers Committee meeting with absurd statements that the fund transfers were not approved by the Delegates. The same script was repeated at the Executive Board meeting.
The script had to be re-written at the Delegate Assembly because I produced the Minutes that were available in our records proving that the Delegates did indeed approve $2.445 million to complete the paving.
So, at Delegate Assembly, the sub-plot was added, and acted out between the Treasurer and Mr Grossman, leaving the implication for the Delegates that there is $500,000.00 unaccounted for!
This is absolutely ludicrous, but if Ms. Tetro and Mr Grossman have evidence of this scurrilous implication, I suggest, nay, I insist; that they contact PBSO and the State Attorney immediately.
My examination of the data along with Ed Black, our former Treasurer can find no indication whatsoever of unaccounted funds.
One motive for this tone poem is undoubtedly to "prepare" our unit owners for a huge (uneccessary) increase in the 2013 budget. Let me assure you all, that such a puffed up budget is "dead on arrival" on my desk.
The final decision is up to the Delegates, please do not be cowed by non-existent fears, more suitable for childrens ghost stories!
Meanwhile, I must get out on Campus an find some code violations to "drop dime" to code enforcement and bring the coercive power of the State down on my neighbors!
Dave Israel
I would like to know how Ed Grossman got a copy of the paving contract. Did he go through proper channels by asking for it in a letter? He certainly does not have the best interests of the village. With neighbors like him, we don't need enemies.
ReplyDeleteHi Grace,
ReplyDeleteMay 6, 2012 4:05 PM,
Very good question!
Any unit owner may have copies of ANY contract held in UCO. This is provided for in Florida Statute FS 617, the Statute under which UCO is organized.
The legal process is simple, write UCO a letter requesting what you wish to see and for what purpose.
In this case, not only the contract(s) were copied, but other records as well; without the required letter requesting the desired records. They were copied and spirited out of UCO by a "so called trusted agent" who should have known better.
So, may I suggest that you rise at Delegate Assembly and ask your question loud and clear; and we will see who will step up!
Then we will all "BE ON THE SAME PAGE"
Dave Israel
Hang in there Dave!
ReplyDeleteBy attempting to be a hero, Mr. Grossman may very well have opened up a can of worms. You never know how any authority is going to view a given situation and what they say will be what we all will have to live with and it could be costly.
ReplyDelete