This Is our Village

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

BROADBAND AND CABLE ISSUES

To start a discussion about the upcoming vote on TV and/or Internet services, I post the following:

Reading The President's Report (Reporter, March, page A3) “Cable and Internet offers begin to jell” leaves me with two observations.

First, it seems that the comparison chart provided by CSI shortchanges, or misrepresents, Atlantic Broadband's offer.

First of all, the Reporter article was obsolete the day of publication. there was some confusion as to the comparison basis, and no misrepresentation was intended.

 Specifically, the accompanying explanatory article graciously provided by Mr. Israel shows that Comcast and AB offer both optional internet and telephone choices. Yet the chart's “Additional Considerations” box, while showing both Comcast's options (“Blast! 75Mbps for $20/month (includes Wi-Fi; Phone Service $25/month) shows AB's telephone service only (Unlimited phone $25/month”) whereas Mr. Israel clearly states “Also, on an optional basis one can elect for 25 Mbit Internet for $29.00 per month or 100 Mbit for $39.00 per month.” The problem is that a person – possibly a voting delegate- looking at only the chart would think that AB is not offering any internet option.

The latest offer from AB provides 25Mbit Internet at $17.99/Mo, and 100Mbit at $21.99/Mo.
I did send out an updated chart showing the AB updates, with a Doorway fee of $450.00. If you did not get this chart, please Email me at ucopresident@gmail.com and I will return Email you the chart.

Second, it seems to me that Comcast's offer outshines AB's in five aspects. (1) As far as the basic TV fee, for a dollar more per month, Comcast offers 187 channels to AB's 115.

That 115 channels is a typo, it is actually 315 channels. Additionally, AB has reduced the basic video rate to $29.00/Mo over $3.00/Mo less.

 (2) Comcast's annual escalation is two-thirds of AB's (3% to 4.5%).

AB has restated  the escalation as flat $1.25/year, which is indeed 4.3% of the initial year offering price of $29.00/month. So, you are looking at 3% of 31.29/Mo (94 cents) vs. 4.3% of 29.00/Mo. ($1.25).

(3) For optional internet capacity, Comcast's 75 Mbps is thrice Ab's 25Mbps for $9 less ($20 to $29). Granted, AB's 100 Mbps offer exceeds Comcast's 75, but at twice the monthly fee - $39 vs. $20.

AB most recent offer has 25Mbit Internet at $17.99. and 100Mbit Internet at $21.99/Mo

(4) Comcast also offers a home wiring check, a Rep dedicated to Century Village, and a Service Call Center.

Home wiring check is offered by both companies, it is in fact mandatory to insure that signal strength meets requirements. Comcast still has their $30.00 truck roll fee, where AB has eliminated the truck roll fee entirely. AB also will have a on site Rep dedicated to CV, and a call center.

(5) Finally, as CSI notes on the bottom right corner, the Comcast agreement will save Century Village “$544, 879”.

Which is offset by the fact that Comcasts doorway fee is $350.00 while AB's doorway fee is $450.00.
That difference is over $700K. 
There is no such thing as a free lunch!!

I do not envy the Delegates their decision process!!! But please note, that the Delegates will be asked to have a non-binding preference poll, not a binding vote.

Dave Israel

Sincerely,

Old Nassau '67


OPERATIONS COMMITTEE - FEBRUARY 28, 2017 - LIVE IN CYBERSPACE

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Shame on Esther


Shame on Esther for her nastiness and lies. Has anyone spoken to Bob lately? I have at different times. There is nothing wrong with his speech, his brain or memory. The Association I live in will vote for Bob Marshall for Vice President!

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Are unit members allowed during reorganization of board members???

I have a question to ask concerning who in a condo association is allowed in reorganization meetings for our board members. We just had a general election this morning at our condo association and after the election, the newly elected board decided to meet privately in an unit to establish who would be officers. Were we allowed as a unit owner to be present during the selection of officers? Some say yes but on the condition that we do not voice our opinion. I would like to be cleared on this subject. Much appreciation for your response.

Friday, February 17, 2017

ELECTIONS COMMITTEE MEETING - FEBRUARY 16, 2017


THIS VIDEO HAS A GLITCH, SO, CLICK ON ARROW AT UPPER RIGHT. THEN CLICK ON PLAY ARROW AT LOWER LEFT. VIDEO WILL THEN PLAY.

- Dave Israel

BID COMMITTEE MEETING - FEBRUARY 16, 2017

- Dave Israel

Sunday, February 12, 2017

DOES ANYBODY KNOW

Does anyone know of a gas station within, say, a five-mile radius of CV that will pump gas for you and, if requested, check your tire pressures and put air in your tires? The person on whose behalf I am asking would be more than glad to tip the attendant well for this service.
.................................................................
Your Blogmeister replies:

The following is the result of INTERNET research so, Caveat Emptor:

full service gas station where attendant pumps gas:
........................................................................


-
-
-
-
-
Lanny Howe & Dave Israel
-

Saturday, February 11, 2017

under redundant, see redundant...

First, let's all thank the volunteers of the nominations committee. They obviously tried to make it as easy as possible, because we all know, some are going to complain, so here goes ...
The Nomination process was so redundant. They ask for nominations for an office i.e. vice president but you still had to had say your name, your association (clearly understandable) your nominee's name, your nominee's association and the office you are nominating the person for. Simplify this!
A person may not know (as we so obviously all suffered through the process) their nominee's association. They called for nominations for a particular office, obviously the nominations are going be for that office, redundancy just prolongs the process, making it painful.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

BASEBALL IS COMING - GET YOUR TICKETS - SIGN UP FOR THE BUS - DON'T GET SHUT OUT

-
Dave Israel
-

-

Cease and Desist ??

I think a question needs to be brought up... Why is Ed Grossman, a delegate and NOT an officer or committee member (that I am aware of) calling anyone and trying to negotiate ANYTHING for the village? HE IS NOT AN ELECTED OFFICIAL and therefore has absolutely no authority to call anyone and try to negotiate anything. He should be reprimanded for doing so.
It is the job of the ELECTED officials of the United Civic Organization of Century Village.  The reason for UCO existing is to negotiate the best possible contracts for the village. THAT is the function and purpose of UCO.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

BROADBAND COMMITTEE MEETING CANCELLED - FEBRUARY 8, 2017

-Image result for broadband
-
The Broadband Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2017 is cancelled.
-
If you have any questions regarding the Atlantic Broadband and Comcast offers, please put your questions in the Comment stream.
-
Dave Israel
-


Monday, February 6, 2017

THE CSI PRESENTATION AT THE FEB. 3 DELEGATE ASSEMBLY


EXAGGERATED CLAIMS AND FALSE CHARGES

Regarding the CSI presentation at the Feb. 3 Delegate Assembly and Mr. Grossman's claim that HE (or the Messenger Club or Mr. Moore) deserved the credit for bringing Comcast "to the table," of course such a claimed phone call may have been made to Comcast. Anyone can have made a phone call. Anyone, too, could have even made a phone call that possibly triggered something. It has been, however, the Broadband-Cable Committee and CSI—and those negotiating for AT&T, Comcast and Atlantic Broadband—who have done the hard work and brought us step by step to where we are.

 Also, it is patently false, as alleged by Gary Olman in his Feb. 4 post on the "My Village Blogger," that Dave Israel (always the scapegoat, of course) wanted to foist Atlantic Broadband on us from the outset. Here is what Gary said: "What was happening was that the UCO President had decided who he wanted to supply us with TV, Wifi and maybe telephone services, This was done to the exclusion of all other applicants. David Israel did not invite any other bids.That is until Ed Grossman spoke to Comcast. They were not aware that there was bidding going on."

This is preposterous. Perhaps one man at Comcast did not know (or said he did not know) what was going on, but Comcast certainly did! I remember Dave much earlier on making the point repeatedly that our Village was a "plum," and we WANTED the "big boys" to compete for our business. Comcast was in the running from the beginning.

Gary goes on to say (tellingly) a little later: "What I do not understand, why no additional bidders? Why accept Atlantic and nobody else?" Well, Gary, that would indeed be puzzling if it were true! But it is not! I would suggest you pay a little closer attention to what is going on at the Committee meetings and perhaps read the UCO Reporter.

Getting the right deal and the best deal in a business as complicated and fast-changing as the telecommunications industry requires expertise. Fortunately for us, we have CSI, a company that specializes in this; Dave Israel himself, who spent 30 years at the NSA, where such expertise is of paramount importance to the NATION; and an experienced Committee.

Could it be that Mr. Grossman and Mr. Moore are glory-seekers? And Mr. Olman too easily duped?


abolish nominations from the floor

Total chaos and waste of everyone's time at the last delegate assembly.
The people nominated knew they were running, why didn't they submit their names ahead of time?
Some people just love to disrupt the meetings, after one hour of the circus me and other delegates left the meeting.
Thanks for posting the meeting online.

Saturday, February 4, 2017

DELEGATE ASSEMBLY - FEBRUARY 3, 2017 - LIVE IN CYBERSPACE


2-17 assembly Part  0 from David B. Israel on Vimeo.
2-17 assembly Part 1 from David B. Israel on Vimeo.


2-17 assembly Part 2 from David B. Israel on Vimeo.
2-17 assembly Part 3 from David B. Israel on Vimeo.
2-17 assembly Part 4 from David B. Israel on Vimeo.
2-17 assemblyPart  5 from David B. Israel on Vimeo.
-
Videography ..... Laurent. WPRF
Conversion and upload to Vimeo ..... John and Kitty Gragg
Upload to Blogger ..... Dave Israel
-
-

SECURITY COMMITTEE MEETING - FEBRUARY 3, 2017

If video will not play, click on the arrow at upper right and try again. - Dave Israel

UCO REPORTER MEETING - FEBRUARY 3, 2017

If video will not play, click on arrow at upper right and try again. - Dave Israel

UCO REPORTER - FEBRUARY 2017 EDITION - LIVE IN CYBERSPACE


- Dave Israel