tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post2019030911567855936..comments2023-10-07T23:32:30.183-04:00Comments on <center>OUR VILLAGE in West Palm Beach </center>: TREASURER SCANDAL - VEHICLE TRANSPONDER STRIPS SOLD AT OUTRAGEOUS MARKUPS!elainebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15724005399643017306noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-23215879811552173002013-09-28T23:36:03.889-04:002013-09-28T23:36:03.889-04:00I figured. Same here.I figured. Same here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-41508553163345828892013-09-28T10:45:45.625-04:002013-09-28T10:45:45.625-04:00Don4060. I never heard a word from the applicants ...Don4060. I never heard a word from the applicants that we turned down. I think they realized we found out about their having lied about criminal backgrounds. Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02002171566281161806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-90892712472136961852013-09-18T18:40:05.874-04:002013-09-18T18:40:05.874-04:00They should move the transponder operation to a te...They should move the transponder operation to a tent next to the tennis courts, because the whole thing is a racket.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-13234136068809109812013-09-18T17:10:40.778-04:002013-09-18T17:10:40.778-04:00This item should not be left in doubt as to paddin...This item should not be left in doubt as to padding, please obtain a proper breakdown of the $140K line item from the Bookkeeper (allowing for appropriate consideration of personnel).<br />Sounds as if all lines should be subjected to deconstruction and analysis.elainebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15724005399643017306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-22165160132835833392013-09-18T16:50:05.727-04:002013-09-18T16:50:05.727-04:00If memory serves me correctly, and
it usually does...If memory serves me correctly, and<br />it usually does.....Issusing transponders, was 1 of the many<br />functions performed by Edie, ages<br />ago, when UCO was located at Camden Pool ( current Reporter location) and excess transponders<br />funds, were not applied to "Salaries" which at that time<br />consisted of several employees..<br />Line item, on Budget....so once more, when can I expect my check?BettieLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11053317838658101780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-62821356479455951672013-09-18T13:44:27.853-04:002013-09-18T13:44:27.853-04:00Hi Don4060,
September 18, 2013 at 1:12 PM,
The eq...Hi Don4060,<br />September 18, 2013 at 1:12 PM,<br /><br />The equipment was of course paid out of the budget long ago, thus the "story" is ludicrous.<br /><br />As for Edie's salary, I have to ask what the $140K line item in the draft 2014 budget is for???<br /><br />Dave Israel<br />UCO Presidenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00719142189397136963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-61426591593706607632013-09-18T13:12:38.141-04:002013-09-18T13:12:38.141-04:00Hello Bettie- I wouldn't hold my breath.
Our ...Hello Bettie- I wouldn't hold my breath.<br /><br />Our expatriot Treasurer has posted her "story" on the Lunacy Blog.<br /><br />It is a very long story, but as near as I can decipher, it involves an additional charge levied on Homeowners to pay for equipment that was purchased in 2005.<br /><br />There was also mention made of a salary of a paid UCO employee, who I assume spends at least part of her time administering the transponder system.<br /><br />Some of the rest of this long "explanation" involves reference to past UCO operatives going back to 2003. The other Lunatics are lining up to post their support of this "story" as we speak.<br /><br />Is it any wonder people think the whole thing is a racket?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-56472654069962769682013-09-17T22:16:29.622-04:002013-09-17T22:16:29.622-04:00Considering the Original Topic,
of "Transpond...Considering the Original Topic,<br />of "Transponders"....as 1 who has<br />purchased 3 from 2002 thru 2006<br />I should like to know when MY<br />Refund check is expected!BettieLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11053317838658101780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-4455721711930216632013-09-17T14:16:18.067-04:002013-09-17T14:16:18.067-04:00@Ruth- spot on!
If the applicant dealt directly w...@Ruth- spot on!<br /><br />If the applicant dealt directly with the investigation company, and authorized access by UCO and/or the Association, there would be no worries about cost- that would be between the investigation company and the "questionable" or "complicated" applicant. UCO and the Association would get the report, as always, but would lose the accounting headaches and fiduciary responsibility. No money, no arguments ABOUT money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-23866758315909639642013-09-17T12:17:01.185-04:002013-09-17T12:17:01.185-04:00Years ago when there was an abundace of funds in t...Years ago when there was an abundace of funds in the Investigation Fees account, the amount was reduced for future buyers. When it became necessary, it was increased. With the way things are going today, I don't think there could be enough funds to handle those who are questionable. ruthphildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11414446400662978988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-33630131852228824002013-09-17T12:16:36.065-04:002013-09-17T12:16:36.065-04:00Thank you Ken, for your direct response.
My Assoc...Thank you Ken, for your direct response.<br /><br />My Association has also rejected applicants. All Associations are occasionally faced with this legally delicate task.<br /><br />My curiosity centers around how often rejected applicants sue the Association that rejected them, and how often UCO reimburses for that expense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-26700131101572214492013-09-17T11:53:26.316-04:002013-09-17T11:53:26.316-04:00Hi Don
The funds over and above the investigation ...Hi Don<br />The funds over and above the investigation fee go into a kitty which pays the lawyer if you are sued as long as you remember to follow that lawyers instructions. Our association rejected and potential buyer just two weeks ago.<br />UCO Investigation department handled the entire matter With the attorney. I applaud the UCO investigation departmentKenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16720235111720881480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-86756216341821787682013-09-17T11:14:21.409-04:002013-09-17T11:14:21.409-04:00And Grace, I am curious- out of the five or six ap...And Grace, I am curious- out of the five or six applicants that your Association rejected, did any of them sue you?<br /><br />Was it ever necessary for your Association to recover an insurance deductible from UCO because of a lawsuit from a rejected applicant?<br /><br />This assurance appears to be the primary justification and selling point for the 100 dollar UCO investigation. I am not aware of such a lawsuit ever being filed against my Association, going back to 1975. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-60393715155634805302013-09-17T10:52:43.123-04:002013-09-17T10:52:43.123-04:00No one wants to eliminate investigations.
No one ...No one wants to eliminate investigations.<br /><br />No one wants UCO to stop providing this important service for the Associations. <br /><br />Like the transponder fee, the investigation fee is a perennial bone of contention, partly because of the indirect way that the money is routed to UCO (applicant writes check to Assn- Assn writes check to UCO), and partly because everybody knows that 100 dollars is higher than the actual cost of the service. The "analysis" work at UCO is done by volunteers- there should be no markup on their labor.<br /><br />All I am suggesting is that UCO get out of the business of collecting the money to pay for the investigations.<br /><br />Let the Associations, the Real Estate Agencies, and the prospective homeowners be responsible for direct payment, and for making the background investigation available to the UCO Investigations Department, who will then analyze the report and provide a "yay or nay" recommendation to the Association. UCO may select the service or services that are to be used, and may even negotiate a bulk price.<br /><br />Other Homeowner Associations and Property Management Companies do it this way, and most of the major background investigation companies have systems designed to accommodate direct payment by the applicant and applicant authorized access by the HOA or Mgt company.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-77336020562658951512013-09-17T10:20:11.200-04:002013-09-17T10:20:11.200-04:00I am all for investigations and no I did not mind ...I am all for investigations and no I did not mind being investigated when I was buying. If the prospective new owner does not like it they can buy elsewhere. Over the years we have denied a few people to buy as they lied on their backgrounds and we kept out a few people with criminal backgrounds. Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02002171566281161806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-44912448038491214332013-09-17T07:13:15.012-04:002013-09-17T07:13:15.012-04:00Last time we rented a unit I asked for a full inve...Last time we rented a unit I asked for a full investigation not just criminal. I was told no. I believe this to be a big problem in the investigation departmentKenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16720235111720881480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-68142832094180576992013-09-17T00:42:53.526-04:002013-09-17T00:42:53.526-04:00Thanks for posting the invoice Dave. There was no...Thanks for posting the invoice Dave. There was no doubt in our minds who was providing the accurate information. I was hoping that Ms. Richland would have responded to the two simple questions. But, at this point, there is no need.<br /><br />One additional note on the investigations of prospective renters/owners. If there is going to be a change in how payment is paid, we should also be working on a strategy to ensure condo corp compliance with the findings of the investigation.<br /><br />As many have read in some of my other postings, it is more than frustrating to learn that negative investigation reports still result in some condo corps selling or renting units to folks who do not qualify to live here. The lack of a credit check on prospective renters is particularly disturbing. If prospective owners must demonstrate financial stability/security so should renters. We should not have different standards for renters and owners.ejs2283https://www.blogger.com/profile/07272803222210790043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-82812291050369704022013-09-16T09:52:57.758-04:002013-09-16T09:52:57.758-04:00Hello Anitra-
Colonoscopies are also "part o...Hello Anitra-<br /><br />Colonoscopies are also "part of life", but nobody enjoys having one. Coverage and sedatives make submitting to that particular "background investigation" bearable, and reduces resentment afterwards. This is all that I am suggesting in regard to the UCO investigation process. <br /><br />Letting applicants pay their fee directly to the outside agency that performs the background check may reduce post operative resentment for new residents, and may reduce the onus on the Association and UCO. It would also eliminate, or at least reduce, the politically motivated attacks that are the unavoidable result of handling other people's money. By reducing that constant institutional "static", UCO operatives would be better able to attend to business.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-18264887501380154892013-09-16T08:42:29.517-04:002013-09-16T08:42:29.517-04:00I agree that the need for investigation may tend t...I agree that the need for investigation may tend to give a negative to new rentes/owners. However, I have had the background checks done almost yearly at times. I needed them when I was teaching in school. I needed one for my volunteering at the American Red Cross. I had to have one done when I was licensed to the ministry. This is all a part of life. <br /><br />As for the budget being reviewed. Having been an auditor for books at one American Red Cross Chapter, I feel that yes everyone should be able to review the budget before the meeting. The issue I see is that just having the budget in front of us is not enough. We need to see a more detailed explanation of some of the line items that tells us why the costs are what they are. Possibly a town Hall meeting before the budget is completed and publish the budget in advance for all to see. I would not publish in the Reporter as that is information we would not want in the general public's hands I know the Reporter goes outside the village.Anitrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01881806770377030350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-35856858256552689742013-09-16T04:13:57.620-04:002013-09-16T04:13:57.620-04:00Gee, does that mean I am getting a refund?
how'...Gee, does that mean I am getting a refund?<br />how's this...keep it and put it towards WIFI for the ones that can't afford the $3 but are willing to pay $40 for themselves, just so they don't feel that they are paying for someone else. As Mrs. Gump would say, stupid is as stupid does.Bob Riverahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16544535260887137195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-6040765189973548272013-09-15T19:09:50.615-04:002013-09-15T19:09:50.615-04:00Mag. I agree, but people still don't like it, ...Mag. I agree, but people still don't like it, and writing that check is the first indirect contact that new people have with UCO. <br /><br />You and I both know that UCO only performs this necessary service on behalf of the Associations, but that is not how the process is represented to new residents by the Agents, the Condo Officers, or the new resident's new neighbors. <br /><br />I am tired of hearing the services offered by UCO referred to as a "racket". "Rackets" imply money. As you said, investigations are "SOP", and applicants should expect them. Let the applicants pay directly to a third party for their investigation, remove money from the applicant/association/UCO equation, and end the "racket" talk forever. Nothing else would change- only the way the service is paid for would be different. New residents would still bitch, but the bitch would be directed at the agency, not UCO.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-11140841797845320002013-09-15T18:36:28.337-04:002013-09-15T18:36:28.337-04:00Where does a person rent or buy and not be subject...Where does a person rent or buy and not be subjected to some sort of investigation? It is SOP and personally, is a positive action -we currently are experiencing the negative results of assns. who are not subjecting prospective renters/buyers to investigations thus endangering all of us - and subjecting us to undesirable characters. The present protocol is efficient and trustworthy and having UCO back up in case of a rejection is essential. Maghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11141703945454253790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-15404776543597009502013-09-15T18:29:12.252-04:002013-09-15T18:29:12.252-04:00Indeed, making sense of hundred of budget lines si...Indeed, making sense of hundred of budget lines sitting on your lap, in theatre lighting, bifocals perched on nose tips, with Malcontent drama playing out down front- not an easy thing. And set up that way on purpose.<br /><br />This year, maybe a little easier. Focus on on one line item THAT IS NOT THERE, and motion accordingly.<br /><br />PUT WIFI BACK INTO THE 2014 BUDGET!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-24799801691608540102013-09-15T17:35:21.102-04:002013-09-15T17:35:21.102-04:00Hi Don4060,
September 15, 2013 at 5:03 PM,
I woul...Hi Don4060,<br />September 15, 2013 at 5:03 PM,<br /><br />I would argue that the common expense lines supposedly funded by the Transponder fee excess should be properly budgeted to show true cost, and the Transponder strips should be sold at actual cost rather than attempting to increase income by ripping off our Residents.<br /><br />There is a comment on the Libel and Defamation channel about the monies funding Edie's salary; well, I suppose that means that the Employee salary line proposed at $140K for 2014 should be reduced!<br /><br />That comment is ludicrous, as the employee salary line should accurately reflect the actual employees aggregate salaries, God forbid we might have some transparency in this budget.<br /><br />This is a typical Tetro puffed up budget and needs to be scrubbed by someone with an actual stake in our Village (SOMEONE WHO IS ACTUALLY DOMICILED HERE)a bit of Accounting experience would be helpful. <br /><br />And by the way, how about the Delegates ALL get to see this budget prior to having it dumped in the their lap for the first time at the meeting and being expected to understand the hundreds<br />of lines and seven ludicrous checking accounts. The entire affair is designed to obfuscate and confuse.<br /><br />On the matter of the Investigations data, I will have the stats pulled up soon.<br /><br />Dave IsraelUCO Presidenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00719142189397136963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392307124116993389.post-59764009791589158452013-09-15T17:03:56.594-04:002013-09-15T17:03:56.594-04:00Hi David- I suppose that if profit derived from tr...Hi David- I suppose that if profit derived from transponder sales was used to fund other services provided to CV Homeowners, then it could be argued that no actual profit was realized. Money went in, in the form of transponder fees, and money went out, in the form of UCO services to Homeowners.<br /><br />Still, a 247 percent markup is just plain ridiculous, and perpetuates the negative feelings that many CV Homeowners have about UCO. That feeling still persists, despite serious effort to eradicate the "Culture of No". Reducing or eliminating that markup would go a long way in this regard.<br /><br />I believe that much of that negative feeling begins on Day One, when prospective residents submit to their pre-sale background investigation. Nobody likes being "investigated"- it is an invasion of privacy- neccessary, usually harmless, but an invasion nonetheless. Having it happen during a potentially stressful real estate transaction, and having to pay one hundred dollars for the privilege is a recipe for disaster, and UCO gets the blame. More openness and information regarding this neccessary function would be helpful to new residents, and would help create a better Homeowner/UCO relationship from the most important Day One.<br /><br />From your explanation, it sounds like the "profit margin" on investigations varies, depending on the specific circumstances of each individual applicant. A blanket one hundred dollar fee applied to all applicants sounds to me like some applicants are subsidizing the more complicated investigations of others. From the point of view of an individual Homeowner, this is unfair.<br /><br /> A new system, which would have prospective residents paying a third party investigation service directly, would take UCO "out of the loop" in terms of money, and eliminate, or at least reduce, the periodic "what does UCO do with my money?" questions (like this one). It would also alllow each applicant to directly pay for their own investigation, according to each applicant's unique circumstances. The point is for UCO to stop being "the Bad Guy" on the most important "Day One", when permanent impressions are made.<br /><br />How often does UCO refund an Association deductable related to a rejection related lawsuit? How many times has it happened in the past year? The last five years? Is there a separate fund where "profit" derived from investigations is kept in reserve for this purpose, or are these excess funds used to purchase an insurance policy to cover these anticipated payouts?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com