Which Is It?

I am puzzled. Which is it?

At the February 5 delegates meeting, after person after person went up to the microphone and complained about the abuses of First Priority Restorations, finally Dan Gladstone got up to speak. For a long time he had been the Village's "insurance guru," and, as was obvious from the preceding complaints, had been VERY closely connected with First Priority in arranging for their appearance on the scene, often appearing with them.

When Dan spoke, he said HE TOOK THE BLAME AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAD HAPPENED. What had happened? What had those who had just gone to the mike complained about? Long delays; elderly people being pressured to sign forms; people incurring (as a consequence) extremely high charges; very suspiciously, "mold being found" all over the place, even in SEVERAL adjoining apartments; and these same elderly people being thrown out of their apartments, often with only a moment's notice.

Dan said he would answer all questions, not within the next few days, as one would hope for and expect, but on February 26, when to use his twice-used phrase, he "would take his pants down." Okay, we are still waiting.

But now he has come out with a letter to delegates, mine just received yesterday, blasting the writer of an anonymous letter about him, blaming the building department for withholding permits for weeks and months, and stating at the bottom in bold, capital letters: AND THIS MY FRIENDS IS THE ONLY REASON FOR THE DELAYS. Suddenly he makes it sound as though he, Dan Gladstone, has NO blame in the matter.

IS the building department alone to blame for the delays? Perhaps we will find out. But even this, as bad as it is, isn't all that has gone on, nor all that the people complained about (as I have just explained), and what I assume Dan was responding to when he said he "took all the blame."

I don't doubt that Dan has done some helpful things over the years for people in the Village. I find it hard to understand, however, how someone who pronounces himself so blameworthy for such a huge thing at the delegates meeting would remain in the running for president of UCO. Perhaps Dan will yet see this, and see that under these circumstances the honest thing to do is to step down. I would certainly think the more of him for it.

UCO President

Peter Amato is very vocal about knocking the UCO Reporter as well as another candidate and asking the candidates to take lie detector tests. What he fails to mention in his electioneering is what he has done for his fellow villagers. What committees has he worked on? What has he volunteered to do for his fellow villagers in the past? Oh, I forgot he runs a plumbing business in the village. Is he going to close his business to become president of UCO so he does not have a conflict of interest? I bet he won't. Peter you have a conflict of interest. Sorry, but I am fed up with people in UCO using UCO for their own interests. When discussing the upcoming elections at the delegates meetings in the past it has been stressed that people running should be people who have the village interests and the people at heart and should have some experience with UCO. Peter what is yours?????

From the Desk Of Peter Amato, Candidate for President of UCO

About Our Newspaper

the U.C.O. Reporter

Did you know that our newspaper the U.C.O.

Reporter is heavily restricted (Censored) in what it’s allowed to print??

Hundreds of people here in Century Village know about 1st Priority and the aggravation and heartache they were, and still are, causing the people of Century Village.

Our Newspaper the U.C.O. Reporter is not allowed to print this information.

                        Why??

Our newspaper is controlled by U.C.O., which is Century Village’s government.

They hold the big stick, and are not allowing our newspaper to print all the facts.

One of the functions of a newspaper is to be the

watchdog for the people, keeping an eye on government.

When government controls the press, freedom is lost.

     If I, Peter Amato, Am Elected

            President Of U.C.O.

I will do my best to encourage this newspaper

to bring in reporters, including an investigative team,

so that all the news within our village is reported

to the PEOPLE.

More independent columns should be added,

and no controls should be placed on their opinions,

even if they knock U.C.O. or myself.

Then I would ask the delegates,

“How do we separate this newspaper from the dominance of U.C.O.???”

This Newspaper made a profit of $40,000 last year,

which was turned over to U.C.O.

Suggestion For Separating The U.C.O. Reporter (Our Newspaper) From U.C.O., Century Village’s Governing Body.

          1. Allow the newspaper to keep its profits.

2. Create a five-person board of directors that are

elected for a two-year term.

This board of directors would be totally autonomous from U.C.O. but have the right to look into any and all U.C.O. business and have the right to publish their findings. Un-Censored

3. No one may hold two elected offices simultaneously.

Freedom of the press is one of the things that make America great.

Have the people running U.C.O. forgotten

              They are supposed to be working for the people.

CENTURY VILLAGE in West Palm Beach: Feb 22 V.O.I.C.E.S. Meeting Update

PLEASE NOTE THE MEETING ON MONDAY, FEB. 22 @ 10 AM IN THE PARTY ROOM OF THE CLUBHOUSE.

Before the meeting, please contact me, Jean Dowling if you have not already been contacted by my phone squad. I need questionaires completed by Friday, so we can compile the information before the meeting on Monday. If you or any of your owners have had problems with 1st priority, please complete the forms and get them to me. If you have already done this, it will not be necessary to do it again. On Monday, we will decide what track to take to accomplish our goal of returning all residents back to their homes. Please save all bills or any other paperwork from your ordeal. We need copies. This meeting is important. We will have professionals there to help us and tell us the truth about the situation. My phone number is 640-7606 and my address is: 207 Salisbury I. Together we will prevail.....even if your unit is fixed, please help your neighbor. Thank You, Jean Dowling

President for UCO

We will be having elections for UCO president, vice presidents and other elected officials early in March. We have been reading and listening to
alot of dirty dealing in the village. One of the candidates for president owns a plumbing company. He used the last delegates meeting to electioneer for himself and run down other candidates rightly or wrongly. That was not the time or place. He was very self serving. We have very large problems in the village. Do we want to have a president who is busy running his plumbing company? Is that not a conflict of interest? What has Peter Amato done for this village aside from selling water heaters and doing repairs? Has he worked for UCO? Has he been on any committees? I have heard nothing about his experience in the village except his business. I want to see a president who has worked for UCO and is working for UCO and the village now. I want a president who has done something in this village not for his own gain but for us. Personally the only person, in my opinion, for the job is Dave Israel.

I ended this blog and did not write anything else regarding Peter Amato. Whomever wrote in caps regarding Peter should have had their own blog and not added to mine

Feb 22 V.O.I.C.E.S. Meeting Update

From Lee Hunt:

As I mentioned in my previous blog posts, I am providing additional information below regarding the upcoming meeting on the 22nd for victims of 1st Priority/Dan Gladstone/UCO.

I have given a name to our campaign. It will be known as-

V.O.I.C.E.S. (Victims of Insurance Casualties Exercising Self-Determination)


The Century Village Victims' Rights Group (VRG) will have their first

V.O.I.C.E.S. MEETING

(Victims of Insurance Casualties Exercising Self-Determination)

Monday, February 22nd, 10 AM
Main Clubhouse, Party Room

Contrary to UCO president's woefully weak and very trasnsparent answer to our request for resolution, we WILL NOT be inviting anyone, especially the three main players from 1st Priority who were present at UCO's meeting, to attend.

We are meeting to compile information regarding any present or past improper conduct by 1st Priority, UCO and/or their representatives in the handling of claims for CV residents/owners. This meeting is open to anyone, whether you are already a victim or want to avoid becoming one.

Due to time constraints, it will not be possible for each victim to tell his/her own story at the meeting. We will, however, make arrangements for you to meet with us on a one-on-one basis to go over your individual situations.

- DO NOT - feel afraid or intimidated by anyone who tries to stop you from attending this meeting. They cannot do anything more to hurt you than they already have. Please call me if this occurs.

Presidents and owners/victims, please bring the following:

1. Letters, journals, diaries, or statements, all details regarding the claim from the date of occurrence to today, including all conversations, work done, work remaining, and reasons given for not completing the work.

2. Copies or originals of all documents you received or signed. If you need copies made, bring your originals with you. Some of you have no documents to bring; come anyway and we’ll set up a time to interview you personally.

3. A listing of all estimates, invoices, checks or money paid out, balances due, or any other related financial paperwork.

4. Listing of all money you had to unexpectedly pay out or other expenses incurred as a result of your claim being delayed.

We will provide you with preliminary information on how to handle your present claim to avoid further damages. We will then set up individual appointments to assist you with your specific claims. These meetings will be private and held in strictest confidence.

If you need more information prior to the meeting, please call me at 561-202-8460 or Jean Dowling at 561-640-7606. We’ll see you there.
Lee

Insurance Guru

After watching Ins. Guru Dan Gladstone take full responsibility for the 1st Priority debacle on Channel 63, I'm in wonderment that a man with such poor judgement can still consider himself UCO President material. Surly he doesn't think the residents of CV are that stupid or does he ????
I'm told by a former UCO officer that Ins. Guru Gladstone is a very wealthy man. If by chance, this info is correct,maybe Mr Gladstone would consider making all those CV unit owners and renters, adversely effected by his 1st Priority brain child WHOLE. Money would go a long way in healing the traumatic effects visited upon the unsuspecting victims of Mr Gladstone's self admitted incompetence .

Mr. Gladstone should immediately resign

I have an idea for how Mr. Gladstone can capitalize on all the attention he has attracted, and do what future generations of Century Village residents to come will always be grateful for: Mr. Gladstone should immediately resign his position and sever his affiliation with UCO.

From posts on this blog to talk around the village anyone can deduce that skepticism is growing toward Mr. Gladstone and his alleged self-serving actions, and toward UCO in general. By offering his resignation, Mr. Gladstone can begin to put and end this latest sad chapter of an all-too-familiar story.

While it is apparent that, at least, Mr. Gladstone created a "profound crisis" within the village by steering all “insurance” related business to 1^st Priority through what he called “my system”, his current last-ditch bid to save himself by running for UCO President is disgusting to most village residents. People around the village are asking how Mr. Gladstone intends to lead a drive to reform UCO’s reputation when he was at its root, and may well be charged with insurance related crimes before the dust settles.

Someone at the pool last week said the thought of promoting Mr. Gladstone to UCO President and perpetuating the dysfunctional condition he’s created would destroy UCO’s reputation and any remaining trust. She went on to say UCO is being criticized for missing the residents’ mood and anger in dealing with this matter. Village residents are calling on Mr. Gladstone to resign immediately.

Mr. Gladstone, who has been criticized on this blog for steering all insurance related work to 1^st Priority, seems to be missing the mood of anger of the residents too. Rather, the normally outspoken Mr. Gladstone has become mute. Village residents’ disclosures speak for themselves.

Mr. Gladstone can capitalize on all the attention he has attracted - rather than trying to protect himself from humiliation - by saying he will stand down before the upcoming UCO election. The general sense throughout the village, however, is that he will defy calls to go immediately and actually go through with his candidacy for UCO President.

In conclusion, village residents are urged to demand accountability; call for Mr. Gladstone to immediately resign his position and sever his affiliation with UCO.

With best regards,

Lenny Cohen

1st Priority, Jerry Karpf and Dan Gladstone

In the May 2009 issue of the U.C.O. Reporter page 8 Mr. Jerry Karpf gives a glowing report on Mr. Salomon's co.(Salomon Teboul) Mr. Salomon is one of the owners of 1st Priority They operate under the license of Mc Enterprises of South Florida, which is perfectly legal.
( Jorge A. Chamudes CGC1507349 )
-
What isn't legal is. Neither 1st Priority or Mc Enterprises have a plumbing license or electrical license
"Jerry your always harping about checking licensing" What nobody seemed to notice was, neither 1st Priority or Mc Enterprises had workman's compensation insurance, when they first started here in Century Village.
-
Because they did not have compensation insurance they were not pulling permits.
-
Mr. Jerry Karpf, how could you have missed this??? Dan Gladstone went out of his way to steer MILLIONS OF DOLLAR'S - 250 Apts at $20,000 per apt. equals $5,000,000 in work to 1st Priority.
When the complaints started coming in, Mr. Gladstone continued to steer and pressure business Towards 1st Priority.
-
WHY?? "Dan tell us WHY"
-
Not a single word from Mr. Jerry Karpf about the dozen's of complaints WHY!!
-
Starting last June a parade of people were talking to the powers that be at U.C.O. informing them of the difficulty they were having with 1st Priority.
Mr Jerry Karpf head of the maintenance committee held half a dozen meetings where hundreds of presidents of buildings showed up.
-
He never once said a single word about the aggravation that 1st Priority was causing the people of our village.
-
Why?? He never stood up and warned us about 1st Priority WHY?? "Jerry tell us why" I paint Jerry Karpf with the same brush as Dan Gladstone.
-
Dan Gladstone is running for President of U.C.O. Jerry Karpf is running for Vice President of U.C.O.

Do you think either one of them deserve our vote.

Peter AmatoPosted by PeterAmato at 2:42 AM 1 comments

TO XFINITY AND BEYOND

You will want to read it here first: Comcast is changing its name to Xfinity in a number of markets. From the article:

Comcast, the nation's largest cable operator with 23.6 million customers, is launching a massive re-branding campaign next week to reflect the changing technological and consumer landscape, attaching the Xfinity name to its entire product line and platforms.

MORTGAGE FORCLOSURE

The following is re-published with permission

CALL Alert for February 12, 2010- Florida Non-Judicial Foreclosure Act

Dear David Israel,

CALL has been provided a copy of a draft bill entitled the “Non-Judicial Foreclosure Act,” which is being proposed by the banking industry. So far, the Non-Judicial Foreclosure Act (the “Act”) has not yet been filed as a bill. It is anticipated, however, that a bill containing the Act will be filed prior to the start of the Legislative Session in March. The Act has been getting quite a bit of news coverage recently, so we wanted to bring this issue to the attention of our CALL members.

The Act would allow lenders (and community associations) to pursue foreclosures outside of the court system, for foreclosure actions commenced after July 1, 2010. Under the Act, the lender begins the process by filing a notice of default in the public records. No sooner than 90 days after the filing of this notice, and no later than one year after the filing of this notice, a second notice is served on the applicable parties and a private, non-judicial sale of the property occurs. The foreclosure sale ultimately occurs either by auction or by negotiated sale. The Act also provides for a quasi-mediation/meeting between the applicable parties. Finally, the party being foreclosed upon has the ability to appeal the process by seeking judicial review within the court system.

The banking industry is pushing the Act because they believe it will relieve some of the burden on the overwhelmed court system and increase the speed by which the foreclosure process occurs. The banks further assert that many other states utilize non-judicial foreclosures already.

CALL’s concerns with the Act are as follows:
The Act, as currently written, will allow the banks to terminate (and later restart) the non-judicial foreclosure process at any point, without penalty, making the promise of an expedited process somewhat illusory;

The cost (up to a $1,900 filing fee) imposed upon foreclosed owners who choose to appeal the non-judicial foreclosure sale and seek judicial review within the court system; and
The possible erosion of property rights and the due process of law within Florida.

CALL is closely monitoring this potential bill and will let our members know if, in fact, a bill containing the Act is filed. CALL certainly supports legislation that speeds up the existing foreclosure process, which is ultimately costing community associations throughout Florida millions of dollars in lost assessments. However, we are concerned about the implications of allowing banks, many of whom have been intentionally delaying pending foreclosure cases for months and years, complete control over the foreclosure process. CALL will seek to have protective language for community associations added to the bill, in the event it is filed.

We will continue to keep you updated on this most important development. A copy of the draft of the Act that CALL has been provided has been posted on the CALL website ( http://www.callbp.com/ ) under the “Legislation” tab.


Sincerely,
Yeline Goin and David Muller, Co-Executive Directors
Community Association Leadership Lobby (CALL)


This e-mail was sent by the Community Association Leadership Lobby located at 3111 Stirling Road, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312 in the USA. To receive no further e-mails from "CALL", please reply to this e-mail with "unsubscribe" in the Subject line.

PETER AMATOS' POST?

I would like to know which administrator removed Mr. Amatos Post and why???
Is the blog starting to censor???

Your BLOGMEISTER adds.

I also ask who took down Peter Amato's Post. There was agreement to consult on removals; except in the case of very inflammatory  material.

Dave Israel

Benefits CheckUp NCOA, help your neighbors

People with computers can help their needy neighbors with
http://www.benefitscheckup.org/ or click title.
"Find all the benefits you deserve. Find and enroll in federal, state, local and private programs that help pay for prescription drugs, utility bills, meals, health care and other needs.
Updates for 2010 are in - now is the time to check your benefits!"

OPERA APPRECIATION CLASS

We are most fortunate to have many talented residents in our community, who have
devoted a portion of their time, to enhancing the lives of others. Once such person
is Dr. Roni Klein, noted Musicologist, who not only conducts classes here in our
community, but elsewhere, such as CV Boca Raton, as well as lectures at various
Universities and Colleges throughout the North East,South Florida, the Society
of the Four Arts, and The Kravis Center. Roni,as she is affectionately known,
has conducted classes here for the past ll years..I have been one of her
students for the past 7 and would like to see more of our residents enjoying both her
personal knowlege of many of the performers, as well as the knowledge she acquired while a student at both Julliard School of Music in NYC and University of North Carolina.
Her program beginning this coming week - (Thursday 10:00M -Feb 18th ) and will
continue through until April, for which you can register with Courtney at the
ClubHouse, will include:
The Barber of Seville - by Rossini, performance by the Stuttgart National Opera House
Luisa Miller - by Verdi, performance by The New York Metropolitan Opera House
La Fanciulla del West -Puccini - performance by La Scala di Milano Opera House
La Gioconda - by Poncielli - performance by The Grand Opera of Liceu
La Clemenza de Tito - by Mozart - performance by the National Opera of Paris...
I urge all you Opera Lovers out there, as well as those, who perhaps never have had
the opportunity in the past, to pursue this passion, to register and sit back and
enjoy this fabulous program, right in your own club House. The Fee is nominal...

President's 1st Priority Meeting

I went to the meeting that George L. had for self proclaimed, abused 1st Priority customers . Atty. Tennyson basically said that if your Association signed a contract with 1st Priority you are helpless because of the Fl. Law allowing this debacle. 1st Priority blamed all delays on the Palm Beach Ct Permit office and 1st Priority holds itself blameless in any CV unit owners or renters inconvenience, homelessness or financial distress.
Would someone tell me how CV was so lucky to come by 1st Priority ???

Mr Gladstone was not in attendance at this heart wrenching meeting , his absence might speak volumes about where his allegiance lies.

Help Is On The Way To Fearful Victims!

I have created this new Blog post to help provide information to all of the victims who came to the Delegates Assembly this past Friday, February 5, 2010, and all of those who wish they had attended who have since been made aware of the campaign to rid Century Village of the corruption (in this author's humble opinion), threats, intimidation, coercion, greed, abuse of power, and the abuse of those who reside in this Village.

I have personally been witness to and victim first-hand of the tactics and methods used by 1st Priority, the UCO insurance advisor Dan Gladstone, and the Public Adjuster to try to assure maximum profitability at the expense of and on the backs of the elderly in my own association for over a year now. I have been in meetings where Dan Gladstone, when told by my wife that in this country we don't do business the way he was trying to force upon our Association president, began yelling expletives and throwing the F-Bomb at my wife, and subsequently threatened to withhold any further or future services by UCO (yes, he WAS representing UCO as their representative) and to our Association if the president did not sign over a $7200 insurance check to the man, a one Salomon Taboul, the "President" (in his mind only) of 1st Priority, who when told we would not sign over the check earlier that day, immediately called Dan Gladstone, who arrived not 5 minutes later, to begin his verbal assault on us. This, from the man who touts the elderly men and women of Century Village as "his flock" and to whom he looks after and tends, much like the shepards of old Jerusalem. On that night, however, there is no doubt as to what flock he was protecting.....a one man flock....and it wasn't anyone who lives in Century Village. In my opinion, there is absolutely nothing these entities will stop at to pursue and destroy the life savings of anyone they can get their grubby little hands on... It is for this reason I spoke at the Delegates' Assembly on Friday. And it is for this reason I will wage this campaign, along with many other committed friends, victims, and non-victims alike, to rid this community of the abusive tactics of these and any others like them, who plan to take advantage of the elderly or anyone else, for that matter.

I encourage anyone who has been victimized by any contractor, insurance advisor, insurance adjuster, or public adjuster, to contact myself, Lee Hunt (561) 202-8460, or Jean Dowling (561) 640-7606, to add your name to the growing list of victims of those mentioned above. There is a meeting on Tuesday, Feb 9, @10AM in the Party Room of the Main Clubhouse, to provide guidance to you prior to your attendance at the Wednesday meeting where the UCO Attorney will be present to discuss your concerns. Please remember, this attorney is being retained by UCO - in essence, he is THEIR lawyer. There may be some culpability by certain officers of UCO as this ugly situation begins to unfold, which means there may be a conflict of interest in the attorney trying to protect and defend the owners' rights while at the same time trying to defend the rights of those who may be culpable. That's why we would like you to attend the "pre_lawyer meeting" meeting on Tuesday. If you can't make it, I ask that you withold any documentation and/or information, at least temporarily, until we have had our first "Victims' Rights Group" meeting on the 22nd of February. Instead, use the oppurtunity to ask questions that pertain to the legality of what you have experienced, without going into a lot of detail about your own specific incident. Questions like, "Is it legal for an insurance adjuster or Public Adjuster to give an insurance check belonging to his client - the association - to a contractor instead without first obtaining permission from the client?" or, "Isn't there a law somewhere that says that an insurance company or advisor cannot have an affiliation with a contractor, other than to seek their advice or estimates when making an assessment of damage to a home?"

Our "Victims' Rights Group" meeting will take place on February 22, in the Party Room of the Main Clubhouse, at 10 AM, to discuss the next steps to combat these cruel victimizations of our villagers and how you all can participate in these efforts. More details about the agenda, what to bring, etc., will be forthcoming in future blog posts and through phone calls and emails. Please insure that you pass the word to anyone who has not already contacted Jean or myself to please do so. Leave your name, phone number, email address, association, and president's name and phone number on the voicemail if we don't answer.

Most importantly, I want to send this personal message to those of you who are elderly, disenfranchised, who have suffered at the hands of those unscrupulous people who have intimidated you, threatened you, and forced you to become very afraid and fearful of retaliation - I say to you that YOU NOW HAVE A VOICE. This voice is getting stronger and louder each day. You no longer need to fear these people. If you receive any more intimidating calls or personal attempts to try to force you to do something against your will through coercion, threats, or intimidation, simply ask them - no - TELL THEM - to call this phone number - 561-202-8460, and then immediately hang up the phone or close the door. Then, I want you to call me immediately. If I don't answer right away, leave me a voice message. You need not be afraid any longer. Spread the word... to all victims and owners in the Village....Help is on the way.....

TRIMMING TREES

Hi all,

A question came to me from a unit owner that is of interest to all CV residents, identification has been redacted for privacy:

“Hi David,

I need your opinion on the subject of cutting trees in Century Village. I think someone told me there are rules and regulations from either CV or the State of Florida that dictate what, how and when you can cut or trim certain species of plants/bushes/trees.

Can you provide me with any information or tell me where to get up to speed on what you can or cannot do here?

thank you,”
.....................................................................
The regulations you seek are contained in Unified Land Development Code, there is a highly readable presentation at the following URL:

http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/pzb/Zoning/bofa/ba/pruning3.pdf

Dave Israel

UCO's Mr. Mold

Am I alone in thinking President Loewenstein wasn't being exactly honest when he appeared to be surprised at the recent Dan Gladstone/Insurance / Ist Priority Restoration fiasco?

Either that or the infamous Gladstone has been acting outside his authority because in an email,( printed below) sent last October, to Southampton B Association, Gladstone clearly implies that Ist Priority Restoration had the full approval and backing of UCO.
It sounded to good to be true and as homeless residents have now testified it was!


Incidentally, should anyone wish to contact Ist Priority's Attorney her name is Rhonda Zimmerman who can be found at the same address as 1st Priority Restoration at 3889 Sheridan Street Hollywood. Florida, suite 498, which is also the exact same address as the 'alleged' Mold Testing Company, - Florida Sciences Inc. used Ist Priority Restoration.
Ms. Zimmerman, who's speciality is debt collection, oddly enough also represents Dan Gladstone!

Whilst President Loewenstein reels from the latest 'revelations' of the pitiful plight this 'apparently' wonderful company have placed CV residents, I wonder if anyone at UCO has had time to check if Ist Priority Restoration Century Village Project Manager, Alon Apel, is the same Alon Apel - a convicted felon currently serving probation.
Should, which personally I doubt, Gladstone have any decency, he should resign as head of Insurance Committee and UCO .

From: Dan Gladstone Subject: RE: Southampton B water damageTo: "Sue Cohen" Date: Monday, 12 October, 2009, 17:43


Hello Sue,
UCO was searching for a dependable contractor to use for the "system". About 7 months ago, during the monthly UCO Maintenance Committee meeting, a name of a contracting company popped up. 3 associations presidents stood up and praised their work and services. The company is: 1ST. Priority Restoration of hollywood Florida. Office 800-617-1112, Salomon the CEO 954-551-1898 cell.
Before 'putting them on the wagon' we (UCO) had several conditions.
1. Do not compromise on the work. We do not want patching or 'band-aids' but the maximum approach.
2. Do not enter into any monetary discussions with associations or unit owners. Most of them have no clue even if they get 3 bids (comparing apples for apples or being familiar with material costs).
3. The contractor will agree to any amount that is approved by the insurance adjuster and/or the public adjuster.
4. Engaging a public adjuster is highly recommended at no cost to the association or the unit owner. The public adjuster is your true friend and he will look after your claim vs. the insurance adjuster. His services will come at no cost to you. He will get his payment from the insurance proceeds. The contractor approved the deal.
5. This contractor has been doing about 110 units in 37 buildings since March of this year. There were only a handful of the "normal" complains which no contractor is immune from. It was all addressed.
6. There is so much money owed to them that they cannot disappear over night. 7. They are licensed and insured.

Let me emphasis that any board can choose any contractor at any time. In this case the Association has to go through the maze of the "proof of loss". The other advantage that the system has is 'our shoulder to cry on' in time of need. As you can see, UCO is trying to make things eay for our associations, but the choice is theirs.

Dan Gladstone, Chair
UCO Insurance Committee.

The above email is part of an extensive file on Dan Barzilai Gladstone/UCO Insurance/UCO Maintenance, now with the appropriate Authorities.

UCO Insurance Committee

What is the UCO Insurance Committee doing to help the owners of unfinished repair units. Anything at their January meeting??
They could begin with Randall's suggestion (ignored at their December 16 meeting). I reprint it per Randall's post "I thought that my suggestion of an oversight sub-committee of the Insurance Committee to monitor the progress (or lack of it) on units which are repaired after casualty through UCO efforts, was a reasonable one. Got shotdown without a moment of consideration. Wonder how many elderly owners are sitting in hotel rooms this moment wondering whether they'll be home for Christmas? Am I alone in my thinking?"
That was the same meeting where I was shut down for trying to tell of 1st Priority pressure tactics.
Now Mr Gladstone claims he disconnected from 1st Priority in November and Pres Loewenstein also sez he changed the recommendation rules 3 mnths ago (Nov).

Delegate Mtg Raised Insurance Issues

Everyone concerned about elder abuse should listen to the Good & Welfare portion of last Friday's Delegate Meeting. The meeting is being broadcast on Channel 63 at 9:07am and 7:07 pm this week, if you wish to catch the Good & Welfare final portion only, set a timer for about 50 minutes from the beginning.
The accounts of disruption and homelessness caused by restoration work were appalling. I do not think you can underestimate the damage to the mental and physical health and pocket books of our oldest residents.

Not So Good and Welfare

Recently I have heard 2 sets of people told to bring their issues to Good & Welfare at the Delegate Meeting. That portion of the meetings seems to be for statements, not discussion, or motions (Lee Hunt's ideas would have made excellent motions). The content of G&W does not even have to be in the minutes?
Anybody! please clarify.
It seems to be a way of diluting important issues and shutting them down for time and bus limitations. I do not think people realized that.
...........................................................
Your BLOGMEISTER responds:

I am so fed up with the "bus is leaving" excuse. Has it ever occurred to anyone that on Delegate Assembly day, that the bus schedule should be changed to accommodate the long meeting.

Wow! what a novel idea.

Dave Israel

Insurance by the Numbers

Yesterday I had a sales call from my homeowners insurance - Allstate.
It made me look at the record, my annual payment is $240 basically the same as in the year 2000. In between there were annual factored increases which I adjusted back to the values of my very humble possessions and condo. Happiness is $240/yr.
Then I looked at the Seacrest numbers for my annual building insurance for my unit alone. Year 2001 - $120 annual, following years $: 296, 325, 356, 448, 565, 990,1006, 956. Year 2010 - $1,049.
Can anyone explain the difference. There is annual sighing and hand-wringing and the sad story of failing insurance companies, and hurricanes.
Allstate stays the same, Plastridge up, multiplied by more than 8x.
Since UCO gave the insurance companies our individual association budget numbers no doubt they will pursue even more of our dollars.

Today's ( Feb 5) Delegates' Assembly Meeting

For those unable to attend today's meeting...please make every effort to view
it on 63..in particular the portion devoted to "Good & Welfare"...also urge all
your neighbours to do likewise..You will hear & see, the hardships suffered by
several residents, some of which are still not able to return to their homes, due to water damages,and the company hired to make the necessary repairs.
They should be brought up on "Abuse of the elderly" charges!

Golf Course meeting?

Any word on how the golf course meeting on Thursday went?

REVERSE FORECLOSURES - A NEW STRATEGY

Hi all,
Here is a novel concept worth exploring with your Association Attorney.
Dave Israel

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THIS IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE

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IT IS MERELY A NEWS ARTICLE

Monday, January 25, 2010

Miami judge grants reverse foreclosure

South Florida Business Journal - by Paul Brinkmann
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Attorneys for the Keys Gate Homeowners Association in Homestead have won a legal victory in a case that could set a precedent for banks that drag their feet in taking title to homes facing foreclosure.
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The Association Law Group of Miami won the case on behalf of the Keys Gate HOA using what it calls a reverse foreclosure, designed to speed up the process of awarding a property to a bank, thus making the bank liable for fees and maintenance, even if the property is vacant.
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Based on the reverse foreclosure procedure, Miami Dade Circuit Judge Jerald Bagley awarded title of a home in the Keys Gate development to HSBC Bank on Jan. 12.
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The home had fallen into foreclosure in 2007. Since then, the home remained in limbo, owned and maintained by the association, but with an HSBC foreclosure action pending for more than two-and-a-half years.
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"ALG's reverse foreclosure procedure will finally help associations force banks to take title to financially upside down units much faster than ever before,” ALG attorney Ben Solomon said in a news release.

As part of the reverse foreclosure, Keys Gate waived its rights to the property and, as the current unit owner, waived its right to public sale. The motion was granted and the clerk of court issued a certificate of title the same day, transferring ownership of the property to the bank. The certificate of title then triggered HSBC Bank's requirement to pay its share of past due assessments, legal fees, court costs and all assessments going forward.
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“This new legal strategy saved Keys Gate a minimum of eight months or more of bad debt write-offs because the association did not have to wait for the bank to get a foreclosure judgment, schedule a foreclosure sale and sell the property at public auction,” the law firm said in the news release.
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The practice of banks holding up foreclosure proceedings is not uncommon and has a huge financial impact on associations that must write off month after month of bad debt until the home is taken off its hands.

See also:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1457253/reverse-foreclosure-ruling-could-give-embattled-associations-relief-

See also the 3rd District Court reversal decision referenced by Randall in the comment stream at:

http://www.3dca.flcourts.org/Opinions/3D09-1389.pdf

wear shorts to the movies?

Ushers were telling movie goers this evening that shorts cannot be worn to the movies. But, they let us in "this one time". As I remember, the rules were changed several years ago to allow shorts to be worn in both afternoon and evening movies, while "no shorts"still applies to live shows and dances. Could someone please tell us what the rules are?

Looking for a Doctor?

The magazine Super Doctors deals with profiling the best in the profession. Go on this site to search for a doctor specializing in your desired practice.

FILING YOUR ANNUAL REPORT

Hi all,
As you may be aware, your Association Annual Report must now be filed Online, I have prepared a short working aid to guide you through the process, it is quite simple.

Please see:

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AcWHEjvkxk1QZGY2azc5N3pfMTJmejlrNHBjNw&hl=en

Do not hesitate to ask any questions in the Comment stream.

Dave Israel

Political Question

If the various local legislators do not represent our village, why do they visit?

Submitting to The Reporter

If you have an article that you'd like to have in the UCO Reporter, send it to the address that's inside page six. Do not attach your article; write it directly on the email message. The article in question should be totally original, written by you — no plagiarism allowed. The deadline is the seventh of the month. Good luck.