PBC COMMISSIONERS - EMAIL ADDRESSES

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Hi All,

Following are the Email addresses of our Board of County Commissioners.

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Please let them know your views concerning development of the Golf course:

kmarcus@pbcgov.org

pburdick@pbcgov.org

svana@pbcgov.org

sabrams@pbcgov.org

baaronso@pbcgov.org

jsantama@pbcgov.org

ptaylor@pbcgov.org

BCC-AllCommissioners@pbcgov.org

Dave Israel

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Car Wash Pad

I will apologize in advance if this subject has been covered in the past, but I was wondering if C.V. has a location with a spigot available for residents to wash their cars? For the time being, I am able to wash my car and would like to spare the expense of the car wash. Additionally, it seems the car wash scratches or damages something after each visit. If it is an issue of water conservation, could "gray" water be used?

Is there any prohibition of an individual condo making such an accommodation available?

NO TO REFLECTION BAY!

In perpetuity means FOREVER. Let's hope the Commissioners agree also and say NO to construction on the now-defunct golf course.


Why not use the land as a park where we could go walk or bike at our leisure, in a safe environment?

Just think: turning this land in a "community" will only destroy another natural habitat and ultimately cause traffic, noise, crime, overcrowding, air pollution, flooded area, etc.

Is this what we really want?

DELEGATE ASSEMBLY- DECEMBER 9, 2011 - LIVE IN CYBERSPACE

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Hi all,

The Delegate Assembly video of December 9, 2011 is now live in Cyberspace for your viewing pleasure.

Follow the link:     http://goo.gl/CLT4f

You may also access the Delegate Assembly videos for the past three years by way of the sidebar.

Dave Israel
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GOLF COURSE DEVELOPMENT - REFLECTION BAY - TOWN HALL MEETING

Theater Ticket Pricing

I happened to look at the Pembroke Pines listings and their ticket prices are lower than ours. For instance Tommy Mara is $8.00 at CVWPB and $6.00 at Pembroke Pines. They also show a seating chart which leaves me to believe that they are allowed to choose where they sit in the theater!

UCO ELECTIONS - CANDIDATE ANNOUNCES

Hi all,
As you are aware, elections for UCO Officers will occur in March 2012. I am pleased to advise you all that on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 Barbara Cornish advised me that she would be a candidate for Vice President of UCO.

Barbara has advised me that she is an independent candidate, not affiliated with any organization nor is she necessarily supporting any other candidate as yet.

I wish to heartily endorse Barbara's candidacy for VP. I have personally observed Barbara take on difficult issues and through a combination of research and native intelligence resolve the problem.

Barbara is the personification of the type of Officer we need in UCO, and I strongly recommend that she is deserving of your vote.

Dave Israel

UCO OPEN MEETINGS POSTED - DECEMBER 2011, JANUARY 2012

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Hi all,
See links in sidebar for UCO Open Meeting schedule for December 2011 and January 2012:

UCO OPERATIONS

• UCO OPEN MEETINGS - JANUARY 2012
• UCO OPEN MEETINGS - DECEMBER 2011
• UCO OPEN MEETINGS - OCTOBER and NOVEMBER 2011

The links above are live as well.

Dave Israel
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Something new to think about- COMMON GOOD

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I am reading again and this time it is Tom Brokaw’s new book, “The time of our Lives, a conversation with Americans". He is reviewing much of the good of this country and some of the not so good. He talks about today's committees and lobbyists who have issues that they are fighting for. He says that years ago, these people presented and fought for their cause but in the end they compromised and voted for the COMMON GOOD. This is missing in the world today and particularly here in Century Village.


We have a committee whose only agenda is to rebuild a golf course. I do not believe that there is anyone in the state that has the wherewithal to renovate a golf course and maintain it, has it on their TO DO LIST to build a golf course for the empty property on Haverhill road. This golf course would almost be guaranteed to lose money as the previous two management people have. The golf course was nice to have so close, it was at times very pretty so that even the people who did not use it could enjoy it. These are different times we have to think of the COMMON GOOD.


The golf course that the pro-act committee wants is NOT one of the answers on any multiple choice questionnaire that the county authorities might have in front of them.


Why is our committee ignoring the COMMON GOOD. These are hard times, many people here in the village are struggling just to make ends meet. Many associations are really having a hard time dealing with several units which for various reasons, have stopped paying. Associations are ignoring their bylaws and allowing sales to people who should not be eligible for residence in the village. If things don’t get better, we could be looking at a total collapse of our wonderful lifestyle.


Who is looking out for the COMMON GOOD?


Why don’t we have a committee who would work with the developer to adjust his plans so that the development that we get will be something that we can life peaceably with? Five years ago when the developer was D.R. Horton, his lawyer agreed to a gated 55 and over community with a limited number of units. We wouldn’t even listen, let alone go the next step to get that offer in writing. Today are we going to just keep spending money to fight our current developer and then live with whatever he puts up because we were too stubborn to compromise.
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NOTICE OF CLOSING - CAMDEN POOL

THE GATE ARMS: A QUESTION

Are the gate arms at the Haverhill and Okeechobee exits still sometimes kept in the open position? I think they sometimes are, and if so, I have a question.

Sometime ago on the blog there was a “movie” of someone exiting at the Haverhill gate, going a mile a minute, and breaking the gate arm. Could it be that some drivers, seeing that the arm is in the UP position, assume the gate is in the kept-open position and so drive right through? Because driving toward an exit gate, it can be hard to tell if the gate is the kept-open position or if the gate arm is just slow in coming down—as is normally the case with the exit gates

Could this "not knowing which way it is" be contributing to the number of drivers crashing into the exit gates? Could it be that because the exit gates are in the kept-open position SOME of the time, there are more, not fewer, crashes?

Geneology Club begins

The first meeting of the genealogy club will be at the clubhouse January 9 at 1:30PM. The first meeting will be more of an organizational meeting with some time for sharing. If interested, please plan to attend. Any questions you can contact Anitra Kraus at 629-7522 or akraushouse@gmail.com

REFLECTION BAY - GOLF COURSE DEVELOPMENT HEARING

Hi all,
George Pitelle sends along the following:
Dave Israel
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The Hearing on the Golf Course

Along with hundreds of other C.V. residents I attended the Golf Course/Reflection Bay Project hearing before the Zoning Commission on 12/2/11. We first listened to the Magistrate read the comments from cards submitted by our residents as well as some personally presented. With the possible exception of 5 or 6 they were mostly opposed to the project. Many echoed the arguments presented by the two attorneys representing these people in stressing the restriction of the development of the Golf Course and its remaining as such in perpetuity. Other comments stressed the hardships and difficulties the Reflection Bay development would have on the residents of C.V. and other communities. These would include health concerns for people having trouble breathing air contaminated with dust brought on by the construction. Others stressed concerns related to the impact the project would have on traffic and water, with specific points better than I can relate here.

Anyone sitting through the proceedings up to this point might well have thought the arguments presented against the project were quite strong if not compelling.

After a break the attorney for those opposing the project briefly addressed the Commission, next the attorney for Reflection Bay took to the microphone. He was asked specific questions posed by some of the commissioners. Referring to the project plans he seemingly answered them to their satisfaction.

What followed was several votes which quite frankly were not clear to me. The votes were all in the affirmative with one commissioner voting opposed on I believe each one. The result of all of this was the approval of the application for the development of the Reflection Bay Project and the defeat of efforts in opposition to it.

Now lets look back at the hearing. With most of the comments opposing the project citing the restriction of development being in perpetuity I can not recall it ever being addressed and can only wonder if the issue of in perpetuity was somehow dealt with in the votes. If so with there being no comment or discussion it was in my opinion certainly given scant consideration. It has been often pointed out that the same issue was ruled in favor of a community in Mizner Park in opposition to building a golf course. What was the legal distinction in the two cases?

After the hearing I was told by one other attendee how he expected the C.V. residents most strongly opposed to the project will continue to fight it, perhaps by going to court. My response was “and who will be paying for that“, to which we both declared with certainty that the residents of C.V. will not agree to pay for it. I understand there was going to be another hearing on 1/5/12, What does todays action do with that?

George R. Pittell
Chatham D

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PALM BEACH COUNTY ZONING COMMISSION TO CV - POUND SAND!!

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See noon report at:

http://cvbitbucket.blogspot.com/2011/12/blog-post.html

Dave Israel
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For the Brits Amongus

Diamond Jubilee info. Plenty of time to plan for next June.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_197517

BBC America is channel 114 on TV, and for the totally shameless Brits it is showing Top Gear marathons.

Remote Control article

Thank you Marilyn Pomerantz for the great article in UCO concerning how to use the remote control. I've got it covered in plastic - ready for review at all times. That had to take a lot of time.
One thing though, can anyone please tell me how to save a station as a Favorite? Now that UCO has listed all the higher channel numbers for our favorite stations, I would like to save some to my Favorite list. I can't figure out how to do it. If somebody does know, please pass it along.
Thanks

WHAT WE WERE PROMISED - DON'T LET IT GET AWAY

Hi All,
Those of you who are original unit owners were promised something, do you remember what it was?

Let me remind you, follow the link:  http://goo.gl/wqZRR

One of the items on this full color  rendering is a Golf Course. This Golf Course was further etched in stone by way of the official Palm Beach County Plat number 14, which is annotated "To remain for Golf Course purposes only in perpetuity"! Thus, those of us who came after the original owners are also beneficiaries of the "In Perpetuity" promise.

Tomorrow, the Palm Beach County Zoning Commission, will hear the pleadings of a Developer to overturn this Plat Restriction. We in UCO and the ProActive Committee are diametrically opposed to this extended urban sprawl and ask all those who read this Post and are also opposed to this development, to come tomorrow, Friday, December 2, 2011, to 2300 Jog Road, to the Vista Center hearing room to show your opposition to the Zoning Commissioners.

Your numbers will send a message, some of you may also get to speak to the issue! So, look at the brochure at the link above and don't let the promise be taken away.

Thanks to Mr. Phil Shapkin for the Brochure.

Dave Israel

ZONING COMMISSION HEARING ON REFLECTION BAY - AGENDA POSTED

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Hi all,
The Zoning Commission hearing on the Golf Course proposed development, Reflection Bay, is scheduled for December 2, 2011 at 9:00am. This hearing is to be at the Vista Center at 2300 Jog Road, just off Okeechobee Blvd. (West on Okee., right at Jog Road)

The agenda has been published by PBC, follow the link:

http://www.pbcgov.com/pzb/Zoning/zc/2011/dec/agenda120211.pdf

All concerned residents of CV should make every effort to attend.

Dave Israel
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BETTER THEATER SEATING

It is probably too late to be suggesting this, because I understand the Operations Committee is going to be taking up tomorrow the subject of reserving seats for shows. But for what it is worth late in the game…..

If the Committee cannot come to agreement on giving residents who pay and reserve in advance for the shows some say on where they sit—which I think they should have and is the best solution—PERHAPS WPRF CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF DECIDING WHAT ARE THE PREFERRED SEATS.

For starters, the first few rows of seats on the extreme left and right are not as good as seats farther back and nearer the middle of the theater. I would suggest too that any seats in the first 3-4 rows are not as desirable as those from say, row 5 back. Also, that seats in the center-front of the balcony are better than many seats on the extreme ends. A lot of people like those center-front balcony seats.

I would recommend that a small committee be formed to hash this out and come up what they consider the “A” seats, the “B” seats, and so forth. Then, if using the random lottery system, assign the seating by first selling the “A” seats, then the “B” seats, etc. This is what WPRF does now, I believe, but I think their determination of how seats rank with the people has been off the mark.

Something Else To Think About

I note with interest that the illustrious Executive Board Member, Gerald Karpf, simply couldn’t resist tarnishing the first issue of the new Reporter by putting pen to paper with libelous gossip. Working from his own agenda, presumably in retaliation to Reporter references regarding his involvement with the 1^st Priority fiasco, Mr. K attempts to convince Reporter readers that I, Sue Cohen, am not an investigative journalist, but a hypocrite who breaks the law. Now, had Jerry been of a genuine literary persuasion himself, he may have realized that it is somewhat foolhardy to rely on the information gathered from unreliable sources.  According to Mr. Karpf, I stand accused of installing tankless water heaters in our building's eight laundries to the detriment of the residents. Mr. K further accuses that in doing so, I broke the law,  which will cost thousands of dollars to rectify. Now this would have been rather difficult since I wasn’t even in the country at the time of the installations. In my absence, the condominium washers, dryers and water heaters were in fact, installed, under contract, by an allegedly reputable laundry company.

Unrelated at the time, and at the request and expense of the association, a well-known electrical firm carried out an inspection of the building's wiring several months later. It was then discovered that one of Florida’s best-known laundry companies had installed the heaters in clear violation of the law. The issue was immediately turned over to our lawyers. With the knowledge, consent, and support of the condominium board the resulting code violations were reported to the Department of Planning, Zoning & Building.

Because of the circumstances, no daily fine was ever imposed, and our law firm has been dealing with this legal matter ever since. As our more informed residents are well aware, liability for these unlawfully installed water heaters has been accepted and will not cost our residents the thousands that Mr. K implied was the case. Our attorneys are presently negotiating with the laundry company's insurance agents for an amicable resolution, hopefully in the very near future.

One would have hoped that Mr. K, an elected representative of UCO, would have had a modicum of sense not to allow his wounded ego to get the better of him. Publishing allegations without a substantial evidence file is not a wise, but potentially a highly expensive move.  As every investigative journalist knows, to publicly libel someone of breaking the law, without a single shred of evidence, is likely to place such people and those they purportedly represent firmly at defendant's table of the nearest courtroom.

Genealogy Club beginning

There is a new club getting together to start in Century Village West Palm Beach. It is a chance for people that are interested in genealogy. We can share ideas and information on how we can trace our families. Also stories of reunions of families that have been separated for decades and how the same techniques were used to create these reunions.

If you are interested in becoming a part of this club please contact me with your name, contact information and what times work for you for meetings.

Happy Thanksgiving Century Village

On behalf of myself and the entire Becker & Poliakoff family, I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Mark D. Friedman, Esq.

UCO REPORTER - DECEMBER 2011 - LIVE IN CYBERSPACE

Hi all,
UCO is pleased to announce the publication of the new look UCO Reporter under the leadership of Myron Silverman, Editor in Chief.

Thanks Myron and the new crew for an excellent issue; we look forward to many more, as the Village has indeed found a new voice.

Follow this link: http://goo.gl/YFwLW

or, as usual you may access the Reporter by way of the link in the sidebar.

Dave Israel

I am thankful

I am thankful for family and health and CV friends, and many other fine blessings.

I am thankful for the reduction in our very prudent association budget $15 per unit per month - Due to all UCO workers and the Insurance Committee efforts. You really have to watch those insurance companies. I also switched my house to the UCO recommended company and saved a bunch. Constant competition is the key and mine will all be redone for next year.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Something to think about

November 19, 2011

Just an interesting thought.
I am currently reading “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson and I am reading about the ipad development and the apps that they wanted to provide.

Steve rejected an app for porn and someone took him to task for censorship. Steve’s reply is that one might care more about porn when they have kids, and it’s not about censorship or freedom, it’s about Apple trying to do the right thing for its users.

Then he said: By the way, what have you done that’s so great? Do you create anything or just criticize others’ work and belittle their motivations?

I think the above is so applicable to life here in the village. Are we working to divide and destroy or to do the RIGHT thing for the village. I believe that David is working much harder than a volunteer can be expected to work and his goal is doing “THE RIGHT THING” for all of us.

Theater Tickets

I am one of the minority who purchased season tickets to the shows. When you purchase a subscription WPRF has your money in August and tickets are distributed in October. I have been told that seats are assigned with use of a computer. My problem is that people buying tickets a few days before the performance have ended up with better seats than the ones I received. I think this is terribly unfair and unless a new system is used I will no longer buy tickets ahead of time. Very few shows sell out and my friend bought a ticket on Thursday for Freddy Roman and will be sitting in Section B, Row 5 while I will be against the wall in Section C! Don't you think there is something wrong with that?

Open Accounting?

I must applaud the members of the current Reporter Editorial Committee for their openness and honesty in supplying copies of their recent minutes to residents. However, even people like myself who deplore censorship may consider publishing the password to the Reporter accounts (Quick Books) a step too far- especially since it’s phraseology is that of wishful thinking not fact. This remarkable display of competency astounds me!

DRIVER’S LICENSE RENEWAL WENT WELL (WHEW!)

For those of you who feel edgy about renewing their Florida driver’s licenses under the new system, I thought I’d let you know I had a good experience.

About two months ago, I was notified that it was time to renew my driver’s license. The notice explained that this couldn’t be done by mail or online, but that I had to go into one of the Tax Collector’s offices with proof of my identity and address.

About three weeks ago, I went online and found out what documents I needed. This can differ depending on your situation. Through their interactive form, I was able to print out the specifics that applied to me. I had the choice of making an appointment online or by calling a toll-free Tallahassee phone number. For no particular reason I called the Tallahassee number. A very helpful man answered and made an appointment for me to go to the Tax Collector’s office in Royal Palm Beach this past Wed. at 3:00 p.m. I got a reminder phone call about the appointment the day before.

On Wednesday I got to the Tax Collector’s office at 2:50. Outside the office I “registered” at a booth. The clerk there (one of two) took my documentation, placed a clip on it, and gave it back to me with a slip of paper saying “R-117.” I went inside and sat down among SCORES of people waiting, They were there for different things, and some had been waiting a long time. I have waited there in the past.

Within TWO MINUTES “R-117” was posted on the information board and it was announced: “R-117 go to Desk Four.” The woman at Desk Four was very nice. Despite the fact I was turning 75 on the expiration date of my old license, all I had to take was a vision test, which I passed easily. I breathed a sigh of relief.

I knew they would be taking my photo and had said to myself before going in: “Now don’t get feeling angry about ANYTHING, Lanny, or it will be showing on your mug shot for the next several years.” This worked out fine. There was nothing to be angry about. The mug shot even has a slight smile.

The renewal cost $54 and my new license is good for 8 years.

FROM OUR INSURANCE CHAIR

These seems to be some misunderstandings regarding the renewal process—please let me try and make it clearer.

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We currently have three Agent’s bidding the renewal for the whole of Century Village for 2012. They are Barbara Addeo, with Corporate Insurance Advisors, Bob Lopker, with Insurance Office of America, and our incumbent Ty Beba, with Brown & Brown.

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They will be making presentations to the Insurance Committee the week of December 5th. The bids will be reviewed by the Bid Committee on Monday, December 12th and there will be a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, December the 15th in the Clubhouse at 9:30am, so individual Associations can review their individual premiums for the year.

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If after reviewing the UCO insurance program you want to opt out, a form will be provided for you. But, please before you opt out make sure you have another Agency who will write your insurance coverage. If you opt out of the UCO program, you will not have insurance with us.

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I have had 2 Associations and 1 management company asking permission to seek quotes outside UCO. You don’t need permission to seek quotes outside; we feel that the program we provide will be comprehensive and cost effective. We only ask that you compare apples to apples. Make sure that what you’re buying is what you think it is and not a watered down version at a bargain price.

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If after reviewing our program, coverage’s and prices, you feel that you can get both better coverage and price with another agency, than opt out. You will have until December 23rd to return your selection sheets or you’re opt out sheet.

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We hope our selection will meet with your approval and that this letter makes it easier for you to understand the process. But, if you have any questions, I’m at UCO most days, please call

683-9189.

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Toni Salometo

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WILL SALISBURY I PLEASE EXPLAIN

Hi all

The flyer seen above appeared unsolicited on my doorknob, as President of UCO, I must confess that I do not understand it's purpose!

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The Agenda suggests that attendees will receive "Association Legal Updates".

UCO has provided Association Legal Updates for many years, UCO has done this by bringing in Attorneys from Becker & Poliakoff, and other firms. UCO has also had the Condominium Ombudsman speak to town hall meetings. Between these two sources and others, we have provided timely advice and updates to thousands of our unit owners, and we will continue to do so.

So, what will The Salisbury I guest speaker have to say in this regard?

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The Agenda also states that attendees will receive "Association Insurance Updates" Wow!, it turns out that our UCO-Association Bi-Lateral Agreement, which you may link to in the Sidebar, and which most of our Associations have signed and all of our Associations have benefited from since 1999, provides that UCO shall place policies of Insurance by way of competitive bidding, which UCO did - and will do again, and which resulted in a reduction in our premiums of Two Million dollars! Oh yes, since the current Administration took office, we have presented Town Hall meetings with Complete Association Insurance Updates

So, what will The Salisbury I guest speaker have to say in this regard?

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The final Agenda item is "Century Village Newspaper Update"

Ok! Our UCO Bylaws, which also may be accessed by a link in the sidebar states that UCO shall publish a newspaper, called the UCO Reporter, which UCO has done consistently since 1982.

So, what will The Salisbury I Association have to say in this regard?

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Please, will someone from Salisbury I answer these questions on this BLOG?

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Finally, is this luncheon about Village unity, or if not, what is it about??

Dave Israel

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