Clarity

The picture on the left was taken last Tuesday 3/24 around noon. Our general manager and board president said that the chemicals in this water were tested and found to be fine.

It was said that sun tan oil was the possible reason for its cloudy-green condition. I performed a water test when I took this picture using a Taylor Kit and the readings were 0-chlorine and 7.2-PH.
The picture on the right was taken today Tuesday 3/31 around noon. This was after our general manager decided to close the pool and fix the problem. Today’s water test reading was 5-chlorine and 7.8-PH.
It should be noted that ideal readings are 3-chlorine and 7.5-PH. It should be also noted that it would take a tremendous amount of suntan oil to cause this kind of problem and would have left a considerable amount of oil residue on top of the water and all around the border tile. There was no evidence of such residue.
It was said that the indoor pool’s chlorine level was so high that management decided to shut the chlorinator off to reduce it. When they turned it back on they later realized the injectors that fed the pool its chlorine were not functioning. It would appear they solved that problem.
Thus begs the question of why owners find it continually difficult to extrapolate the truth from the answers given by the people in charge. Why can’t owners be told the straight story from the start?

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RECOGNITION

The Vaughan’s have for years went the extra mile and contributed their time so people could enjoy a quality newsletter. It has been a pleasure to read the events occurring in our Village and wish that would never end, but it has. Since making their decision however, I have been hearing innuendoes coming from the same group of people who had vindictively fueled the rumor fire all last year against the many owners having a problem with our general manager’s actions. Instead of thanking the Vaughans for their contributions, they’re starting fictitious demeaning stories. Here is a copy of Cheryl Vaughn’s resignation letter to the Board.
From me I give you an appreciated "Thank You."


March 10, 2009

TO ALL OWNERS AT LONG ISLAND VILLAGE:

I have volunteered my time and expertise for the past 10 years to set up, do layout and design work, writing and editing for your monthly newsletter, the Long Island News. This process takes anywhere from 24 to 32 hours each month. In addition to the set-up work, there is the work done for each advertiser who pays to advertise in the newsletter. I can’t even tell you how much time is involved in this process, but it includes changes to ads each month, proofing and many, many phone calls. Some of this process with advertisers I get reimbursed for, but some is time which I volunteer.

I have prided myself through the years in that I have furnished the owners of Long Island Village a quality product with good visual design. The information inside the newsletter is informative, fun and gives a pat-on-the-back to the many residents and visitors who participate in activities at the Village.

During the past year, I have experienced a growing struggle between Board members to keep the LIV newsletter unbiased. My husband and I are in a unique position in that we are owners, and vendors. As owners, we are aware of the political struggles at Long Island Village. As vendors, we certainly appreciate the opportunity to print the newsletter, however as a volunteer, I have grown weary of this struggle.

Effective immediately, I will no longer be available to set-up and do the layout and design work for the LIV monthly newsletter, and the South Padre Office Center will not be available to print the newsletter.

Cheryl Vaughan
Graphic Artist
South Padre Office Center
LIV Owner, Lot 301




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MARCH 2009 BOARD MEETING

Pledge of Allegiance

Owners speaking on agenda items
Rick Hansen said he thought the 2007 bulk income amount was incorrect on the treasury report and the balance that the treasury report in the minutes shows should reflect the month end report. He also thought the four managers getting up to 4.5% increases in their salaries was inappropriate after the increase losses in every amenity plus having our current economy crisis. He said the management income proportion is excessive. The part on the treasury report was tabled giving time for the finance committee to get involved. Discussion about no giving higher management salaries because of non performance revenues appeared to be ignored.
Flora Gunderson said the indoor pool water had been cloudy since Thursday and thinks someone should take some direct action. She said she talked to the general manager who said Berry Pools has already come. She said if Berry Pools can’t fix the problem, then we have a problem. If this continues then someone else needs to employ them. The second thing was the palm trees are blooming and need to be cut.
P. Burke said she was aware of the problem with the pool. P. Burke said that Berry Pools, management, and an individual owner tested the pool water and all three said the chemical balance was fine. P. Burke said one of the possibilities were that somebody accidentally spilled something in the pool.
The general manager said this was not a chemical imbalance but that somebody spilled suntan oil in the pool which made it cloudy and that’s what we are trying to clean up. He said they put some agent (?) in the pool this morning and that didn’t clear it up. Director White said she understands if you can’t see the drain in the pool it should be closed. Our general manager said he talked to a Steve at Berry Pools about it and he said he didn’t feel it was necessary to close the pool. When asked about the cutting of the palm leaves he said he will schedule that.

President Remarks
There were several follow up items addressed by P. Burke.

P. Burke said Lot A put in a request for a net to keep golf balls from hitting them while on their lot. This is to be referred to the Golf Committee that will then be reporting back to the Board. This appears to be the closest lot behind a green in our Park that is in a direct line from the tee. Slight distance error at hole #15 will easily reach this lot and has done such on a frequent basis.

General Manager’s Report.
After the usual number of fines and violations, our GM addressed the sink hole he brought up last week and found it to be an easy fix on the equalizer.

Armando’s Report
The usual work orders done within two hours. He said that Time Warner will be back out to bury the cables and put in new cable boxes. A different company will repair the landscape afterward. Owner Ed Smith gave some good info that if you give Time Warner the LIV Welcome center’s telephone number and then your lot number, they will find it in their system.

Approval of Minutes
The minutes were approved

Treasurer Report
Director Steffensen gave the operating fund, major project improvement fund, building permit accts, insurance escrow accts, contingency fund accts, March cash in the bank, and accts receivable. There was no profit and loss info. There was a motion and approval of the 2009 budget.

Committee Reports
D&E - Director White said there was a huge success with the entertainer Leslie. It was a great time. Over 350 people with a profit over $700.
Golf - Director Pelletier had nothing to report.
Pool – Director Steffensen said they will continue to try to figure out the best way to monitor the use of the pool without being unfair. It seems that they are leaning towards everyone having to wear a pool bracelet.
Management – P. Burke said Pro Com management was twice as much as Aramark and that Aramark will not raise their fees. P. Burke gave the impression that this company was at surprised that Aramarks fees were so low. There are supposedly other companies to review and Aramark’s revised renewed contract when completed will be available for review.

Unfinished Business
Law Suit about an owner with the last name Gage was discussed and nothing resolved.
Arroyo Cable lawsuit court date is April 1st.
Director White as to why cleaning logs sheets are not being signed by management for months. The only answer was that they were stolen or trashed.

New Business
Web Conferencing- Director Bergsma said Web Conference .com will provide us with a free trial of their service for board members only. It appeared the cost for five Directors to use this is around $59 a month with a onetime sign up fee of $29 each. A Director questioned thought that this was to be used by owners to watch our meetings. There was a concern about the bylaw quorum rules. It was tabled for later
Village Inspections & Building Codes – P. Burke said Directors Bergsma, Gagan, and Pelletier have requested interest in serving on this committee.
Request for funds for a re-route permit- P. Burke went into length to explained this request and then asked for Tom Cain to explain it further. The survey that Mr. Freeland wants us to share in said Tom, is for a permit that will be in Cameron County’s name instead of a private entity name. This may help in the future for a fixed bridge with financial help from the government. Mr. Cain emphasize this will be a very slow process. LIV’s contribution to this would be up to $2500. Motion made to table was not approved. Motion made to OK the spending on the survey was approved.
There was also a motion approved to mark the microphones to make for easier setups.
Work Order Request Changes – P. Burke said there is a new and better work request form for maintenance needs by owners.
Boat Ramp – P. Burke said there was a problem with the ramp gate to where people are able to enter when locked.
There was a motion past to remove a small portion of common ground near the boat ramp. (correction: the 2 1/2 feet was not removed, it was altered. the bridge assoc. poured concrete on it to direct rain water down the boat ramp. Thankyou commentor.)
Committee Assignments – P. Burke discussed the various committees wanting to be formed or kept continuing. I believe some that were discussed were finance, audit, service contract, legal service committees
Village Grille – Director Halbach said he and LIV owner Jerry Fleckinger are working toward many positive ideas of bettering our Village Grille's bottom line. A written format is forthcoming.
Other- BOD Election of Parliamentarian did seem to happen.

Adjourned

Editor’s note: After every agenda item discussed during this meeting, P. Burke asked if the owners in the audience wish to say or add something. Also she asked the board if the 2 ft. piece of common grounds to be removed at our boat ramp was in their mind a substantial alteration of commons grounds.


Adjourned


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MARCH 2009 COFFEE WITH THE DIRECTORS

Pledge of Allegiance

V.P. Halbach started the meeting saying there will be changes in how future meetings will be ran.
Changes are still in up the air but soon they will be announced. He asked for show of owner hands from the audience if they still want owner suggestions to be signed and owner’s name being disclosed. It stayed the same.



From the Suggestion Box
Lot 339 – Suggestion about the repair of the engine to the Skid Steer. Improper maintenance causing this to have a repair was also brought to light.
Lot 121 – questions asking about the Village infrastructure and getting money from the Government for a new Bridge.
Lot 121 – inquired about having a parking area for boat trailers.
Lot 708 – brought up the motion that past last April about management signing off on a log after inspecting the cleaning of our Village facilities.
Lot 249 – asked about video conferencing. It was said to be on the agenda for the next meeting.
Lot A – requested a 10’x24’ net to protect themselves and their property. It appears on hole 15 there have been a players using way too much club.
SC 68 – suggested relocating the boat ramp cement picnic table and chairs.

Questions from the Audience
Bud Sherry talked about the skid steer repair.
Lot 496 asked questions about Time Warner. It was said by the board they will hold them to the contract.
Lot 116 – requested to keep a little bit of the Grille functioning after it's close this week.
Lot ? – gave kudos to the election committee and complained that the trash dumpster lids are not closed when the trash truck comes. The open lids creates spewing trash .
Lot 288 – requested that management travel the park and do a better job on keeping the common grounds cleaner.
Ex-director Mulch wanted more coffee.
Trudy Costa said Time Warner couldn’t find her. P. Burke said for TW problems call 1-800-cable 55.
P. Burke said they were going to revise the work request form.
Time Warner people arrived and answered many questions. This took over an hour.
Adjourned

WORKSHOP
Rick May, the Village Insurance agent for 20 years, was present for no apparent reason at the meeting. One of the Directors asked Mr. May to a general summary of coverage while he was here. The last item he said was covered was a directors and officers liability policy to cover that ends in July. It is protecting the association if the members of the board should in his words, slip and cause financial harm to the association. Five claims have been submitted on this policy in the last three years. He said that is a lot of claims for a nonprofit organization. H e gave every indication that the premium will go up for this policy. The reason for his appearance is now known.
Director White asked Mr. May to tell everyone these five lawsuits. He said they were as follows.
1. March 8, 2007, claim filed against the Association for negligence in management allowance of Village permits on lot 375
2. November 9, 2007, lot 292 filed because that Board denied their request and along with a survey situation.
3. September 17, 2008 Cowan Island property seeking an easement through Sea Shell Blvd a property plus an injunction against LIV to deny them access.
4. September 29, 2008 Arroyo cablevision filed suit for breach of contract. Claims underpaying and allowing satellite dishes in the park.
5. August 27, 2008 six directors of LIV were sued for breach of fiduciary duties.
Board Agendas
Director Steffensen gave info on the Major Improvement Fund and the budget. Our cost for the Bridge will be $134,000 higher because of insurance cost due to lawsuits and attorney fees from over a year ago. Our increases in expenses will be $125,000 this year. Also she will give the pool committee minutes and suggestions.
Director Guerra wanted on the agenda a person to consult to Directors on how to be responsible. Director Bergsma set an agenda on web conferencing.
Director Halback's agenda is on the operation of the restaurant. He said he has someone who can provide some good ideas.
Director White wanted to discuss the current audio for board meetings as an agenda item.
Director Montalva mentioned wanting the different committees to be formed. It will be on the agenda.
P. Burke wants on the agenda up to $2500 towards Freeland's pursuit for the re-routing the intercoastals. There was a long review on the story behind the rerouting that P. Burke was happy to explain. This took about thirty minutes.
Our general manager said there was a gentleman who has waited here very patiently that owns lot 334. He has a rather large sink hole in the back of his property. It is under his deck stretching to his sea wall. He said we also have an equalizer on this lot. In order to find out what the problem is we will have to remove part of his deck and dig to inspect. Our manager said the sea wall is his problem but the equalizer is ours. P. Burke said just as long as the building code rules are followed as to who is responsible for what. The GM continued with this there is no concrete under the deck but when this is done he will put a sunken patio made out of concrete. The GM repeatedly said that the owner was willing to work with us. After P. Burke mentioned for the second time if they follow the building code rules it will be no problem. Our GM said once again that we are responsible for the repair of the equalizer. He then added this will include any damage to the pad when digging. One of the Directors asked why this didn't fall under maintenance and if so why bring it up. The GM said he just wanted to keep the board inform because we need to proceed on this. He said it might cost our Village as high as $6000.
P. Burke mentioned the Gauge lawsuit to be on as an agenda item along with Arroyo Cable.





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OUR CONCRETE POND

Monday evening when I cut through the indoor pool facility to play cards at the Activity Center, I noticed the pool water was green and very cloudy.


Late morning on Tuesday the water still looked as bad, so I took a chemical reading. The water appeared circulating but found no chorine registering along with a lower than normal PH reading. I was told by several exercise patrons that this water has been this way since last Thursday. My questions are these, since our Village is paying over $19,000 extra per year to have Berry Pools do what we contract and still pay Aramark management to do in keeping the water safe and correct for owners, why is it not consistently being done. It is not a difficult chore, just one that has a need to have someone pay attention towards. For years LIV has paid Aramark to do this job 30 minute a day job and they have never provided us with management that seems to know how to do it. We are now paying both Berry Pools and Aramark management to do this with unfavorable results. Do we need to add a third party to do it?
This pool should have been closed with containing non chlorinated water. Just the liability alone that this magnifies should be enough for our Village to want to correct this reoccurring problem. Our Village doesn’t need another lawsuit. This has the welfare and safety of the owners and renters at risk here, so why isn’t someone being held accountable for this?


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The Election Results

Total votes 712

Elected were Mary Steffensen 429, Eddie Montalva 423, Pat Burke 389, Don Halback 387, Don Pelletier 374, Tom Bergsma 355, Jose Guerra 343, Annita White 323, Bill Gagan 309.

Not elected Virginia Martin 304, Ed McBride 287, Ted Burns 271, Shirley Ritten 281, Richard Hansen 266, Martha Nell Dodson 260, Joe Long 224, and Robert Wilson 162.

Thank you to everyone on the election committee, great job.
Good luck to the new candidates.



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ACCOUNTABILITY
( 10 a.m.)

One of the overheads here in our Village paradise lately has been wasting part of your life watching a diminutive group blindly protecting insincere Aramark employees from being accountable for actions affecting our Village. In the last nine months when management accountability was a question, something would come to life that one could only describe as the “spin wizards of rhetoric”. These wonder workers would try to change the issue under discussion and put focus on a different one such as agendas, due process, evaluation fairness, wrongful termination, micromanaging, divisive behavior, Aramark’s contract obligations, disgruntle employees, destructive behavior and so forth. My favorite “spinner” is that the Directors were at fault for asking questions which forced them into their unenviable situations. Why simple answers can’t just be explained about simple accountability questions is beyond me. One must scratch their head as to why every accountability question seems to always be answered with additional verbiage that attack the person asking.

Since September, management’s actions have been done with impunity due to a court order that includes having a total re-election of our Board of Directors. This imposed order is the result from what many owners feel is a senseless lawsuit initiated by Director Mulch and last year’s director candidate wannabe Reta Priest. It’s apparent the lawsuit’s intent was to neutralized the majority power of the Board who were for the first time asking the management questions and holding them accountable for their actions and statements. The court order also eliminated any possibility for this majority to once again take action and try to replace positions of management.

The chaos began almost a year ago when President Sullivan decided it was finally time to implement a replacement procedure for the GM’s position that resulted with the majority of Directors approving instead an insignificant 90 day evaluation. This evaluation gave the needed time for this group to incite an extraordinarily invalid recall campaign appearing to be a first attempt to neutralize the Board’s majority power and when that failed this exclusive lawsuit followed. This is wasting thousands of dollars of owner’s money just to appease this group against management accountability. This group says they speak for majority of Village owners. They will soon speak for you again when owners receive the final bill from this court appointed agency running our election called Long, Chilton, LLP.

Everyone in our Village has a right to express themselves stating their concerns and opinions, but to do so at the top of your lungs, pointing fingers, and trying to impose your will like several people of this group did in the last Board meeting in support of a manager was totally unacceptable. This type of planned behavior has happened too many times at Board meetings when the GM is questioned about his actions or statements. This has caused so much damage to our once peaceful, friendly, and carefree Village that it may never get back to the way it was for the rest of our lifetimes.

This group seems to feel the only solution to this problem is to elect Directors who will ignore Aramark management accountability to achieve some peace and give the illusion that everything is just grand. If this makes sense to you then let’s succumb to Aramark’s management and exempt them from their actions. Our GM said they don’t get paid that much so why put this extra burden of accountability on their shoulders and their need to work with every Director. We just need bobble head Directors that will be happy to close their eyes and get our Village back like it was when many owners were fairly ignorant about the Declaration and By-Laws or didn’t really care about what was going on with their investment within our community.

I believe owners are now wanting to become more aware of what has been happening and wish to receive accurate information about their park? I don’t believe the majority of owners want what this group has to offer, the need for management accountability to be ignored, distorted, or erased altogether. If they do, so be it.

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MARCH SUGGESTIONS Part I. We would love your suggestion that will improve our Village. Suggestion may be viewed by those visiting. We will renew the display each month. Anonymous are welcomed. So throw one in the box.

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