Sales Information for Lakewood Cove
Lakewood Cove is the name for the 70 new townhomes being built between Tivoli Court and Lake Worth Rd at the Lake Worth gate.
According to the builder (Lennar), they will be selling in the $400’s.
Link to the Lennar brochure with pictures and floor plans:https://online.flippingbook.com/view/510441362/
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Some pictures of the construction as of Nov 2022
In reply to Peter
I definitely đđ» third it!
Correct ,DUMP THE FCO!
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We will all be much better off and not being ripped off as if we were all a bunch of suckers!
Now they ate not even going to have 2023 directories, saying the leftover 2022âs are good enough for us!
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Whatâs next- a âdogâs breakfastâđ„Ž
3RD.WORLD COUNTRY. Next time you drive south on jog road just passed melaleuca look to the right at all the trash garbage beds paper all kinds of litter.
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The easement from JOG road to the fountain property looks like crap.You would think the FCO would have a maintenance person in a golf cart ride along there every day and pick up all that litter and trash. Sure would make a nice appearance when people drive by or visit us in the fountains.
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First in impression is very important. Let me no what you think.
Thanks Richard for clarifying much that has gone on here in this community for 40 plus years. Who is the person responsible for this abomination? It’s is clear who is responsible?
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Outrageous that the person responsible is now hired as Controller. When are people in this community going to demand transparency and Insist they know where money is being spent?
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The FCO is a non profit organization and the books should be wide open. Why do we not have any idea what the payroll is?
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We have a website that is supposed to be transparent. The FCO picks and chooses what they want residents to know. Why does the FCO fight Resident’s? What are they hiding?
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FCO board of directors meetings should be email blasted to all residents with the meeting ID and password. Sure they are going to hold meetings via zoom but residents have to jump hoops. Residents are required to email to get the link and password. Who thinks that’s a good idea and use of staff resources.
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Thank you, I will step down now I just had to vent.
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Susan Shea
Everyone,
Even if your team did not win the Super Bowl, you must admit is was an exciting game to have watched.
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Back to topic.
I was lulled into complacency, by influencers, claiming that the tempo of impulsive actions by the FCO had been purposely slowed down by the Executive team.
Were they wrong!
The February FCO 2023 meeting, was chucked full of disclosures, that would make your head spin.
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Let us begin with the fact that the a $100,000-dollar short fall in FCO 2022, which disclosed by the controller and $67,000 of the short fall was her salary.
Easily explained away as training of Veto Senese (#3 hire in the line) to fill the ED position.
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Next, how is part of the shortfall going to be addressed? Simple!
Raid the Piggy Bank, i.e. reserve funds. Talks of assessments abounded.
For details refer to the FCO meeting minutes when they become available.
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Wind mitigation surveys had been completed on three of the 16 Courts leading to the belief that around $400k reduction in annual insurance premiums will result. See FCO minutes for details.
However the FCO could not provide an explanation as to how the overall reduction in premium would affect
the Approved Budgets of the Associations in 2023.
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The Chairman of the FCO Security Committee has resigned after accepting a full-time position with a NY firm (remotely). The current Security Company Supervisor (Fox in the Hen-House?)will be filling the Chairmanship until a replacement can be found.
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The FCO is once again seeking a new Security Service and has interviewed potential companies.
The current company after discovering what was happening was then also invited to offer a proposal.
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Bryan Elliott, CGP, told the FCO President that he believes that CGP/Ridgewood JV was going to move forward with small Parcel E development of 199 residential units because of issues within the community and ability to do so.
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The President indicated to Bryan, that talks should remain open on Parcel E even though no response has come back from CGP/Ridgewood from the submission of the issues concerning the Fountains Community.
Possibly âNo News is Good Newsâ?
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The explanation of maintenance charges was attempted by three Board members and a previous FCO President attendee.
My opinion “Abbot & Costello âWho is on firstâ, I donât know is on second, etc.
The FCO answer is to wait for the controller to return from vacation and provide the explanation at the next meeting?
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Concerningly, the FCO âpart timeâ replacement CAM had to be rushed to the Hospital prior to the meeting. This produced an absence of the recording secretary.
The first portion of the meeting however was conducted via zoom which was recorded. FCO administrative staff could not overcome technical difficulties being unfamiliar with operating the technology so the remainder of the meeting was shut down.
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The sidewalk repairs on Fountains Circle were reported as being 80% complete.
The Jog Road entry pond Fountain is only awaiting a PBC required water survey be completed prior activation.
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Best intentions in reporting!
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It is up too you to make a difference!!!!!!
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Sincerely,
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Your Advocate
Of the remaining FCO!
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At the most recent Tivoli Court Board meeting last Monday our newly elected president announced to the residents of our court that after the first full year under GRS professional management, after breaking away from the FCO, our court has saved $87,000.00.
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With 175 doors this savings amounts to $497.14 for every owner in Tivoli Court. $497.14 annually equates to a $41.42 savings every month.
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It is unfortunate that this savings to court residents is being negated by the current insurance premium that was incorrectly calculated by using the incorrect larger square footage of the seven Tivoli court buildings, along with the incorrect over valuation of the seven buildings and the failure to correct the wind hurricane mitigation of a 3% deductible instead of a more reasonable 5% deductible.
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A Tivoli Court resident actually went out and measured the length and width of the buildings and after repeatedly insisting that the square footage was incorrect, it was finally acknowledged that it was. It is my understanding that an entirely new assessment must be completed at a cost paid for by the court in order to have our current insurance premium reduced to an amount of approximately $100,000 dollars.
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The FCO has been costing all residents in this community all “1767” large sums of money realized in our HOA fees. Rental fees paid to concert, maintenance of roads and lighting which are owned by Concert, office supplies and staff salaries, along with increased insurance premiums for the FCO.
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The FCO has a track record of making poor hiring decisions. In the last few years at least 3 possibly 4 employees went through paid training. After double paying to train employees for many months, some were fired, some left because they felt uneasy on how the FCO operates. Vito Senese was employed for a year before the FCO realized he was unfit for the job. No wonder the FCO 2022 financials show a $90,000.00 shortfall.
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It is becoming abundantly clear to those that closely follow what the current FCO is doing that the current FCO is wasting a substantial amount of residents money.
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The answer is clear.
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The sixteen courts need to migrate to another professional management company that will manage this entire community without fear or favor.
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A Tivoli Court Resident
Wake up, It is totally frightening what is happening in the insurance industry. What truly concerns us all is how this is going to impact all of the 16 courts going forward. Projected budgets will take a hit.
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It’s difficult to forsee what increased premiums will be? The FCO is not forthcoming. Board meeting minutes are not available after December 2022 as well as financials not being available for January 2023? It is now March 2023 Residents should have a clue of what they will be required to pay in 2023.
Residents:
March 8, 2023 FCO Regular Board Meeting, 3:30 Poulette Hall & Zoom
âBE THERE OR BEWARE â
Although you have no say, on April 3, 2023 the Fountains will have another replacement Security Company.
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March 1, 2023 Letter from Ben Geller.
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âPresidents and Security Representatives,
Effective April 3rd, the FCO will be changing security companies to East Coast Investigations. This should be no surprise to you considering the many issues we have had with our present company. It is requested that each court president or representative contact the new company during March to set up a time to go around your court with the new company so that they can become personally aware of the rules and regulations of your court. A short (5-6) list of key items would be important to have ready for that âguided tourâ.
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Contact info is Joseph LaBella at 516 639 7556 or Michael LaBella at 516 640 8144.
A full update will be part of the monthly FCO Board Meeting on March 8th.
Hoping that this will be our last change for many years.â
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Here we go again! But truly no surprise.
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The revolving door of Security Companies. Lost count of the security companies who have been shown the exit door in the last 10 years.
Quote Scott Harris, âhow much do you want to spend on securityâ?
Answer: Enough for Peace of Mind, Protect the individual Residents and their Property of the Fountains Community which has lost the physical barriers of a “Gated Community”, that were in place prior to the land development by Concert Ridgewood.
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Oh! CGP contributes zero dollars to community security but charges $ 2k per month rent to the Community, for the North Security Gate House.
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Moving on:
Is this the newest standard for FCO security?
âECISâ is a family Farther & Son business.
âIâm a former NYPD/DEA Undercover Narcotics Detective with over 25 years of experience. Here at East Coast Security Investigations & Patrol Division we are a fully licensed and insured Agency located in Florida & New York. â
Seems all good. Just saying they may just be the best for the Fountains, but who knows?
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A quick look into this company leaves more questions than answers.
Do you think a Professional Property Management Company
could better define what is needed, develop a scope of services, and solicit bids?
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Could the result of a comprehensive scope and bid process cost more?
Possibly more. Possibly less using modern security technology.
But what is the premium for your Personal Safety and Peace of Mind?
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Stay safe!
Guardian Angle
Is that a 45 or 90 degree ANGLE?
Ernie,
360 degrees.
UPS!!!!! Late nights and auto correct are not a wonderful combination.
It is howerver encouraging that someone is interested enough to comment.
Stay safe!
Guardian “Angel”
I’ll drink to that! Thanks.
Who had the guts to âWakeupâ?
A lesson to be learned from the women who stood by their convictions, overcame bullying, and elected self-determination for their Associations over being held hostage by the FCO.
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Obviously, from what has reported, their actions not only saved money but actually resulted in transparency while obtaining ârealâ Professional Property Management Services for the residents.
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Kudos to them!
But wait a moment.
Can we find any correlation between women taking charge and the absence of women Presiding over the FCO as Chief Executive Officer?
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Letâs take a look at the FCO Chief Executive Officers from 1975 to 2023.
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FCO CEO Chronology
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William Eisenberg 1975-1976
Frank Rainbow 1977
Hyman Bloom 1978-1980
Elliot Rosenberg 1981
Marvin Cohn 1982
Emanuel Lewinstein 1983-1984
Felix Robinson 1985-1986
Joseph Snyderman 1987
Isaac Stein 1988-1990
Malcolm Greenberg 1991
Fred Soyka 1992-1995
Herbert Krieger 1996-1997
Bernard Manford 1998-1999
Nathan Steinberg 2000-2003
Robert Lambert 2004
Stanley Tapper 2005-2007
Morton Horowitz 2008-2013
Bernard Ciancanelli 2014-2016
Scott Harris 2017-2020
Ben Geller 2020-2023
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FCO history indicates that not one woman has been elected as President (CEO) of the FCO for 58 years. Seems like our point of view has been missing as well as our intellect, ability to network, develop a consensus, and act when necessary, has been overlooked.
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Statistically the Fountains Associations are populated by more woman than men. More than ever, the women of the community need Professional Property Management Services to supplement our day to day living and provide adequate Security for Protection and âPeace of Mindâ.
Nothing less should be delivered by the FCO.
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Not to be trite, but by giving one Mahjong, Canasta, or Bridge game a month, and get evolved, can make your voices part of the solution.
It is all up to you!
Sincerely,
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Susan B. Anthony,
P.S. March is Womenâs History Month, celebrated in the U.S. by just about every major institution in the country. On March 30, the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will posthumously receive the National Museum of American History’s signature honor, the Great Americans Medal.
Maybe not one woman expressed a desire to be the FCO CEO. The list you posted is of the Presidents of the Fountains.
Ernie,
The FCO By-Laws were changed years ago from the Associations Presidents automatically being on the FCO BOD, but now require that an Association must elect or appoint a member to the FCO BOD, the term being one year.
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Although the “Board of Presidents” has floated around for many years, no such group was offically ever consummated, per Debbie Poulette, retired FCO ED, & current Controller.
To the contrary, very qualified women have expressed interest in filling the position, but to the best of my knowledge have never put themselves forward for election for obvious reasons.
The real question is, had a woman stood for election how may supporters would she have had?
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To say the ‘good old boy’ network does not exist on the FCO BOD would be irresponsible.
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Strong women’s participation has been judged as an attack on authority rather than a contribution to making the community a better place to live.
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Advocate
Although well written, your response has devolved into the “woke generation’s” safety net of name calling people of different opinions as racist or misogynist etc. Asking the question “had a woman stood for election how may supporters would she have had” in my opinion creates a scenario of an unanswerable question to make a point.
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Your comment “To say the âgood old boyâ network does not exist on the FCO BOD would be irresponsible” is the height of irresponsibility not supported by any substantive proof.
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The comment “Strong womenâs participation has been judged as an attack on authority rather than a contribution to making the community a better place to live” indicates that you are not paying attention to your comment of “statistically the Fountains Associations are populated by more woman than men.” The myriad women presidents currently leading several courts are very successful and professional.
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A woman in a position of authority does not make her immune to criticism if her performance is not up to acceptable standards.
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If my comments, herein, lead you to believe that I am indeed a misogynist you have a serious problem.
Ernie, Ernie, Ernie,
Woke generation???????
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The facts presented remain indisputable.
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Ernie, apparent unanswerable questions like “which came first the chicken or the egg”, ” does carbon based life exist in the universe”, only create the atmosphere for discovery.
Absolutely women are not immune to criticism for poor performance. The question is, who establishes the ” Acceptable Standards”?
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Let’s put that aside for the moment as Debbie Poulette has been characterized by the most recent “CEO” as “One of a Kind, and Irreplaceable” necessitating two positions to fill her previous ED role.
She has directed the FCO Phiharmonic Orchestra (2008-2022) with the aid, of albeit questionable legal opinions, without missing a beat. Her performance is music to the ears of her annual FCO subscription holders audience.
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What was once a “jewel” of the Community “Fountains Hall” has been renamed, in her honor, “Poulette Hall” even though the building is owned by Concert Golf Partners. I know the FCO pays rent, insurance, security & maintenance on the building. So what is in a name?
Amazingly for someone, who had no “skin in the game”, her influence over the Community was and remains (now controller) astounding.
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Ernie, I have no reason to lable you.
But I believe you are exceptional in that you take personal time to participate in debate, where others seem to have retired in more ways than tradition would dictate.
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Enjoy the upcoming Holidays!
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Advocate
Advocate, I take the time because what I have found, here at The Fountains, is that people seek titles, such as Pres., VP, etc., yet don’t take the time to fulfill the job descriptions of the myriad positions.
Regarding Debbie, I am sure you are aware that she is currently training a woman to replace her job as CFO and Bob Wiggins has assumed the role of Exec. Director.
Be well and thanks,
E
Ernie,
Whatever your motivation, recognizing the difference between social status in the Community and not fulfilling fiduciary responsibilities is well placed.
Per Ben Gellers Presidents report indicated “Debbie is hiring a controller.”
Bob Wiggins is filling the role of CAM, temporarily, on a “part time” basis, not filling the role of FCO ED.
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Debbie actually filled three roles at the same time, FCO ED, FCO Controller, and FCO CAM.
The FCO Amended By-Laws required the ED to be a CAM.
A less than optimal business practice containing multiple risks of operational failures.
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Significant turnover at the FCO. Three EDâ and and I understand one Controller have been hired and let go, during Debbieâs retirement transition.
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Is it time for the FCO to at least inveastigate engaging a Professional PM Company?
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More troubled waters ahead would suggest yes.
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Thanks again for your participation!
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Advocate
Does anyone know the procedure for court residents to have a board member removed?
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This individual has gotten “too big for his britches” and is obnoxious at best.
He seems to feel HE is the last word on subjects of concern to residents in our court.
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Isn’t the purpose of an HOA board to vote on rules and rule changes, NOT for one individual to decide?
Is it for an HOA or condo association?
It can be different
HOA’s are for houses and condo associations are for condos.There should be rules to remove board members. Usually a 2/3 majority vote is required to remove a member. Another way is to set term limits. These rules can be voted on by board members if they are not on the books.
Here are some approaches.
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1. The Board is elected by the owners and then the Board elects its president. Owners have no direct say in who is president.
However, one option is lobby directors to persuade a majority of the Board to elect a new president.
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2. The Board can be requested to put out a ballot for the membership to vote on recalling and removing the director who is president. The Board cannot remove one of its members, only the owners who elected them can. If the Board is unwilling to put it to a vote and issue a ballot, then the by-laws will explain the procedure for a petition of owners to force the Board to put it to a vote (usually a low number of signatures).
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An owner is entitled to the email addresses of other owners in their court according to the open records act, which is available by request from your property management company or the FCO. The recall reason(s) can be emailed (or snail mailed) to owners to persuade them to vote for recall. About 10 years ago, the majority of the Versailles Court Board was recalled by starting with a petition.
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If the director/president is recalled, then the Board will elect a new president and proceed with nominations to appoint a new member to the Board.
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3. The Board has the power to change the rules (not the underlying by-laws or governing documents, without a majority vote of the membership). In condos, they must discuss in a meeting, vote affirmatively, and send the proposed new rules to the owners for a 14 day review so owners can prepare to comply. Then the new rules go into effect. Owners don’t have a voice in this unless their Board chooses to listen to them.
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If you think the Board or the president has exceeded their authority or violated the association’s documents or the relevant legal Florida statutes (FS 718 for condos and FS 720 for HOAs) and they are unresponsive, then the place to complain is the Division of Business and Professional Regulation (aka the DEEPER).
. The DBPR has an online option to file a complaint.
http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/
In reply to KV, MP, LS.
You can find the procedure to remove a Board Member either in your Covenants and Restrictions, or your By-laws. You can find these documents in the FCOcondo.com website. Click on the âAssociationsâ dropdown tab.
Join us Thursday, May 11 from 6pm-8pm in Craft Hall for a Financial Education covering Pre and Post Retirement strategies. Hosted by New York Life Agent Joseph DeMatteis, a fellow Fountains Resident with colleague, Michael Steiner, Financial Advisor with Eagle Strategies LLC.
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Water, soda, and snacks will be offered for those in attendance.
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Please RSVP to Joseph DeMatteis (724) 971-5080.
Please be sure YOUR guests park in proper spaces to avoid being towed. The spaces are VERY limited in this area. If you think you will be having a big crowd, you may want to use Fountains Hall instead.
I have 2 questions that I hope someone can answer:
1) Why is there an opening from Lakeside Cove townhomes that leads directly to Lake Worth Road exit from The Fountains? Initially, I thought it was temporary access for builders, but it is paved and landscaped now. Won’t that cause unecessary congestion at that gate for our residents?
2) Why isn’t the fountain at the Jog Road entrance working? It seems to have been off for quite some time. Anyone?
Deja vu for Fountains: Lake Worth Beach residents say construction causing unsafe conditions.
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Mike Diamond – Palm Beach Post – April 29, 2023
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For Rob Jacobs, it is a case of déjà vu.
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Two years ago, his Trevi Court building at the Fountains development west of Lake Worth Beach was often caked with dirt as a New Jersey company removed arsenic from a nearby shuttered golf course as part of a remediation project. He complained to anyone who would listen. And he got the attention of the state Department of Environmental Protection and Palm Beach County Code Enforcement.
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Requirements imposed by regulators improved conditions.
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But the problems of two years ago resurfaced when Lennar Homes began building its 100-plus townhomes on what was once a fairway. The homes range in price from $431,990 to $458,990. And this time, Jacobs says he is having trouble getting anyone to pay attention.
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âWhen the company was taking the arsenic out of the golf course, everyone was watching,â Jacobs told The Post. âIt is like no one cares anymore with Lennar building the townhomes.â
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âOur buildings shake,â Jacobs said. âCracks have developed. They will say that it is because our building is old, but the cracks were not there until they began building.â
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The mounds of dirt Lennar has created are more than 30 feet tall, even higher than two years ago. Jacobs has a birdâs eye view of it from his condo. On windy days, he said the building is covered with dirt just as it was when the arsenic was removed from the golf course. People with respiratory problems are suffering, he noted.
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âIt is actually much worse than it was two years ago,â he said. âI never thought that could happen. We are lucky that we had rain recently. It helped to keep the dirt on the mound.â
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Lennar issued a statement to The Post, saying it “strives to be a good neighbor during all phases of land development and construction. Our customer care and construction teams have listened to the concerns of the neighbors and have responded accordingly. We continue to be committed to addressing appropriate concerns brought to our attention by our neighbors and homeowners.â
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When the remediation of the golf course occurred two years ago, Jacobs noted the county and state required that monitors be installed to measure what was being put into the air.
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âWe got weekly updates from the state,” he said. “No one seems to care anymore. They (Lennar) do what they want. They even worked this past Sunday, which is not supposed to happen.â
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Jacobs said code enforcement has shown an interest but, according to Jacobs, the agent needs to be there when the wind is blowing the dirt onto Trevi Court or when cracks develop. It is not so easy to get them there when that is occurring, Jacobs said.
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https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/local/2023/04/29/lennar-homes-townhomes-construction-unsafe-for-lake-worth-fountains-residents/70122114007/
Hello all,
I’m writing this as a concern and ongoing issue with our president at Luxemburg Ct.
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Back in Jan 2023 we had our mainline backup due to cracks in the pipe and tree roots growing in, blocking the line. This line is a common element of the building and services a portion of 4471 Luxemburg court. The units are 107,108,207,208,307 and 308 are all serviced by this line. During the back up 107 and 108 were flooded. We even had to call and get our own plumber to come in and clean the line out for a temporary fix.
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Maintenance had failed to help with this issue. During the inspection with a camera system the plumbers has determined these lines will need to replaced due to all the damage and neglect of service of the lines.
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The president of Luxemburg is refusing for full payment of the line because portion of the main line is under the building. She is claiming that’s the owners responsibility. How ever this is a mainline , a common element to the building. This is not the owners responsibility to fix. I have also tried reaching out to the HOA directly and they are saying because the president is saying no , they can’t do anything.
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We as owners understand if it’s our direct line it is our responsibility. In this case this a common element to the building. This is a line that services 6 units not 1. The president of Luxemburg has no idea what the actual by laws are. Please help!!! She has failed to acknowledge the issue and does not care at all about the residents that are effected.
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We also asked for the insurance to get a company in and sanitize to help out. She refuses all responsibility, even though this is a HOA issue not a resident issue.
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Please feel free to contact me for more info.
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561-707-9979
George,
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Please stop telling lies. Luxemburg Court signed off on these repairs back in January. It is not negligence when a tree root has broken the line. It is you that has been holding them up by not signing the portion that is required to fix your personnel toilet pipe, servicing only your unit. You are are well aware that both repairs must be done at the same time since it requires cutting your floor in 2 different areas. Luxemburg Court also paid the entire plumbing bill when this back up initially occurred and has been expedient on authorizing repairs for the portion that is our responsibility. We are not responsible for the interior of your unit or you personal toilet pipe.
in reply to Nancy,
Thanks you!
Rob Jacobs,
Relatively easy to provide proof of “Dust” deposited by wind and struture cracks from construction activity.
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1.) Photograph a location of dust collected facing the construction site (Date & Time Stamp)
2.) Remove dust from a location facing the construction, Photograph (Date & Time Stamp)
3.) Photograph the same location when dust has again collected (Date & Time Stamp)
This can be presented as evidence.
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1.) Take a magic marker and place a line across the crack(s) at mid point in its length as well as marking a line at the top or bottom of the crack(s) depending on the direction they are moving.
2.) Photograph the crack(s) and Date & Time Stamp Photograph.
3.) After seeing the crack(s) expand, Photograph and Date & Time Stamp.
This can be presented as evidence.
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The Date & Time stamping is critical and can also be used for the authorities to compare with the construction site activity during the periods you have documented.
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Best of Luck!!!!
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Your Advocate
P.S. Where is the FCO?
in reply to ELB
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Elba,
1.) The opening you refer to was always a part of the permitting as it was the only way to provide a traffic signaled left turn to head west on Lake Worth Road.
2.) The fountain has been installed but is awaiting a survey of the “water levels”. The survey had not been done which was part of the permit filing process.
The survey has now been completed but apparently the final approval has not yet been given to operate.
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Hope this helps!
You can call Bob Wiggins FCO CAM for more details.
George,
Without the ability to examine your Governing Documents, I can not intelligently comment on where the liability falls nor how the property insurance in this case is applied.
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However what I can state is that the lack of “preventative maintenance “, unheard of in the Fountains is the major contributor to the sewer line issues.
Sewer lines in your community depend on changes in grade to move waste (high-low) with the benefit of “flush water” to move the solids.
These systems require scheduled preventative maintance to both remove root infiltration ( which occures over time) from the waste lines and solids that may have become lodged in the line.
Without going into specifics of how this is done, it may be safe to say this was not done.
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George, I was provided recent articles from the Palm Beach Post and would like to take the opportunity to pass on my thoughts with hopes you may become part of solutions for your community.
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So here goes.
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Responding to a resident who has turned over personal responsibility to protect their property rights to a Board of Directors, Cathy Widdoes, President of Luxemburg, exposed what appears to be a pandemic infecting not-for-profit Florida Condo & Homeowners Associations as well as short comings of the Fountains Condominium Operations, âFCOâ, in addressing Property Management, for which the FCO was created (Articles of Incorporation).
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Palm Beach Post, April 29, 2023
Cathy Widdoes âą The Fountains
âGood evening everybody ⊠I am the president of Luxemburg Court in the Fountains. I find this post to be very sad and just another resident who makes no effort to do anything positive in the community, criticizing those that do. Mr. pours. If you would bother to ever attend a meeting, you would understand why the buildings are the way they are, as we are in the middle of concrete repairs, and mandated engineering inspections by the government. When we finish those repairs, we will then be looking at repainting the buildings. Also, we have signed off on our portion of the repair bill on the sewage line months ago. It is you that refuses to sign off on your portion because you donât think you should have to cover your personal pipe that serves your personal bathroom. If you would ever come to a board meeting, you would have all the information and understand what is going on within the community and what we are working on. And the reason that my specific townhouse looks the way it does itâs because Iâm out there on my own on my hands and knees, pulling my own weeds, planting my own flowers and maintaining the garden in front of my building. Let me guess , you never see that do you. Before you start throwing slanderous remarks about the people who bust their butt every day to keep the community running you might want to attend a meeting and get your facts straight. Or if you think itâs so bad why donât you volunteer your own personal time and join the board and make a difference. You have a nice evening.â
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The question however, should Cathy Widdoes have to defend the underperforming Property Management provided by the âInhouse Not-for-profitâ Fountains Condominium Operations (âFCOâ)?
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Should Luxemburg have been exposed to waiting for a State Mandate to inspect and make repairs of their structures?
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The answer to both of these questions is no!
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The total number FCO Property Management Agreements, (FY2022) was reduced by three (3) which caused a 20% reduction in residential units, in most part, as a result of unacceptable property maintenance. The remaining sixteen (16) Associations had to absorb FCO operations costs, which remained the same.
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Numerous assertions of breach of contract have been leveled against the FCO beyond maintenance. These include failure to perform certified financial audits, cause Associations not to fund insufficient reserves affecting the Fountains Community, addressing life safety hazards, perform capital construction projects, employ accredited qualified personnel, provide stable community security, etc.
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The Community must demand that the FCO provide commercially acceptable services of a Professional Property Management Company.
Real time investigations indicate that the cost of operations of the FCO now surpass the costs of engaging a Professional Property Management company even when key FCO personnel would be retained.
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Economies of scale allow a PM company to provide state-of-the-art accounting, electronic voting, document storage & retrieval, resident interface systems, accredited personnel, backup personnel, CAM, maintenance staff, and so much more.
A broad spectrum of experience while serving diverse demographics in multiple communities eliminates costly delays and money in resolving issues will be at the communityâs disposal.
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Kudos to Cathy for her commitment and volunteer service to the entire Fountains Community!
Thanks Bob W.! Just like to know whats happening!
Tivoli Court should not be spending an additional cent on the perimeter fence as the FCO is requesting âč
Another accident outside the Jog Road Gate … Type: TRAFFIC ACCIDENT PEDESTRIAN MOTORCYCLE. Date: May 5, 2023. Location: Fountains Circle & Jog Road, Florida 33463. Time: 19:49:10 (7:49PM) ENGINE 46 RESCUE 46 EMS 48.
Hello!
Here is what the residents of new Condo & HOA will face !
“PUBLIC INFORMATION ”
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THE NEW LAWS: DEVELOPERS ARE PROTECTED YET AGAIN
By Eric Glazer, Esq.
Published May 8, 2023
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When a community gets turned over from developer control to unit owner control, the unit owners typically hire experts to determine whether or not the developer has breached their warranty by turning over the property with construction defects. This year, on April 13, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill No. 360 into law wherein the legislature just reduced your right to sue the developer for construction defects and Florida Building Code violations.
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Lawsuits for construction defects must always be filed within 4 years. The question is within 4 years of what? The law provided that the 4 years began to run from the latest of the occurrence of certain events. This year, the legislature changed this to the earliest of certain events. The legislature provided yet a further limitation. The law was also that you could sue for up to 10 years, so long as it was within 4 years of the occurrence of the latest event. Now, not only does the 4 years begin to run earlier, but also the 10 years was reduced to 7 years.
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While these changes should have already been enough of a gift for developers and contractors, the legislature decided to go even further. The law used to allow a lawsuit by the association for Florida Building Code violations. The law now requires a certain threshold to be obtained before such a lawsuit can be initiated. It requires that the violation is âmaterial.â The statute defines âmaterialâ to mean a violation that has resulted, or may reasonably result, in physical harm to a person or significant damage to the performance of the building. Damage to the building is not enough, now it must be significant. If the building code violation caused by the developer is not significant, the association has no cause of action.
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In addition to the foregoing, Florida changed the statute of limitations on negligence actions to two years instead of four. Moreover, the new law changes Florida’s apportionment standard from a pure comparative negligence approach to a modified comparative negligence approach. Under the new law, if a jury finds that a plaintiff is more than 50% at fault for their own harm, then the plaintiff is barred from recovering any damages from any defendant.
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More and more is being done by our Florida Legislature to prevent access to a courtroom by plaintiffs. Some believe itâs a real scary time in our state while the defense bar believes this was necessary to stop frivolous lawsuits from being filed. Whatâs for sure and certain is that developers are being protected yet again. Thoughts?
Do you still enjoy having brunch on a special occasion?
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Early Americans held waffle-eating parties called âwaffle frolics.â
Brunch has a hold on Americans â after all, who can pass up the opportunity to enjoy a delicious smattering of sweet and savory plates (alongside good company, of course)? Apparently, Americans of the past couldnât say no either, gathering to share food and fun at so-called âwaffle frolics.â These waffle-eating get-togethers were most popular during the Colonial era, eventually petering out by the mid-20th century. At their peak, they were elaborate, multicourse meals that show cased freshly ironed waffles as the main course.
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Little is recorded about the particulars of early waffle frolics, but one description, by William Livingstone, a 21-year-old Yale student who recounted his party experience in a 1744 letter, describes the soiree as a lavish affair. âAfter a few games, a magnificent supper appeared in grand order and decorum,â he wrote. â[B]ut for my own part I was not a little grieved that so luxurious a feast should come under the name of a wafel-frolic, because if this be the case I must expect but a few wafel-frolics for the future.â
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Waffles have been widely eaten throughout Europe since the Middle Ages, sold by street vendors and often consumed on religious holidays. Eventually, they made their way to the American colonies alongside the Pilgrims, and it was in the New World where they were paired with maple syrup for the first time. Culinary lore sometimes suggests it was founding father Thomas Jefferson who ignited the waffle frolic craze in the 1790s upon his return from France, after he arrived with four waffle irons in his luggage. As President, Jefferson reportedly served the treat to Meriwether Lewis at the White House prior to the Lewis and Clark expedition. However, historians at Jeffersonâs Monticello estate say thereâs little evidence that the third President heavily influenced Colonial waffle culture. Itâs possible the crispy, grid-marked cakes were destined to become an American favorite all on their own.
From the FCO President:
Our May 10th FCO board meeting will likely be our last regular meeting until September/October (See attached notice.). I have invited both our new security management team as well as our insurance broker to attend to give updates and to answer your questions.
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Regarding insurance, all the mitigation and appraisals have been completed and it is important that you are briefed about how these reports will affect our premiums going forward. Regarding security, our new company will give their evaluations and observations, having been here for this first month of their contract with us. There will be time for your questions, as well.
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This meeting will also be on zoom for those wishing to observe from home.
Contact Angela at the FCO for the Zoom sign-in credentials.
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Ben Geller, President
The link below will take you to a lawyer’s blog.
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For those interested in what’s going on in Florida, it discusses the various power moves of developers, the latest statute updates as a result of the Surfside tragedy, cheating in Condo or HOA elections, and a variety of topics pertaining to Boards of Directors and the rights of homeowners.
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http://www.hoa-condoblog.com/index.html
Very interesting way to bring attention to an issue!
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A Belgian citizen put his country up for sale on eBay in 2007.
Most people use eBay to buy and sell everything from baseball cards to old jewelry. In 2007, a man by the name of Gerrit Six tried selling something a bit larger: the country of Belgium. In a listing titled âFor Sale: Belgium, a kingdom in three parts,â the Belgian citizen made light of a major political crisis involving disputes between the countryâs French- and Dutch-speaking political parties by jokingly attempting to sell the Western European nation to the highest bidder. Suffice to say that the listing was taken down before anyone could claim Belgium for themselves. Asked why he did it, Six responded simply, âI wanted to attract attention.â Mission accomplished.
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Belgium is hardly the only strange thing to be listed on eBay, let alone sold. A corn flake shaped like Illinois went for $1,350 in 2008, a suit of guinea pig armor fetched $24,300 in 2013, and one buyer bid $55,000 for a ghost in a jar before later backing out of the deal. âBuyer beware,â indeed.