Election 2022 - Guest Blogger

Guest Blogger
Jan Bergemann
Cyber Citizens for Justice, Inc.

Dear Florida Homeowners and Condo Owners, Well, it seems that a lot of US voters are masochists. They obviously voted for the same folks again that brought us high gas-prices, inflation, high crime-rates and uncontrolled illegal immigration. And I just hope that they now don't expect a different result?

Let's face it: Election procedures in this country are outright ridiculous. It's 4 days after the election offices closed and we still don't know all the results. Sorry, but I'm not sure if I should laugh or cry about it. Other states should take an example from Florida: It took a little more than an hour before we knew winners and losers.

In all honesty: I am glad that Charlie Crist got his butt kicked big time! I actually once voted for him until I realized that he is just one of these "professional" legislators. He is now the only person I know who can claim the "honor" that he lost his campaign running for office for all three parties: Republican, Independent and now Democrat. Good riddance!

All the folks living in mandatory community associations here in Florida will see huge increases in their monthly maintenance fees. The main reason: RESERVE FUNDS! Quite a few associations will be forced by law to seriously increase the monthly dues, other boards are finally waking up to the fact the amenities cost lots of money once they require repairs and maintenance. Highest cost in HOAs: ROADS! For many years most boards tried to keep the maintenance fees artificially low, ignoring the need for reserve funds. But beware: Florida is the capitol of KICKBACKS! You will as well see many boards voting on "unnecessary" beauty-repairs, carried out by "preferred" contractors. Owners should really be on the lookout to see what's really needed and what is not!

This week we are blogging about the fact that many condo owners will be forced to leave their homes due to the fact that they will not be able to afford the much higher monthly maintenance fees. And developers are already trying to buy up units from owners who are willing to sell rather than face foreclosure.

Lawn Maintenance companies - Not filled with PR people.

Lawn maintenance is in the top three of expenses for my condo association.  First is Lake Worth Utilities, second is insurance and third is the lawn. When I spend thousands of dollars a year on lawn, I want it done right.  Is that too much to ask?  It is for one company.

I just got in from hauling downed palm fronds from my front yard.  Yesterday, I did the same thing in the back.  All told, there were ten trips to the dumpster.  I have about 5 Foxtails with broken branches that our yard man will have to address.

Our yard man is new--just hired yesterday.  The other company never got around to pruning the Arecas that were dense, some filled with dead limbs. In fact, they never fulfilled their contract with our association at all.

 Downed SeaGrape

After the hurricane I was told by the owner's son not to ask him any questions, to call the office...I called the office and their phone message gave a number of the son to call if I had any questions. "Let me do my job" the owner's son said as I was standing next to him trying to ask about the dumping of this tree on county property.

He and his crew proceeded to drag a cut up downed Sea Grape across Lake Osborne Drive, a county road, and dumped the debris on John Prince Park. He informed me that FEMA would be picking up the landscape. Jamie Brown, Public Works Director said that was not so and wondered where he got that information. I couldn't answer that question because the son refused to answer me. In fact, he was so pissed, his company cancelled their contract with me. Calling him out on illegal dumping must not have set well with him.

This is what you have to deal with in Florida. There are a lot of vendors who are clueless when it comes to who is more important, them or the customer. They hurry to get the job done--get in and get out, on to the next job...err, victim and they count on unknowledgeable customers.

I know grass cutting is a hot, lousy job but if if bothers you that much and you can't follow the laws or deal with the customer, you know, the guy who pays you, find another profession.

Waterfront Tower plan in West Palm Beach gets hearing

"Commissioner Shanon Materio and Commission President Cory Neering said they wanted city staff to explore and the commission to discuss other options to preserve the church and the waterfront...

Materio said Related’s plan amounted to “spot zoning” and she recommended another option: Have the city buy the church site for a public use other than a skyscraper, perhaps selling some of the land for a smaller development, to recoup the city’s money."

Read more... and what some West Palm Beach commissioners want to do to our skyline and waterfront all for the almighty buck.

I like Shanon Materio's option.

Insolence

Condo living is not for everyone that's for sure but some of the people who live here thumb their noses at rules. Breaking rules and Florida Statutes happen with frequency these days. It happens so much that lawsuits ensue. Those who break rules honestly believe rules and regulations/laws are in place to make their lives miserable.

A few days ago a woman was looking at the unit next door to me that is for sale. She has a cat. I told her no cats allowed. She then said it was a service cat and condos needed to change their thinking and get into the 21st Century. She said she had a mental disorder.  I wanted to agree with her. Why don't these people buy a house or simply live within the rules?

The owner of the classic car sold his unit in this building a few years ago. We thought we were rid of the problem. This year he decided to rent the unit he had sold and his cycle of abuse started all over again. At least he was chased off of parking on Lake Osborne Drive with his For Sale signs plastered all over his windows. He has been spotted trying to sell his car in downtown Lake Worth on our city streets.

Homeless man breaks into Lakeside Point Gardens Clubhouse

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BURGLARY - BUSINESS--16068972--2100 BLOCK SUNSET AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2016 7:10:00 AM

This was a homeless man who broke into the shed that is in back of the clubhouse, got a crowbar and used it on the lock at the kitchen door located in the rear of the building. He even had food in the refrigerator.   It is amazing that there was not more damage. He was discovered and arrested.  Last month, we had a break-in and a huge TV was stolen. Now, at least, there are security cameras, flood lights and new locks.

No Overnight Parking around Perimeter of John Prince Park

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A lot of people simply don't know the law and now we have some of the management in some of the condos on Lake Osborne Drive giving wrong information to owners. To be on a Board of Directors, one of the responsibilities is to familiarize yourself with local and county ordinances. Some buildings have been telling their owners that they can park their 2nd car, trailer or truck on county property all night long.

The property outside the fence belongs to the Park and vehicles are allowed to park there during daylight. PBSO has told us that the County Parks Department must post signs every 100 feet in order for them to write up tickets. The PBSO wants to maintain good relations with the residents of Lake Worth and does not want these parking offenders to be surprised by a ticket.

It took a year to get some signs posted out here but we need more so that the PBSO, District 1, can do its job. Last year there was a condo owner selling cars on county property.  The only place at John Prince Park that you can park overnight is at the campground.

Read the Statute

Sign on Lake Osborne Drive

Lake Worth Sewer Department at Lakeside Point Gardens

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Lake Worth Sewer Department working hard in my community today. There was a blockage caused by some cement...done years ago--"not by these guys," I was told. The sludge/water was dammed up and staff was there bright and early to correct it before we had a problem.

This department is under Brian Shields, the new Water Department Director.

Our Felled Pine Tree - The Aftermath -- What a Mess!

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Condo boards are really a force to behold...so many incompetents on them. Our grass, once green, will never recover. It will have to be leveled and replaced in many areas. Cutting down this tree probably cost $4,500...I'm not in the loop so that's an educated guess.  I can't imagine all the additional costs.

I once had a lot of pride in our building and especially our lawn...it always, for the most part, looked pristine perfect the entire 13 years that I was on the Board working with people who cared. Now we will have to replace grass, possibly an irrigation system because of the trucks weighing a ton or more that rode over the underground pipes, sprinklers that are missing or broken and certainly decorative stones will have to be re-set by the roadway. Some condo boards just don't have any problem with spending your money. It still reminds me of some city commissions.

Just remember, it was Kelley Tree Service that did this and they have one hot secretary ready to dial PBSO. Also, if you live in a condo, make sure that the tree cutter man has the permit.  This guy cut down a tree without producing one and it was never posted on or near the building, a requirement of our city code, the law. Kelley should have known this as I don't expect our new condo president is in the know. Also, if you ever move into a condo building, remember it will be as good as its management.

Our 75 year old Pine was felled today

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How it looked yesterday

Already pruned back only four years ago for $2,500, arborist Dave McGrew said at the time, "The tree is not dangerous." That statement fell on deaf ears to my new condo commando board that was installed on January 12 that has been trying since early in the year to get a permit from the city.

June 1, the beginning of hurricane season, the new president of our condo association was right on it--there has been a pine tree living on our property for at least 75 years and survived every hurricane imaginable.  She is scared it might come down and fall on her condo unit.  Without a vote of the membership as it is a major change to our common elements and required a vote of every owner, the Board took it upon themselves, with all sorts of justifications like "it might blow down," and voted to remove it.

Along with its removal by Kelley Tree Services that started the felling at 7:40am this morning (against Ordinance), were Muscovy eggs in the tree cavity that were smashed by workers, nesting birds as well as an Osprey.  Who cares?  This new condo president called me "evil" for trying to save this tree.  Tell it to God.  Muscovies are not protected either as they are not indigenous to Florida and considered an invasive species.  Hell, most of the people who live here are not indigenous either.  The president of this association certainly is not. But the bigger problem is condo boards in general and people running associations like they are their own serfdom, and making decisions that are emotional, not transparent and against the Declaration of Condominium.  Felling this aged old tree, invasive species or not, should have been a membership vote; the tree wasn't hurting anyone.


When I asked Kelley Tree Service about it, they said the president told them to cut it down. He complained that it took six months to finally get the permit from the city. I asked to see the permit and he didn't have it.  One of his workers told me to "piss off." This is MY property...I live here...I am one of the owners and one of the owners of this tree. Instead, the foreman had his secretary call the PBSO and two deputy vehicles showed up with one actually knocking on my door.

What happened here was the city capitulated to the "all invasive species need to be cut down" rhetoric (bull shit) and waived a requirement for this association due to some loophole that does not protect trees such as this.  Instead of replacing the tree with 12 (twelve) trees due to its size that can not be palm trees, they are allowing it to be replaced with 3 (three) Foxtail palms. What a disgrace. After talking to William Waters, Director of Sustainability, he only learned about the Pine tree this morning.  He is going to sit down with the city attorney to discuss multiple family residences and the loopholes on allowing permits of this type. Even if this can be stopped in the future, it doesn't change the fact that my tree, God's tree, was cut to a stump with the owners having no say so, whatsoever, by an aggressive condo board that went along with a self-serving president.

We have rules and protections in place for reasons.  And the truth of the matter is, you can justify just about anything. There never should be legal loopholes to get around the law. At my association, the appointed, not elected, president has told me that "no one cares." In other words, "shut the hell up, we will do what we want." It reminds me of our city commission. They have the power to affect your lives in very meaningful and costly ways. And whether they give you 2 or 3 minutes to present your case, it really doesn't matter.  The justification for what they do is twisted to convince people they are right even when they are not.

I have always said that the guy who eventually wins out is the one who screams the loudest.  Follow the rules and you get a kick in the head.

What it looks like now--they are still cutting away!

95 condos coming to old Panama Hatties site

Developer makes business decision and changes his mind--

Developer Nick Mastroianni has killed plans for a hotel/condo/retail/restaurant development on the old Panama Hattie’s restaurant, opting instead to try for a 95-unit development of luxury condos and townhouses. Mastroianni does not want to wait for all the approvals for his mixed use plan as he doesn't want to "miss the market." He has withdrawn his annexation plan into Palm Beach Gardens and will stay in the county.