Laundry Room Theft

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "More Newsletter Issues":

I would like to post a note on the safty of the laundry room. I was doing laundry this morning 12/25/06 @ 7.45am. I started my laundry, 3 loads, and left. The door was unlocked at the time. I came back aprox 30 mins later and the door was locked. Not unusual, but I used my key and when I entered, there was a white male aprox 30 yrs of age,he was 5'6", with a navy blue baseball cap and navy blue sweatshirt and jeans. When he saw me walk in, he appeared startled and left quickly. I took my laundry out of the washer and put it in the dryer. He returned and went to the washers in the smaller room and proceeded, I thought, to load the machines. I finished and as I left, I was closing the door to firmly shut it, when he grabbed the door and pulled it open. I apologized for closing the door on him and he said nothing. I quickly walked to my condo and he FOLLOWED me. He commented that I was a fast walker and I didn't respond and walked into the condo. 45 minutes later I went back to finish the laundry only to find, (this is odd), ALL of my panties were gone. Everything else was there, my socks, sweats,towels, etc. It was aprox $100.00 in panties taken. I did call the police and filed a report. If anyone knows anything about this please contact the Fullerton Police and ask for Officer Garcia. Tell him it is in regards to theft report #06-98402.

More Newsletter Issues

Anonymous said...

The newsletter said that the Slab Leak Remediation Project was proceeding. It looks like the Board has decided to tear up the walls and ceilings in all 136 units rather than just dig a trench under the 34 units that have water mains underneath and replace the corroded water mains in place.

I know something about it because Ed John fixed a slab leak under my unit some years ago. I also had my shower valve replaced while he was there and the pipes behind the walls looked pretty good after he wiped them off with a rag. I seriously question whether it's necessary to go that far. Tearing out the walls and ceilings can't possibly be the only option.

The cluhouse and lavatory areas looked like Hurricane Katrina went through for almost 2 months after they started work. I talked to Sisco when he was putting up the drywall in the clubhouse and he said that he only gave an estimate for the clubhouse, not for the whole complex. A few blogs ago, Todd in 122 stated that he didn't think there was an actual project and that the clubouse was fixed on strictly a run-and-gun basis and was not a part of any formal project. My talk with Sisco would seem to bear that out.

Hopefully, the board will put a little more thought into the next phase of this project. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm not willing to have my walls and ceilings ripped out and then wait a month to have them fixed.

5:45 AM

A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE MAILBOX

I got the latest newsletter in the mail today and feel compelled to comment about the outbound mail box. In 1996 I had some personal mail intercpted by an evil-doer who used my name, SSN and address and got herself a credit card in my name and proceeded to buy stuff and get cash advances to the tune of about $5000. I was not the only victim.
She was caught by the Postal authorities in 1997, and at her trial, it came out that this was not ger first offense !!! I know because I was there. Towards the end of the trial, she made a plea bargain and several counts of mail fraud against her were dropped and she was sentenced early in 1998 to one year in federal prison and three years probation. She was released imediately because of time served. By the time the story got told and re-told here at Parkridge, her sentence was up to five years hard time, but that is not true.
Anyway, if the residents want an outbounf mailbox, go for it. Just be careful what you put in there. And remeber that no lock is unbreakable and that the person who did this to me and the others STILL LIVES HERE.
I am going to continue to drop off my mail at the Post Office on the way to work.

Foreclosure: How Big a Risk? By Peter Coy of Business Week

A study out today from the Center for Responsible Lending predicts that subprime borrowers are going to lose their homes to foreclosure on a massive scale. Looking at more than 6 million subprime mortgage loans issued from 1998 through September of this year, the study calculates that 2.2 million households have either already been foreclosed on or will be foreclosed on in the next few years.

These foreclosures, it says, will cost homeowners around $160 billion in wealth, mainly in the form of lost equity. The foreclosure rate will be highest on homes that were sold at the peak of the market, it says, because prices on those homes have fallen, meaning people will have a harder time bailing out of distressed loans by refinancing or selling their homes for a profit.

Julie Glasser Leaving Diversified Real Property Mgmt.

In addition to responding to the email about the water problem on Tuesday night, Julie shared that at the end of next week she will be leaving Diversified Real Property Management.

Water Emergency Tonight 12/19/06

There is information tonight at the Pro Serve 800 304-7473 number. Pete at Pro Serve reports that they are on premises and addressing an emergency flood with a main. They are also waiting for Edison to arrive to move some electrical.

Post homes for sale and set your Make Me Move Price

What's New with Zillow?
Post homes for sale and set your Make Me Move Price: In the biggest upgrade since the site launched in February, Zillow now allows homeowners and agents to post homes for sale, for free. Any homeowner can also set a Make Me Move price – redefining what it means for a home to be “For Sale.” Be sure to check out our screen shots of the new features as well.
Real Estate Wiki: Read and contribute to more than 150 articles on buying and selling real estate – an incredibly comprehensive resource that has been seeded by Zillow editors and is updated by the community.
Quarterly Home Value Reports: What is the real estate market doing in your area? Has appreciation slowed down or is it still going strong? Get the details on what is happening to the housing market in our Q3 2006 Home Value Reports. A national report is available, along with specific reports in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Miami.

Foreclosure rate continues to build in Orange County

Defaults are up 11 percent from October, 125 percent from last year.
By MATHEW PADILLA

The Orange County Register
Orange County homeowners are missing mortgage payments and losing their homes to foreclosure in rapidly increasing numbers, as the housing market slumps.
Banks sent owners 665 notices of default in November, a 125 percent increase from a year ago and an 11 percent rise from October, DataQuick reported Wednesday. It's the highest monthly total in more than seven years.

No Water Shut Off Info. at 800 304-7473

If you want more information about the water shut off for tomorrow, don't bother calling 800 304-7473 like the flyer says. It seems that we have attempted to delegate the all important posting of the flyers at the mail box location. Delores at Pro Serve does not know if the shut off is one building, multiple buildings or all buildings. After a few minutes of shuffling papers she determined that she has no additional information about Parkridge.

A loan that'll get ugly fast

The LA Times reports from California. “Every day, Will Hertzberg owns a little less of his three-bedroom house in Corona. Like hundreds of thousands of other homeowners around the state, Hertzberg has a mortgage that lets him choose how much he pays each month. Like many of them, he always chooses to pay as little as possible.”

“His debt is swelling, and his mortgage company controls his fate. ‘I am rather screwed,’ he said.”

“Hertzberg could sell now, but his lender would charge him an $11,034 prepayment penalty, money he doesn’t have. Yet if he stays, the housing market may tank, vaporizing what little equity he has left. ‘I made choices, and they happened to be the wrong choices,’ said Hertzberg.”

Parkridge 1 Bedroom 1 Bath Prices Vary $37,400

In what may be a microcosm of Southern California real estate, there are 2 one bedroom Parkridge units for sale within steps of each other ranging in price from $329,900 to $292,500. I wonder if a perspective North O.C. buyer of 673 square feet would even use a parameter over $300,000 in a preliminary search nowadays. This may be where unmotivated sellers cling to past comp pricing and new sellers list below what is already on the market. There are also 2 units listed at Realtor.com (link above in title) for $294,000. I would be most interested in what the buyer activity level is like if anyone is privy. Your Blogger

Better Business Bureau Rates Diversifed Real Property Management

Better Business Bureau gives Diversifed Real Property Management and Business Services, Inc. a "D" rating. Definition of a "D" rating is as follows:

We have enough concerns about this company (for example, their offer, customer complaints, advertising, etc.) that we recommend caution in doing business with it.

There are 9 rankings ABOVE a "D" score, and only 1 BELOW.

http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Business/RatingExplanationPage.aspx?CompanyID=13213609&sm=

Plumbing Question

I am a new condo owner at Parkridge and I am already frustrated with the HOA. I have contacted Julie 3 times regarding plumbing work in my new condo. The first time I talked to her, she said that she was going to call the plumber and then schedule a time for him to come out, I never heard from her or the plumber. The second time I left her a message on her phone. The third time I sent her an email. To date, I have gotten no response from Julie or the plumber. Can I use any of the vendors listed on this blog? Are they authorized to turn water on/off to fix plumbing issues in our condos? Thanks!
Mary

Median Home Prices Fall

WASHINGTON - Sales of existing homes posted a tiny increase in October but the median home price fell by a record amount. Analysts forecast more price declines in coming months as the once-booming housing market undergoes a painful correction.
ADVERTISEMENT
The National Association of Realtors said Tuesday that existing home sales edged up 0.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.24 million last month. It was the first increase after seven consecutive monthly declines.
However, the median price for a home sold dropped to $221,000 in October, a decline of 3.5 percent from a year ago. That was the biggest year-over-year price decline on record.

Woman faces fines for wreath peace sign

By ROBERT WELLER, Associated Press WriterSun Nov 26, 11:13 PM ET
A homeowners association in southwestern Colorado has threatened to fine a resident $25 a day until she removes a Christmas wreath with a peace sign that some say is an anti-Iraq war protest or a symbol of Satan.
Some residents who have complained have children serving in Iraq, said Bob Kearns, president of the Loma Linda Homeowners Association in Pagosa Springs. He said some residents have also believed it was a symbol of Satan. Three or four residents complained, he said.
"Somebody could put up signs that say drop bombs on Iraq. If you let one go up you have to let them all go up," he said in a telephone interview Sunday.
Lisa Jensen said she wasn't thinking of the war when she hung the wreath. She said, "Peace is way bigger than not being at war. This is a spiritual thing."
Jensen, a past association president, calculates the fines will cost her about $1,000, and doubts they will be able to make her pay. But she said she's not going to take it down until after Christmas.
"Now that it has come to this I feel I can't get bullied," she said. "What if they don't like my Santa Claus."
The association in this 200-home subdivision 270 miles southwest of Denver has sent a letter to her saying that residents were offended by the sign and the board "will not allow signs, flags etc. that can be considered divisive."
The subdivision's rules say no signs, billboards or advertising are permitted without the consent of the architectural control committee.
Kearns ordered the committee to require Jensen to remove the wreath, but members refused after concluding that it was merely a seasonal symbol that didn't say anything. Kearns fired all five committee members.

Tuesday 11/21 Parking Lot Break In

One of our neighbors had their car broken into on Tuesday night. The Parkridge gate opener and garage opener were the only items taken. With other items you might expect a thief to take left behind, the gate opener seems to be the prime target. That garage was discovered in the open position on Wednesday morning with nothing missing. Note there were no power tools or expensive items stored there. This seems to point at someone who lives here or visits frequently enough to want a gate opener. Let's all keep watch out over eachothers cars in the lot.

Renee and his Rules

Rene and his Rules

First, there is no "Slab Leak Remediation Project". There was a slab leak under the clubouse and our friends at Pro-Serv convinced Julie that it was easier to tear up the walls and ceilings and leave that for someone else to fix than it was to make a proper repair.

The "previous board" had, in mid-2005, six estimates to replace the corroded pipes under our complex, but with our former property manager quitting suddenly, the departure of the board member who was bird-dogging the project, and the failure of proposed contractors to provide adequate references, the project never proceeded. These estimates were for various schemes ranging from replacing the current water mains in place to running the mains over the roofs and then down into the units to installing separate water heaters in each unit. In other words, Rene is not plowing new ground. He used the term "Slab Leak Remediation Project" on one of his signs, and then he had to come up with some BS story to make it look like he was actually on top of things when someone challenged him.

Second, as far as the rules go, this issue came up in 1998 when I first got on the Board. We decided that it wasn't worth the time to rigorouly enforce them. Why?? Because what do you do if someone just denies it ?? What do you do for proof on something like a garage door being open?? Suppose someone refuses to pay the fine?? Is the Board really going to spend thousands of legal dollars to foreclose on a property just to get a $25 Dollar fine??

In addition, placing a towel over your wall or gate or having a welcome mat in front are NOT currently rule violations. Anyone who pays a fine for these trivial violations of Rene's pet peeves should look into getting legal advice. If he's going to re-write the rules, that's fine. Re-write them, print them up, distribute them to the community, and THEN waste your time enforcing them.

Finally, it may not seem like it, but I sincerely hope that Rene can do a better job than I did of being a Board Member. But my suspicion is that we have a "Talker" instead of a "Doer".

Todd in 122

A Few Defintions With the Association Rules

The "Slab leak remediation project" is the replacing of busted water lines that run under the buildings. Some of the pipes are leaking and need to be fixed. The "slab" of concrete need to be dug up to get to the piping. It is a time consuming process but sounds like it'll make things better in the long run. Seems like it'll help some of the hot water issues as well.

Just to inform anyone that reads this....a few defintions with the Association Rules.

"Your garage must remain closed unless 'actively' being used". You must be "in" your garage to be 'actively' using it. If you are moving boxes from your condo into the garage or vice versa you must close your garage while you go to and from your condo. That was per Kelly and that was the exact example used.

Stopping in Fire Lanes is not permitted AT ANY TIME. Not for unloading groceries, not for grabbing something really quickly from your unit, or even stopping next to your garage to load or unload from there. Under NO circumstances are vehicles to be stopped anywhere but a designated parking place. Again, as per Kelly and with those precise examples.

Just wanted to let everyone no because I have been told otherwise in the past that loading/unloading was okay and it looks like I'll be paying $50 because of the misinformation and another $50 because my definition of "actively being used" was not the same as the Board. Hopefully the Board understands the past miscommunications and dismisses the fines, but it sounds unlikely.

This was the first meeting I have attended. I do believe the Board has the proper ideas of "a better community", I just don't think they are following steps to get there.

Tim in #40

O.C. mid-October home sales down 33%

DataQuick's latest O.C. home sales data, for the 22 business days ended Oct. 17, strongly hints that October was the eighth straight month where the sales pace was 20 percent or greater below the year-ago pace. The last time we saw as deep a drop running for as long a time was in 1991. The most recent median price was a slim 1% above a year ago. If that trend was to hold for the entire month, it would be the smallest apreciation since May 1997. Here's how it looks by the slice:

Click on the link above for the article

MG Disposal Settles-Trash Pick Up Begins Saturday

Updated 11/2
The City has been notified by MG Disposal that the trash strike was settled today (11/2). Disposal workers will report back to work on Saturday (11/4) and all pick-ups are expected to be back to normal on Monday

On October 23, in response to a lack of benefits, hours, pay, and sick leave, three hundred employees, including truck drivers and service men of MG Disposal, under Taormina Industrial, began strikes.
At the end of the Teamster Local Union 396 contract, walk outs and striking began over contractual negotiation pleas that would reform medical, dental, and vision benefits.

Click on link to read full story

Time Warner Cable Transition from Adelphia

Click on the link in the title above for a tour of our new neighborhood service. Some free security software will be available also which is called EZ ARMOR. By navigating to the link below on or after November 8th, you can transition your Adelphia email account, log in and password. Even if you didn't use your "@adelphia.net" email address, the free software alone may be useful. If you do use it, any mail to that old adelphia address will be forwarded to your new "@roadrunner.com" address for 1 year.

http://www.activation.rr.com/install/splash_faq.asp?flow=Adelphia

Customer Support
24 Hours A Day / 7 Days A Week!
(888) TW-CABLE

New home price decline is biggest in 35 years

News hit the fan yesterday that new home sales prices in the US had the largest downward movement in 35 years.

Without question, this is one of the most significant events in housing prices in a long time. Probably longer than many reading this have been alive. Therefore, the thing to remember is that this housing downturn is unlike any you have seen before. This is not your average run-of-the-mill 1990's defense spending cuts downturn. This is the real deal.

In fact, Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody's.com is quoted in the article:

"It is going to be painful because there are a lot of price declines to come."
Zandi said he is forecasting that prices of existing homes will drop by 3.7 percent in 2007, which would be the first decline for a full year since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

For those that don't have an appreciation of history, the Great Depression is a period of strong price deflation.

Associations Control You and Infringe Upon Your Inalienable Rights!

By Sharon Bush - Irvine, California -
They can dictate the color of your home. They can place a lien on your property and foreclose on it. They can tell you the type and height of your fence and when to repair your roof. Imagine an invasive private form of government that can do all of the above and can also tell you whether you can have a basketball hoop over your garage, or even how long you can keep your garage door open. "They" exist. "They" are called homeowners' associations. They are alive and their presence threatens homeowners everywhere.
There are approximately 231,000 homeowners' associations in the United States, which is an increase from a mere 500 in 1965[fn1]. Homeowners' associations control the housing of some 47 million Americans across the country.[fn2] In California, there are more than 32,000 homeowners associations.[fn3] Approximately fifty percent of all new homes built in major metropolitan areas fall within homeowners' associations. [fn4] In south Orange County, located on the coast of California, that number is even higher. There, more than eighty percent of new housing is under association control.[fn5]

Parkridge Communication Form Moves into the 21st Century

Ask and ye shall receive. The all important "COMMUNICATION FORM" is now available on a fancy word type document that can be emailed...just in time for 2007. Email julie@diversifiedrealpropertymgmt.com and request the form. I requested and received one within a day.

Buyers Are Waiting, Expecting Prices To Plummet

The LA Daily News from California. “In a declining real estate market, condo sales were on the downswing last month, with fewer units changing hands than in any September since 1998. Young potential first-time buyers are waiting, perhaps expecting prices to plummet, said Realtor Mike Lebecki.”

“‘They’re very cautious, and I don’t think they’re thinking their caution through necessarily,’ he said. ‘If all their friends are being cautious and not thinking it through, then they’re all doing the same thing, and they’re going to continue to … buy BMWs and pay rent.’”

“In all, only 109 condos were sold last month in the Santa Clarita Valley, compared with 173 in September 2005, according to the Southland Regional Association of Realtors. There were 178 new listings and 679 active listings. The active listings outnumbered those of September 2005 by 423, a change of 165.2 percent.”

“‘This is not the market for anybody to buy something and then expect to sell it next year for more,’ Lebecki said. ‘It’s a traditional market: You buy something and you hold it for five years and sell it for more.’”

Laundry Room

The Proserve plumber told me that the laundry room will not be available until Friday. Your Blogger

I am facing foreclosure.com

I am facing foreclosure.com

I'm a 24-year-old aspiring real estate investor from Sacramento CA. After going to few seminars I bought 8 houses in 8 months across 4 states with no money down. I fixed and sold 2 and then ran out of cash. I am now facing foreclosure on 6 5 houses. I'm learning my lessons, finding solutions and blogging about it. Comments appreciated!

- Casey Serin

Blog Comments Now Edited

The "comment moderation" feature is now active. I apologize for having enabled those who posted so much hurtful nonsense in the recent past. I hope to see all comments posted and it is obvious what types of comments will not be.

Water Update?

Was there an update or status provided on our water situation at the HOA meeting on Wednesday?

Craig Park

During the past 15,000 years the Gabriolino mission indian tribe, or "Tongva" used this area of hills and valleys for subsitance hunting and gathering.

In the late 1800's oil was discovered in the Brea area. Oil-Boom conditions existed, the drilling began on what is now Craig Regional Park-Fullerton in the early 1900's. Oil wells and tanks dotted the landscape, peacefully coexisting with grazing cattle and horses. After a devistating and tragic Orange County flood in the 1930's the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the Fullerton Dam (completed in 1941), thus minimizing future downstream flood damage. This"flood basin" later provided an ideal site for a Regional Park.

Craig Regional Park was named in honor of Mr. Ted Craig, a long time public servant in Orange County. Mr. Craig was elected to the Brea city Council in 1928 and served four years, the last two as Mayor. Craig also served in the California State Legislature representing Orange County during the 1930's.

During his tenure, Craig served as Assembly Speaker and Regent of the University of California in 1935-36. Mr. Craig retired after eight years in the State Legislature and was the Orange County Legislative Advocate in Sacramento. He continued to be active in the County projects until his death in 1979.

The first phase of the Park opened in 1974. The second phase, developed as a cooperative project with the US Army Corps of Engineers, opened in 1974. A third phase, also a joint Corps of Engineers/County project, was completed and opened in 1978. A fourth phase was completed in 1980 as a joint Corps of Engineers/County project which added landscape area to the park. A natural area for waterfowl was also established in the area of the park that is frequently flooded by winter storms.

Deep Buyers Market

A ‘Deep Buyers Market’ In California

Jon Lansner reports from California. “One measure of O.C. home inventory rose significantly this month, says the math of (realtor) Steve Thomas in Aliso Viejo. Thomas calculates how many months it theoretically takes to sell all the inventory in the local MLS for-sale listings at the current pace of pending deals being made.”

“So, by this logic, it would take 7.78 months for buyers to gobble up all homes for sale at the current pace vs. 2.74 months a year ago.”

“Thomas notes that if market time is greater than nine months he considers it a ‘deep buyer’s market’ with pressure on prices. Thus, the latest figures show all homes priced above $750,000 in the county facing ‘deep buyer’s market’ selling pressure.”

“Newport Beach homebuilder William Lyon Homes delivered the latest round of bad news from the new home sector, reporting that its orders fell 40 percent over the summer.”

“The firm’s preliminary statistics, released today, reported that sales fell across all three states in which the developer works: California orders were off 29 percent from the same period a year earlier.”

Hopeful said...

I know this may sound crazy...but I'm actually feeling pretty encouraged right now. Its apparent that there many different opinions in Parkridge but despite all of the back and forth arguments and insults, we're actually coming up with some good information here. I now know where to pick up my car if it gets towed, who to call (or not call) if my unit gets flooded over the weekend, and what company can replace my windows. And if something does happen over the weekend, I know I may not hear back from the plumber or Julie, but if I post something up here I'll likely get a response from someone in the know. And it's good to know that there are some residents out there who are frustrated at some of the same things that frustrate me, but that there are also some people who are realistic and hopeful and realize that this whole process of living in community requires some give and take. Thanks everyone for your contribution!
1:32 PM

Parkridge Blogger

You may have noticed comments being converted into postings. I choose comments to convert that are progressive, informative, thought provoking, funny or just well written. Simple whining will not usually cut it unless recommendations or suggestions for improvement is included. Your, Blogger

Towed Teen

If you ever feel tempted to park in the red I may have some useful information for you. The phone number for Tows-R-Us is (714) 639-7877. Their address is 621 N. Main in Orange, Ca 92868. Go south down the 57, exit Orangewood and proceed a few blocks to Main. Turn left on Main and find them on the right side of the street. Their storage fee is $22 per day but I don’t believe they pro rate by the hour. Claiming your vehicle on a Saturday morning at about 10am is considered “after hours release” which comes with an additional $35 fee. Don’t put away the calculator yet because the “regular tow” is $82, then I am guessing that my son’s car needed a special dollie which falls under a $35 “tow dollie” fee. Total $174. My dear son’s logic was that he has parked in the red at Parkridge in the past and has not been towed. My advice to you is the same as to my loving son…DON’T PARK IN THE RED! To our Parkridge leadership I say keep towing the cars that don’t belong and those that are not parked properly. If you find there is no available over night parking then park on Rolling Hills. I have parked out there from time to time and have not been ticketed. I know people who have been ticketed...it's a bit of a crap shoot. You may call the Fullerton PD traffic division at 738-5313 to request an exemption. Below I’ve listed the city overnight parking code (2am-5am). Bottom line though, even if your exemption request is granted, you may still be ticketed. This tip was provided by Officer Boller. See code below.

Temporary Exemption
Property owners may be eligible for a “Temporary Exemption” permit for short-term parking deficiencies such as, but not limited to, emergencies, out of town visitors, or short-term construction (driveways, home repair, etc.).
The applicability of the requested Hardship Exemption shall be determined and approved at the sole discretion of the Police Department. Contact the Police Department Traffic Division at 738-5313 for further information.

Important Numbers/Contact Information

Diversified Real Property Management - Julie Glasser
(714) 544-7755 x112 - (714) 544-7771
180 E. Main St. Suite 101 Tustin, Ca 92780
julie@diversifiedrealpropertymgmt.com

Garage Door Services - Day and Night Door Repairs
(714) 961-1141

Plumbing Services - Ed John
(714) 777-5107

Pro-Serv (714) PRO-SERV
Available 24/7

A to Z
(714) 252-9471
Available 24/7 and appointments
A to Z won't send 3 trucks to fix a faucet like Pro-Serv

Locksmith Services - Precision Lock and Key
(714) 328-5526

Washer Dryer Services - WEB (identify machine by WEB#)
(800) 342-5932

Window Replacement - Energy Gard
(714) 238-9277

Fisher Heating and Air Conditioning has successfully replaced several complete units in the Parkridge, so they know their way around.
(714) 970-0069

Time Warner Cable - Customer Support
24 Hours A Day / 7 Days A Week!
(888) TW-CABLE

Conventional Ear

I don't read many blogs because it's hard for me to get past the attitude and digest the relevant content. I was excited to see the Parkridge blog address sheets by the mailboxes. Unfortunately, the tone of this blog reminds me of most blogs I encounter: all black and blue from venting - just basically expressing anger and frustration and not exactly mature. Nothing wrong with that, but I was hoping to find more constructive and enlightened criticism. Or something. Oh, brother - I'm just complaining myself.

I think René has a lot to learn about dealing with people face to face in his new role. I felt a little embarrassed for him a couple months ago at that really long meeting. I think he was being too defensive of his role or something - and not just admitting that he could have handled the situation better, or just apologizing for how things turned out. I'm referring to the people who left the pool area gate open for someone to get back in and how that turned into what seemed like an ugly incident.

But, my gosh, at least there is a system in place for accepting what must be hundreds of complaints, suggestions, ideas, etc. I wish there was an Email version of the communication form - currently, you have to write something out and fax or mail it in, or wait until one of the monthly meetings. That kinda sucks.

As for the expired tags, as I understand it, no one is calling the police, but reminders are being posted or delivered somehow in cases of expired or almost expired tags. When you hear the COMPLAINTS of residents who CAN'T PARK at night, it's seems completely reasonable to me to begin to take this sort of action.

Washing cars. You can wash your car. But if you leave it unattended in the garage area of the driveway, that's against the rules. If you do it a lot, you'll get fined. What's the big deal there?

Dogs. Your dog can get hurt if it's off the leash, by running away, getting swiped by a cat, or by another dog. You have to pick up after your dog - it's no fun to pick up or step in the shit of other dogs, let alone that your own pet. Again, I don't see what the big deal is if you get fined for repeatedly ignoring the rules and regulations.

I am concerned about the competence of those actually processing these notifications and fines. I received one once that was inaccurate - it stated that I had received a notification of violation when I had not. I had to write back and make it clear that the record has to be set straight before anything else. I have heard of others who seem to be receiving notifications of violation that someone else has committed. Maybe if anyone on the board is reading this they can do something about it. Of course, the official response is to fill out a communcation form. I'm thinking about becoming an official communication form completer so that people can just come to me and I'll write out what they're complaining about and send it in. Not everyone is good at filling out forms, even when they have a legitimate complaint.

I sort of understand the Hitler thing, but it doesn't help any of us to look at it that way. Expressing it is your right, but it's pretty annoying to read it, in my opinion. Especially since this board is actually visibly doing things. If they make mistakes, let them know about it. Participate in "the system", because there is definitely one in place now. You can just expect your problem to be solved the day after the meeting, because there are so many problems that people have. I don't think the board created the problems, but they are the only ones stepping up to do anything about it.

I don't know if it's going to work, but the good thing is that there is a system or process in place to participate in, and you can easily point to the board if they don't follow up within the system they themselves are promoting and implementing.

I hope this blog can somehow become a place where people can go to actually learn about how things work, either with the board, with our plumbing which has been causing unacceptable problems for years now, with security, etc. We need to inform each other, not just call Rene names and say we don't like him.

8:16 PM
Conventional Ear said...

Sorry: I meant to write: You can't just expect your problem to be solved the day after the meeting, because there are so many problems that people have.

8:20 PM