A Violation of Rights

April 15, meeting

This night was a memorable night that will forever be emblazoned in my brain. This was the first time my rights as a homeowner were violated. This night, Florida condominiums laws and condo bylaws were blatantly broken--and no one gave a damn. A telltale sign that our community is headed downhill.

Tonight I attended a board meeting. After submitting a letter, THREE WEEKS IN ADVANCE, the President, Ana Guillen, denied my right as a unit owner (according to Florida condiminium law and our bylaws) to audio record the meeting. Her only response was "You have to give it three days in advance not three weeks." Shocked with disbelief, I wanted to read the Florida law and the condo bylaws to her and the rest of the board that was in full attendance. Ana would not let me even allow me my three minutes under the bylaws to respond. I never raised my voice, never insulted anyone and only asked that I be allowed to respond. I was repeatedly denied.

I tried to say something only to be repeatedly told I could not speak at all. Board member Lenny Sanchez told me to "shut up". Then the president, Ana Guillen, asked the Security Director and Assistant Director to escort me out! I was beyond shock. The President was the one breaking the law and I was the one being kicked out! I turned to Pete and Peter and instructed them to escort the President out as she was the one breaking the law. (For anyone who can read simple Engish and read the laws, would know my rights were violated).

One decent resident finally spoke up and said, that the board was not fair in not allowing me to talk simply because they did not personally like me.

Why did the board not want me to record the meeting? What were they were afraid of????

I jotted down the names of other unit owners in attendance: Nikki Hawkins, Mr. & Mrs. Yelen, Carlos Munera, Gladys Kropp, Linda Hein and others.

Right away I hired an attorney. At his suggestion, I was to ask for a copy of the recording from the association since this was considered an association record. More to come...

Board Members 2008
Ana Guillen
Andy Scalese
Robert Jaffee
Oscar Dominguez
Lenin Sanchez
Angel Rey