As the World Turns

May 20, 2008 --Another month, another meeting. More of the same. NOTHING.

With a recorder in hand, ready to record, Ana Guillen, once again tried to prevent me from recording the meeting. She stated that I was not in the room 15 minutes prior per the rules. Thankfully the association attorney was in the room. She walked over to consult him.

First I stated that I was in the lobby 15 minutes prior.

Second, the meeting is not held in the lobby, it's held in the party room. The party room was locked at 6:45pm.

Third and most importantly, the rules and regulations governing the tape recording of meetings is very clear. Apparently, Ana Guillen, as President has not read the Bylaws after months of preventing me from recording the meetings or doesn't care she is setting up the association for a lawsuit.

The attorney agreed and I was able to record the meeting. Sadly the vitriol in Ana's veins only thickens. Will this ever end? Residents who were aware of the incident in the past, shook their heads in amazement, "She tried to stop you again?" asked Linda Hein. I nodded my head.

The drama never ends. This is a business, not a soap opera! I predict nothing will get accomplished until 2009, IF there is a new board.

Aside from this opening ceremony, the crux of the meeting was the announcement of a new management company. Some in the audience applauded--residents who have never attended a single meeting this year and receive their association news from the Great English Channel--the gossip mill at Lenny's Cafe. The rest of us, who attend the meetings, were unmoved. From experience, this board manages the property, not the manager. Maybe the new management company will have the backbone to stick to business and follow State Laws and association bylaws and stand up to rogue board members with personal agendas. Only time will tell.

The other major announcement is that the service elevator in the C building which had been inoperable FOR WEEKS, was now repaired. A board member pointed out that our security supervisors (not the elevator company) determined the root cause and thanks to their efforts, the association could fix the problem and the elevator is now fully functioning. Guess what happened next? The elevator broke down two days later and has remained inoperable 6 days of the week consistently.

This is May 2008, when will the remodernization begin? The board did not update the audience on this important item which owners have paid an assessment for two years ago.