comment reply

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "contract management":

HI I DID SEND MY RESUME IN TO THE BOARD,I DO RUN A BUSINESS NOW FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS AND I MANAGE A WELL KNOWN AND SUCCESFUL OPERATION,I HANDLE ALL ACOUNTS PAYABLE AND RECEIVEABLE DAILY PROBLY TWICE AS MANY AS LA.I HANDLE ALL LATE AND NON PAYING CLIENTS.I READ BLUEPRINTS WEEKLY AND SUPPLY BIDS FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE JOBS.I HAVE AN EXCELLENT RELATIONSHIP WITH OVER 40 VENDERS THAT I PURCHASE FROM DAILY.ALL MY EMPLOYEES MEET MONTHLY TO GO OVER GOALS,PROBLEMS,AND IDEAS TO BENIFIT THE COMPANY.I GIVE OUT WORK ORDERS AND DEL. SCHEDULES EVERY A.M. I HAVE NEVER RUN A PARK BEFORE BUT HAVE BEEN TO MANY OVER THE LAST 39 YEARS AND I HAVE A IDEA OF WHAT CAN FIX THIS MESS.I ALSO HAVE OVER 20 YEARS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING INDUSTRY.I HANDLE ALL HIRING,FIRING,RAISES AND PROMOTIONS,I EXPECT ACCOUNTABILITY DAILY FROM MY WORKERS.AND YES I KNOW HOW TO TALK TO PROPERTY OWNERS,I WAS APPLYING FOR THE JOB HERE BECAUSE I KNEW I COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE NOT FOR MONEY THEY WERE OFFERING.PEOPLE SAY IT WOULD BE A CONFLICT TO BE A PROPERTY OWNER AND A MANAGER,I DISAGREE IF YOU DO THE RIGHT THING THERE CAN NEVER BE A CONFLICT,I ALWAYS DO THE RIGHT THING,THANKS RON S 66BLUE ASPEN

ron -- i also think you should be considered for the job -- this discrimination by the bod is wrong on so many levels -- they are passing over people that have a personal interest in seeing that la is properly managed for someone that has no interest in la but the salary -- and from what i hear they aren't offering enough to get anyone near qualified for this job== these bod directors have so many hangups and are paranoid on so many issues that it blinds them to real problems at hand and prevents them from making anything near a reasonable decision--- or they are just stupid-- that is a real possibility

this process they are employing may well blow up in their face and if it does i still am in favor of starting a recall of the entire board -- they are dysfunctional and incompetent --- it is breath taking how simple they can be on what should be straightforward solutions to the problems in front of them--

if a recall isn't necessary ---then others need to step forward and run for the open board seats at the spring election cycle -- it doesn't matter who is removed since they all act in unison and no one on this board stands out on their own--- if they do then let them let the community members know their positions on the issues before this board-- they can do that with this blog or even start their own blog and post their thoughts---- the issue that is used by board members is that any discussion by a bod member that criticize the actions of the board is detrimental to la-- well let me tell them something -- their actions are what's detrimental to the welfare of la-- they aren't advancing or enhancing the community members interests on any level-- they are failure as a board and should be removed before things really go south for this community

so the challenge before this community is

to know what each bod member is doing for the community--
to consider a recall --
to promote new people to run for the board

members need to get involved now -- not later

comment reply

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "comment reply":

Let's stop all this talk about property owners being property managers. First off, will you live in LA? No because you can't. Will you travel from your permenant residence to LA every day rain, snow or shine? Unless you live down 739 I doubt it. And if you feel you are so qualified for the job why don't you run for the board or volunter your expertise and business knowledge to make LA a better community. Talk is cheap but actions speak louder than words. If people are so great and know how to make LA a better place GET INVOLVED, get on fact finding groups or relay your input to the board on ideas to correct problems. We all know the board is not comprised of pro's so help them and maybe LA will be a better place. Why do people crawl out of the woodwork when they see $$$$?


anon -- some of us live near la -- i'm 70 mi from la -- 90 minutes -- also where someone lives is not a situation that can be considered in a job review evaluation -- i get paid for my management expertise --i don't give it away--this is an advertised position and anyone has a right to make an application and should be allowed to evaluated on their resume straight

members have a greater interest in seeing la professionally managed than a person off the street -- they have a financial interest In their property value and a good managed community increases the value of that property -- now the la community is being mismanaged and this is not good for any member or their investment---the bod is not interested in getting any ones help -- they want no interaction with members -- if they did they'd be more open and extend a hand to members for help and cooperation -- that doesn't happen now and won't-- this board is very amateurish, unprofessional and are way over their heads-- they couldn't find their way out of a paper bag

NASHVILLE STAR TONIGHT 9PM

#105

TOUGH TIMES !!!!

DO NOT BURN LA 'S CASH !!!!

today the financial crisis continues and the la community and this bod must move forward very carefully -- the credit market has dried up for even those with the best credit ratings-- la would not get credit anywhere in this market -- if something happens and the community needs a large amount of cash they will need to have it on hand -- that brings me to the issue of the surplus that la has in the bank -- this can not be used for operating shortfalls due to member fee defaults if they occur in the near future-- la must have contingency plans to drastically reduce operating costs now -- not later -- this reduction should be implemented now to drive down the expenses for running la---the cash surplus must be saved for a dire emergency-- an emergency on the scale that would shut down la without this expenditure--

it is better to take actions now before it is necessary then to deplete the financial cushion la has in the bank--- this crisis may be the biggest problem la has faced since it was founded-- and quite frankly the biggest crisis in most people's lives unless you were in the great depression---

the bod should not wait-- they should act now!!!!!

RORY O'SHEA WAS HERE

RORY O'SHEA WAS HERE

this is a amazing film that was on hbo or one of those premium channels -- it is an incredible story that is inspirational, funny and i warn you absolutely devastating to watch

take the time to check this out

comment reply

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "LAUDRY RENOVATIONS":

Maybe if the machines did an adequate job more members would use the LA laundromat. I was up at LA most of July and August this year, and each week I took all my laundry to an outside facility so I wouldn't have to waste my time and money at LA. Believe me, it would be a lot more convenient and easier to do it at LA!


anon -- i agree -- i used it through the summer also and yes it took plenty of tokens to get anything dry -- but i still say that if too much is spent here on this laundry then that is questionable use of la assets -- dollars!!!!

LAUDRY RENOVATIONS

i see by the notice on the la web site that the laundry is being closed for renovations -- god only knows it needs it but at what cost to the community -- this is a service that is utilized by very few community members and surely doesn't pay for itself -- if it does it would amaze me -- --

has anyone ever done a financial analysis on this service to determine how it is operating, how many members use this facility, how much money it grosses, does it produce a profit or a loss-- or then finally is it cost effective for the entire membership to have to pay for this renovation and maybe upgrade-- my guess is that it is used by very few people-- i base this on a polls i took

DO YOU USE THE LAUNDRY FACILITY?

--------- YES --- 145
---------- NO--- 34

HOW OFTEN DO YOU USE THE LAUNDRY FACILITY?

--------- EVERY TRIP ------------- 3
-------------OFTEN -------------- 4
--------OCCASIONALLY ----------- 138
-------------- NEVER ------------ 32

this indicates that few if anyone uses this facility on a regular basis -- most people coming to la don't come to do their laundry -- they take it home --also the most members visiting la are weekenders and there is no need to have to do the dirty cloths here at la--- the usage is the 20 or so nesters and they also generate the most consistent complaints -- to satisfy them the bod is spending money to quiet them down -- all members pay for this type of waste and it shouldn't happen -- money should not be spent unless there is a real need-- this laundry is not a real need or priority!!!!

you have got to question how much is being spent on a service that few if any members use or want -- i'm sure it is not cost effective to be spending this money --

this is an another example of mismanagement of the la assets by this board--there are plenty more and we'll get to them in due time -- this bod is the gift that keeps giving--so more to follow

#107

comment reply

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "I FIGURED IT OUT !!!":

I DONT KNOW WHO THIS PROPERTY OWNER IS. THERE ARE NEVER ANY NAMES. THE CCLA DON'T HAVE NAMES' I HEARD THAT THEY ARE AFRAID OF RETALIATION. WELL IF THAY ARE AFRAID WHAT ABOUT THE PROPERTY OWNER?
DOES THIS P O HAVE THE QUALIFICATION FOR BEING THE PARK MANAGER. WHAT ARE THEY. HAS HE EVER RAN A PARK BEFORE. IS HE GOOD WITH CONTRACTS IS HE GOOD WITH PEOPLE.DOES HE KNOW THE INS AND OUTS OF RUNNING THE COMMUNITY. WHAT ARE HIS WORK ETHICS.
ABOUT THE BOARD I FEEL THAT THERE ARE MEMBERS THAT SHOULD NOT BE THERE. BUT TO BE A BOARD MEMBER YOU HAVE TO BE WITH THE RIGHT CROWD. IT IS WHO IS BACKING YOU WHAT GROUP.
THEY ARE NOT UNITED LIKE IT SHOULD BE. THEY ARE PROMISING THE PROPERTY OWNERS THAT WHEN THEY RUN THEY WILL PROMISE YOU ANYTHING BUT THEY ARE ONLY ONE VOTE THEY NEED FOUR TO PASS ANYTHING
BACK TO THE PARK MANAGER GIVE THE BOD A LITTLE TIME AND ASK HOW THEY VOTED FOR THE PARK MANAGER.WHAT WAS THE REASON THEY PICKED SO AND SO.
LAST I DONT AGREE A PROPERTY OWNER SHOULD BE A PARK MANAGER.WHY WOULD ANY PROPERTY OWNER WANT TO BE ONE.


anon -- they have more than one community member that have formally and informally inquired or applied for this job -- i know that one--- namely me has more experience, qualifications, work record and the references to support the consideration for this job -- i have been rejected by the bod president because i'm not qualified -- i have over 40 years in facility management, the last 21 with air products and chemicals -- before that i had only one other employer for the other 19 years--so i don't think i have an employment history problem -- i also have never been unemployed for a day since i've been 14 yo-- i bet most board members can't say that -- i have been in all phases of facility management with responsibility for 300 employees, 5 project managers, and a $ 5 million annual budget -- i really doubt that they have anyone that can match my work record or experience

but they have disqualified me for only reasons they know --

the no members can have office jobs is an excuse that they use -- it carries no weight and is outright discrimination by this board --and while they may not be in violation of specific discrimination laws ( i think they had their attorney reply anonymously in a comment and-- i still am looking into this action and it's legal status) it is a situation that they employ to keep members out of the la affairs --

i don't know why but i sure am beginning to suspect that there is more to this policy than meets the eye -

something is being kept quiet -- a bod that mismanages the la assets-- finances, employees, project failures such as the lateral replacement program or the electrical upgrade program; the continued deterioration in the utilities infrastructures; facilities; a bod that is dysfunctional and can't work together (this i've heard before); a bod that is arrogant and incompetent and just about anything else one can think of that may explain their behavior--- so i doubt that i would be considered -- they don't want someone who is a strong manager and will represent the best interests of the community-- they want someone they can micromanage and will work for free -- so la will get whatever they get and the members will probably get screwed by this bod and when they come up for election they will be voted back onto the board-- the la members are not involved and therefore they will get what they get --not a good outlook

comment reply

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "I FIGURED IT OUT !!!":

This whole process of hiring a manager is no longer a JOKE or something that should be put off until this bod feels it's time. With the whole financial crisis in our country,and I'm quite sure our investments and savings will be effected, the time is NOW to hire someone or RESIGN IN WHOLE and put some people on the board that CAN make decisions for the benefit of ALL property owners or as much as people are against it bring in a management company. This NOT good.

anon-- i was not trying to make a joke with the joe six pack thing -- it is a very important situation for la community members -- a strong manager is necessary who can operate la without the bod injecting their micro management practices-- they should have a a contingency plan in place to counter any rise in default member fees-- you need to have a plan ready to know how you can manage la with reduced cash flow -- it may very well come to that situation --this financial problem in the country may only be starting -- it is highly unlikely that the distress in the financial markets is anywhere near over and the worst may be yet to come--

if the board flubs this manager selection and not having a plan in place for la to operate with less funding -- then they should resign or be removed by the members in a recall vote


#108

I FIGURED IT OUT !!!

THAT'S IT -- JOE SIX PACK IS PICKING THE LA COMMUNITY MANAGER -- THAT HAS GOT TO BE THE ANSWER !!!!

comment reply

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "comment reply":

This whole process of hiring a manager is really making the bod look like a bunch of school kids trying to pick the prettiest girl in the senior class !!! Is this again going to be who is most popular with board members, much like the way the board is elected on how many friends I have. LA is really looking like a place in complete disorder and with no one really caring about what's going on as long as board members get their electric upgrades, road repairs, or laterals replaced. LA is no longer a place for all owners but one for a select few who are on the board. Wake up 1

anon -- i think they're trying to game the process -- i don't believe they know how to qualify or vet prospective applicants -- they are all jockeying to get a manager they can control so they can inject themselves into the management of la --

this has nothing to do with getting a strong qualified manager who can run la for the community members or to enhance the community member's interests--

when this is over i believe the members should assess the new manager and if they're not satisfied then they should remember this when bod members are up for election -- they need to take responsibility for the actions that they control as a board member-- this is one of them!

#110

MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS

comment reply

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "comment reply":

Can anyone tell me if we have a manager yet? I hate calling down to the office, I never get straight answers. Do we know how many people were interviewed. The LA website says interviews where held on the 20th are they only going to interview people for one day? I think they should meet with any possible manager more than one time. What if the guy was a smooth talker and we end up stuck with some idiot all over again.

Not that i'm trying to be a ball buster put Im scared that they are just gonna go for someone that will work cheap so that they can micro-manage. I would rather pay a little more for someone that knows what they are doing.

Who is over seeing all the projects we have going on? I'm really not sure who to trust, BOD, CCLA or whatever. Talk about a test of faith.

anon -- yes this process will be a test of faith -- as i said before we will get a good manager or a bad manager -- just luck -- the bod will have a real test of their abilities to try and figure out this selection process and how to evaluate and choose a suitable manager-- i don't believe they have the collective ability to handle this task -- it is way above their pay grade!!!! the members really need to consider what is happening with this current board -- they have mismanaged one problem after another -- 12' wide issue. the attorney replacement issue, the lateral replacement project, the electrical upgrade project, the continued decline in the quality of life issue with the community, the rupture in community relations with the members resulting in the ccla effort, the demoralization of the la employees, the inability to hire a qualified community manager-- this is a bod in disarray and i believe a dysfunctional bod--

they need a strong manager that can and will operate la for the benefit of the entire community -- they need a find a person with this background and allow them to run la --the bod can not manage la -- it's beyond their abilities

CCLA

SO THE BOD HAS SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE CCLA INTENTIONS --- WELL THEY ARE NOTHING LIKE THIS STORY --- CCLA ARE ANGELS

Indian Workers Planned Attack That Killed Boss - Company

Monday September 29th, 2008 / 9h17



NEW DELHI (AFP)--The Italian company whose local boss in India was beaten to death by sacked workers said Monday the killing resulted from a planned attack on their offices.
Former employees at car parts maker Graziano Trasmissioni assaulted chief executive Lalit Kishore Chaudhary, 47, when a meeting held last week to discuss a long-running labor dispute turned violent.
Chaudhary was hit on the head with a stick or an iron rod and was declared dead on arrival at hospital, police said.
More than 60 people have been arrested over charges ranging from murder to rioting, while a total of 136 remain in detention.
The workers were dismissed three months ago after they demanded pay rises and allegedly ransacked the firm's offices in Noida, an industrial district outside Delhi.
Graziano's parent company, Oerlikon, announced in a statement Monday it believed the attack on its premises was plotted in advance.
"Mr. Chaudhary's death resulted from what appears to have been a calculated and planned riot, as part of an effort to destroy the relationship between the company and the employees," it said.
The Italian embassy in New Delhi had earlier expressed concerns that Indian authorities failed to act despite months of threats to the company.
India's labor minister Oscar Fernandes was forced to apologize after he appeared to back the workers whom police say killed Chaudhary, calling the attack "a warning for management."
The Confederation of Indian Industry led widespread outrage over his comments, saying "no dispute can be settled by murdering an adversary."
Many Indian business leaders said the death could deter foreign companies from investing in the country.
The district of Noida is home to multinational firms such as Honda Motor Co. (HMC), LG Electronics Inc. (066570.SE) and Moser-Baer India Ltd. (517140.BY).

Monday September 29th, 2008 / 9h17 Source : Dowjones Business News

THESE GUYS WERE REALLY MAD AT THE BOSS!!

GIDDY UP !!

#111

Comment reply

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "comment reply":

Comments about accountability of projects is right in line. NO company or homeowner has work done without an estimate and a schedule of work thru completion. On the lateral project I'd bet if a property owner asked how many laterals are complete no one could give you a number. The previous manager had no control of the contractor doing the work and all he seemed to do was sign checks then, when the contractor left, admitted to po's that we were ripped off!!!!...Are we headed down the same road? With no property manager and relying on the board to run the projects are we headed for more disasters??What excuse is the bod using to still not have a manager, do they think they can do a better job running the place from home and are they available 24/7?? With what's going on on Wall Sreet and with the government not bailing out anybody who will bail out Lake Adventure when our funds are exhausted do to miss-spending and mis-management, or I should say no management.

ANON -- I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU -- LA BOD HAS A LOT TO DO AND I'M NOT CONFIDENT THAT THEY'RE GETTING EVERYTHING DONE -- THE MEMBER'S INTERESTS ARE NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF AT THIS TIME

#112

FREE CLASSIFIED AD

Hello Chipper....just wanted to let you know that my friends that had me list their Cadillac Coupe De Ville ..1982..for sale ...have actually sold it! They asked me to have you take the listing off now. Thanks for the service...

I'll try to make more people aware of this service. If they don't have a laptop up at LA I'll be glad to list things for them! (through you ofcourse)

I'll be in touch,

Kathleen of Forest Glen Drive

NOT GOOD TIMES

FANNIE MAE freddi mac LEHMAN BROS bear sterns WAMU wachovia AIG merril lynch

777

la contingency plans in place???

#112

TRIBUTE

PAUL NEWMAN 1925 -2008

comment reply

Anonymous to me
show details 6:27 PM (2 hours ago)

Reply

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "comment reply":

How much could a collection agency cost? Half a mil is a lot to be lost each year and it seems like it would be worth the investment even if we recovered 1 or $200,000. The LA website states electrical upgrades will start this month on Forrest Glenn and Blue Aspen.


anon -- you're right --- now la gets nothing in most cases and once people get behind in a payment or two they will never catch up-- then they all but abandon their property -- any thing la recovers through a collection agency is more than they get now and when word spreads that the CA is after members it may get others to pay up rather than let their dues slip into default and have a CA after them-- the thing is the bod doesn't have a better method to collect default payments and no one on staff wants to be a bad guy and do it so it's either ignore the problem ( which they're doing now) or get a collection agency -- not hard to figure out

it would be nice to have a count on the number of properties that this crew is doing in a given period of time -- there is no accountability for this work progress or the lateral work progress -- the bod says we're doing these jobs -- well then they should back it up with numbers otherwise 10 years down the road we're still doing these projects and the members are still paying the bills--- members need to have accountability and so far there is none-- how many people would hire a contractor to do a job at their home without some idea of the contractors progress and accounting of the job -- you just hire them and they work and keep sending you a bill as they see fit -- NO ONE WOULD DO THAT -- WHY DOES THE LA BOD THINK THEY CAN OPERATE THIS WAY--

comment reply

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WaMu":

for you're information, dues collection has actuall improved this past qtr., delinquent rate has dropped

anon-- that is great and let's hope it continues into the winter and spring BUT since this information is not available to the members no one really knows, except you evidently -- there should be a running account on this aspect of the finances on the la web site-- it should be updated quarterly -- the collection rate of any community is a sign of the communities financial status and health -- then again the bod would probably likes to keep this type of information quiet and secret -- no need to let the membership know about minor issues like this or maybe they're concerned that if the defaults increase they may have to do something-- that would require them to make decisions and god only knows that is difficult for this bod--- i believe that la is experiencing 16% defaults -- that over $ 500,000.00 ( a half mullion dollars) per year that la could be applying to upgrades on the electrics or the lateral project ( opps --SORRY both of these may be ghost projects that aren't being done anyway so why worry about them or the half million?????) so my point is they make no effort to collect the fee defaults now and leave a half million on the table -- i don't really have a lot of faith in them that they will make any effort to change their ways if the members defaults get worse --

#113

RAIN RAIN RAIN

WELL IT HAS BEEN RAINING FOR 3 DAYS NOW -- LONG OVERDUE BUT HAVEN'T BEEN TO LA FOR 2 WEEKS NOW - MAYBE NEXT WEEK --- I DOUBT MANY PEOPLE ARE UP AT LA -- THE LEAVES HAVEN'T STARTED CHANGING YET --THAT'S A MONTH AWAY-- DOWN HERE IN BETHLEHEM IS THE WEEKEND FOR THE CELTIC FESTIVAL -- LAST NIGHT THEY HAD PEOPLE EVEN WITH THE RAIN-- THIS IS ALSO THE WEEKEND AT SHAWNEE FOR THE RODEO -- THAT'S ALWAYS A GOOD EVENT

WILD 2 WEEKS WITH THE FINANCIAL SITUATION -- HOPE IT STRAIGHTENS OUT OR WE'LL ALL BE BROKE SOON-- YIKS!




#114

drip drip drip drip

#115

WaMu

WaMu -- free checking -- no fees !!

OPPS!! NO MORE WAMU

like a dripping faucet drip drip drip drip --soon it may turn into a flood

la bod better have some contingency plans ready for a lot of member fee defaults -- it could be just around the corner -- like january

#116

GEORGE WILL -- MAYBE???

McCain Loses His Head

Under the pressure of the financial crisis, one presidential candidate is behaving like a flustered rookie playing in a league too high. It is not Barack Obama.

Channeling his inner Queen of Hearts, John McCain furiously, and apparently without even looking around at facts, said Chris Cox, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, should be decapitated. This childish reflex provoked the Wall Street Journal to editorialize that "McCain untethered" -- disconnected from knowledge and principle -- had made a "false and deeply unfair" attack on Cox that was "unpresidential" and demonstrated that McCain "doesn't understand what's happening on Wall Street any better than Barack Obama does."



To read the Journal's details about the depths of McCain's shallowness on the subject of Cox's chairmanship, see "McCain's Scapegoat" (Sept. 19). Then consider McCain's characteristic accusation that Cox "has betrayed the public's trust."

Perhaps an old antagonism is involved in McCain's fact-free slander. His most conspicuous economic adviser is Douglas Holtz-Eakin, who previously headed the Congressional Budget Office. There he was an impediment to conservatives, including then-Rep. Cox, who, as chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, persistently tried and generally failed to enlist CBO support for "dynamic scoring" that would estimate the economic growth effects of proposed tax cuts.

In any case, McCain's smear -- that Cox "betrayed the public's trust" -- is a harbinger of a McCain presidency. For McCain, politics is always operatic, pitting people who agree with him against those who are "corrupt" or "betray the public's trust," two categories that seem to be exhaustive -- there are no other people. McCain's Manichaean worldview drove him to his signature legislative achievement, the McCain-Feingold law's restrictions on campaigning. Today, his campaign is creatively finding interstices in laws intended to restrict campaign giving and spending. (For details, see The Post of Sept. 17; and the New York Times of Sept. 19.)

By a Gresham's Law of political discourse, McCain's Queen of Hearts intervention in the opaque financial crisis overshadowed a solid conservative complaint from the Republican Study Committee, chaired by Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, the RSC decried the improvised torrent of bailouts as a "dangerous and unmistakable precedent for the federal government both to be looked to and indeed relied upon to save private sector companies from the consequences of their poor economic decisions." This letter, listing just $650 billion of the perhaps more than $1 trillion in new federal exposures to risk, was sent while McCain's campaign, characteristically substituting vehemence for coherence, was airing an ad warning that Obama favors "massive government, billions in spending increases."

The political left always aims to expand the permeation of economic life by politics. Today, the efficient means to that end is government control of capital. So, is not McCain's party now conducting the most leftist administration in American history? The New Deal never acted so precipitously on such a scale. Treasury Secretary Paulson, asked about conservative complaints that his rescue program amounts to socialism, said, essentially: This is not socialism, this is necessary. That non sequitur might be politically necessary, but remember that government control of capital is government control of capitalism. Does

McCain have qualms about this, or only quarrels?

On "60 Minutes" Sunday evening, McCain, saying "this may sound a little unusual," said that he would like to replace Cox with Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic attorney general of New York who is the son of former governor Mario Cuomo. McCain explained that Cuomo has "respect" and "prestige" and could "lend some bipartisanship." Conservatives have been warned.

Conservatives who insist that electing McCain is crucial usually start, and increasingly end, by saying he would make excellent judicial selections. But the more one sees of his impulsive, intensely personal reactions to people and events, the less confidence one has that he would select judges by calm reflection and clear principles, having neither patience nor aptitude for either.

It is arguable that, because of his inexperience, Obama is not ready for the presidency. It is arguable that McCain, because of his boiling moralism and bottomless reservoir of certitudes, is not suited to the presidency. Unreadiness can be corrected, although perhaps at great cost, by experience. Can a dismaying temperament be fixed?

georgewill@washpost.com


#117

OH NO ! MR. BILL !!!!!

#118

OH NO ! MR. BILL !!!!! # 2

CASH FOR TRASH

By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: September 21, 2008
Some skeptics are calling Henry Paulson’s $700 billion rescue plan for the U.S. financial system “cash for trash.” Others are calling the proposed legislation the Authorization for Use of Financial Force, after the Authorization for Use of Military Force, the infamous bill that gave the Bush administration the green light to invade Iraq.

There’s justice in the gibes. Everyone agrees that something major must be done. But Mr. Paulson is demanding extraordinary power for himself — and for his successor — to deploy taxpayers’ money on behalf of a plan that, as far as I can see, doesn’t make sense.

Some are saying that we should simply trust Mr. Paulson, because he’s a smart guy who knows what he’s doing. But that’s only half true: he is a smart guy, but what, exactly, in the experience of the past year and a half — a period during which Mr. Paulson repeatedly declared the financial crisis “contained,” and then offered a series of unsuccessful fixes — justifies the belief that he knows what he’s doing? He’s making it up as he goes along, just like the rest of us.

So let’s try to think this through for ourselves. I have a four-step view of the financial crisis:

1. The bursting of the housing bubble has led to a surge in defaults and foreclosures, which in turn has led to a plunge in the prices of mortgage-backed securities — assets whose value ultimately comes from mortgage payments.

2. These financial losses have left many financial institutions with too little capital — too few assets compared with their debt. This problem is especially severe because everyone took on so much debt during the bubble years.

3. Because financial institutions have too little capital relative to their debt, they haven’t been able or willing to provide the credit the economy needs.

4. Financial institutions have been trying to pay down their debt by selling assets, including those mortgage-backed securities, but this drives asset prices down and makes their financial position even worse. This vicious circle is what some call the “paradox of deleveraging.”

The Paulson plan calls for the federal government to buy up $700 billion worth of troubled assets, mainly mortgage-backed securities. How does this resolve the crisis?

Well, it might — might — break the vicious circle of deleveraging, step 4 in my capsule description. Even that isn’t clear: the prices of many assets, not just those the Treasury proposes to buy, are under pressure. And even if the vicious circle is limited, the financial system will still be crippled by inadequate capital.

Or rather, it will be crippled by inadequate capital unless the federal government hugely overpays for the assets it buys, giving financial firms — and their stockholders and executives — a giant windfall at taxpayer expense. Did I mention that I’m not happy with this plan?

The logic of the crisis seems to call for an intervention, not at step 4, but at step 2: the financial system needs more capital. And if the government is going to provide capital to financial firms, it should get what people who provide capital are entitled to — a share in ownership, so that all the gains if the rescue plan works don’t go to the people who made the mess in the first place.

That’s what happened in the savings and loan crisis: the feds took over ownership of the bad banks, not just their bad assets. It’s also what happened with Fannie and Freddie. (And by the way, that rescue has done what it was supposed to. Mortgage interest rates have come down sharply since the federal takeover.)

But Mr. Paulson insists that he wants a “clean” plan. “Clean,” in this context, means a taxpayer-financed bailout with no strings attached — no quid pro quo on the part of those being bailed out. Why is that a good thing? Add to this the fact that Mr. Paulson is also demanding dictatorial authority, plus immunity from review “by any court of law or any administrative agency,” and this adds up to an unacceptable proposal.

I’m aware that Congress is under enormous pressure to agree to the Paulson plan in the next few days, with at most a few modifications that make it slightly less bad. Basically, after having spent a year and a half telling everyone that things were under control, the Bush administration says that the sky is falling, and that to save the world we have to do exactly what it says now now now.

But I’d urge Congress to pause for a minute, take a deep breath, and try to seriously rework the structure of the plan, making it a plan that addresses the real problem. Don’t let yourself be railroaded — if this plan goes through in anything like its current form, we’ll all be very sorry in the not-too-distant future.

More Articles in Opinion » A version of this article appeared in print on September 22, 2008, on page A23 of the New York edition.

comment replys

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "BOD MEETING NOTES --7/08":

how did you get these minutes if they weren't posted yet?

anon -- on the la web site last night


Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "comment reply":

Thank you chipper for your insightful reply. I agree the picture was in poor taste. Unfortunately some people are going to slant there comments to accommodate there own agenda with total disregard for the truth.

anon -- yes a moment of poor reaction on my part


#119

BOD MEETING NOTES --7/08

IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW MANY OF THESE THINGS WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT NEXT YEAR -- 8.08 MEETING NOTES NOT YET POSTED -ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT YOU THE MEMBERS SEE HERE --- LET'S HEAR FROM YOU -- chipper



Lake Adventure Community Association, Inc.
Open Board of Directors Minutes
July 19th Meeting


Page | 1


11:30am Berkey asked that all present stand and Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.

The panel was introduced as follows: Artie Berkey, President, Lenny Masucci, Vice-President, Ed Rohs, Treasurer, Alfredo Siaba, Secretary, Tom Annunziata, Member, Marietta Richard, Member, and Debbie Boyle, Accountant.

Berkey apologized to the audience for the delay, but explained that the Community Manager has been terminated and it took a little longer than expected.

Berkey turned the meeting over to Debbie Boyle of Weseloh Carney & Company who has completed the annual audit ending April 30, 2008.

Between our operational and reserve accounts we have a net income of $54,000, which is higher than
expected with the high cost of the commercial loan payments. Expenses have increased somewhat. The accounting department has no major deficiencies. When asked how LACA rates with other communities overall, Boyle stated we are doing well. Our delinquency rate is approximately 16%, but a lot of this is old debt.

Question & Answer Period

Lot #1770 – Rich Hausler – informed the audience that when the Pledge of Allegiance is being recited that ALL hats should be OFF!

Lot # 1773 – Sal Ventola – requested to know all employees pay…Berkey stated he would discuss this with the Board and will see him later.

Lot # 76 – Les Force – has had problems with the electric for the past several days. Berkey stated that a main breaker was bad and it was taken care of at 10:30pm last night. Mr. Force also requested that the July Open meeting is always missed by the swim team parents, etc., and can we make this one meeting for the afternoon. Berkey stated it would take place at 1pm.

Lot # 1231 – Gary Culp – suggested that LACA design a brochure to draw in more people looking for a place like this.

Lot # 777 – Trish Callahan – Lost all her food due to maintenance negligence in turning off her electric to work on adjacent lot and never turned her back on. Berkey stated to submit a bill for her losses.

Lot # 1770 – Sue Hausler – Requested that property owners shut off their lights at night…In the middle of the night the whole place is lit up and wasting so much electricity.

Berkey also requested that only toilet paper be flushed. No paper towels, sanitary napkins, wipes, etc. On July 4th weekend one of the major pumps went because it was clogged with rags.

Lot # 693 – Bruce Caulder – has worked with electric his whole life and are any of our maintenance men certified in electric and plumbing, because it is a life threating job. Safety is the issue. How long will it take before the whole park is upgraded?
Lot # 967 – Terri Isabella – wants the speed bump replaced that was by the sharp turn on Locust Lake Drive and Village Drive East. Berkey stated if one was available it would be replaced today. Also, the hayride goes too fast. In the winter snow was piled 4 feet high in her driveway and could have been pushed away in the cul-de-sac.

Lot # 897 – Mr. Gometro – posted a for sale sign by office and it was taken down by JOCO. Berkey stated he could put his sign there and he would speak to JOCO.

Lot # 1054 – Tom Annunziata – why are we spending money on the CCLA when the Attorney General stated that we are compliant in every area that they said we were not. Berkey stated he doesn’t know why the CCLA never went to the office and requested documents because they would not have been denied.

Lot # 927 – Mr. Cortijo – Why do we allow JOCO to have exclusive rights to Lake Adventure Lots? We can sell them ourselves and keep the money from going in his pocket. Berkey stated we are working on it.

Lot # 1924 – Jean Banick – Our current auditor should be audited..asked Boyle if she audits what LACA supplies her. Boyle stated there is a list of items that must be supplied and anything asked for is also supplied. Also questioned if our employees are bonded and how much insurance do we have to cover losses.

Lot # 170 – Tom Benson – At the rate we’re going it will take 50 years to fully upgrade the park. Also, there is an abandoned motor home on Lot 171 that looks horrible. Siaba stated it would be resolved.

Lot # 468 – Maryann Malanaphy – another electrical problem on Big Bass with a great loss to her appliances…When is this area going to be upgraded? Richard stated that if we start at the beginning where the oldest lots are, and work our way back, then this will lessen the load down the line.

Lot # 1430 – Roy Zold – He understood that Richard was a member of the CCLA and how could she be a board member? Richard stated she was a member but had excluded herself from the group since becoming a member of the board.

Lot #1423 – Ruth Burok – since we cannot post for sale signs at our lot, and the community flea market was cancelled, can she herself conduct a yard sale on her lot if she obtained the proper permit? Berkey stated of course.

Lot #1497 – Mr. Bebe – He thanks the board because it is a thankless job and feels bad that the CCLA sent letters requesting money and that was not the way to go seeking an attorney. One other thing is that could we please publish the income side of the budget in more detail.

Lot # 202 – Bill Salus – Could we please publish something on the web or in the flyer as soon as we hear any news on the 12 wides. Berkey stated we would.

Lot # 1728 – Mr. Diaz – stated that when his breaker went bad, maintenance came with a box of breakers, some of them not working. It is policy to keep bad breakers?

Lot # 24 – Carol – why are there red marks in her driveway. Richard stated that this was to mark the old line when the work begins for the new lines.

Jean Banick & Juan Vigo – they are both members of the CCLA and they are a legitimate group. They were following directions from their legal advisors. Berkey stated he wished this CCLA would go away and he would supply them with whatever they want within reason.

Lot #1700 – Mrs. Connors – The laundry room is a disgrace. The machines are broken half the time…we need a new contractor..Berkey stated that new ideas were in the works.

Lot # 1054 – Tom Annunziata – wanted to inform the audience that in Eagle Lake where they do have 12 wides, that the taxes are much higher than we pay at LACA.

Mrs. Schatzle asked Berkey what means they were going to use to find another Community Manager. Berkey stated they would accept resumes and applications and the Board would make the decision.

1:10pm – They’re being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.



Respectfully Submitted
Alfredo Siaba
Secretary

AS/cad

comment reply

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "comment reply":

I thought this was place people could express their opinion. Both of you have expressed valid concerns however the Post Script comment and photograph were probably unnecessary. I also understand why a property owner isn't allowed to be property manager or office employee to an extent however it is common practice for select employees with a need to know to have access to that type of information in the business world. Divulging or misusing this information is grounds for dismissal and possible criminal charges. That being the case it wouldn't matter whether the employee lived inside or outside the community. In this scenario I can see why the rule is there and bias is a concern as is 12 month residency. I don't think there is any discrimination law being broken. Discrimination laws cover gender, age, race, religion, family status, national orgin, military status, sexual orientation, disability, body size/shape assuming you meet the job requirements. LAs rule falls into the job requirement category similar to companies not allowing their employees to take part in marketing contests, or requiring them to have a valid driver's license, or not have any DUI's, or must not have a criminal record, must submit to a drug test, etc. Having a property manager live on site may lead to salary problems, on site-on call 24/7 $$$. Is the PM a real exempt manager who can hire and fire or does the BOD need to approve? If a non-exempt manager (supervises but does not hire and fire) then all the labor laws come into effect. Who wants to take on the Labor Board? Then there is the living standard, the trailers and community by law are not approved for 12 month residency so the manager or office employee would have to have a larger 4 season manufactured home to live in and get a dispensation from the township to live on site for 12 months. 12' wides for recreation are not yet allowed so getting this to pass seems bleak. Who would pay for it? I'm sure there are several other things that come into play so this is just not a simple case of the BOD playing hard ball by not allowing a property owner or office employee to live on site.


anon -- i believe your wrong on more than one issue -- it remains to be seen---chipper