BAIL OUT !!!!

#17

JOE BIRRELL

changed per request

richardbirrell@aol.com to me, ubfriend
show details 1:35 PM (3 hours ago)

Reply

Hello Chipper -- This is Rick Birrell, Joe Birrell's son. I apologize for the inconvenience, but was wondering if the blog posting of Jan 1, 2009 could be amended as follows. There could be legal ramifications stemming from my original post as I will be taking legal action in the matter of my father's estate. I've also omitted my home phone #.

Thank you very much.

Regards,
Rick

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello Chipper,

My name is Rick, I am Joe Birrell's son.... don't know if you were at the memorial service for Dad at St. Vincents where we may have met. My wife Gemma and I had the honor of meeting several of my Dad's co-workers and friends from Lake Adventure at the service and were deeply touched by the outpouring of sympathy for Dad.

I've received a package from 1-800-Flowers which contained a garden greenery plant from the Lake Adventure Board of Directors and fellow employees. We wanted to sincerely convey our deepest gratitude for this beautiful gift.

Again, I wish to convey my appreciation for all the kind people of Lake Adventure. If interested, I have started a memorial web site which can be visited at the following URL (requires registration in order to leave comments/tribute): http://www.imorial.com/josephbirrell/

I can be reached as follows:

Richard J. Birrell
2050 68th St.
Brooklyn, NY 11204

phone: (718)
email: richardbirrell@aol.com


With Warm Regards,

Rick Birrell

comment

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

This is one of the best commentaries I've read on this blog. I nominate you to run for Board President. I've often questioned why our board minutes take months to be published while other communities post theirs the same month. I've also noticed in reading board minutes from other communities their attorneys attend the meetings and you are correct items are assigned acted on quickly. There was a meeting scheduled with our new attorney in early Sept to address the 12' wide issue, nothing was ever published and questions on the issue go unanswered. The "new" attorney took over this project six months ago and progress remains a mystery. Volunteers may not be appreciated by this board. Information and suggestions are not acknowledged, at least that's been my experience. Unfortunately we lost a decent and hard working man in Joe. This is a huge loss and creates an even bigger management vacuum. The BOD is not expected to run the day to day management of the community, however they created a situation where more is expected of them than it appears they are willing or able to give. Meeting once a month handling administrative duties isn't the same as being on site every day. They could meet four times a month but that still leaves 27 days of no one working the daily issues. Some suggest that all we do is gripe on this site but if things were running smoothly we would have nothing to complain about. There are many things I like and enjoy about LA and that list is certainly longer than the list of things I don't like. This is a place we can express our opinions and hope the BOD can use that information as a barometer for items most important to community members.


#19

BAIL OUT !!!!

#20

comment

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "BAIL OUT !!!!":

I wish someboby told me we were in the mountians before I bought my lot we should cut all the trees down to get sunlight and stop the trees from falling on power lines

#20

bitching ????

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "bitching ????":

A thousand thank yous Jim !
WELL SAID!

bitching ????

Jim Meehan to me
show details 1:35 PM

Reply

I enjoy your site. However there is allot of bitching going on about some things that just can't be helped. L.A. is in the mountains, roads are going to ice up. The complainers should check the weather before coming to the Pocono's.Not enough salt or grit or sand on the roads. Not enough staff on hand when the power goes out. Are we becoming a bunch grouches and old farts? Enjoy what you have at L.A. or go to Florida. Complainers want a perfect world. Remember it is a Trailer Park, not Squaw Valley.

BAIL OUT !!!!

#21

ice

hide details 11:33 AM (1 hour ago) Reply
We were also up at LA this past weekend. We were there late Saturday afternoon. Some roads (especially near the gate and front of the park) were icy. Fortunately, our road was very clear -- I think it gets a lot of sun. We would have loved to stay overnight, but won't take the chance of doing that again during the off season with the way the power goes out so often. That already happened once this year to us and it wasn't a pleasant experience! It's a shame because it is really beautiful and peaceful there during the winter and could be such a great weekend getaway.


PB

ice

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


Oh Wait just one darn minute!!!!!

I too, witnessed the ice first hand and it was VERY bad on certain roads.

And I have not drank any eggnog!
:)

I will start leaving my initials

pk

pk--- thanks for reaffirming what i experienced when i came to la on saturday at noon--- more grit should have been on the roads at intersections, the entrance gate and on the hills-- if you had a small vehicle that would start to slide you could have been in deep trouble-- ended in a ditch, off the side of the road or even into another vehicle--- this is a area that a manager should be on site to monitor and respond to with proper maintenance procedures-- it's basic ice and snow management 101

#22

ice

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

I was at LA on sat and everything was fine. The doom and gloom is getting old. I had no issues with anything you are talking about. Maybe too much egg-nog for you over the holiday?

anon--- next time i'll take pictures -- chipper

ice

i was up at la saturday and i was surprised at how icy the roads were-- there was very little grit on the roads and the driving was treacherous-- in fact the entrance gate was icy ruts and very slippery -- i'm surprised no one hasn't taken out the gate arm

it is evident that no one is managing the situations at la and that a manager is needed -- this bod is really falling down on this issue and can't find a capable facility manager -- they have been at this for 6 months and still no one for this position -- they are doing something very wrong and aren't able to handle the task in front of them -- the loss of the manager and the compliance officer at the same time is a serious problem developing at la and with the possibility with defaulting member dues this bod could be in real trouble really quickly-- the members should express their dissatisfaction with these problems and demand that a manager and now a compliance officer be hired before spring -

of course this could be an opportunity to rearrange the structure at la -- a full time maintenance supervisor should be considered with responsibilities for maintenance operations and act as compliance officer-- combining these two positions is a logical step in getting proper supervision over the maintenance department and controlling the compliance issues -- then again if the bod can't find a manager how would they find a ft maintenance super/compliance officer--- this may be beyond their pay scale!!!!!

comment reply

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "comment + question":

I think most of us would agree that the current and previous boards have been lacking in these main areas:
• Capability -- they can’t even seem to be able to hire a general manager.
• Fiscal responsibility -- the recession did not happen overnight. They should have been more responsible and not develop a high priced eight-year plan to begin with (by that I mean raising the dues so drastically at once). Sure, they said the dues would not go up (except for a few dollars) for the first five years. But have they ever said what the dues would go up to in years 6, 7, and 8 in their plan?
• Ability to make the decision when needed –- electrical, water, sewage problems don’t develop overnight. Throughout the years the boards have believed in using the “band-aid” affect until it is absolutely necessary to correct the situation once and for all. That, most of all, has gotten us into the mess we’re in.

So how do we resolve this? How do WE as a group demand action and actually get accountability? Is it enough to just vote in 2 or 3 new people each year? How do we know new faces will make a difference? We can demand, yell, scream, or whatever, but in the end the board will do whatever THEY (the select seven members of the community, not the majority of us) want. How do we actually go about and change the system?

I suppose that is why the CCLA developed. I don’t know anything about the Concerned Citizens of Lake Adventure. Can anyone share some information on this group, such as their history, purpose, membership, meetings, etc.? Are they helping the community's situation?

comment reply

Eduardo Garcia to me

hide details Dec 24 (5 days ago) Reply


Chipper,

In spite of fees being lowered $150 by the bd for 09/10, the fees remain relatively high for the services and amenities offered at this community. Privately, bd members act as if they are doing us a favor and should have no reason for complaints. I have several friends in nearby, year-round communities and their overall yearly dues are much lower with consumer satisfaction very high. How about that? Why can't that happen here at LA?

Take for instance Breezewoods Acres, where the board actually realized savings of over $150 in their yearly fees for 09, so their members are paying much less than LA and their recreation events and services are better, too. Their board meet on a regular basis and their minutes are posted within the same month, but more important, decisions are acted upon promptly. Look at Birchwood Lakes, there's transparency in the bd and the community is actively involved. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE LA, but things need to improve dramatically, and very fast.

I know there are others that share my concerns and perhaps an alternate slate should be fielded for the next elections; like-minded people are required to push a system that is lacking inertia. I was an auxiliary police officer, ran a little league softball team and do realize the power of volunteers in our community. If you poll members, most have expertise in area's needed to help maintain a lively and safe community. Maybe a call for volunteers to participate in minor maintenance/building projects can free paid staff to do larger tasks, without having to paid exorbitant fees to contractors for certain specific jobs. Of course there are tasks that are best left to the professionals, but that doesn't mean that experienced members in a particular field can't comment on a related contract. Would it be swell if we had a data base of skilled members who are asked to review and comment on contract/projects. How do we know if we are getting our money's worth and the contractor not taking short cuts at LA expense? Just because you are a paid staff or a bd member doesn't mean that you have the only cost-effective solution. Physically-able members should volunteers a number of hours as part of their yearly dues to handle something like tree clearing and planting, re-furbishing existing structures, etc. The kitchen can be run in a similar fashion. What about an auxiliary unit to supplement security during peak months...I will not talk about a Fire department for LA.

The bottom line is how much we are asked to pay in fees and how much savings LA can expect from professionals wanting to do business with our community. Additional savings can be realized across the board with closer supervision of paid staff management and cleverly negotiated contracts with outside vendors. Our volunteer should be able to receive a discount in their yearly contribution. This is the incentive, and the task of managing the volunteers for projects goes to the paid LA manager. Members that can't devote hours, for whatever the reason, will pay the customary dues. I know that bd members read your blog, so I want them to be aware that they must be creative and think outside the box...or ship-out!

Respectfully,
Eddy

joe

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "FAREWELL TO A GOOD MAN!":

I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday chipper! How tragic for this man's family to have lost him...so close to the holiday season. I did not know this man, however, my prayers go out to his friends and family.

God Bless
RIP

FAREWELL TO A GOOD MAN!

today was the funeral for joe birrell and his family at st. vincent's church - it was a beautiful service in keeping with joe's personality -- he was a good man!

IN SYMPATHY

For those of you who haven't been on the LA website, the following has been posted:

IT IS WITH DEEP REMORSE THAT WE WISH TO INFORM YOU THAT LAKE ADVENTURE'S COMPLIANCE OFFICER JOE BIRRELL PASSED AWAY ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2008, FROM A HEART ATTACK.

SERVICES WILL BE A MASS AT ST. VINCENT'S CHURCH ON RT 739 IN DINGMANS FERRY @ 11AM ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008.

JOE WAS A VERY KIND, GENTLE MAN, AND WILL BE MISSED BY ALL.

-----------

On behalf of all property owners, our sincerest sympathy to his family and friends.

HO! HO! HO!

#28

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!!!

#29

CLOWNS !!!!!!

#30

comment + question

Anonymous to me
show details 8:47 PM (1 hour ago) Reply


Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "comment + question":

Being we do not have the luxury of being able to visit LA during the winter anyone who does visit could you please fill us in if you have any information on the following:
12 wide issue
Electrical upgrades
Sewer repairs
hiring of a manager
part time/full time positions rec. Dir
Have any improvements such as painting the comfort stations, laundry building, improving the overall appearance of LA. With the amount of dues we are now paying these items of improving LA should be done, or, like every other year and other boards, NOTHING It also seems certain people do what they want and are not accountable to anyone.

anon -- not much happening on any of the issues you have on your lists -- this bod and the lack of management at la will guarantee that nothing will get done over winter -- i just don't understand how the members allow this bunch of clowns to control la -- they are not capable of managing or overseeing the la operations -- yet they continue to sit on the board and screw thing up worst than they already are screwed up--- i believe these guys will take la to a day when the gates are chained shut and la is out of business -- that's how incompetent they are-- really bad-what are the members waiting for???? when are they going to demand action and accountability from this bod??? when are they going to start screaming and raising hell with this bod--- i keep posting my thoughts but everyone else just sits back and are quiet as mice -- they either don't care about la, aren't interested in their investment or are brain dead--- it just amazes me the membership lack of concern on virtually all issues before them here at la--- call me when the gates are chained and locked !!!!!!!!!! -- chipper
#31

question

Hi,
My nom de guerre is Eddy and I'm an avid reader of your blog because I consider it to be the "grapevine" for hearing of situations developing at LA.
The reason I'm corresponding with you is because I'm looking to purchase a lot and trailer, but didn't want to use JOCO because of the monopoly that they have on nearly all sales, resulting in super inflated prices. Members should be encourage to post with whomever they would like and to deal directly with the purchaser, as would be the case with private purchases. I was just wondering if you would consider posting WANTED ads, in addtion to the For Sale ads now currently available? if not, let me know if you hear of someone selling at a reasonable price, nothing extravagant or near the lake.
Warm Regards,

#35

comment

On Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 1:53 PM, Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "comment + question":

From what I understand, the board meets once a month except for December and February. So I'm assuming there were meetings in October and November. Does anyone know when those minutes will be posted on the LA website?

#38

comment + question

On Fri, Dec 12, 2008 at 1:42 AM, Anonymous wrote:

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

According to the published Aug board notes there was a meeting scheduled with the attorney in early Sept to work on the 12' wide issue. That was three months ago. Has anyone heard of an update? It may be mentioned in the Sept board minutes which we may see in January, why does it take so long to get the notes published?

#39

contract management

BAD BUSINESS CHOICE FOR LA!!!

some more observations regarding contract management services

• usually these contracts are multi year obligations --UNLESS YOU HAVE A CLAUSE THAT ALLOWS YOU TO CANCEL WITHOUT CAUSE AND NO PENALTY YOU SHOULD NOT SIGN A CONTRACT!-- no contractor will give you this for this size of a project-- but if you sign without this clause you will not be able to cancel the contract -- believe me no matter how poorly they do you will be committed to the term of the contract and the payment of fees -- they have many accounts and they have legal advice that shows them how to keep customers contracts valid and the payments enforceable no matter what-- you can't get out of these contracts
• the reason cancellation of a contract is next to impossible is that without strong specifications that cover all aspects of their responsibilities and performance and a measurement to determine if they are not performing you have no basis to terminate a contract without compensating them for their lost business--- and these companies know how to make you pay -- THEY ARE IN BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY!!
  
• keep in mind that you are dealing with a sales executive and they will say anything to get you to sign (some even offer free accommodations in their various vacation homes that they maintain for customer use as well as box seats and tickets to sporting events and etc. and etc---- still a payoff -- keep that in mind) -- then when you have problems with the operations you have to deal with operations executives -- they're not the sales guy who sold you the job and can't say anything about the promises the sales people told you-- tough -- sounds a lot like dealing with car people? -- well it's the same situation and you'll get no where
• having a contractor run your business requires a lot of oversight -- this bod can't oversee the operations they have now so what makes the bod think they'll any more successful with this situation--- one thing they do have now is that you can remove the manager -- you can't remove the contractor without a big fight and large cash compensation to end your contract--
• this bod is an absent bod -- they are at la for the main holidays and events and know little to nothing about the la operations -- somehow i think they believe that this contract services is the gift from heaven and all their problems and responsibilities will be solved and handled by a contractor -- THEY ARE WRONG !

la community members must oppose this idea now --this bod is heading in the wrong direction if they pursue this course of action!! if you oppose this you should let them know and get other members who may not be aware about this idea to join in and contact them at info@lakeadventure.net or call at 570-686-2800

--- chipper >>> robert friend lachipper@gmail.com

management companies

the idea that la can be managed better by a management company is probably true -- in the
absense of the bod's ability to hire a qualified manager, their inability to trust a manger to run la, in their inability not to inject themselves into the management of la --this is an option


BUT
there are problems with this idea and in managing these type of contracts

• creeping costs -- remember the contractor's purpose is to make money -- so they will more professionally manage your business and attain savings and efficiencies but they will also have a strong desire to move any savings they accomplish into their side of the column-- resulting in them making more money and you (meaning the members) will not get any financial benefit from this arrangement-- they do this by offering you the minimum contract services with a great price (a deal you can't refuse) or known in the business as low bid--- but----
• then when you realize you want better service or more service they then renegotiate the costs for their service -- each negotiation results in costing you more money and you losing more of the savings they accomplished
• they provide minimum management services -- no more than they have to to keep the contract -- if you want more -- renegotiate for more money
• their selection of managers does not guarantee you a qualified manager -- you may very well end up with one with no more experience than any you had in the past or that you can choose yourself--- they don't send their best and most costly manager to a job that is low bid and minimum profit margins--- want better -- you must renegotiate for more costs
• if you don't have a set of lake adventure specifications covering every aspect of running la: from personnel management, facilities management, office management, property owner relationship management, infrastructure management, employee compensation and human resources management, payroll management, accounts receivables and payables, management of mandatory government documentation, payment schedules, fee schedules and compliance record keeping and etc. and etc.--- missed something in your original contract??? -- you can renegotiate for more costs

i've spent that last 21 years of my career at air products and chemicals handling $ 5,000,000.00 a year in contract services -- believe me i saw it all and i don't think the la board realizes how the service contractors work and don't realize that without strong oversight you will not realize any savings for the members and you will not be satisfied with their services-- remember they work to make money -- not manage your property -- if you pay enough (believe me that amount is never known) you may get something -- any better than you can do on your own??? you have to decide!!!!! OH NO! MR. BILL ! DECISIONS

NEED A CAPTION 4 THIS PICTURE

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CAPTION 4 THIS PICTURE???? I BET THERE ARE A BUNCH OUT THERE!



#40

comment reply

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

Penthouse in NYC, maybe you should run for the board and straighten things out!!!...There are a lot of property owners in LA that have management positions in the other world outside of Lake Adventure and am quite sure they, along with retirees, would be an asset. I feel if you don't have a solution to the problem don't create another. Once the board opened up the finances with the budget and salaries to all they unleashed a whole new source of anger with property owners who are NOT happy with the way things are being run and to let everyone know how much people are being paid for what they do, those of us working probably feel slighted when we are being asked to take from 10 to 15% pay cuts and pay more for medical and are happy to have a job!!! I don't know where the board works, if they do, or if they read papers or watch TV because if they did they would understand why owners are upset about employee's salaries and the spending the board is doing. If they continue, with the economy the way it is, look for more dues increases and less owners paying dues, be real will you make car payments or pay lake Adventure. This board and manager, if we have one by now, must get a handle on spending and cut costs to survive. The time is now and not wait until the summer and have an emergency meeting and say dues must go up or the park will close and if the township levies severe fines against us, and the DEP as in the past to the tune of 10K, where will this money come from. Property owners voiced their opinions against a management company but with the shape Lake Adventure is in now that may be our only chance for survival, or maybe the property owner who knows the problems that exist and did interview for the job and where was the result of his interview posted????

comment reply

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "comment + seasonal operations":


Born and raised in new york city and still live there when I sell my lot and TRAILER I will move back to my park ave penthouse

anon -- hope your not counting on selling your la property any time soon-- you couldn't give it away right now --- when you look at the bod meeting notes you wonder why they give preferable treatment to jaco and not all realtors -- i bet the other realtors have sold just as many properties as jaco over the last year -- maybe more-- that's surely an unholy alliance between jaco and this bod

comment reply

Anonymous to me
show details 10:51 PM (2 hours ago) Reply


Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "comment + seasonal operations":


First this should be discussed in private( Financial issues). An employee or their family member shouldn't be involved. I would love to be a fly on the wall in my employers office and find out information. This blog is great for interaction among the owners but it is open to all (employees/contractors/owners).Never a good thing.



We need to cut back on our spending. Jobs have to be cut.Money has to be saved. In the next few years we may lose lake adventure if we don't act. We need the right people on the board who know how to help the community. Put the Ego's aside and deal with the issues. This is a serious situation.


And for the New York comment, if we don't come to your state and spend you better have a money making tree.