NO SMOKING!

The election was held today............GO TRUMP!!!....oh, sorry wrong election. The Island Cove Condo Board of  Directors election, that is, was held today...we'll get to the nominees in another post. One thing that caught our attention was the addition of a proposed smoking ban which is to included our lanai area. Although Florida laws protect people from secondhand smoke at work and in restaurants, shops, and other places, many of our residents still find themselves exposed to unwanted secondhand smoke in their condos—especially since we live in multi-unit buildings. How many residents you ask....depends on WHO you ask...the main office says it ranges from 1 to 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 and the board replied "it's more then 1 but less then infinity." Anyway, where were we....In our condos, where each unit is owned separately, addressing this problem can be especially challenging. Owning a unit automatically means you are a member of the HOA, and any member of the HOA can begin the process of making a complex smoke-free..which is what happened today. We are not versed in the Florida statue regarding smoking bans but common sense would conclude lobbies, elevators, stairwells, clubhouses and other common areas can be designated smoke-free by the HOA. We also believe smoking may even be restricted in individual units, which would prohibit all current and future owners, renters, and guests from smoking there. A smoking restriction could include the “exclusive use” common areas such as balconies and lanais. So stop asking if they can implement this rule and start asking "how are they going to enforce it?" We are also not a defense attorney and since ignorance isn't a defense we thought we'd offer some "excuses" if you are caught smoking on your lanai. The most obvious excuse is I was standing at the threshold of my lanai and living room not in the lanai itself....victory for you,...or our personal favorite, "it was a small fire but we have it under control, thanks for your concern"......or "i was blowing out a candle"....be creative. If you have any others simply add them to the comment section. If you live on the first floor just stand on the concrete pad outside of your lanai door and blow that smoke like a chimney...and if you live above the first, just don't answer your door. To be honest, we would rather smell the sweet sent of a Tiparillo or a Cuban cigar then our neighbors Kielbasa and cabbage cooked in bacon drippings and seasoned with garlic, red pepper flakes and caraway seeds simmered in a creamy, mild sour cream sauce. Be aware however, we have heard the office is purchasing drones in an effort to enforce the smoking ban, if that happens, you're on your own.

Gag Order Lifted

After a several month hiatus and a self-imposed gag order we feel it's time to return to the idiocy of the blog. We were ORDERED to remain silent during the election process and rather then face the wrath of the powers that be, we obliged. With that order lifted, we have a ton of catching up to do.....anyone know what happened to our lock-box??

Must Be Election Time (cont, cont)

Now a response from our very own Baby Telly Savalas:

Dear Fellow Homeowners,

You will or have received an email from *** ***** rebutting the information in ******* email. I will address his comments. First of all, ******* was acting as an individual owner and not as the communication committee. In the packet, the addition in Exhibit A states a “ a majority of those Voting Interests present, in person or by proxy, at a duly called meeting of the Association at which a quorum is attained, provided that the text of each proposed amendment has been given to the members with notice of the meeting.”

The original documents stated two thirds of the voting interests in the Association. The new addition states a Majority. *** states that Board proposed this amendment to the Declarations which would call for a 50% vote of the 80 unit owners needed for a quorum to pass a change. That is 40 owners out of 240 making decisions for you.

When Island Cove began, the original documents and declarations were written by people with experience in the condominium field. These documents were written to protect you and future generations of owners from unnecessary abuses of funds and power. Please vote against this for the protection of all concerned.

The letter in the packet from *** ***** states that the majority of the board recommends this. I for one am not part of this majority. I strongly believe that a yes vote would harm our way of life now and in the future. This could end up costing us in the form of major assessments on products or services that we do not want nor need. All of this, because a small majority was able to push something through.

This change to the voting majority would be permanent and could virtually put the power in the hands of a few. I do not believe this change would be good for the owners.

The second issue that I have is the one asking to vote to forego and audit in 2017. This just does not make any sense. We must know that our accounting practices are in keeping with our fiduciary responsibility.

Regarding the $5000, in **** letter he states “I don’t know where this information came from,” I refute this as I am in possession of an email from our former accountant stating the exact facts that ****** presented . It is a sad state of affairs that out present president does not have knowledge of this information and he is asking to forgo an audit?

I am running for the board of directors and I would very much appreciate your vote. Two other owners that are running are***** ****** and *** ******. I have worked well with ****on the board. I know *** ****** and he has had experience with budgeting and as a board member of two HOA’s. I feel he would be an asset to our board. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
**** ****** 

Must Be Election Time (cont)

Now the response from the Throne of our Exalted One:

PLEASE NOTE WHAT HE IS ACTUALLY THINKING IS IN PARENTHESIS IS RED

To All Unit Owners (My servants) of Island Cove:

This is in regard to the recent email concerning the vote requirement change in the owners packet.  I have a copy of the email from Mr. Community Liaison (Pain in the ass) regarding a couple of issues that are coming up at our annual meeting on March 23, 2017.  I thank him for his comments. (This is how I find out who's speaking out against the machine and I can **** with them) I wish more people would get involved in our wonderful complex as more involvement by the owners would improve communication for all. (More people to **** with)

As a member of the communication committee (who's talking about me) I am sure he realizes that it is very important to get the correct facts (I mean lies) to our owners so they can make informed decisions. Unfortunately, one of the items mentioned in the email about simple majority voting, etc., is in error. (Damn! how'd he find out?)

Specifically, what was failed to be mentioned in the email is the quorum requirement for all meetings of the Association, including the annual meeting. A quorum is (My two cronies) what the By-laws require to have a valid meeting. In this case, it is one-third or 80 owners by either proxy or in person. The statement that an issue passed by 21 votes could become a “permanent addition to the Declarations” is false. (He nailed it!) Assuming there is a quorum of 80 owners, (Ha! that'll never happen.....Carol, don't tell anyone when the next meeting is) it takes a vote of 41 unit owners to make a change to matters which are covered by the By-laws. (Or in other words MY-LAWS) Matters covered by the By-laws are usually issues involving day-to-day management of the complex. The Declarations which are referred to, is a completely different document than the By-laws and deals with more substantive issues concerning ownership rights, parking, use of property, etc. Because these are more substantive owner rights in the Declarations, they are given greater weight (Do I look fat?) as a matter of law. If there is a conflict between the Declarations and the By-laws, the Declarations would apply. For this reason, it also takes a greater vote by the owners to change Declarations. In our case, to change a Declaration it takes a 2/3 vote (or 160 unit owners) to make a change to the Declarations - not the 21 owners hypothetically referred to.

Historically, for many years it was difficult to get 80 unit owners by proxy and/or in person at our annual meeting. (Cus I keep changing the date) To get 160 unit owners at any meeting is extremely difficult. Nevertheless, it is the opinion of a majority (ME!) of the Board that certain matters need to be changed in the Declarations. It was for that reason that the Board proposed this amendment to the Declarations which would call for a 50% vote of the 80 unit owners needed for a quorum to pass a change. This would be the same as the current Bylaws. I do not know where the idea (I told him) that Mr. states that a vote of 21 members “could end up costing owners hundreds of thousands of dollars (Probably more then that) in additional assessments”, but it certainly is an accusation without foundation. (Like our seawall)

As part of the communication committee, (Which I just abolished) I would hope that before any additional comments in this regard are provided to our membership, (My flock) that Mr. would communicate with the Board or at least other communication committee members to avoid future misstatements. (TRUTHS!) 

As far as the comments about an audit, (Those are nice cars) we have always had an open policy toward financial information being available to any owner. (Never gonna happen) As to the $5,000.00 cash (CHA CHING!!, momma got a new pair of shoes) not being accounted for, I don’t know where this information came from, (I'm gonna find out) but we just had an Audit in 2016, and there were no issues.  However, if the owners want another audit,I will be happy to implement this request, (Another lie) but we will need to make an assessment to all owners to pay for this additional service. 

I look forward to the annual meeting, where I welcome comments or concerns by any of our owners. (I can't stop lying!!!!!) 

Must Be Election Time

Looks like we've been awakened by several emails we've received over the past week regarding several proposed changes to our "Docs" by our Board OR Board President which requires our undivided attention. To get you caught up we are going to post the emails in the order in which they were received then we will voice our opinion. We've omitted the names associated with the emails but you can always voice your opinion in the comment section. Wink!! Wink!!

First from our Community Liaison:

I am writing to you as an owner in Island Cove and as well as my friend. By now, you should have received either the physical packet or the one that was emailed to you from Island Cove. As I was reading through it, two things that were disturbing jumped out at me.

In the packet is a letter from *** ***** asking for a favorable vote on changing the vote requirement in the “Amendments to Declaration of Island Cove” These are commonly referred to as the “Docs”. The change in vote approval would delete the 2/3 (160) votes and replace it with  a majority. 

What does this mean in clear language? The exact way it is written, for your upcoming vote, it could allow a simple majority. Read the statement. So a meeting is called and proxies are sent out. As an example, at a meeting, if 20 people showed up and they had 10 returned proxies, they would just need 21 favorable votes out of 30 to pass an item and it become a permanent addition to the Declaration (Docs). This is how it reads.

This could be a tremendous detriment and damaging to our community for so few people to have so much power over how permanent a change could be. A vote by a simple majority could end up costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars in additional assessments.

*** makes it seem like no big deal. He writes about something harmless like fishing off of the seawall or changing windows; however some future plan that could harm your value could be put into place with a simple majority. 

The second item it a vote to waive the audit for 2017 in exchange for an “End of Year Expense and Loss” report. We need an audit. Island Cove is a million dollar business. There have been questions regarding $5,000 cash spent. The previous accountant did not know what it was for, she could only speculate some workers were paid in cash and she recommended anything over $600.00 had to have a 1099. We need an audit, sure it will cost to have it done, but we need to know where our money is spent. A profit and loss statement just won’t do.

I urge you to please vote NO on these two items. To have so few have so much power is against all that is right.

While I am speaking about voting, I would really like you to consider the following candidates for the board of directors: ***************************** These owners care about what is going on in our community. We need checks and balances and I believe that these three owners can do it.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Best regards,

GRIMINAL

As most of you know our complex is graced with several outdoor grills in two locations to be used for your cooking pleasure. Apparently there is an individual or numerous individuals amongst us who are failing to clean the grills after use. We have to admit that this is one nasty habit....if we didn't want to taste your sausage while it was in your hand what makes you think we want to taste your sausage any other way. It goes without saying that you should always clean the grill before cooking because let's be honest you have no idea where somebody else's sausage has been. The powers that be however are considering placing cameras facing the grills to find out who is committing this dastardly deed. Let's be honest nothing can be done to any individual found in violation of this horrific act except for maybe an oral reprimand.... what's the point. Although it would be nice to find out who's dirty sausage is running a muck in Island Cove, it's just not that important. This should serve as a wake up call to all of you who choose to booboo in the restrooms or use the urinals and not flush. Because if they are going to find out who's sausage is dirtying up the grills they sure as heck are gonna find out who's sausage is dirtying up the restroom!!!!!!!!

You Couldn't Let a Sleeping Dog Lie

As you can plainly see we've been gone for quite some time now and although we've received several requests to return, we thought it was in our best interest to take a break for a while. That and the fact it's been a busy summer and frankly who wants to stay inside and read/write a blog when it's so beautiful outside. Until the other day!!!!! While at the pool a gentleman could be overheard "ripping" the author(s) of the blog saying "we had nothing nice to say about Island Cove". Well sir, who will from this point forward be referred to as "Special Ed", the main purpose of a blog or this blog is to make a difference. This blog is issue based which means we are trying to provide information to sway your thinking in a different direction. It is a different take on what you see every single day and have either just grown to accept or consider to be the norm. So, Special Ed, our biggest challenge is to get you to engage in some thought and weigh all the options presented to you in each post. Whether you agree or disagree with what we are saying at least you've taken the time to consider the alternative and at the very minimum give it some consideration. That being said, we are guessing Special Ed has never attended a board meeting because the same thing is being done there, the only difference is you are being swayed into thinking their way is the only way. Now that we've outlined our purpose and established the fact that you need to look at things from several different view points what is your next move Special Ed?

If you don't know "A different way of looking at things" don't read this any further.

Shut Up Already!!!!!

For those of you who have been following this blog since it's inception you know we are ones to complain (we prefer bitch) about what we observe going on in our complex. Understand though it is done to inform you, the home owner, of what we believe to be wrong with our community. We are also one to follow EVERY rule, whether we agree with it or not.

There is however an individual living amongst us who can't help himself but to complain, bitch, moan, whine...whatever you prefer to say...about everything going on in Island Cove...unlike us though, he chooses to break EVERY rule. Today he was overheard arguing with a resident of building 4 over where he parked a moving truck. Apparently this person was helping someone move into a unit on the 3rd floor and parked the truck in a position that would make the move a little easier..... something we all would have done. How ironic though that he complain about the parking of a truck when he is one of the worst parking violators we have.

We normally wouldn't mention names but we are so tired of hearing this blowhard spew this nonsense from his Hostess hole that at this point we almost don't care. He is the owner of this golf cart, you know the one parked illegally all over our complex.

Yep! That's his golf cart....illegally parked by the pool, illegally parked by the buildings...yet he has the nerve to complain about other peoples parking!!!! Let's not mention his boat dock which according to the rules and regulations is only supposed to contain a board approved dock box. Not his, it looks like something from one of those hoarder programs....but why is he allowed this? Well because nobody from the office has walked the grounds since Ponce De Leon discovered Florida. Imagine if our office staff were the first explorers....they would never have discovered their own asses because it would involve getting up! Sorry, got off track. Oh well, just a rant about someone we are tired of hearing talk....and just remember nothing makes chronic complainers happier than being more miserable than their friends. 

Board Meeting Results

Board Meeting..... March 29, 2016

In an effort to become more active in our community we thought we should start by attending the Board Meeting held yesterday (March 29th). There were several topics that peaked our interest especially the one regarding the possible smoking ban on the lanais. There was also talk of storm shutters and lattice and every other possible eyesore being placed on our lanai mainly to dumb down the appearance of our complex. Of course there was the discussion about the water drainage as related to our tax bill which all parties were not prepared to speak of….and of course some other jibber jabber. But the meat of the meeting, as far as we were concerned, was the discussion about the smoking ban.

Let us start by saying when you buy a home or condo in a common interest development, such as Island Cove, chances are good that you also automatically become a member of an exclusive club -- the homeowners' association (HOA). The club's members include all the people who own homes/condos in the same development. Getting all of these independent thinkers to agree on the same thing is almost impossible so we in turn put or trust in the Board Members/ HOA to make the right decisions on our behalf. The Board Members/HOA will probably exercise a lot of control over how you use your property. Some associations enforce every rule with the enthusiasm of a military drill sergeant; others are run in a more relaxed way. Most associations try to make decisions that will enhance the value of the houses. The reason we bring this point up is that adding a smoking ban to include our lanai would create an enforcement nightmare.  In a perfect world the primary goal of the enforcement process would be to achieve voluntary compliance mainly by educating the condo owners about the requirements of the rule. Full and complete compliance is not going to happen and if the pool rules are any indication,  this smoking ban will only apply to those individuals the Board Members are comfortable speaking with. Unfortunately the duty of enforcing this ban might fall on this gentleman..

It is our understanding,  before addressing this possible ban with the condo owners,  the Board sought the advice of legal counsel. They were informed, in so many words, that a ban could be added to the rules and regulations as long as it was met with a majority of the vote. However, the law further states provided that you are not on the grounds of a school/educational facility or near the entrance to a publically-owned building (i.e., owned by the state, county, or city), then the law does not specify a distance that smoking is or is not allowed from the entrances to buildings. So in essence if you were to live on the first floor you can simply step out on to your lanai entrance and puff away…..advantage first floor living (don't worry upper floors you have your advantages also). In addition, who or how is one going to be able to confront a smoker who is smoking on his lanai on one of the upper floors? Knock on his door? Let us know how that works out for you……………….as we previously stated, an enforcement nightmare. Unless of course a new rule is enacted allowing the Board to ban smoking on the grounds of the complex meaning any outdoor area that is used in connection with the building. This could mean a sidewalk immediately adjacent to a building, but not a sidewalk in the public right-of way; a sitting or standing area immediately adjacent to the building; a patio or a deck; a courtyard; a swimming pool or any other outdoor area designated as non-smoking. Wait, what if I'm sitting in my car? Can I smoke then? Um, how about another rule.  RULES RULES RULES RULES RULES RULES RULES RULES RULES …..ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!!  The only advantage to adding new rules is that it gives a wider range of people a reason to bitch!!!!!!

Whether I/we choose to smoke is a decision we as individuals have the right to make and finding a place to smoke is becoming increasingly more difficult. The only safe haven is on our own property…on our lanai.  It is likely that no one, smoker or non, disagrees that smoking cigarettes is a messy habit. And indeed one should only take-up the habit when s/he is of legal age and has for whatever reason decided the habit is right for their lifestyle. But as far as archeological evidence supports, smoking is not new to society -- man has smoked "something or another" from the moment man lit his first fire. Stress however has increased, and tops smoking as a leading cause of disease. But, regardless it still remains a decision WE make and if we choose to smoke on our lanai. Smoke causes health problems???  of course it can, but so can car emissions. Can I force my neighbor to drive an electric vehicle because their auto emissions are harmful? Regulating what people can do on their private property in the guise of  “health issues” only gives the  Board exactly what they want – more control over you and your freedoms (or lack thereof).

How Floridians Do Winter!

http://sharealittlesun.com/how-floridians-do-winter/?utm_campaign=webclick&utm_medium=sponsored&utm_source=facebook&utm_content&utm_term

Investigative Reporting 2

On a daily basis the blog receives complaints regarding the Island Cove office staff....whether it be their unwillingness to be of any assistance, their lack of knowledge or even worse their laziness. The following was posted by an anonymous individual in the comment section of the Annual Meeting post:

Overall the meeting went well. We did not have a WWF title fight this year and that was good. I do have a problem with the assistant secretary, and I do use that term loosely.

As the owners filtered in there was a need for more chairs as the ownership was well represented. A couple of the board members and the property manager went out to the pool area to bring in additional chairs.

The assistant secretary, stood there 5 feet from the door and did not help. I can only assume that she was standing guard at the cookies to make sure there were enough left to take back to the office after the meeting.

She paced back and forth in what resembled the "Shoot the Bear" game at the penny arcade. For her, this meeting was a nice paid 2 hour break as she did nothing to contribute.

We immediately put our investigative reporter on this assignment and he was able to peer furtively into the Island Cove office from a place of concealment and return the following artist rendition of the assistant secretary "hard at work". 

Investigative Reporting

Over the past year the blog has been operating on a budget of .....well, $0...so when we received a generous donation of $2.50 from an anonymous donor we were thrilled to say the least. Not to let the money go to waste, we began to think of productive ways to put it to use. We agreed we would hire an investigative reporter for two days to follow up on our previous claims of waste in our maintenance staff. What he found is going to astonish you. Armed with only a flip camera phone, a bottle of Mogen David, a honey bun and a unmatched desire to reveal the truth, he was able to capture the following photos of our head of maintenance doing what he does best!

I Think We Already Knew This

Best States for Retirement 2016

2. Florida

•  
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Total population: 19.1 million

Share of population 65+: 17.8%

Cost of living: 4.6% above the U.S. average

Average income for 65+ households: $45,144

Retiree tax picture: Most Friendly

Nearly 3.4 million older residents can't be wrong. Florida is famous for its retiree-haven status and boasts a population with the greatest abundance of people age 65 and up in the country. The warm weather and beautiful beaches may not hurt the state's appeal to people of a certain age, but the tax picture is surely the main attraction. Florida has no state income tax, estate tax or inheritance tax, and it doesn't tax Social Security or other retirement income.

The Sunshine State may be an obvious retirement destination, but picking where to retire within Florida will prove more difficult. The state is packed with good, affordable options, including Fort Myers, Sarasota and Tampa along the Gulf and Vero Beach on the Atlantic side. And Gainesville is a great college town for retirement. But Punta Gorda tops our rankings for Cheapest Places Where You'll Want to Retire. The share of Punta Gorda's population age 65+ is a robust 34.5%, and the cost of living is 3.8% below average for retired people.

Annual Board Meeting

The Annual Board Meeting was held this morning, March 16th, and as always we have our own opinions and views about what we observed...before we post our opinions we thought we ask those in attendance to express theirs. If you were present at today's meeting and would like to post your opinions please to so in the comment section and we will compare them to ours. As always please walk on the grass instead of the side walk, it helps kill the weeds and overgrowth.

Best of 2016

According to TripAdvisor the following restaurants have been ranked as the Top 15 in Cape Coral:

1.   Slate's
2.   Fish Tale Grill by Merrick Seafood
3.   The Dek Bar
4.   Ciao Wood Fired Pizza at Trattoria
5.   New England Moorings
6.   Chicago Pizza
7.   Pete's Fish and Chips
8.   Misto Bar and Grill
9.   Ford's Garage
10. Time to Eat
11.  Lobster Lady Seafood
12.  Rumrunners
13.  Sakura Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar
14.  Rib City
15.  Pickled Parrot

Some other notables: 17. Boathouse, 23. Ariana, 34. Duffy's, 44. Iguana Mia...........Backstreets, Hart&Soul, First Round Draft, Anthony's .....etc. are a little further down the list. But get this...coming in at 24......Denny's!!!!! Apparently Sammy gotta vote!!!!!!

TriAdvisor goes on to list the Top restaurants in Cape Coral and rates them several different ways....including by price. This might be great reading if you're that person who buys cheap in favour of higher quality or better stuff even though you might be able to afford the better. Perhaps ungenerously trying not to spend much on their friends, you might want to start from the bottom and work your way up. The attached link will bring you to the complete list:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g34118-Cape_Coral_Florida.html

Signs Of Life

After almost a month of investigation, interrogation, examination and every other word ending in "tion" our board has awaken and forwarded the following explanation regarding what has been going on at Island Cove.....in case you missed it or haven't received it here's a copy.

ISLAND COVE SECURITY UPDATE
March 10, 2016


As many residents know, and for those who are not aware, we recently had a murder of an Island Cove resident.  The resident was in fact a renter and not an owner.

While many wondered why we did not put out any statement earlier regarding this situation, it was because the police had asked us not to publish anything to our residents while they continued their investigation of the crime.  They stated that the information that they wanted released would be released through the electronic, TV, and print media.  While this remains an active investigation, we have now been released to provide our residents with a general statement regarding the overall status of this crime.

While the Cape Coral police are continuing to investigate this horrible crime, you can continue to expect to see police officers and detectives in the complex and surrounding areas.  In fact from time to time the residents may be asked questions by the authorities as a means of assisting in this investigation.  Also, keep in mind that many times these investigations may go on for many months before the investigation is completed.

This incident has obviously had an impact on Island Cove residents.  The obvious is the concern for the person murdered and who may have committed this horrible crime, along with a concern by our residents for their personal safety.

While rumors and stories run rampant about this crime, it is suggested that you believe about ½ of what you hear and consider the other ½ partially incorrect.

With all of this in mind, today we spoke with one of the detective’s and they have indicated that they do not believe that this was a random act and therefore they believe that the residents of Island Cove do not need to be overly concerned for their personal safety.  It was stated that if resident safety was a concern they would have addressed it with the residents by now.  However, in today’s world we all need to be cognizant of our surroundings and use common sense when it comes to keeping safe.

As we learn more, we will be happy to share any information that we are given with the approval of the Cape Coral police investigators.


THE ISLAND COVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

We still believe we should have been informed earlier but we guess it's better then nothing. 

Annual Flee Market

This is a perfect time to sell your junk to other people who are looking to get rid of their junk....like a junk off!!!!! Either way, please come out and support Island Cove and your Social Committee......

Just a reminder that the date to rent a table is fast approaching. This Saturday is promising to be a fun event!

Stop by the clubhouse and grab a Michigan Hot Dog or two and browse some of the various items from the tables that are for sale.

Date:  March 5,2016 - rain date: March 12, 2016
Place: Clubhouse
Time:  Setup 8-10 am    / Sale 10 am - 3 pm

It\'s an opportunity to clean house, make some money & support Island Cove\'s future social events

Rent a table, sell your goods. If you don\'t have the time, donate your items!
ALSO, hot dogs, water & baked goods will be on sale
              SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY! 
For reservation or donation information please contact:
                 Missy Moritz............  Linda Marston
                                      

Please Read

This post comes on the heals of what was a very stressful several weeks at Island Cove that left most owners and renters questioning what was going on. With limited or no information being disseminated from our property management team or board we were left to either believe the rumors or assume, depending on your position. We, collectively, are fully aware an investigation was being conducted and that any intrusion on our part might inhibit that, but not to have any information placed many in fear. We chose not to post any information on this blog, whether truth or rumor, and left that to the management team and board, believing it was their responsibility to do so..... unfortunately that never came. Which brings us to the following post.

Before we progress any further we thought we should address the elephant in the room. As in the past, this blog has been ridiculed for its content, slander and personal attacks on Island Cove and its staff. Although we dont deny any of the aforementioned it should be noted that we do so in a truthful and thoughtful manner. Our intentions from its inception has been to improve the quality of life at Island Cove and to ensure that those individuals in a position of employment fullfilled their obligations to IC. If we were to turn a blind eye to all the wrong doings that are painfully obvious that would simply make us a board member.  If you are looking for further understanding of our objective please scroll to the bottom of this blog and read the disclaimer and remember "you are reading this at your own risk."  To put it in more appropriate terms our mission statement would read as follows:

"To be an owner driven community that can be equally enjoyed by all owners. To be financially viable with an emphasis on protecting and enhancing our property values. To maintain the quality of life for all residents while observing the governing documents. To create a safe and harmonious living environment within our property for the enjoyment and entertainment of all residents."

If that isn't shared by all owners, renters, staff members and guests you need to leave today.

Now let's discuss each aspect of that mission statement. "Owner driven community"...we as owners need to take back our complex and discuss the things important to us.  We do commend the board on the formation of the committees and believe that is a step in the right direction. Owners working together for common causes can/will be very productive, but only if those ideas are met with positive reinforcement from our board....that remains to be seen.

"To be financially viable"....our understanding is that we are budgeted for 3 maintanence staff members in addition to a part time staffer. For the sake of this perspective we will forgo the part timer and focus on the full time employees. When broken down to the simplest of mathematical deductions we can divide the work load into thirds. If each maintance staffer is responsible for 33% of the workload and one individual, the "head of maintenance", does not uphold his portion we are only getting a 66% return on our investment. To equate that to a more day to day understanding it would be like every time you took a dollar out of your pocket you threw away 33 cents...wait that would make us Canadian. What we are getting at is we dont need a "head of maintenance" whose best attribute is driving a golf cart. Because let's be honest that's all he does and please don't tell us he supervises the other two...if that's the case, fire the both of them and find self-motivated, hard-working, driven individuals who don't need their hand held. We have a position of property manager that can handle day to day operations, don't worry we'll get to her later. We are always looking for our opinions to be refuted so if you have EVER observed our "head of maintenance" do ANYTHING we will gladly apologize.............(that's what we thought). By now you should be getting angry, as we are, which is why we posted "Stealing our HOA Fees". You increase our HOA fees claiming, in part, to an increase in salaries then you have the nerve to throw away 33% percent of it right before our very eyes. So you're damn right we are angry and it grows every time that professional golf cart driver passes our units.

Now, on to our Property Manager who's only response to every concern/complaint is "you have to email the board"...don't worry we'll get to them later. Let's be honest, she's never even walked the grounds and couldn't tell you building 1 from 10 (hell, she doesn't even know who the owners are). These past few weeks have brought this to the forefront....they had no idea the media had infiltrated our complex and had to be informed by several owners that this had happened. It's our understanding the condo property manager oversees the daily operations of a condominium community and maintains the policies and rules of the condominium association. In addition, the property manager is to inform the owners/renters of any emergency situations that arise within the complex. We can only conclude that what transpired this past week or so was not viewed as an emergency situation and did not warrant any notifications....(can you imagine what a real emergency situation would be). 

Which touches on another part of our mission statement...."to create a safe living environment". Who's responsibility is it to inform the residents of Island Cove of potential threats to our well being? We've already established our property manager isn't going to do it, so that leaves the board. If it's not fair to place blame on those board members who are currently not residing at Island Cove, would it be fair to blame those who are? We would answer YES.....once you accept nomination as a board member you also accept the duties and responsibilities that position entails. Which include notifying the residents of safety concerns in addition to keeping the best interests of the association at heart. Obviously there was a break down in communication which definitely needs to be rectified. With the advances in today's ability to communicate electronically there's no excuse why this information wasn't delivered. 

In all fairness we do have hard working members on our board.....we do not envy them in any way. What we would like to see is a cohesive group working as one to address our concerns and move Island Cove in a positive direction. We've posted about our lawn maintenance and grounds looking like a war occurred here, we've posted about our concerns over rising HOA fees, we've posted about our poor management personnel, we've posted about the waste in our maintenance crew, we've posted about numerous things that simply go unaddressed....we've even used our three minutes at the meetings to bring these problems to the table yet they go unanswered. If these past few weeks don't serve as a indication that change needs to occur, we're not sure it ever will! 

There are many questions regarding what transpired over these past few weeks that will go unanswered....mainly, how was an individual with a history of mental illness and instability approved for residency? Not only does his mental capacity come into question, what about his dependency on drugs and arrest record? We are left wondering what exactly are we looking for in a background check if these traits are acceptable.....better yet, was a background check even performed? Let's be thankful we don't deal in "what if's" ....as in "what if" this gentleman was denied residency, would Mr. Marshall still be alive? Not sure how to answer that......We're just glad we're not the person who has to live wondering.................................

Take A Look Around!!!!

Todays challenge involves taking a walk around the complex and taking a good look at your surroundings. We want to invite you today to involve your senses on your next nature walk. We are, of course, always experiencing the world with our senses but taking the time to be mindful of what we are seeing, hearing, smelling and feeling brings the process to the forefront and makes it meaningful. We want to encourage you to take the time to really look at the world around you.  Walk slowly.  Your purpose is the journey and not a destination......

Unfortunately, we tried and what we see is a complex in need of some serious lawn service....We're not sure what exactly is included in our Lawn Maintenance contract but we know one thing for sure, it isn't Lawn Maintenance!!!! The edging around the trees is all torn up and damaged, the edging near the buildings is a mess, several reports say the bench by the pond is damaged......etc.  If you're up for a real adventure walk behind buildings 3,5,7 & 9....but before you do, take precautions and bring a sickle so you don't come up missing. (Oh!! Wait!! Maybe that's what happened...story for another day)

Here’s the thing: Starting a lawn- and landscape-maintenance service — a business that can do as little as mow the grass or as much as fertilize and prune shrubs and trees — requires little more than a mower and business license. There is almost no required training. So how can consumers feel confident that the person turning their lawn green knows his or her stuff? You don't know, until you try, and this experiment has failed. We should revisit our lawn service company when this contract expires and find a company that cares as much about our home as we do. Let's be honest though, that'll never happen, it's too green on the other side....wink, wink!!!!! 

STEALING MY HOA DUES

Theft is not just walking off with an item that you do not own, it is also theft of time.  Our HOA dues pay for salaries and when someone is not putting in their full value of work on our dime, then they are stealing from the owners.

I walked over to the property manager’s office, during regular business hours. I don’t knock on the door, hell I am not walking in to my boss’s office; I am walking into my employee’s office. Lo and behold the friggen door was locked! What the Hell? Locked during normal business hours when she is in there. What is going on? That is OUR office. We pay for it and the door should never be locked when someone is in there.

I don’t care if I am told that she can’t get work done when everyone comes to the door and she locks it, they are there to assist owners with their needs. Why is it we hired two part time people instead of one hard working full time property manager? Well, we all know the reason.

When the door is locked, we as owners have no idea why is going on in that room. Personal calls, yes I have walked in on those. Perhaps a nap, after all they get tired from all of those interruptions.

When we don’t get what we paid for in the form of a Property Manager, and it is allowed to go on, then that is theft of my HOA dues. 

In our next article we will address the head of maintenance spending most of his time in the Property Manager’s office (AKA the Owners Office).

Todays Thought of the Day

Conversations with your friends can sometimes get emotional. Even if your intentions are good, you might be in danger of hurting someone’s feelings. The best way to be sensitive to other people’s feelings is to listen carefully to what they have to say, and to speak kindly. It’s important to learn ways to take care of your own feelings as well.

Island Cove Crime Watch

I'm sure many of you have seen all of the police presence in and around the Island Cove complex and for those of you who never walk the grounds, Carol Miles, it has been quite the alarming experience. According to police reports there is a gentleman missing from building 4.....James Richard Marshall, 58, of Cape Coral, has been missing since he failed to show up for a conference in California. Police said Marshall is not answering calls, texts, or emails, which they said is not normal for him. Hopefully and GOD willing (we can say GOD on this blog, basically because it's ours and we don't care what the fffffff you think) he is found safe and healthy. If you have any information on the location of James Richard Marshall, please contact the Cape Coral Police Department at 239-574-3223. 

Can It Be True!!!!

After some thoughtful deliberation and discussions with some of the finest minds in Southwest Florida we have decided to bring back the blog!!!!! Prepare to be amazed!!

Nuisances

The previous post got us thinking....what else could be considered a nuisance and what if anything could be done about it. We comprised the following list of things that would "piss us off" and were curious if any of these were going on near you:

-Loud noises-radio, pets barking, screaming, etc.
-Odors
-Parking-blocking in neighbors’ cars, parking on others’ property, etc.
-Failing to clean up after dogs and/or allowing dogs to run around off leash
-Domestic violence
-Smoking
-Overflowing waste receptacles used by owners undertaking home renovation projects
-Leaving holiday decorations up year-round  (this doesn't apply to IC it just "pisses us off") 

The foregoing list is certainly not all-inclusive. Nuisances in communities often result in long-ranging consequences which can include people moving out of the community and, in the most dire circumstances, violence erupting between neighbors. If you have not looked at the nuisance provision found in your original documents, it is time to do so. Why leave it up to a trier of fact to determine what is considered a nuisance in our community? Spell it out for swifter and easier enforcement.

Oh! If we've missed something in our nuisance list please add it in the comment section....we are always curious about what our neighbors are doing. 

Barking Dogs

This doesn't apply to everyone, or maybe it does, but someone has been posting in the comment section of almost every post about a barking dog next to their unit. According to the commentor, their neighbor has a dog that continues to bark and "whine" (not "wine" like most of our readers are familiar with) which keeps him/her up at night. We are not even sure if this person lives in IC but regardless we thought it was an interesting problem. In 1940, the Supreme Court of Florida held that the barking, yelping, scratching and/or growling of dogs may constitute a “nuisance”, especially when such conduct disturbs others, causes loss of sleep, or annoys or prevents others from the possession and enjoyment of their property. Most associations have provisions in their governing documents which prohibit nuisances. Florida law generally defines “nuisance” as a condition which annoys or disturbs another in the free use, possession or enjoyment of his or her property or which renders the property’s ordinary use or occupation physically uncomfortable. To prove the existence of a nuisance, there must be a substantial and continuous or recurring harm. A mere annoyance is not sufficient. Also, the effect of the nuisance will be tested against an ordinary reasonable person with a reasonable disposition, in ordinary health, and possessing average and normal sensibilities. In essence, the courts will not afford protection to the hypersensitive individual. While it is common for dogs to occasionally bark, consistent loud barking could be deemed a nuisance, supporting the Association’s decision to pursue a fine. Of course, you are entitled to a hearing before a fine can be imposed to present “your side of the story.”

Attention! Problems Facing our Board!

Notwithstanding the aforementioned problem of weekly rentals, the Board is also facing many other issues that require immediate attention. With almost .05% of current Island Cove residents disobeying the speed limit it has been mentioned that we beautify our grounds with speed bumps. Nothing screams "welcome home" like a rounded ridge of concrete set crosswise into the pavement to prevent a select few a$$holes from disobeying the speed limit. What will eventually happen is these pissed off people will speed up excessively after passing over a speed bump just to spite those responsible for installing them. How about we handle this another way and tell those who choose to speed to "slow the $&@? down!" On a 'smellier' note some residents are also failing to police the waste matter discharged from the intestines through the anus of their dogs......if you're playing a crossword puzzle at home that would be SHIT! The truth of the matter is for every pile of dog poop not picked up, decomposition begins and toxic bacteria seeps into the soil..the poop then carries deadly pathogens which in turn pollutes our fresh water supply. Because of this, for every pile of shit left behind 1 out of every 125 people succumb to fecal bacteria and die. (I just made the shit up) Clean up after your dogs you damn slobs nobody wants to look at that.....makes me wonder if you wipe your own ass! Otherwise, I'm gonna smear it all over your condo door and car door just like it ends up on my shoe. Problem 2 solved...I should have been a Board Member. Now on to the issue of converting the pool to salt water...of course one of the main reasons for the change would be the reduction of maintenance costs. Salt water pools can also be magnificent to swim in due to the soft, gentle feel of the water. The water will also not cause any irritation to sensitive skin and for people who are allergic to chlorine water pool, saltwater pools are defiantly the answer. In addition some of the main benefits of a salt water pool are it is easier on hair and eyes. So for ALL the IC residents with grey hair, bad eyes and wrinkled skin this pool should be a joy to swim in. Wait! that sounds like the pool we have now! Anyway, to the Board Members I say "good luck"....to sum it up none of us want to deal with "bumps of salty dog shit!" 

We're Back.......So Let's Review.

Once again something has reared it's ugly head.....as previously posted on this blog almost 4 months ago.... the topic of weekly rentals. Appearantly you can still rent a unit in Island Cove for the week despite the docs stating otherwise. Which, according to the office, is not a problem and should be handled by the board. Excellent Response! I might add. Why deal with any issues outside of dogs shitting on the grounds and cars parked illegally when you don't have to. I commend the front office for their concerted effort to do nothing. I challenge all of you to pick a 10x10 foot room in your home and sit there for several hours and accomplish nothing so you can see the difficulty they face. It's a very very difficult job and in all honestly it's a job I wouldn't want and neither would you.

It's been  vewwy, vewwy quiet in here lately.

Upcoming Election 2

The following excerpt was taken from the Island Cove website:
On February 3, 2015, all of the Board of Director candidate “Notice of Intent” forms have been returned to the association. There are three positions available and five candidates vying for these positions. Presently, Dan Ulmer and Matt Markey have one more year on their terms.

The following candidates have filed and declared their candidacy. These names are presented in alphabetical order per Florida DBPR:

James Balsamo 

Pete Butcher

Thalia Daly

Ray Doth

Nick Stamos

We realize we posted something similar to this earlier but based on the circus that was on display in the club house the other day something must have gotten lost in the translation. An effective board of directors requires a team of effective board members. When selecting individuals for the board of directors for our Association, we suggest you look for people with the following qualities:

• Integrity.  Board members must be committed to an organization that complies with all laws on all levels AND the association’s documents....we obey, you obey. 
• Dedication.  Board members must attend Board meetings and other Association events faithfully. They need to communicate with staff members and residents, and sound out problems that need fixing or issues that must be addressed....something that did not take place the other day. There must be transparency! 
• Commitment.  Board members demonstrate their commitment by both setting the example for rules compliance and payment of assessments.
• Preparation.  Board members must do their homework. They have to come to meetings informed and ready to discuss concerns, questions about Association issues.
• Enthusiasm.  Board members must be eager to learn, willing to be team players, and energetic in their service. Most importantly must be good listeners. 
• Scrutiny.  Board members review their records regularly and in detail.
• Knowledge.  Board members know the association’s mission and purpose and its limits. 
• Diplomacy.  Board members are the “face of the community” and must be willing to work appropriately with the community it serves....do we want those individuals on display yesterday representing our community. 
• Diversity. An effective Board includes and involves members from various fields of expertise, preferably with experience working in organizations, to ensure that the board is well balanced in its strengths. 
• Accountability.  Board members may have a unique functions on the Board – such as committee chairmanship or a special project, such as covenant enforcement. Board members should be accountable for diligent pursuit for these special functions. 
• Understanding. Board member must understand how to function with staff and volunteers. Board members acknowledge the value of the Association’s staff and the need for committed, consistent volunteers.

We hope you will be able to use this list of qualities to identify some good candidates for our board and that your vote will help to achieve the goal of having a strong and effective board of directors. As with every major publication we will be posting our support for the candidates we feel are the best suited to serve our community. 

I was sitting in my condo on Thursday when I heard a rustle at my door. I got up and checked and found a typed note. It was about a meeting for “Concerned Owners” to be held the next day at 10:00 a.m. It did not have a name on it and it did not look like an official meeting. I thought, I am a concerned owner, so I put down my Bloody Mary and went.

The club house began filling to the point that there was standing room only. Great, a packed crowd. The organizer of the meeting began speaking and that was the extent of any organizational skills. He did not have any notes and began speaking about his past experience with associations and construction. The rambling went on and was painful to watch. Every question was answered by the biggest tap dance since Gene Kelly met Danny Kaye.

Now another candidate got up to speak on finances. A concerned owner asked if he was campaigning too. The candidate proceeded to disrespect the owner and then began yelling at him. The vast crowd recollected and realized why they ousted him as president in the first place. The candidate told him no one was keeping him here and if he wanted to leave, just go, he didn't have to stay and listen.

I was shocked and amazed at what happened next and it takes a lot to shock and amaze me as I have seen the ‘Donkey Show’ in Tijuana. It can only be told by pictures or interpretive dance. I opt for a picture.

So I was wrong, there are words for it. There was a mass exodus from the club house which shows the solidarity of owners and that they will not put up with this poor behavior.

Some Possible ?'s for the Owners Meeting

With the ever increasing concern over weekly rentals and the obvious ongoing violations of this rule, is there somebody within Island Cove Management looking or checking into this on a regular basis?

What EXACTLY does Carol Miles do?

Why is it that with all the discussion regarding an effort to become more transparent do we only hear from our Community Liaison once per year?

Will there ever be any attempt to increase the pool hours by placing the necessary lighting and/or safety requirements near the pool to extend the evening swimming hours?

Are the main drains that carry the air conditioning condensation and are also the emergency drain for the water heater being cleaned on a regular basis?

Why have my assessment fees increased 25% over the past three years and the only difference I notice are new grills and some perennials?

Honestly, what is the purpose of signing in at the pool?

Why are mens underwear sold in packs of six when there are seven days in a week? 

Just so there's no confusion, there is not a question I can ask the pertains to IC, that is not of a personal matter,  that is none of my business............................

Island Cove Get Together

There was an Island Cove Get together held Sunday Feb 15th at the clubhouse. Our very own IC paparazzi was there to take photos. It was a very good time and everyone enjoyed the pot luck dining and desserts.

There was plenty of space for seating, probably because the original announcement posted said only Residents were invited. Most people who did not know the definition of a Resident elected to do other things.

Anyway, there was still a hefty turnout. As usual, there was the 50/50 split the pot and this reporter would have told you won it, but I didn’t give a sh#t after the number called was not mine, so I went back to my drink.

Immediately, after the food was gone, there was a mad dash for the door.