First let me apologize for not answering comments quickly... I will try to check regularly...this is the answer to Gary Olman's comment about the last election:
Although it's been months since the election, there is still a historical standpoint that needs to be clarified. FDR was not term limited during his administration, it was done after and it was headed by the Republican Party, which later regretted it because IKE would have been re-elected easily for a third term. Instead we had JFK vs Nixon. We all know how that turned out.
Term limits for a president of a country may not be a bad thing, but Century Village is not a country, it's president is not a paid position, he doesn't get a lifetime pension and free medical for the rest of his life.
If the village doesn't like the job the president does, it only has to vote him or her out after their two year term (the POTUS gets 4).
Now a limit of 4 terms (8yrs) for a CV President would probably not be as objectionable to most. Something to consider...
Rising Fees in the Village
We in WPBCV should consider ourselves lucky to have the system we have here. Meetings are open and in some cases, televised, nothing is done in back rooms (as some accuse). You want to see backroom kind of thing, go look at the other CV's in this state. Their complaints are very visible on YouTube. They complain of not being allowed into meetings, not allowed to speak out and board meeting done in secret. All sounds illegal to me. They WISH they had our system. but alas, even that is not enough for some in WPVCV.
We have our share of professional "boat rockers" that will complain about anything, anyone and everything. With the price of everything going up each and every year, the increases to live here are minuscule by comparison.
With all the amenities that we get, we pay a small amount for a lot of service. When I hear someone complain over a raise in yearly amount of a dollar or two for things, it just irks me.
Okay, you don't want a raise in fees because Social Security or your pension isn't cutting it anymore? That's understandable. Consider for a moment cutting services to offset it.
We can always cut bus service to 1997 schedules and see how far that would go. (I have a copy of the 97 schedules if you want to see them). Services on the buses increase each year. More and more demands on where and when buses are wanted and many of these trips outside the village that should probably be paid for separately by the riders. There are many without vehicles and the bus services are not only a necessity, but godsend.
What if they brought back a fee for each time you took the bus, but, that wouldn't fly either. That would only further hurt the people that are complaining about any increase or have no vehicles or can't drive safely any longer. Not everyone uses the buses, although everyone surely pays for it. Eventually everyone is going to need them. It is plain and simple, Mess with transportation and you are a villain.
Not everyone uses the pools, but everyone pays for it. Not everyone goes to the movies, but we even pay for that. We have some great shows during season at discounted prices (yes, those shows are greatly discounted and funded with the fees we pay each month). I don't think my mother has been to more than four live shows in over twenty years, but our WPRF fees pay for most of it (otherwise the shows would be in the $30-$40 range).
Your cable bill included in your Association fees. They increase every year by design. In the contract, they allow for increases of a certain percentage each and every year. Unless your association does some creative cuts elsewhere, you will most likely get an increase in your maintenance fees.
The proposed changes to cable (broadband) service may include WIFI service in each unit. Considering the technological changes in television, DVD and BluRay players being WIFI capable, this would make internet services such as Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, YouTube and Pandora easily accessible for next to nothing. The changes would also include more channels than we currently receive as well as some pay channels being included. What we have now is not keeping up with the times.
We have a great wood shop, dances, karaoke, shuffleboard, tennis, pickle ball, handball courts etc. All coming from that WPRF Fees and whatever amenities you get from your association are included in your HOA fees (many have patios with barbecue grills and tables, landscaping, cleaning )
When you look at the big picture, the amenities, the services, the cable service, you realize that everyone is paying for things they don't use, but may have to sometime in the near future.
The little things you now take for granted and expect, YOU pay for. These things are not all guaranteed nor are they a right. They could disappear very easily if you don't start paying attention and get involved.
Too many Associations have difficulties in just keeping board members. They don't want to get involved or people in the associations expect them to be miracle workers. Not being involved is what "the investors" want. It clears the way for them to take over and call the shots. Then they make the rules and force you out. Don't let it happen to you.
I would suggest that horn blowing is not the best approach.
We must all be considerate and careful for each other.
Dave Israel
.............................
Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs
Blocking' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign
...............................
Dave Israel
"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in our street signs, that we are underlings."
Julius Caesar (I, ii, 140-141)revised.
I like the poems, but I will have to brush up on my Shakespeare to catch the import of your version, Peter. All I remember was that Brutus and Cassius were in league, and that "yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look."
I have seen the recent increase in people walking on the roads and agree, especially in the case of the perimeter road, it is dangerous. I would be for an educational campaign. Educational campaigns can work, but they usually require time to take hold. Notify residents prominently in the Reporter, on this blog, in e-mails sent to those who get them, at delegates meetings, with perhaps a sign in the UCO lobby, and on Channel 63. Taking these educational steps would surely also help mitigate the Village's responsibility.
Good idea, where is John S?
He receives and reads all of my IFIs.
Dave Israel
Yes!, a lot better than horn blowing.
Thanks,
Dave Israel