CascadeLakesResidents.com

10/06/21 BOD MEETING:  SYNOPSIS AND COMMENTARY BY VICKI ROBERTS WITH ASSISTANCE FROM ARTHUR ANDELSON

Posted October 7, 2021. Your Editor provides the following synopsis of the October 6, 2021 Board meeting, with assistance from your Roving Reporter, and with commentary and satire indicated in bold blue and pictures. 

Editor’s Opening Monologue:

This edition is entitled “You Are The Champions”

The iconic song “We Are The Champions” is from the British rock group Queen and appeared on their 1977 album entitled News of the World.  In 2009 it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and it was voted the world’s favorite song in a 2005 Sony Ericsson world music poll.  It was sung by Queen’s lead singer, the late Freddie Mercury.

We here at the News Site have our own group of champions on our Resident of the Month page, and the only criteria to win the award is “kindness and warmth toward everyone he/she meets.”  You don’t even have to carry a tune.

HOA president Jeff D. Green once again opened the Board meeting by repeating the mantra that “we do not have an official Resident of the Month, a Roving Reporter, an Editor, or a Facebook page.” 

He even repeated the mantra in the HOA’s magazine, News & Views, but in that publication, he did not state that there was no Editor.  This is the first time he added the specific comment in the official Board meeting that there is “no Editor,” probably because we had mentioned the fact that he didn’t exclude your Editor in past comments.

There are so many pressing and important things to report about, but he chose to spend his limited print space in News & Views, and his official opening remarks at a Board meeting where official business is conducted, on attacking this News Site, its main reporter, and its monthly award given to deserving residents, none of which has to do with HOA business.  Now he has added your Editor as part of his toxic and divisive report.

Actually, this News Site is an official News Site (it meets the criteria and adheres to journalistic standards) and there is an official Roving Reporter.  There is also an official Resident of the Month Award given by the News Site, and there has been for every month for almost two years now, since the News Site’s inception.  And I am the News Site’s official Editor.  Yes, it’s all official.

The entire News Site, including its various pages, is privately owned and wholly independent.  It is not affiliated with the official HOA.  Likewise, the HOA is not affiliated with the official News Site.  They each operate officially independent of each other.

One of our most popular pages is the Resident of the Month page, which is part of the News Site.  It is real.  It is not affiliated with the HOA, and it never claimed to be.  Just because something is not affiliated with the HOA does not mean that it is fake, any more than the Academy Awards would be considered fake because they are not affiliated with the HOA either, or because very few people vote on the winners. 

The Academy Awards are presented and give by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.  There are very few people who are authorized to vote for the nominees and the winners even though the entire world recognizes their legitimacy.

The same is true for the SAG Awards.  They are given by the Screen Actors Guild.  The nominees are voted for by a select group of people.  Your Editor is not only a member of SAG, but was also a member of the SAG Nominating Committee which selected the nominees for the year 2019.  That group consisted of a small number of SAG members and your Editor was honored to have been included therein. 

After we chose the nominees, the SAG membership at large voted on the winners for each category.  The public at large was advised of both our nominees and the winners, and the public understands that the awards are real even though the public does not get to vote on who should be nominated and who should win.  In fact, most awards are voted on by a very few number of people, and yet are recognized by the public at large. 

We consider the Resident of the Month Awards to be the Academy Awards of the News Site.  The vast majority of the community loves and supports the Resident of the Month Award because it honors their fellow residents for “kindness and warmth toward everyone he/she meets.” 

We invite the entire community to participate in the nomination process, something we are not required to do.  On the 17^th of every single month, we post on our News & Announcements page the following language (with only the name of the month that changes):

“We are now accepting nominations for the October 2021 Resident of the Month!  The sole criteria are:  kindness and warmth toward everyone he/she meets.  Email your proposed nominee to your Editor, vicki@CascadeLakesResidents.com.  Nominators and nominees are confidential.  Nomination deadline is Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 4:00pm.  Good luck to all!”

If you were to scroll down the News & Announcements page and look for the entry for the 17^th of any given month, you will see the above language.  The residents are invited to participate in the nominations every single month.  We choose the winner. 

This is an integral part of our News Site and extremely important because it honors those residents who are often overlooked, and it gives the community interesting information about their neighbors that they otherwise wouldn’t know.

One time, a resident complained that one of the winners had not “contributed to the community” and thus did not earn the award.  We gently reminded that resident that the criteria is not what one has accomplished for or contributed to the community; the sole criteria is “kindness and warmth toward everyone he/she meets.”  

Actually, by being kind and warm toward everyone one meets, the winner is contributing to the community because it creates a positive sphere of influence which benefits everyone, and the positivity permeates the entire campus.  And we think that’s awesome, and we want to recognize and honor it.

While contributions to the community are important, we believe it is much more important to be lauded for one’s kindness and warmth because sometimes there is a shortage of that going around and it is overlooked, underappreciated, and bizarrely denigrated.  Some people in the community just don’t like it when others are warm and fuzzy.

We here at the News Site, however, really like warm and fuzzy, and we would like the community to be a warm and fuzzy zone, and so we honor warm and fuzzy people. 

One might query, how can we give an award when we are critical of the Board because our criticism appears to be neither kind nor warm, and are we not therefore hypocrites?  Our response is very simple:  when we criticize the Board or when we criticize individuals who claim officially to be something they are not, that is a factual report with commentary on a business matter and not personal. 

For example, we criticize some Board members for their elitist behavior.  That’s business.  If they want to act like elitists in their private life, that’s their business, not ours.  But in an official capacity, it is our business, and it is also unacceptable, and so we call it out. 

Likewise, when an individual claims an official title which is false, we will call it out.  If an individual wants to believe or call himself or herself a particular title in their private life, such as “First Lady,” again, that’s their business, not ours.  But when it is claimed in an official capacity, especially in an official HOA magazine, it is our business, and it is also unacceptable and so we call it out.

The distinction is extremely important but is clearly lost on the haters among us in the community, all of whom would never qualify for the Resident of the Month Award for obvious reasons. 

There are three identifiable reasons why these haters go apoplectic whenever a resident is chosen for the honor of Resident of the Month.  And their predictable and repeated reaction of loathing is actually very telling. 

First, we believe that there is a fundamental lack of understanding as to who created and who runs the Resident of the Month Award and who therefore gets to choose the winner.  In fact, it is an integral part of this News Site which is owned by your Editor.  While the domain name is in your Editor’s name, your Editor considers it shared equally with her husband, the Roving Reporter.  However, the first winner was chosen exclusively by your Editor back in December 2019, almost two years ago.  The rest are jointly chosen.

Second, there is also a fundamental failure to differentiate between business and personal. 

And third, these haters view the Resident of the Month feature of the News Site as a threat to their power and control because they don’t get to decide whom they want to prop up for any given reason, but mostly for the reason of needing to consolidate their power which they would do by rewarding their minions for their continued loyalty. 

Rest assured, if these haters chose the winner, the criteria would have absolutely nothing to do with kindness and warmth toward everyone one meets, a trait which might actually be a liability for contenders if these haters were in charge of giving out the award.

Yes, it’s all about power and control for them, and woe be to anyone who dares to challenge that power and control.  It has nothing to do with kindness and warmth for them. 

And for added measure, these haters seem to be oblivious to the fact that they are insulting every single nominee and thrilled winner of the Resident of the Month Award as well all the family and friends of the winners who are also thrilled for them. 

To the contrary, for us, it has nothing to do with power and control:  rather, it’s all about honoring the great people of this community, and about putting the spotlight on those wonderful people who live among us.  We are truly blessed to have such kind and warm people who live among us.

There is also most certainly a Roving Reporter, who is this News Site’s official Roving Reporter, and his name is Arthur Andelson.  You can recognize him by his height, his signature moustache, and his new sports shirt with the words “ROVING REPORTER” emblazoned thereon along with this News Site’s website address and a handlebar moustache under those words.  There’s also a matching cap.

Arthur is also known for his kindness, warmth, willing to help at a moment’s notice, and his all-around good nature, not to mention his sharp intuition, his analytical skills, and his commitment to the concept of fundamental fairness for all.

Board member Alan Silver has taken issue with Arthur’s T-shirt.  We only mention this because he did so is his capacity as a Board member, so this is again business, not personal.  Alan repeatedly objected to Arthur’s wearing this shirt at the tennis and pickleball courts. 

This is the same Board member that longs for things to be the way they were before your Editor and your Roving Reporter moved here, which included secret Board meetings, rule-breaking, and other slimy practices that apparently were commonplace until we started calling them out.  Alan apparently longs for the good old days of hiding behind the warm and safe cover of elitism.

Note to Board member Alan:  this is who Arthur is; he is this News Site’s official Roving Reporter.  You do not get to dictate what he wears, and furthermore, pressuring him to remove it in your official capacity as a Board member is wholly inappropriate. 

We know it was in his official capacity because he said that if Arthur removed the shirt, he could go back to the Board with something, whatever that means, so they would not come at us so hard and that it would show a “gesture of compromise” on Arthur’s part.

Alan’s comments are outrageous.  The Board in fact has no business coming at us at all and we have every right to criticize their behavior as we deem appropriate.  They are the elected officials; we are not.

Arthur told Alan that he will not remove the shirt and that it is actually the Board’s behavior that created the News Site.  Arthur told Alan that his shirt was not controversial and that it was actually the Board’s behavior and actions which are controversial.

Alan lamented that he had nothing to go back to the Board with to show good faith.  Arthur reminded him that he is an equal Board member, one of seven equal Board members, and Arthur told him that if he didn’t like the conduct of other Board members who were also officers, he should get three other Board members to vote them out and become president himself. 

Alan claimed they had to wait until March (at the next elections).  Arthur reminded him that that is not true, that the Board can remove officers at the next Board meeting.

Arthur could also not understand why he would have to show good faith by removing his shirt in order for Alan to tell the Board, with respect to their bad behavior, to follow the rules and act appropriately and stop attacking targeted residents.

Alan claimed the shirt was “controversial” without explaining his claim.  This is absurd on its face.  If Alan or anyone wants to make an issue of it, they are the ones who are creating the non-issue of controversiality.  Arthur did thank Alan for talking to him about it and Arthur appreciated it, because open communication is always preferred to back-stabbing.

This T-shirt, along with its matching cap, is also part of this News Site’s branding.  When asked by another resident why he wears the shirt, Arthur’s response was: “It’s who I am.”  Bravo to our primo Roving Reporter! 

We fail to understand how this T-shirt is “controversial,” and frankly the complaint sounds like fear on the part of some who don’t want anyone messing around with their power structure.  They see the News Site which reports on facts and does analysis and commentary as a threat to their need to control their surroundings and everyone in those surroundings. 

That type of control, however, rarely leads to success and more often is a recipe for failure, despite efforts to cover it up.

Arthur’s T-shirt has triggered some sort of crisis with these people.  Frankly, it’s as if their personal identities are wrapped up in their positions of power without which they would be lost and adrift in a crisis of identity.  We understand, we really do.

Now back to Jeff D. Green, the current president of this HOA.  Arthur is an invaluable member of the news team and the community.  Continually bashing him during an official Board meeting and in an official HOA publication is, to say the least, wholly inappropriate, and extremely unprofessional for a Board member to engage in this type of behavior. 

That is not supposed to be the purpose of a president’s role in conducting a Board meeting or reporting to the community in an official HOA magazine.

It would behoove the president of this HOA to refrain from defaming this official News Site and the people and the matters connected to it because doing so is not protected speech, and further, denigrating our brand as part of an official HOA publication or an official HOA Board meeting is defamatory on its face. 

We’re not talking about a mere annoyance here; we’re talking about an actionable tort for which even a lawyer’s spin would likely be unconvincing.

The First Amendment does not protect defamatory speech any more than it protects yelling “fire” in a crowded theatre when there is no fire.  There are potentially adverse consequences, and they are serious.  Crossing the line over and over again suggests scienter and mens rea, which is a fancy way of saying intentional ill will.  We give Jeff the benefit of the doubt by assuming he’s a smart guy in general; ergo, he knows exactly what he’s doing. 

And what’s critical to point out here is that whenever Jeff brings up and trashes this News Site, the Roving Reporter, or the Resident of the Month in an official Board meeting or in the HOA’s official magazine, News & Views, it in fact has nothing to do with HOA business. 

It is just Jeff complaining about his feelings being hurt by something we have reported.  This is a purely ego-based reaction which is unbecoming of a Director of the HOA who is pompously pontificating in his official capacity.  Without defaming us, feel free to trash us all you want on your own time, sir, just not during official business or in an official publication or in your official capacity as a Director.

And it’s a shame, because for the most part, Jeff runs Board meetings rather well, keeping them productive and focused on the business at hand, but he seems to feel the need to force us all to get in touch with his inner angst about this News Site and its staff, notwithstanding the fact that his feelings have nothing to do with HOA business and are completely irrelevant to the matters at hand.

And yet he injects his trashing of all things related to this News Site into HOA vehicles of communication (such as Board meetings and the News & Views magazine) with the specific intent of trying to reach as many residents as possible to convey his negative messages based solely on emotion and completely lacking in intellect and relevance.

He introduces these negative statements about a legitimate News Site and its official reporter and its feature page into a forum or multiple fora where they don’t belong. 

Jeff always reminds everyone that he is commencing an official Board meeting.  If that’s the case, why does he keep mentioning us and making us part of his official presentation? 

We do note that Director Jeff D. Green likes to conduct informal meetings at the pool where many things are allegedly decided.  Well, at least he seeks input from others, right?  And he welcomes differing opinions and ideas, right?  And that’s a good thing, right?

Coming full circle here, a big congratulations to the true champions: this month’s Resident of the Month and all Residents of the Month.  You Are The Champions.  We applaud you, we honor you, and we thank you for making this place, in the words of Director Alan Silver, “a community of choice.”  

And now on to the mundanity of the Board meeting.

Board Meeting:  Audio and Video Up and Running; Zoom meeting online starts at 9:30am.

Board Members Present:

Jeff D. Green, President (Equal Board member)

Harvey Ginsberg, VP (Equal Board member)

Richard Greene, Treasurer (Equal Board member)

Alan Silver, Secretary (Equal Board member)

Linda Arbeit (Equal Board member)

Bob Dingee (Equal Board member)

Sue Schmer (Equal Board member)

Call to Order:  Jeff D. Green.

Pledge of Allegiance: led by Bob Dingee [Linda held up a flag.]

Jeff’s Opening Remarks and Announcements:

[Editor’s note:  This was covered in the Editor’s Opening Monologue above.  Jeff also welcomed several new residents to the community.]

First Residents’ Input Session:

If you want to speak, kindly raise your hand.

1.  Jack Golden:  hi to everybody; the clubhouse:  like Los Angeles, New York City, every entity large and small is addressing the issues of coming together safely… I strongly recommend that the Board simply request a copy of the vaccine having been received and that people come in with masks… you have to decide what spacing will be necessary… a lot of people have experience with Dominoes and Mahjong… safety will be the primary concern… come up with a system to begin to allow…something we’ve been paying for…and want to have the use of.

2.  Judie Delman:  three minutes to speak… why when I ask a question it isn’t addressed right there on the spot?... Board meetings usually every two weeks… there’s always an excuse… number three, beautification, almost $10,000 for the guard house, $10,000 for the front: are these needs or necessary to be done now?

[Editor’s note:  Sue explained that most communities have Board meetings once a month, and twice a month is not required, especially if there is nothing urgent on the agenda.  As to the $20,000 for the beautification, Sue stated that the Board is not doing anything that is not in the best interests of the community.  Jeff stated that most communities in his president’s group have Board meetings once a month.  Harvey stated that during the summertime business is usually slow.] 

Approval of Minutes: September 1, 2021 Board meeting:  Alan Silver

Alan:  Motion to approve the Minutes of the September 1, 2021 Board meeting.  Seconded by Linda.  [Jeff said it was Harvey; Deborah stated it was Linda.  We believe it was Linda.]  Jeff:  All in favor?  Unanimous.

Treasurer’s Report: Richard Greene.  [Editor’s note: the report is self-explanatory; members received it via email with the notice of the meeting and the agenda items.  Richard stated 37 houses were sold this year so far; he then moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report; Bob seconded it; it passed unanimously.]

Property Manager’s Report:

Deborah:  mow… the 7^th and the 8^th and the 18^th and the 19^th… tree trimming… [Editor’s note:  tree trimming is in progress.]

Committee Reports:

1.  Entertainment: [Editor’s note: the New Year’s Eve party will be at Wood & Fire on their outdoor patio.  There will be no brunch on the morning of the 1^st.  Show series may be modified.  Other events will be e-blasted.]

2.  Landscaping:  Shelly Andreas: [Editor’s note:  Shelly was kind enough to email your Editor her report for inclusion herein.]

“The landscape committee will be selecting the type and color scheme of the fall annuals at our landscape meeting this Thursday.
We also be exploring areas on common property that need revitalization.
Respectfully submitted,
Shelly and Barry”

Old Business: 

[Editor’s note:  These items are still being ignored.  Details are found on our page entitled “Agenda Items.”]

A.  Rescinding illegal “Take Away Your Transponder If You Have An Estate Sale” vote.  –THIS RULE HAS BEING EXPANDED TO INCLUDE SECOND VIOLATIONS; THERE IS AN APPARENT OBSESSION WITH TRANSPONDERS.

B.  Rescission of the improper banning of Alex from the community

C.  Improper use of HOA funds

D.  Improper expansion of Presidential powers

E.  Disabling of the Zoom meeting Chat function

F. Clubs and Their Asinine Rules  -- HANDLED; RULES NEUTERED; AWAITING NOTICE TO COMMUNITY, NEW RULES TO BE SENT TO ALL RESIDENTS, & REMOVAL OF BOGUS PICKLEBALL CLUB RULES FROM HOA WEBSITE

G.  Two incident reports

H.  All incident reports are to immediately go to all Board members

I.  Weekly email blasts; News & Views dedicated page for president; president assuming too many liaison positions that target communication and final decisions

J.  Eliminate Liaisons To Vendors; Property Manager and HOA Attorney To Report To All Board Members

K.  Expenditures That Are Not Revealed To The Community Need to Be Openly Disclosed; Where Does Your Money Go? 

L.  Message Board Suspensions 

M.  Webmasters Making Board Decisions 

NEW ENTRIES ON THE LIST:

N.  Communications With The HOA Attorneys:  The attorney should only meet with the Board or teleconference with the Board after written notice to all Board members.  The attorney should not entertain any communication from one or two Board members acting on their own without the knowledge of the entire Board. 

If the attorney receives a call from one or more Board members, he/she should not engage in the communication but rather should advise those Board members that he will contact all Board members in order to provide notice to all or he will decline the call in its entirety. 

The reason this is necessary to be added as an Agenda Item is because on too many occasions, one or two Board members have contacted the HOA attorney to the exclusion of the other Board members and without their knowledge.  This is inappropriate and is rife with abuse. 

The HOA attorney is not the private attorney general of the president and/or the vice-president of this organization.  He represents the HOA through the entire Board.  Having secret meetings with the HOA attorney without the knowledge of all other Board members, and on the downlow, is wrong and is the opposite of what should be occurring.

If the lawyer is continually allowed to conduct private discussions with one or two Board members, there will continue to be abuses of the HOA members’ money used to pay this lawyer for the private agendas of one or two Board members. 

These private agendas have on too many occasions involved issues relating to this News Site and your Editor and Roving Reporter, none of which were successful and all of which cost you money – thousands and thousands of dollars.  This is what we mean by being “rife with abuse.” 

The one way to stop it is to institute a rule that Board members may not act on their own in contacting the lawyer and if they do, the lawyer is to be instructed to contact all Board members in writing before interfacing with any of them and to otherwise refuse the call. 

The rule should be clear:  no private communications between one or two Board members and the lawyer, and if an attempt is made to do so, the lawyer must not engage in any discussions with those wayward Board members.  This also means that the lawyer has to be given notice of this new rule so that he is on notice as well. 

Frankly, any lawyer should already know that, but apparently the HOA attorneys either don’t know it or know it and knowingly ignore this obvious protocol, that he has seven equal Board members to whom he reports and with whom he interfaces. 

It is a conflict of interest for him to engage privately with one or two Board members to the exclusion of the others and without their knowledge.  To us, this is a terminating offense because it is an inappropriate private, ex parte communication with one or two of a group whom he is obliged by law to represent as a whole. 

We see this as a breach of his fiduciary duty to the entire Board.  It is long past the time to look for new counsel who understands whom he represents and what his fiduciary duties entail and require.

1.  Update on facilities openings – Ginsberg

[Editor’s note:  Harvey’s motion was as follows:  open the clubhouse to the residents only, no guests, from 8am to 4pm, seven days a week, effective October 11, 2021; masks are strongly advised if there are less than 20 people; if more than 20 people masks are mandatory; card rooms – six feet apart, billiards – social distancing which is generally six feet apart; no more than 40 people for now; no parties right now; no movies right now; no eating events right now; there will be periodic reviews; Indoor Fitness Center – keep as is; disclaimer will be posted: you are using the amenities at your own risk. 

The motion was seconded by Alan.  Sue was concerned that this was not in compliance with the CDC and Palm Beach County guidelines and in conformity therewith, so she moved to amend the motion to state that everyone wear a mask in public indoor settings.  That amendment did not get a Second, so the original motion was voted on; The vote was 6-1 with Sue objecting for the reason stated.]

2.  Update on Asphalt project - Dingee

[Editor’s note:  Bob reported that the project is basically done, they are doing the final touch-ups, and the office is monitoring it.]

3.  Gateway Plus Status - Ginsberg

[Editor’s note:  Harvey stated that the initial problems with the call-in number have been resolved and that there is a link to a tutorial on the HOA website.  There are lots of unhappy residents that believe “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”  Many residents are perfectly content with the system which was working fine.

The new system may be very convenient for some tech-savvy residents, but the rest of the residents are paying more per month than they did before in order to accommodate these individuals with this new system but which they don’t want any part of it.  There is a monthly increase to the HOA for this service.

Perhaps this system was premature and would have been better received in the future when younger residents who are theoretically more tech-savvy move in.  It appears to have been a “want” as opposed to a “need,” and so we question the fiscal responsibility of the vote on this issue although we do see both sides of the issue.  In any event, it appears to be here to stay.]

New Business:

1.  Professional reserve study, $6200 - R. Greene

[Editor’s note:  Richard reported that a study was done in 2018 and that it is recommended every three to five years and that he would like to start this in January 2022, especially because the community got a new roof, new roads, and windows for the fitness center.  Sue seconded the motion made by Richard.  Alan noted that past professional reserve studies were not accurate and opined if it were the same firm, to which Richard stated it was not.  It passed unanimously.]

2.  APC Sidewalk replacement $16,455.00 – Green

[Editor’s note:  tree roots uproot sidewalks, and the sidewalks need to be repaired.  This seems expensive, but that appears to be because the problem is extensive, and Palm Beach County does not permit removal of hardwood trees.  Were there multiple bids?  Unknown. Was the price negotiated?  Unknown. 

Jeff moved to approve the contract; the motion was seconded by Harvey, and it appeared to be seconded by Linda as well.  Richard stated that the money is in the budget.  The motion passed unanimously.]

3.  Beautification of front entrance $9896 - Green

[Editor’s note:  Jeff stated there were three different proposals.  One:  electrifying the area, four posts, $3,380; two: lanterns at $204 each for $816; three:  decorative stone installation for $5,700.  Richard seconded the motion. 

Sue was concerned because there was no complete sketch or artist rendering, and for that reason she opposed the motion.  The motion passed 6 – 1; Sue said she needed to see it and for that reason, she voted no. We agree with Sue on this.  There is so much involved that was not discussed:  what type of facing, what colors, where are some samples?  For $10,000 it shouldn’t be too much to expect more details.]

4.  PBB – Root pruning and barrier - $4,254 - Arbeit

[Editor’s note:  Linda stated that this was a standard contract.  Deborah stated that community tree roots were pulling up rear patio pavers.  This is behind Corbel Lake Way and Polly Park Lane.  Deborah stated that this is a preventative measure.  Linda made the motion to approve this proposal, Sue seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.]

5.  PBB – Beautification of front of guard gate - $9,132 -Arbeit

[Editor’s note:  Linda stated that they did not have a rendering of this, but that plants will be pulled up in the entire area and different plants will be replacing those plants.  She made the motion; Deborah and Richard stated that this is in the 2021 budget.  Harvey seconded the motion. 

Sue was concerned because she asked for a separation of materials and labor and that without a breakdown she queried if this were really necessary.  She noted that it was a lot of money and “not one of our best investments.” Jeff stated that to some extent he agreed with her.  He stated that in other communities the landscapers do not break it down and that it is “industry standard.”

We do not believe that any proposal should be approved without a breakdown of materials and labor.  It is, in our opinion, unconscionable to waive this basic requirement.  Everyone has a right to know what they are paying for.  If every other community is not requiring a breakdown of labor and materials, then they’re all doing it wrong and we shouldn’t be emulating that.

Richard stated that “our landscaping costs are significantly less than other communities.”  To that we say, “irrelevant.”  That does not excuse what should be a basic requirement: to delineate between and to breakdown the costs of materials and the labor costs separately.  This is a bad precedent.  And we believe that Richard was referring to the general landscaping contract, which has nothing to do with this additional proposal.

The vote was 6 – 1 in favor of approving the motion.  Sue abstained and said she was “very conflicted.”  We agree with Sue:  it is not that we are opposed to the proposal per se; we just believe that no proposal of this nature should be accepted without a breakdown of materials and labor.  To us, not to do so offends our sense of fundamental fairness. 

Also, without a breakdown, it’s harder to negotiate the price.  You have to know exactly what your being charged for in order to effectively negotiate.  It doesn’t seem as if there was any attempt to negotiate at all.  Why not?]

6.  NYE Party & 2022 Show series- Greene

[Editor’s note:  Richard made the motion to approve the New Year’s Eve contract; price unknown and not stated.  The party will be off site, at Wood & Fire’s outside patio on Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach.  They have a minimum of 100 people that must be guaranteed.  The price is $95 per person. 

Deborah stated, “they are renting tents to enclose the area so if there is inclement weather they will not be cancelling.” Doesn’t that make it an indoor event if they enclose the area?  Deborah then stated, “depending on the number of people, they may extend it into the restaurant.”  Aha, so it is potentially indoors after all.  So why not just have the event here on campus? 

Put tents in the parking lot if you must, because now you’re having people travel and mingle outside the community, onto the heavily trafficked Atlantic Avenue where the venue is located, and then drive home with potentially inebriated revelers on the roads with them.  How is any of this safer?  It’s actually increasing your risk of harm in a multitude of ways. 

And is the restaurant going to be open to other partiers?  Probably.  They’re a business and that’s a big night for restaurants, probably the biggest night of the year.  Anyway, buyer beware.  Sue seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.]

7.  PBB – Flow Sensors $9250 – Arbeit

[Editor’s note:  this has to do with the irrigation system.  It was already done in Landon pod; this is for Glenville, Corbel, and Angel Wing pods.  Linda moved to approve Proposal 81-20; Sue seconded it.  Richard said that only part of it was in the budget, but it is a good idea because it will reduce our costs going forward, although he did not explain how, and we would have liked to know.  It passed unanimously.]

8.  PBB – Crown Reduction of Parking Lot Trees - $1575 (O) Arbeit

[Editor’s note:  Linda stated this was a standard proposal and moved to approve it; Harvey seconded it, and it passed unanimously.]

Second Residents’ Input Session:

1.  Richard Levy:

[Editor’s note:  Richard Levy mentioned that a few years ago the Board voted to inform the community of any untoward incidents, including break-ins, crimes, etc.  He was concerned that the community was not informed of the recent vehicle break-in on the 5100 block of Pelican Cove. 

He said that he informed Jeff D. Green, the president, and expected it to be noticed to the community.  Jeff argued privacy issues, which was absurd because the break-in is posted on the Palm Beach Sheriff Office’s public mapping system online.]

Jeff: “because I felt the person whose car was broken into, if they wanted it public would let us know…”

[Editor’s note:  what you “feel” is irrelevant.  You had an obligation to follow the prior Board’s vote and disclose this information to the community.  This isn’t about feelings.  It’s about following the rules.  Jeff then stated he didn’t want to panic the community.  This is nonsense.  It’s public knowledge and the community has a right to be informed.]

Richard Levy: “it was voted by a past Board to put it out… the rest of the people hear innuendo, not facts…they are adults…they deserve to know…keeping it under the cloud and not being transparent is worse…it’s put on a public website, public map by the sheriff…it is generic, the name is not put down…it’s not violating anybody’s privacy…”

Jeff:  we’ll look at it.

[Editor’s note:  there’s nothing “to look at.”  Just do it.  One of your three functions as president is to see that Board orders are carried out.  If you are not willing to execute Board orders, then resign as president and let’s have the Board vote on a new officer for that function who understands his/her obligations and will carry them out.  This is not a monarchy where you, Jeff, get to decide how things are run around here.

And the Board liaison to Safety & Security is actually Harvey Ginsberg, not Jeff.  For some reason, people are only contacting the president, as if he has any greater rights or powers (other than the three things he is charged with doing) than any other Board member.  He doesn’t.] 

2.  Shelly Andreas:  regarding Judie’s question that nobody answered, is the landscaping a want or a need…the landscaping committee does not do “wants;” it’s what we need…to be a vital community, bring people in, it’s one of the things people look at…we are under budget…beautification…it’s not really beautification; it’s revitalization.

[Editor’s note:  kudos to Shelly for suggesting the word “revitalization” in lieu of the word “beautification.”  The words are different and have different meanings, and Shelly’s word might actually be an easier sell to those in the community who are skeptical of paying these types of prices for “beautification,” which sounds more like a “want” than a “need.”]

3.  Judie Delman:

[Editor’s note:  Judie challenged Harvey on his virus updates and policies.  Harvey had mentioned Drs. Fauci and Gottlieb as two of his authorities for his comments. 

Judie asked if he had spoken to Scott Gottlieb (a physician and 23rd commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 2017 until April 2019; he’s currently on the Board of Directors of the drugmaker Pfizer and a partner at a venture capital firm).  Harvey said he had not.  Judie said she could do so personally if he wanted her to.

Harvey then stated he gets his information from the “news, mainstream media.” Judie expressed her concern about all the break-through Covid positives even with people who have had double shots and the booster shot. 

She then inquired about the streets, the curved areas and stop sign areas where the yellow paint is fading, and which were not redone.  Deborah stated that this was not part of the resurfacing contract. 

Harvey then stated that 99.5% of the hospital cases and those dying from Covid are unvaccinated.  This is a statistic that is in fact challenged by some media because of how hospitals are characterizing admissions and deaths and what period of time is being included in the statistic.]

Harvey:  the bottom line is you’re responsible for your actions…if you don’t feel comfortable, stay home… Judie:  a lot of people in this community have not reported [their Covid diagnosis] …Harvey:  we’re not the Gestapo… everybody’s got to be responsible.  Judie:  you do understand it will get worse with wintertime.

4.  Jack Golden:  landscaping of the open dirt along most of Cascade Lakes Blvd. and some other areas subsequent to the removal of the ficus… is it budgeted to handle, and if so, when will that be addressed?  Shelly Andreas:  getting there, we are looking into that, got a few proposals… doing test areas… Cascade Lakes Blvd. has major shade… areas where sod will not grow… test areas of ground cover… next few weeks.

[Editor’s note:  ground cover is a great idea; we have it, and we note that it grows very, very fast, so if it takes off, it will likely have to be trimmed back frequently.]

Round Table Discussion:

Linda:  I have an issue with people walking dogs in the flower beds and on the berms.  They’re killing the flowers and the sods.  Also, they’re not picking up after their dogs… pick up after your dogs… #2, one or two residents are using music on the pool deck… annoying to other residents… Jeff, something put out there…

Alan:  no comments, thank you.

Harvey:  incident [reporting] – we’re asking to voluntarily report Covid, we can ask for incident… Richard Levy, let the office know; the office can put out in a weekly blast…

Bob:  I agree with Harvey; other than that, nothing else.

Richard:  I want to thank all the Committees, did a great job in submitting requests to the Budget Committee, and thank the Budget Committee and Mark [Goodman] …

Sue:  I want to thank all the Committees for their hard work…I encourage all residents to at least listen in to the October 12^th meeting, the budget presentation to the Board so they can be informed so when we present it to the residents’ discussion, they will be better informed and ask questions…

Jeff:  I want to thank Arnie and Anita for hosting the meeting for us… one thing for the Board to think about, in the budget, a lot of landscaping stuff in the budget; I don’t know why we have to bring them up and make a motion to accept.  Just mention the five proposals, include in the budget.  Why do we have to approve when it’s in the budget.

[Editor’s note:  Jiminy Cricket – (a polite expletive euphemism for Jesus Christ) - this comment by Jeff shows a total lack of understanding of the entire process.  Just because something is in the budget doesn’t mean you automatically get to do it.  The budget is a guideline for you to see what you have in the event you wish to spend it on a given item. 

And Jeff, what about your fiduciary responsibility to get bids, review contracts, and negotiate terms?  We apparently have to remind you:  requiring a Board vote at an open meeting is called transparency and is required by law, a concept which appears to be completely lost on Director Jeff based on his statement.]

Alan:  motion to adjourn.  Second:  Bob.  Sue:  All in favor?  Jeff:  All in favor?  Unanimous.

[Editor’s note:  Meeting adjourned at 10:57am.]

[Editor’s note:  A big shout-out to Zoom operator Arnie Green for doing a great job administering the Zoom meeting.  Anita Goodman was his assistant.  We thank them for their continued service and volunteerism.]

And so concludes the Board meeting of October 6, 2021; next meeting: October 20, 2021 at 9:30am. 

Thought for the Day:

It’s the little things that count, the small pleasures in life, that make living joyful.

Special Reminders:

1.  Don’t forget to join the community on the Cascade Lakes Boynton Beach Facebook Page, a place where you can interact and communicate!  Click here:

Cascade Lakes Boynton Beach

2.  Let’s all congratulate our newest Resident of the Month!  Click here:

Resident of the Month

Cheerio until next time!