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| scotto |
2/20/2010 10:14:02 AM |
LAKEWOODE PARKHOMES BOARD ELECTION IS COMING UP SOON.
Please vote for SCOTT OLSON and ULLI RAAK. They are actual, long-time residents who are committed to increased fiscal accountability, improved communication with residents, and addressing the rapidly declining property values. Thank you. |
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| scotto |
2/7/2010 11:12:32 AM |
| Consumers Reports last month said AT&T's service was better than Brighthouse too...
Scott Olson |
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| pepper109 |
2/4/2010 6:56:42 AM |
| To ltk906
Does anyone know if we can get AT&T U Verse at our condo's????
Yes, I have it just go on line to ATT.com and follow the menu, you can order it on line. |
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| ltk906 |
2/3/2010 2:13:27 PM |
Does anyone know if we can get AT&T U Verse at our condo's????
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| scotto |
12/29/2009 10:00:23 AM |
| The latest financials show that we paid $552 in lifeguard wages - in October! OK... |
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| scotto |
11/24/2009 10:01:48 AM |
| I see that the only financials currently available from the association are as of 11/17/09. That makes no sense. How is a mid-month financial statement useful? Where are the annual financials that should have appeared shortly after 10/31/09, even if unaudited at that point.
No accountants I've talked to (including myself) can figure out these screwy financials.
Once again, way to go... |
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| scotto |
10/30/2009 11:21:03 AM |
| Check out what a real community association website should look like...
http://www.thesanctuaryhoa.org/index.cfm
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| thorpe81 |
10/27/2009 11:05:39 AM |
| Scotto, so this board doesn't care about the Extra $29,000 and what happened to it? I know I would cause I sure could use it. |
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| scotto |
10/23/2009 11:46:43 AM |
| Thorpe, no idea what the $29,000 is for - no replies on that to date. The accountants I've talked to about it say, "weird"...
Maintenance boy, you guys do a great job around here and thank you for all your hard work! Any chance you could reside my building? LOL!
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| maintenance boy |
10/23/2009 7:13:08 AM |
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WHO DON'T KNOW ME IM THAT KID WHO CLEANS YOUR GUTTERS, PLANTS YOUR TREES, GETS THE TRASH AND VARIOUS OTHER THINGS...
ALSO IM A LIFE GUARD DURING THE SUMMER
Hey there scott i heard about this site lolz |
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| thorpe81 |
10/23/2009 6:05:27 AM |
| Scotto, what is extra account for $29,000? |
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| pepper109 |
10/21/2009 9:04:18 AM |
| To over_it, good luck on getting information out of the office. The head good old boy hasn't got a clue and he sends this stuff out. You need to contact some board members. Their phone numbers are in the newsletter. I'll prey for you, cause you're going to need it, good luck. |
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| over_it |
10/20/2009 3:14:37 PM |
NEED HELP!
I just received a bill from the association saying that I owe more than $1300 in late fees (and the two assessments). This dates back from Oct. 2008. The statement is so hard to understand and it appears that they are applying late fees at will. Who maintains the books for this place? Can anyone tell me? If I call the office will they help me? |
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| ralph22 |
10/19/2009 6:44:46 AM |
| Let see, this board is dealing with rumors, and can’t balance the books and use an account called extra. Extra what? The CPA tells us we have no problems and our money is paying for this? |
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| scotto |
10/19/2009 5:32:17 AM |
| Regarding the latest newsletter, if the financials are in such great shape why did the July fincials list line after line, totalling about $29,000, as "extra" for July alone?
Also in the newsletter, if the association-wide sale was such a great idea, why didn't the board bother to tell anyone until the day before the sale was scheduled to begin. I agree - great idea. But once again, a simple and total lack of communication ruined it.
Would someone on the board PLEASE explain both of these issues. Thank you.
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| thorpe81 |
10/18/2009 6:09:10 AM |
| We finally received a newsletter? We have financial information? Have there been rumors of missing money? The newsletter said so. If you believe this board then everything is OK. I think there telling us everything is OK to cover up what really is going on because too much of the newsletter is devoted to financial information we never got before. Shouldn’t we be questioning what the board is doing? What do you think? |
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| Sue |
10/4/2009 2:47:30 PM |
I don't understand why there isn't assigned parking for each building. I was told that the people on the ends do get cheated because there is so little parking for them. Well, that's certainly true. We live in building 38 and have people from buildings 37 and 32 parking in the 5 spaces for our 4 units. Building 32 has a very large parking lot but the residents from one unit not only take up 2 of our spaces because they don't want to walk around their building, but they can't even park in 2 spaces they take 3. All weekend they have parked one car part-way in the handicapped space making it unusable and the other car was over too far too or parked crooked in the space. They have to know how bad it is, because they have been in and out, and still left the cars this way. There is a red car parked in front of building 37 that has not moved in months, but it still takes up a space that someone else could be using that does use their car. It's a shame that with what we pay for our units and the cost of monthly association fees that we can't have a place to park!
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| mary |
10/3/2009 2:35:56 AM |
Hi,
I do not understand why we can not put a wood or plastic deck over the bad brick ones we have. With the stuff they have out now. It wood make some units look great.instead of all the old broken nasty looking bricks. And I wouls to know who picks the units to get sided?? |
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| scotto |
9/25/2009 8:02:56 AM |
| Thorpe, apparently so. No one I've talked to was aware of it before the signs poped up a day before the sale was supposed to take place! |
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| thorpe81 |
9/24/2009 2:31:46 PM |
| Scotto,
You mean the board decided to have a garage sale so the entire association could participate and kept it a secret from them?
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| scotto |
9/24/2009 7:53:31 AM |
| I see that someone has decided our entire complex will have a garage sale starting today. I noticed the signs yesterday. Way to communicate once again - one day's notice to prepare for a complex-wide garage sale. |
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| scotto |
9/21/2009 5:31:09 AM |
| I see that Barb Hamblin and Rob Clary have put their unit up "for rent" as of this weekend. Barb is a past board member, and spearsheaded getting Bud's firm hired. Rob quit the board, and Toni Nagy thus retained (appointed herself to) his seat after she was voted out by the association... |
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| mary |
9/11/2009 11:23:03 AM |
| I am in total agreement that there was only one fee for the siding. I paid it . then I get two more statements. People can not afford this. Plus who in there right mind is cutting the grass. Don't charge assoc. fees I will do it myself. They raise the assoc. fee and everything looks like crap.Then you fill out work forms. they must go in to some black hole. they never get done... |
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| scotto |
9/9/2009 11:13:11 AM |
| Looking over the latest (July 31) financials, I see $29,802 in expenses labeled "extra" in July alone. Oh man, I'd love an expense category like that in my business. I could have so much fun with that much "extra" cash. LOL!
Way to account for our money... |
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| disappointed |
9/8/2009 12:05:34 PM |
I am EXTREMELY disappointed with how our accounts are being handled at Lakewoode! I was told suddenly that I had almost $1000 in late fees due to an unpaid association fee. I thought I had paid every association fee due since I moved in! The assoc. fee in question was back from May of '08 and I was FIRST notified about this in May of '09!!! Why the heck are we not told about discrepancies like this before one full year passes? I will NOT be paying these late fees at all - I have tried to contact the property manager and have heard nothing back all summer - I have left numerous messages and still nothing.
If we got monthly financial statements of our accounts like every other condo association I know of, I would not have this problem to deal with! The association complains about not having any money, then they should keep better track of the accounts and also the automatic withdrawals!!!!
If anyone has any insight of how I can better handle this situation, I'm open to suggestions since I can't seem to get Lakewood to take any responsibility and get this taken care of! |
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| CWC |
8/13/2009 4:35:04 PM |
Perhaps this can become a message board for residents to barter, swap services, or otherwise get done what cannot be done by employees of the association, even for pay.
I need a couple of strong young men for about 1/2 hr. AT THE MOST (will pay $10 each) to stake up some plants and move a dresser for me to retrieve something behind it.
This will take, at the most, a half hour, maybe even less, but the pay is the same.
I'm usually available weekends and can be home if needed by 3 p.m.
If anyone knows trusted, motivated, individuals, please call 248-767-2198 and refer to this post.
Thanks!
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| scotto |
8/11/2009 5:22:28 AM |
| I note that our annual budget has increased under President Nagy's reign from about $814,000 in 2006 to $1,383,000 last year . That's an increase of 70% in just two years. This year it will likely be close to $1,500,000 which would mean an increase of 84% in just three years (and before we hear the usual answers from the usual people, water and sewer accounted for only 5% of the increase from 2006 to 2008, which seems reasonable).
I am also concerned that we reportedly spent over $300,000 in concrete repairs in 2007 alone, yet the drive is crumbling in front of my place and I have to dodge a big pothole every day. What did we do with all that money, repave an interstate highway?
I agree that I keep seeing the spending going up, but the services sure seem to be going down. Something must be done to get our costs back where they were just three short years ago. Either that, or show us the money, meaning get our siding replaced or repaired.
Please note that all of the above came from the AUDITED financial statements as provided by the association. |
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| FedUp |
8/10/2009 5:57:24 AM |
Why are we still paying Bud the slum lord to take our money. Didn't this place do better under private management? Dues keep going up, special assessment keep getting added yet nothing is getting done! Garbage has been cut back to once a week. We were told that 6 buildings a year for siding and now this year there is only 2 done. Repair slips keep going in, but nothing ever repaired. Every time you call the office there is either no answer or she does not know the answer and does not bother to get the answer....
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| scotto |
8/5/2009 5:31:32 AM |
| I agree, the association's new official website (lwcondo.com) looks good. I didn't even know I had a user-id and password on the site. I entered my email address and received same within a minute. Hopefully this will improve communications with residents. I would also like to see historical financial information and not just year-to-date information. |
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| angietomi |
8/5/2009 5:02:46 AM |
Just viewed the Lakewoode site and think it is great! I hope everyone who has an email address signs up so that they can get all the up-to-date info on the complex including financial reports. Thanks for a great job!
Angie - #22
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| Dano |
7/29/2009 12:54:21 PM |
| To commonsense: I attended the annual meeting where the rulling junta announced that only two buildings would be sided. That is a fact. There were various reasons cited but they all fell under the general heading of "we can't afford it" |
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| Dano |
7/29/2009 12:54:21 PM |
| To commonsense: I attended the annual meeting where the rulling junta announced that only two buildings would be sided. That is a fact. There were various reasons cited but they all fell under the general heading of "we can't afford it" |
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| commonsense |
7/29/2009 10:51:46 AM |
Regarding solicitors, will do, JM
I heard a rumor that only two buildings would have the siding redone this year due to many residents in arrears with the assessments and dues. Also, that the assocition is unable to secure a loan at this time. I don't know if this is factual.
This latest assessment is worded as a "second additional assessment." Isn't this a third assessment? I intend to pursue the association's plan on how they will handle those residents who are unable or refusing to pay. For those simply refusing to pay, well you're dumping on your neighbors. We need to pressure the board and the management company to provide the financial reports and we need to hold them accountable for their actions and decisions. They need to know that our hard earned money needs to be treated with respect. We are all trying to make ends meet these days. I am interested in ideas on how to assure they these "leaders" be held accountable. |
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| thej999 |
7/28/2009 1:14:20 PM |
| On a new subject -- I confirmed today with the City of Novi deputy police chief that LAKEWOODE PARKHOMES is indeed private property not open to door to door solicitation even if a vendor has a City of Novi door to door permit. I have however noticed many AT&T and other door to door sales people in recent months. What I am asking of you is that if you see someone knocking on doors, or any suspicious person ever, please contact the Novi Police Dispatch at 248-348-7100 and report the trespasser. If possible see if the door to door person will first tell you who they work for and their name. Thanks, JM |
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| Dano |
7/28/2009 7:28:16 AM |
| It will be interesting to see what percent of the complex is paid up to date when August 15 rolls around and what actions the junta takes against those who are not in compliance. |
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| scotto |
7/27/2009 8:27:52 AM |
| I'm curious if anyone's heard any more about the siding project? I was told our unit would be done this summer, then that the siding damaged by the roofers a couple years ago would be repaired instead. To date, two-plus years later, nothing's been done. The city's building inspector was apparently told the same thing.
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| commonsense |
7/24/2009 1:35:58 PM |
| is this now a dictatorship? assessments at random? |
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| over_it |
7/21/2009 10:41:00 AM |
Regarding the assessments...I still haven't paid the first one and then they hit us w/ another one this past weekend. As I recall (correct me if I'm wrong), I thought there was only going to be one assessment (last year's)...and now we have two this year!
I was told by a Lakewoode worker that it is not lawful for the association to impose these assessments on homeowners w/out a vote by the association. Is this true?
I do not plan on paying my assessements until the board shares financial information with the homeowners. (I was also told by the Lakewoode worker that holiday dinners/outings by the board have been paid for w/ our association dues!) |
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| scotto |
7/20/2009 6:58:56 AM |
| Yes we also received an assessment notice over the past weekend. Amazing how those notices are the only things that arrive on time. I'm thinking gee, if the association hasn't sent financials to the co-owners in ages, should I even have to pay this special assessment? |
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| wontyoubemyneighbor |
7/20/2009 6:55:01 AM |
| Ha ha, good work this weekend, Scotto. We have a tree growing in our gutter, too! It's thriving. .....Did you happen to receive another assessment fee due Aug 15? Or is this notice just a reminder to pay the one due July 15? Surely it isn't a new one sprung right on the heels of the July one......? |
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| scotto |
7/20/2009 4:55:04 AM |
| Cleaned out my rear gutter over the past weekend since the association once again hadn't done it in ages. About 20 pounds of stuff came out of that one gutter, including three trees that were actually growing in the gutter. Amazing. |
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| wontyoubemyneighbor |
7/19/2009 6:31:07 AM |
| Three cheers for the neighbor who simply HAD to vacuum his car out at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. Perhaps he needed to vacuum so early so he could make it to church and ask forgiveness for being the most self-centered person on the block......maybe God will show him that there are commercial places on Grand River where you can vacuum to your heart's content and not disturb the peace of an otherwise lovely Sunday morning. |
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| ltk906 |
7/15/2009 2:31:05 PM |
| Thank you for the new website!! I wanted to ask if there are any available blueprints for our condos.
Also, I was looking online and saw that some units have basements and some don't. Is this true? Which ones have basements?
If a particular unit does not have a garage or covered parking, could a proposal be made by residents in a certain parking area that would like to build a garage/covered parking? If those residents elected to build such a structure and fund it themselves would that be possible? |
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| angietomi |
7/13/2009 9:59:06 AM |
Thank you for the new website. This is a great way to update residents on what is going on in the complex. Possibly the newsletter could be adapted for viewing.
Angie - #22 |
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| scotto |
6/29/2009 12:30:59 PM |
| Here is the summary of the annual meeting...
________________________________
For those who couldn't make it, here is a summary of last evening's annual association meeting. 44 residents attended (of about 1,100 total residents) representing about 30 of 462 units. The meeting started at 7:08 p.m.
Toni Nagy was said to be unable to attend, and V.P. Richard Haley started the meeting in an adversarial manner challenging people to talk to him, and not behind his and Bud's backs. Haley said the meeting would follow the agenda - which Bud had forgotten to pass out. The meeting was stopped for a few minutes while the agendas were distributed. No financials were distributed at the meeting.
Board member Sheri Hill said there were insufficient votes, so the entire board election will be redone in the near future. When asked how many voters we were short, she initially indicated she could not discuss that, then after some prompting explained we were 7 voters short.
Next, Bud went on at length with horror stories about the problems with the association's ability to collect dues and assessments from the many vacant and bankrupt units. He indicated 30 units are currently vacant. He also said our foreclosure rate is one of the lowest in the region, and explained that our liability insurance costs have skyrocketed 7x due to more slip and falls. He spoke angrily about the amount of payroll taxes the association has to pay the state and federal government.
Bud explained that due to budget and credit constraints, there will likely be only two units resided this year - buildings 9 and 71.
With regard to the new once-a-week garbage pickup schedule, board member Judy Garvey said residents can place garbage in the dumpster near the association's office when necessary.
Two residents complained that not all residents received ballots in the mail. Bud and Richard strongly disagreed.
Several residents voiced concern about the association's lack of communication. One gentleman stated, "We communicate and you don't." Another said, "there is no communication." There was a verbal exchange where one resident indicated he resorted to sending registered letters to the association.
Bud said he surveyed real estate agents in the area, and found that the most popular selling point of Lakewoode is for rental units for investors. He then went on to explain that the association's bylaws would be rewritten in May to "tighten up rentals".
There was general discussion regarding keeping the grounds and association looking good, and residents were encouraged to work together with the neighbors to make this happen.
The meeting ended at 8:45 p.m.
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| Admin |
6/28/2009 4:41:13 PM |
| The old messages were not compatible with the new system and could not be imported. We are sorry for any inconvience this may have caused. |
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| thorpe81 |
6/26/2009 2:21:12 PM |
| Where are the blogs? |
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| Admin |
6/24/2009 11:47:13 AM |
| We hope you enjoy the site |
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