Weather Record Broken Today

According to Channel 10 News at 6pm, we learned that a weather record was broken today. We officially hit 86 degrees this afternoon, breaking the 1985 record of 85. For you northerners, be advised that the humidity far exceeds the temperature.  The sun has set, its dark out there, and all the windows are open. Yeah...you betcha, this is Florida!

We Won The Grant!

An email has been lingering in my account that had been hacked dated Nov 24, congratulating us for winning the $2500 grant from the Office of Neighborhood Relations for new benches around the park! Yahoo!
Funds for restoring the existing benches was included in the grant as well. The purpose of the grant is to pull the neighborhood together while making a beautification improvement. As before on Blvd 7, volunteers are critical to the success of the project. They will be needed to sand, paint or stain the existing benches, and to assemble to new galvanized metal ones on the point.

 Suggestions are welcome how to begin and organize this project. The check will not be in the mail for probably a month.

Christmas Decorating Party

Shown here are 35 of the fabulous residents who came out today to decorate the hall for Christmas. Its a great feeling to see so many sharing their talents. Alice Disharoon, soon to be new president of the Friendship Club, set up the memory tree yesterday. Pam and John Evans and Earlene Randolph set up the stage trees and tables for the party today. Almost 40 residents participated in some way in the decorating process, and everyone enjoyed the snacks and libations that followed. For more pictures go to the Friendship Club site at:
www.clubregency.blogspot.com.

Pre-Thanksgiving Party

There was a pre-Thanksgiving party at the point. A couple friends got together for a bite.

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate our differences. Have a great day!

Member's Meeting

Residents had the opportunity to meet Rick Commons, the CPA who will serve as the new Regency Cove accountant beginning Jan. 1, 2011. He described the coupons that will be mailed out shortly, and explained new payment options. You will  have to tear off a coupon, and mail it directly to First Community Bank, or set up an Auto-Pay account allowing the bank to debit your account on the day you specify. Rick fielded many questions from the shareholders. He will be back in December.

The Shareholders' meeting was called to order by President Paul McCumber at 2:13pm. It was well-attended, and it was great to see so many new faces in the room. The necessary Proof of Meeting Notice was read by Cheri. Paul did a t-h-o-r-o-u-g-h explanation of the need for the meeting, explaining fully funded and not fully funded reserves, and finally called for a motion from the membership. I move that the Homes of Regency Cove shareholders waive the reserves required by section 719.104 (4) (b) for the 2011 fiscal/calendar year. Ellen Nimon so moved, and Ron Jeffries seconded the motion. Proxies already counted numbered 325, and another dozen or more shareholdeers voted Yes at the meeting, firmly establishing a majority in favor of waiving. Marie Avant introduced the women who made phone calls to absent shareholders. After lots more discussion and comments from the members, this meeting adjourned.

A Board of Directors' Budget Meeting followed immediately at 2:50. Paul asked for approval of the 2010 Income Forecast and also the 2011 proposed budget. We would have thought that this was already agreed upon by the members of the board, but we learned otherwise. Rose questioned the new format used. Later Marie questioned the amount to pay down the loan, Patti commented on the utilities, and residents voiced many concerns. Some do not want to see excess pre-paying  the mortgage. Several defended the employees disliking their wage freeze and benefits reduction.

More than an hour of discussion and negotiations resulted in $3,000 set aside for employee Christmas bonuses, $38k to the mortgage, and a little over $30k to undesignated contingency.

At the meeting's conclusion, Paul made a startling announcement, and resigned from the office of president. He quietly explained that three grandchildren have moved into their home, and he will be unable to spend the time here in the park that the presidential office demands. He will remain on the board, however. Betty Ridge has assumed the office of president at the end of the meeting, and requested cooperation from all of the board.

Members' Meeting Tomorrow

The first emergency Members' Meeting in recent history will be held tomorrow and we will hear the results of the membership's choice for partial funding or full funding the reserves. I've heard unofficially that the Office has tabulated enough YES votes to guarantee that there will be no maintenance increase this year.

Someone asked why it wasn't posted on the sign out in front? Well, you did receive an official notice in your packet, right?

Temporary Difficulties

We were experiencing temporary difficulties for awhile there, unable to log on. Thought I lost the blog forever. Everything is OK now,and I have to learn to leave the settings ALONE!

Clearwater Ironman Closes Streets on Saturday

If your business is going to take you across the bridge into Pinellas or Clearwater on Saturday, be advised that the Foster Grant Ironman World Competition 70.3 will be held that day. Road closures begin as early as 3am on Saturday morning near the beaches, and into Pinellas by mid-morning.

The event begins with a 1.2-mile swim in the Gulf, followed by a 56-mile bicycle ride through northern and mid-Pinellas County and finishes with a 13.1-mile run through downtown Clearwater.


Here is a link to see the detailed street closures throughout the day:

http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2010/november/171934/Clearwater-street-closures-for-Saturdays-Ironman

Hello From Madrid

Anyone who received an email from me earlier today was probably surprised to learn that I was mugged in Madrid, Spain yesterday, and lost all my money and credit cards. A few kind souls emailed me back immediately only to learn that "this was not a hoax, and that the hotel was refusing to let me use the telephone anymore." The embassy was giving me problems because my passport was stolen too, and I had no ID on me. A PO address in Madrid was given for all your generous loans, which I would pay back immediately, of course.
Anyone who really knows me knew it wasn't true.The language seemed funny, the i wasn't capitalized several times when talking about "me", and besides, Sandy couldn't write this whole sad story without at least a curse word or two.

After receiving my first phone call early this morning, I hoped to email my entire 125 addresses to warn of the hoax, but I couldn't get into my Hotmail account, because they changed the password. They also added a secondary email account, their own, so when I tried to change the password to regain control of the account again, the new password went off to their account. When I opened my Hotmail  account back in my internet dark ages, 1995, I didn't even know what a secondary email address was.

What to do? What to do?

I spent HOURS this afternoon, wading through Google links and Microsoft support sites hoping to restore my account. I learned today that Hotmail has been compromised many times in the last year. In one accident in Oct 2009, literally thousands of Hotmail passwords were sent off on the internet. Hackers continue to hack Hotmail daily, and their recovery support is dismal to non-existant. People wrote on various sites that they have been waiting weeks, months, for Microsoft support to contact them. I can't even close the account right now, if ever.

Later on this afternoon, I checked my Roadrunner email account, only to learn that a request had been made to change the password on my Facebook account. What the hell?!? Facebook? I hurriedly went to open my account... guess what? It was temporarily unavailable. Within 5 minutes, I navigated through menus and boxes, verified my account, identified a few "friends", and by crackey, I regained control of my Facebook. I was able to write out a message to my family and friends about the events of the day. Facebook asked me if I would like to see a record of the suspicious activity in the last 24 hours. Heck, yes! I was even shown a map of Eastern Africa, with a mark on Ghana. At 2:49 am today, a request came in to change my password, and alter some email addresses.  Facebook was smart enough to shut down my account temporarily. (Those darn Yale kids are so smart. I hope by now, you've seen the movie Social Network. See Oct 3 blog post for a review)
Hotmail, on the other hand, aside from ease of use, is useless in a crisis. If you are using Hotmail, or any other company, please list several alternate email addresses for yourself. If you don't have a second email address, list your kid's or a neighbor's. They can alert you when someone has changed your password, and you might stand a chance. I didn't. Delete my hotmail from your address book, if you have it.

In the meenwhile i hope dearly you continue to support my endeavor and send me u s dollars cash by Western Union to the address which i so lovingly included in the space below. You are always my friend and i will pay you back when i return to usa. Thank you very much.

Town Hall Meeting

The hall wasn't packed, but there were quite a few shareholders present for this important Town Hall meeting this afternoon. Our manager Cheri began by explaining the limited proxy that was included in the packet that you received, or will receive soon. Call the Office if you don't receive your packet in the next few days.
After you wade through the meeting notice, president's message, and several versions of the budget, you'll see a chartreuse paper (bright yellow-green) labeled "Limited Proxy". You only need to sign this if you will not be present at the November 23, 2010 meeting. If you do not want a 33% raise in monthly fees, vote YES. Yes means that you have given your approval to only partially fund the reserves this year, and there will be no maintainence fee increase.
This had to be explained several times, in several ways, until most everyone present finally understood that a YES vote will keep the maintenance fee at its present level for next year. Next year, we have to do it again. Every year, we will have to have this vote because we will never fully fund the reserves, because they are always evolving, getting spent, and then saved, over and over. One item has only 2 years of estimated remaining life, and another has 58 years of life remaining. Once they are done and paid for, we begin saving again. It will never stop.
Please, do the math on the paperwork that the board put into your packet. Many of the items listed on the back page table  that we were given to help us understand the need for this horrific increase, appear grossly over-estimated. There is another table, a four page table, which apparently explains the need for this increase. The board received this four page report, but the shareholders didn't. It wasn't printed in the Outlook, but it sure could have been. When asked who created this document, we were told that the numbers came from the old 1991 study that was done when the park was purchased. The 2008 GAB Robins Reserve Study also contributed to these numbers. No engineers were consulted this year, no reserve study was done in the last 6 months. When asked, Cheri refused to say who put the latest numbers together, because she "forgot who did it".  What an insult to our intelligence. The new reserve totals were put together by a group (or one) of the Infrastructure Committee. A resident did the computation, or maybe it was a board member. OMG, maybe it was the board president! It was announced at a board meeting and we were all asked to applaud the wonderful effort of the Infrastructure committee. Whatever.
For the remainder of today's meeting, two distinct groups became apparent in the hall. One group, with a few loudmouths, shouted for everyone present to shut up and vote yes, and don't consider the numbers. In the other group, a few people asked thoughtful questions and made conscientious comments. God bless the inspired, truely intelligent senior residents present who asked why this was being rushed, literally crammed down our throats without allowing time to fully digest all this new information. Another senior asked why neither our attorney nor the accounting firm we pay close to $10 grand annually has never pointed out any reserve deficits, and year after year offered glowing reports. The answer we received was really lame, boiling down to "You get what you pay for". Most people walked out while their neighbors were still making comments.

If you're still with me, let's get down to the bottom line: (if you can't handle swearing, go no further)

1. The general conscensus is "Vote YES". I've already witnessed shareholders/block captains going door-to-door to encourage the shut-ins who usually never participate, to fill out the proxy with a YES vote. YEA for you. Everyone in the park needs to get involved. Start calling or emailing your absent neighbors.

2. Readers up North... we encourage you to vote YES on the proxy, sign your name, give your address (First line), and put an X before the YES. Email it, fax it (813-839-5442), or mail it in the envelope provided, to the Office immediately. If we do not receive 203 YES votes, we will all suffer the 33% increase on January 1.

3. The board of directors needs to be fully transparent with the shareholders, and quit sending bogus forms and half-assed tables out for our inspection. If you, Board members, made your decision based on a 4 page form, then, by God, we should also see the four page form. One board member, Patty, made that request at the last recent budget meeting, and was apparently shot down. Thanks for asking, Patty. Someone appears to be representing the shareholders.

4. If we ask a question at a meeting, for God's sake, please answer us, and quit this bullshit of dodging directness. (Three times in the last three meetings my questions have been dodged!) Please respect the shareholders of this park. We're the ones who put you there.

FINALLY...
5. Whoever did the reserve computations, bringing the reserve totals to almost $7 million dollars from the measley under-estimated $3 million reported earlier, I applaud your accuracy. (Gee Tim, I can't thank you, because if it was you, Cheri couldn't remember your name.)
While I was serving on the board a few years ago, I attended every educational seminar I could, and encouraged the rest of the board to do likewise. I requested the first official HORC Reserve Study in 15 years. The idea was batted around for almost a year, and finally was agreed upon in the beginning of 2008. If my memory is correct, we paid slightly over $3,000 for this study. The results were astounding, and it was quickly cast aside. The results of the official  reserve study completed by GAB Robins, North America, Inc reported that Regency Cove should be annually contributing $394,035 to their reserves. That means a monthly contribution of $32,836, or a monthly per unit (based upon 400 units) of $82.09.
At that time in U.S. History, absolutely no one was challenging boards of directors of Florida Co-ops. Times have changed. A recession has hit the nation hard, and anyone managing "other-people's-money" has been called to the floor. Volunteer members of co-op boards have apparently been named in lawsuits for  "under-funding co-op reserves". I would hate to think that any volunteer board member has ever been held financially accountable for that, but I guess it is a possibility.
I don't want any undo stress on our current board members, because just the position itself elicits an unbelievable amount of stress. Ask ANYONE who has served.

Hey Board of Directors... not only do we NOT want this ridiculous increase, but we thank you for keeping our park current with the law. Please keep attending the seminars that keep you informed, and encourage every other board member to do likewise.

Notice of Shareholders' Meeting

Most of the park residents have received the packet that the block captains and alternates passed out yesterday afternoon and evening. Don't say I didn't warn ya!
The president's letter explains that the reserves could not be fully funded without an increase of 33% to the maintainance fees. One glaring question remains: "What is the official total of our future replacement costs, our reserves?"
At the end of the Godols & Solomon LLC Independent Auditor's Report dated December 31, 2009, the estimated future replacement costs of all of our "components" totaled $3,049,358. This report was completed on March 8, 2010, and presented to us at our Annual Meeting that month. There were no reserve studies contracted this past season, yet suddenly, the reserve total has more than doubled to $6,951,569. That number is shown on the back page, bottom line of your Notice. I would like some clarification as to which total is the official total of reserve money needed.
I am reminded of a statement made by our president at a board meeting a few months ago, declaring that he was going to stop funding the reserves and instead, pay down the debt. No president has the authority to make that decision. We have now been given the option to under-fund our reserves.
We recently learned what happens when reserves are under-funded, when the seawall was replaced. If that wall had been given an accurate life expectancy, and funded appropriately, we would not have a $2.6 million loan to repay today.
Rumor has it that there will be a Town Hall meeting tomorrow. Watch the sign out in front. Please be there to have all your questions answered.

Budget Meeting Continues

I lasted only 2 hours at today's budget meeting, as the board hammered out particulars. When I left, they had assigned destinations for the surplus expected at the end of the year. Rather than divulge numbers which may change again, I suggest that you carefully read the budget that you will be receiving soon. At highest count, seven residents sat observing this slow and sometimes painful process. I hear that the board members are meeting again tomorrow to wrap it up.
(Or maybe not.)

Hindman Honored

Two local Neighborhood Watch Coordinators, Chet Hindman (Regency Cove) and Jerry Frankhouser Bayside West Neighborhood Assn.), were honored this evening for their contributions to the Tampa Neighborhood Watch Program. Mayor Pam Iorio and Police Chief Jane Castor were present and spoke highly of all the Neighborhood Watch programs and their contributions to the decline in Tampa Crime. Both Chet and Jerry received certificates for their Outstanding Neighborhood Watch Groups. Job well done, Gentlemen. (Both are so humble, you'd never hear this from them.)

Board Budget Meeting Today

The board voted to close the previously named mortgage loan payment account to move it into the operating account. They are preparing for the new accounting service which will begin in January. The discussion eventually went to the budget, and the need to fund our reserves.The real shock came when the president listed the options to prepare a budget.
First option: Increase the monthly maintenance fee by up to 33%.
Second option: Draft a budget with partially funded reserves. Fully funded reserves (as required by F.S.719) would require a payment of $381,941. A partially funded reserve, approx. $75,000, would allow the budget to be drafted with no maintenance increase.
Third option: A special assessment for every shareholder.

Without a doubt, the second option is most appealing. It is necessary, however, for the shareholders to vote not to fully fund the reserves. This must be done every year!! Notices will be delivered to every shareholder, either by block captain or US Mail, explaining the situation, with a copy of the budget, and a proxy to vote on this matter. On Nov. 23, 2010, a shareholders' meeting will be held to vote on the issue of fully funding the reserves, or not fully funding the reserves.

The president also discussed the matter of pooling the reserves, and eliminating the line item method of funding them. This was shot down almost immediately with a motion by Susan and seconded by Rose, and agreed upon by all present, except Paul.

The rest of this 3+ hour meeting discussed individual elements of the budget. Many motions were made to agree upon the final figures. Rose seemed intent on keeping the figures down, but several of her motions were not accepted. Agreed upon was the elimination of the part-time position in Office staff, beginning January 1, 2011. There will be no salary increase for employees, which was loudly protested by the two past presidents in attendance.
We learned that our water bill increased in October by a whopping 25%, so the budgeted amount for 2011 reflected that increase.

Despite a few disagreements presented today, the board is doing a great job of completing the budget by the Nov 6 deadline for mailout. It is essential that everyone attends the Nov 23 meeting, or completes a proxy for a neighbor to vote for you, or the secretary to vote for you. Perhaps there will be a ballot where you can just vote yourself. That wasn't made clear today. We do need 203 votes to partially fund the reserves, and avoid a SIGNIFICANT maintenance increase or assessment.

The meeting continues at 1:00 tomorrow (Thursday). Stay tuned.

Yacht Club Breakfast

Please support the Yacht Club at the first official breakfast of the season. This Saturday, Nov 6, 2010, you can have a full breakfast of biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, potatoes, coffee and orange juice for a mere $4.00. Please see Lucille Dillon for tickets, or pay at the door. Doors open at 7:30 am, and will close at 10:30am. You can't beat this price anywhere! Guaranteed you won't leave hungry!

Election Results

Florida Election Results: Marco Rubio wins
NBC has projected Republican Marco Rubio as the winner of the U.S. Senate race in Florida. See more at: http://www.thestatecolumn.com/blog/2010/11/florida-election-results-marco-rubio-wins/

And now for some irregularities:
Hillsborough election officials are manually uploading the results of 38,000 out of 70,000 early voting ballots cast over the past three days because of an issue with the memory card that stored the information. The ballots were cast at the Jan Platt, West Tampa, South Shore, Temple Terrace and Town N' Country polling stations.
Officials, who discovered the problem earlier today, said it may take five to six hours more.

Robert Picket, from Dominion Voting Systems Inc., the company that manufactures the equipment, said the problem was discovered earlier today. He said the company was not not sure what the problem is.

"We decided the best thing to do was to run those ballots again," he said. A last-minute rush to the polls in about half of Hillsborough's precincts marked the end of Election Day.Election officials say about 20 percent of precincts had substantial lines, but in all, about half of Hillsborough precincts had long lines.

TBO.com; Published: November 2, 2010; Updated: 29 min. ago

FAREWELL JOHN DINGFELDER! You didn't support us when South Tampa fought to keep the elevated expressway off Gandy Blvd.. You didn't listen to us when Regency Cove, Bayside West Neighborhood Assn, and all  the South Tampa Neighborhood Associations, and the Gandy businesses all voted to refuse the elevated expressway. We put you in office, John, and we took you out of office.

ATTN: Sandy Murman, Newly Elected County Commissioner, District 1
The ball is in your court. When you served as state rep. you learned what it means to represent the people who voted you into office. We are counting on you to support us in our struggle to keep our main street as it is. You are welcome to come visit and talk to us... ANYTIME!

Board Meeting Nov 3

Paul McCumber has called a Board of Directors' meeting for tomorrow Nov 3, 2010, at 2pm in Goodwin Hall. The agenda posted in the Information Room reads as follows:

Opening Remarks       President
Approval of Minutes   Secretary
Bank Loan Account    President
Shareholders' Meeting Nov 23, 2010   President
Draft Budgets              President

The board wants to get the budget approved. If you read his President's Message in the Nov. Outlook, you are aware of some significant changes that he is considering for this budget. Please come, listen, and be heard.

Photos Needed

Mary Willsey is asking if anyone has photos that were taken at last Monday's Friendship Club spaghetti dinner. She specifically wants photos of the children who performed. Please call Mary if you happen to have a few photos on your camera.