Security Committee Speed bump decision

If Security wants to penalize offending drivers who hit the gates, invite the Sheriff to file accident reports and the offending driver to report incidents to their insurance companies. Each such report will have greater impact on the offender than causing all resident to suffer for the few!

If we had to report each 'accident' in hitting the arms their insurance costs might drive these poor drivers off the road, instead of driving the rest of us to distraction.

If the Security committee doesn't think this would work, why does a former police officer on this committee believe it would work. Certainly this problem can be resolved without such penalties being placed upon all of the 'safe drivers' of the village.
Perhaps we need to petition the committee to revoke such a poor choice and implement the above plan to try this for 90 days, costing us nothing, injuring no one and eliminating additional rear end collisions due to the added complexities placed on the few who will not find this cumbersome method easy to deal with.

Just a differing point of view!
Ed

Budget Preparations

To: Dorothy Tetro, UCO Treasurer

From: Bob Marshall Date: 7/17/08

Subject: UCO Budget and its presentation
The following are items and questions that I'd like answers to at the budget presentation. I do plan to ask them there and am writing to you now in order for you to know of these questions and have time to be prepared to answer them rather than springing them on you at the presentation.
Please list all of the reserve accounts and their balances, any activity during the past year and any planned additions contained in the 09 budget. This list should include the following but not necessarily be limited to them.
1. The legal reserve fund, that fund used to pay the attorney costs when associations have voted to reject an applicant for buying or renting a unit.
2. The paving fund, the reserve fund that will pay for the repaving of the blacktop areas in the village. What is the balance, when is this repaving planned for and what is planned in this 09 budget?
3. What reserves do we have for the maintenance of the building owned byUCO? What reserves if any, do we have for insurance claims on these buildings, both for wind and casualty loss? What is our deductible for windloss?
4. Also, please explain each budget line item that represents more than$10,000. Such as Beautification--what are individual expense items and what is their cost?
5. How much money has been spent on engineering studies for the erosion control project? What erosion control steps, if any, have been taken and what did these cost?
6. What is the remaining balance in the reserve fund that was funded by HBO? If money was spent from these funds what are the items purchased? When will a meeting of the Finance Committee be convened to consider the 09 budget? When will copies of the 09 budget be available?

Bob Marshall

What Vacancies Presently Exist in the Offices Of UCO

My name is Randall Borchardt. I am now, and have been the Chair of the Advisory Committee of UCO for at least 4 years. I have tried my darndest to remain neutral over the years in regards to which candidates I favor for vacant offices. My asserted neutrality will of course remain as such only because I believe that Delegates must make informed choices as to the selection of officers which lead us, and should not be influenced by any one person's opinion. If any such influence does exist, the source should ideally come from the constituents of each Delegate's own association. This being said, I am compelled to share with you all that a legal opinion from UCO's chief counsel, Rod Tennyson, has been obtained, and that Howard Silver's position of Vice President has been legally vacated.
The Special Meeting of the Delegate Assembly for the purpose of accepting nominations from the floor for vacant offices is drawing near (Friday, July 25th, 2008). I believe that I am fulfilling my fiduciary responsibility to Century Village to inform as many Delegates as possible, as early as possible, of this pending vacancy.
Many Delegates choose to run their association in a strictly democratic fashion by polling their constituents with regards to important decisions made by the Delegate Assembly of UCO. The choices of which candidates to fill which vacant offices are among the most important decisions. So as to permit the Delegates the window of opportunity to poll the unit owners of each association as to their choices for each of the vacant offices, I have taken it upon myself to announce that there is presently a vacancy in the office of President, and also two vacancies in the offices of Vice President. The candidate who receives the highest number of votes shall serve for the completion of the longest remaining term (approximately 20 months); The runner up shall complete the shorter term (approximately 8 months).
The following is the opinion received by Rod Tennyson:

For UCO Vice Presidents,

I have reviewed the FAX sent to my office which contained the following written message: From the Desk of Vice President Howard Silver

"It is time to go when 117 Delegates told me to shut up and gave me no respect as Vice President of UCO. I’m moving on to better things where people will appreciate my doings."

In my opinion the above written note constitutes a written resignation from VP Howard Silver under the UCO Bylaws and Section 617.0842 F.S. Therefore this VP Office is now vacant and can be filled by the Delegate Assembly.

Rod Tennyson

Apparently the question that has plagued many of us since last Friday has finally been laid to rest: Has V.P. Howard Silver legally resigned or not? Apparently, as per UCO's legal counsel, he has legally done so. Let us all give thanks for the valuable service that Howie has given to the Village over the years, and now move forward.

Respectfully,
Randall Borchardt
Advisory Committee Chair

MEETING NOTICES

UCO has meetings scheduled, just in case your building did not receive these notices we are placing them here for you. Please print this out for your Residents to read.

Thanks, Ed

Important

OPEN MEETING

A Special Meeting of the Delegate Assembly for nominations to fill
the vacant seats of UCO offices, to be held on Friday, July 25th, 2008
at 9:30 A.M. at the Clubhouse Theater.

Elections will be held on
August 1st, 2008 from 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M.
prior to the regular Delegate Assembly meeting.

Century Village Forum

The following was posted to the Q & A to make certain all Delegates would know the importance of attending this Fridays meeting.

Ed


Author: Randall Borchardt (---.hsd1.fl.comcast.net)
Date: 07-09-08 17:36


Due to the recent reinterpretation of the UCO Bylaws regarding open meetings of committees, these meetings (with the exception of those meetings exempted by the UCO Bylaws) may now only be attended with prior approval of the chair of the committee. You will then be permitted to make a brief statement after which you will be required to leave the meeting so that it may begin.

This unfortunate change in policy requires that a motion be made at the Friday Delegate Assembly which will reaffirm the original meaning and intent of the "Sunshine Amendment" to the UCO Bylaws (which was passed almost unanimously by the Delegate Assembly in 2003).

As a public service to our community, I am presenting this resolution on this forum so that Delegates will have time to discuss this issue with interested unit owners in their respective associations. I urge every Delegate to attend this Friday's Assembly meeting in order to properly restore the open meeting policy to our Village. The following is the Resolution (a formal motion) which will be presented:



A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONFIRMING THE MEANING AND INTENT OF THE GOVERNMENT-IN-THE-SUNSHINE PROVISION OF THE UCO BYLAWS (ARTICLE XI, PARAGRAPH H)

WHEREAS the Board of Directors must determine for itself the meaning of its Bylaws;

WHEREAS the meaning of the “Sunshine Amendment” to the UCO Bylaws has been broadly construed, whereby the established custom of open meetings has been altered by a new policy without the approval of the Board of Directors of UCO;

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Directors of the United Civic Organization, Inc. as follows:


Section 1: THAT the Sunshine Amendment to the UCO Bylaws requires that 1) non-exempted meetings of boards and committees must be open; 2) reasonable notice of such meetings must be given, and 3) minutes of such meetings must be taken and made available upon request.



Section 2: THAT the Sunshine Amendment to the UCO Bylaws applies to all discussions or deliberations as well as formal action taken by boards and committees of UCO, except for those meetings or portions of meetings specifically exempted by this Amendment. It is applicable to any gathering, whether formal or casual, of a quorum of members of the same board or committee to discuss some matter on which foreseeable action or recommendations for action will be taken.


Section 3: THAT boards and committees are permitted to adopt written reasonable rules and regulations which ensure the orderly conduct of a meeting and which require orderly behavior on the part of the non-members attending. This includes limiting the time and frequency that an individual can speak and, when a large number of people attend and wish to speak, requesting that a representative on each side of the issue speak rather than everyone present. In addition, the manner of participation should also be adopted as a written reasonable rule. The board or committee shall determine that non-members are permitted to speak to each agenda item at the beginning of the meeting, or in the alternative, prior to the deliberation of each item of business. In the event that items of business not listed on the agenda are considered, non-member participation shall also be ensured by the board or committee. Agendas shall be posted along with the notice of the board or committee meeting at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Voting by secret ballot shall not be permitted except for the appointment or dismissal of committee members by the committee itself.

Change is in the Air

I knew what I had to do, and when I knew better, I did better. Now that I can make observations from the outside I see things that I did not see before.

One of the things that I realize is so important to change is the concept of open meetings. Without the encumbrance of office I was able to think things through, and it became clear to me that in order for people to know what is going on they must ask questions and be able to get answers that satisfy them.

The only way for this to happen is to have open meetings of all committees, especially those that are responsible for how our money is spent. If need be, town meetings could be held for each committee and the residents of the village would be welcome to attend and have input as to how their money is spent if applicable. What is happening to the cost of living in our country is indicative to what will be happening to our cost of living in Century Village. Accordingly, we should all be part of how our money is going to be spent. We should all be made aware of the WPRF budget and if we need to have a budget workshop with them, so be it, the same as we have a budget workshop for UCO. Changes need to be made for the betterment of the Village, and in order to do so we need more people to become pro-active in the way our village is run. To do this we must open up the doors and windows and let all the new air come in, in the way of changes.

This is the first of many changes that I see, to make the running of Century Village the most streamlined and efficient business that it must be. We are a corporation and you, the residents of Century Village, are the stockholders. It is time for your voices to be heard. All meetings should be open to our stockholders. Every one of you has a voice, let it be heard.

So, what am I saying? We are the people, and we the people have the right and the responsibility to see that our welfare is uppermost in every UCO function. Only we can do this.
AND WE CAN !!!!!!!!!!
There must be voice for all or there is no voice at all.

Phyllis

TOWN MEETING

UCO's Attorney will brief all on the new changes contained in recently signed legislation.

Make certain someone from your Association attends to hear changes for which we all must comply.

Thursday June 19, 2008 9:30 AM at the clubhouse.

Ed

phyllis richland said...On the CV Q&A

Author: Phyllis Richland (---.hsd1.fl.comcast.net)Date: 06-14-08 13:43dear residents, regardless of what you hear i have resigned as vice president of uco. i am not on an extended leave of absence as the administration would like to call it. i have resigned from all capacities as vice president . i wish you all well , god bless you all , and thank you for a great 10 years as a uco volunteer.

Author: Phyllis Richland (---.hsd1.fl.comcast.net)Date: 06-14-08 19:02carole, thank you sooo much for your kind words. it means a lot to me to know that folks are aware of what my contribution to our great village has been. i am not going away.i will only be gone as long as george is in office. if anyone needs my services in the capacity of a civilian resident i will be happy to assist. you all know how to reach me. my number is 6973601.leave a message and i will get back to you. god bless you all!!!!

The time for CHANGE has arrived

Maybe now, this Administration will change their approach to governing us Villagers. It truly is about time. How unfortunate that well intentioned volunteers find it impossible to remain a volunteer because of philosophical differences with this Administration.

Perhaps all of this damaged team should RESIGN as well. Then all the secret omissions and grandstanding poor judgment will come out…..about time.



That's is my view, now, please share yours!



Ed Black

MEETINGS ARE CLOSED!!!

WOW!! Another of MR. President’s shills is heard from and this one CLOSED ALL MEETINGS.

Isn’t it interesting that after establishing over a 2 year precedent setting procedure of REQUIRING OPEN meetings, via the By-Laws Article XI , H. “The Sunshine Laws”, that NOW, UCO can now choose to totally disregard this item and completely close all meeting!! Without your voice whatsoever, again!! Remember the Failed Rent strike, Failed Registry, Failed attempt to mediate BEFORE the Failed Arbitration? What’s next, punishment for not agreeing with their obstinate declarations?

This Administration continues to CLAIM that they are transparent - while closing meetings?? The only reasons anyone could possibly attribute to this action is either they want closed-door dictatorship style meetings or are just unprepared or unwilling to act with transparency, which does require more skill and perhaps….training.

Either way, we the residents LOOSE! Even the District court in Florida decided that the Transportation System in this Village constituted a “common element expense” and it matters not who issued such a perverse legal “opinion”, the court might consider that opinion in CONFLICT with their ruling and OVERTURN UCO’s new “current” decision.

I believe UCO should, in the best interest of this Village, reconsider such dire direction. Frankly if they are unable to abide with the well-intentioned motivation behind this part of the By-Laws, perhaps we need a new TEAM. If you are not up to performing your duties with-in the guidelines of the mandate of the “people”, then resign so others may be elected or appointed.

I, for one, object to their incorrect interpretation of the By-laws in a manner that suits them, especially when this is a change that should require a By-law change PRIOR TO IMPLEMENTATION! When you have come to expect a practice to continue, such as open meeting, surely the BOARD OF DIRECTORS should have the right to make that decision. A by-law change is an imperative! I would not support such change for the following reasons: 1. Open meetings encourage more residents to participate, closed only discourages. 2. As newer participants begin to take part, we may actually see more of their involvement, including their willingness to volunteer, the reverse only excludes such encouragement. 3. UCO constantly berates those Associations that do not attend and sign-in to Delegate Assemblies. What do you expect when suggestions or recommendations are summarily discouraged as this Administration has done repeatedly. Example: Our own blogger Elaine Brown went to UCO to offer suggestions only to have them rejected. 4. Closing meetings restricts the wealth of talent from showing interest and precludes Committee Chairs from finding possible new members that might rekindle interest and activity among the Committee. 5. Sometimes new views offer perspectives that the current make-up of the Committee might never have developed on their own.
I can’t imagine why any “body” of governance would ever want to limit their constituent’s participation, ever. The more you have participation, the larger the response to “CERTS”, and every other function of UCO. We should be pulling together, not restricting access, just because……Just what are they afraid of…US

I am truly disappointed in the Executive Board's “lack of disagreement” and thus allowing this self-serving announcement to be put forward to the Delegate Assembly and believe each should be held accountable when election time draws near. VOTE for CHANGE

Just as with the National political picture…….people… it is time for CHANGE….and only YOU CAN DO IT!! Vote for Change Insist on Change!

Stand up for what is right…….not for what is easy or secret or done without your consent…. Remember they did not propose a By-law change for you’re approval….they just ignored your opinion and substitute THEIR self-serving views. WRONG AGAIN! Failed Registry ……..Failed Arbitration and now this?? This just isn’t DEMOCRACY in action and it certainly isn’t transparency in action!

Perhaps a petition to amend the By-laws would eliminate this theft of power!

That’s my view, now, please,.......... share yours!

Ed Black

Term Limit WHY?

If you’ve read the current UCO Reporter, I’m sure you noticed the offering by the Administration Shill to promote one very bad idea. A shill is someone whose praises are motivated by self-interest.
The UCO by-laws do not need any tampering regarding the very effective term limits issue. They were placed there many years ago, when those proposing it realized no one person should be allowed to occupy any one office indefinitely. Just the fire in the belly of any newly elected to do their very best, is itself one very compelling reason to allow the limits to stand. Another is to make damn certain UCO promotes and encourages the next generation of qualified applicants to become involved in the governance of this Village, which this Administration can still accomplish.

How is it possible that UCO has survived without the proposed tampering? Every year we have elections and while the Nominations Committee was originally developed to go out and beat the bushes for qualified applicants to run for "officers" of UCO, most recently we have had more applicants than seats to fill. That, ladies and gentlemen, is Democracy at work.

Frankly, we should completely update the Articles of incorporation….FIRST! And while entertaining such complexities, propose term limits for the entire elected body, INCLUDING the Executive Board, currently filled with familiar names who no longer propose any NEW ideas or even see the problems at hand…like the failure of the AREAS to pick-up the paper once it is printed.

Changing times call for change, but not going backwards. Isn’t it bad enough that Channel 63 is using our information station to bore us to death with a presentation out of the 1950’s?

Progress in hindsight is to get the residents involved and Term limits do just that. Change would be to include all elected, not revert to elected officers entrenched for the next millennium, especially when they continue to lack vision and computer expertise. And lest we forget the failed rent strike and registry encouraged by all of the Administration, and the Arbitration, even though they fully were aware of NO significant facts to sway the arbitrators, which is precisely the veiled reason for the Mediation and settlement.
Sometimes change is good! And I do hope I've anwsered your question, sir.

That's my view, what's yours?

ED Black

IMPEACHMENT OR RESIGNATION

In another thread Elaine asks: Who is next in command after George? Mike is calling for Impeachment.

Caveat: I am not a Lawyer;

nor should this research be taken to indicate that I am either for or against the following described actions.
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One might jump to the conclusion that it might be a Junta of the Vice Presidents who would take charge; but!!!

As we are often told; UCO is organized under Florida Statutes, FS 617. Removal of any director is provided for in the Act.

If procedures are not provided for in uco Articles of Incorporation or in the Bylaws, the procedures in FS 617 are deemed to be so included.

In our case, mindful of UCO Bylaws stating that all Unit Owners are Members of UCO, it would envision a herculean requirement to obtain a majority of Unit Owner votes to remove the President.

Should the President or any director resign; a different procedure is envisioned by the Act.

Resignation requires merely a written notice to the Board of Directors, which in our case I believe is our Delegate Assembly!

The Board of Directors (Delegate Assembly) may then appoint a person to fill out the unexpired term. Please see the relevant extracts following. No doubt, this Post will elicit thoughtful Comment!
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CHAPTER 617
CORPORATIONS NOT FOR PROFIT

617.0808 Removal of directors.—

A director may be removed from office pursuant to procedures provided in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, which shall provide the following, and if they do not do so, shall be deemed to include the following:

(1) Any member of the board of directors may be removed from office with or without cause by the vote or agreement in writing by a majority of all votes of the membership.

(2) The notice of a meeting of the members to recall a member or members of the board of directors shall state the specific directors sought to be removed.

(3) A proposed removal of a director at a meeting shall require a separate vote for each board member sought to be removed. Where removal is sought by written agreement, a separate agreement is required for each board member to be removed.

(4) If removal is effected at a meeting, any vacancies created thereby shall be filled by the members at the same meeting.

(5) Any director who is removed from the board shall not be eligible to stand for reelection until the next annual meeting of the members.

(6) Any director removed from office shall turn over to the board of directors within 72 hours any and all records of the corporation in his or her possession.

(7) If a director who is removed shall not relinquish his or her office or turn over records as required under this section, the circuit court in the county where the corporation's principal office is located may summarily order the director to relinquish his or her office and turn over corporate records upon application of any member.

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617.0807 Resignation of directors.--
(1) A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors or its chair or to the corporation.

(2) A resignation is effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date. If a resignation is made effective at a later date, the board of directors may fill the pending vacancy before the effective date if the board of directors provides that the successor does not take office until the effective date.

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Dave