WHAT IS THE HEAD END

Hi All,

There has been several mentions of the term "Head-End" in the BLOG.

What exactly does this term mean and how is it related to our CV Cable service.

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Simple really,

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above you will see two pictures; the one on the upper right is a typical array of Satellite Antennae which are pointed at various satellites in orbit over the Equator.

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These parabolic dishes are typically up to 7 meters in diameter but in special applications can be 30 meters in diameter (97.5 feet).

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The Satellites receive uplinked TV and Data transmissions from various Content providers and Internet Service Providers (ISP) and then downlink (transpond) these signals to the Antennae.

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From the Antennae the signals are sent over Fiber Optic or Coaxial cable to the equipment pictured at the upper left.

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This equipment consists of Receivers, Demodulators, Decoders, Demultiplexers, Routers...Etc. which are responsible for putting the signals on various Fiber Optic and Coaxial lines to our TV screens and Computers and Telephones if you subscribe to Internet Telephony.

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Taken together, these Antennae and Equipments constitute the Head-End.

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Dave Israel

Cable Chair

Nominating Committee Rejections

Is this committee exempt from an explanation as to why a particular individual
was not given their endorsement, or is it "Business as usual" "Player or non-Player"

--------------------------------------------------------------
Your BLOGMEISTER replies:

Hi Betty,
I am taking the unusual step of inserting a reply here because this is a Pet Peeve of mine:

I sat one cycle as a member of the Nominating Committee, perhaps two or three years ago; and I was not happy with how it functioned.
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I asked for the written criteria used in evaluating applicants; there was none!!
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Then proceeded a totally AD-Hoc process with no real validity whatsoever.
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Highly qualified applicants (IMHO), were eliminated because they did not agree with the Administration. This I found totally unacceptable.
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The process is highly flawed and needs to be revamped or eliminated.

Dave Israel

Cable

Whats happening with HBO ( ch 27 ) . It's not broadcasting, it seems to be stuck . Mike

LAKES AND CANALS

This Post is contributed by Andre. Clearly it is about the low water levels in our waterways. Thanks Andre for your interest and concern.

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Those of you who walked to the Clubhouse last night could smell the algeas under and around the bridge.

The worst is to come as low water level will produce more algeas. The lakes need more water and we cannot count only on Mother Nature.

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I had a look at the recycling water input pipe and it seems to me like we are using a straw to fill a pool.

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Can it raise or maintain the level of our lakes ?

The yardstick is a good measure that Ed Black could use to post on channel 63 the level of our lakes and lagoon ( currently below 0 )like the medias are doing for Lake Okechobee.

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Have a good weekend all.

Andre ( Let's pray for rain )

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We need to hear from the "secret keepers" at 2102 if they plan to commence Shoreline Restoration soon.

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If not, we need to take our full allocation of 750K gallons daily in order to reverse the current ecological travesty in our lakes.

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Again I recommend looking into algae eating Carp, or failing that a chemical solution.

If not stopped, when Spring/Summer comes, the Algae will grow exponentially and become very messy.

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Expanding the Water Meter photo reveals that over 144 million gallons (144,053,990) have been drawn since inception; nowhere near our allowable allocation. which would be approximately 274 million gallons total.

Dave Israel

ON THE ECONOMY

Hi all,
This 15 year old Calvin & Hobbs cartoon is as relevant now as it was then.
Dave Israel

Left Click on the cartoon to supersize and read

UCO Reporter - Editorial Staff

In view of several mis prints in the latest edition, could the above staff assign
one or more individuals to verify the facts, before the paper goes to print?
The minutes

ACCESS TO UCO RECORDS

Hi All,

In a Comment Stream Anonymous said...

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Good luck getting a policy out of UCO The last time I asked I was almost thrown out of the UCO office. By the way, STATE LAW REQUIRES an association to have an insurance policy as part of it's documents.SEE STATE LAW 718.111 (12) Official Records..8. All current insurance policies of the association....

Jan 29, 2009 5:30:00 PM

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Ok! you have half the ammunition you need to get what you want (In red above)

Now, keeping in mind that UCO is manned by Volunteers that work very hard, it is unreasonable to expect, as a routine procedure, that anyone can walk in and demand copies of anything immediately.

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UCO is organized under Florida Statutes: FS 617, which provides a procedure for obtaining access to records.

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REF:

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0617/ch0617.htm

617.1602 Inspection of records by members.

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(1) A member of a corporation is entitled to inspect and copy, during regular business hours at the corporation's principal office, any of the records of the corporation described in s. 617.1601(5),

if the member gives the corporation written notice of his or her demand at least 5 business days before the date on which he or she wishes to inspect and copy.

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(2) A member of a corporation is entitled to inspect and copy, during regular business hours at a reasonable location specified by the corporation, any of the following records of the corporation if the member meets the requirements of subsection (3) and gives the corporation written notice of his or her demand at least 5 business days before the date on which he or she wishes to inspect and copy:

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(a) Excerpts from minutes of any meeting of the board of directors, records of any action of a committee of the board of directors while acting in place of the board of directors on behalf of the corporation, minutes of any meeting of the members, and records of action taken by the members or board of directors without a meeting, to the extent not subject to inspection under subsection (1).

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(b) Accounting records of the corporation.

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(c) The record of members.

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(d) Any other books and records.

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(3) A member may inspect and copy the records described in subsection (2) only if:

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(a) The member's demand is made in good faith and for a proper purpose;

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(b) The member describes with reasonable particularity his or her purpose and the records he or she desires to inspect;

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(c) The records are directly connected with the member's purpose.

ETC......!

So! this provides a clear process if all else fails.

HOWEVER!!!

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I suggest that you first find out if the President of your Umbrella Association has the Insurance policies, if not call Dan Gladstone (712-1923) and request them.

If this fails, write your letter, and in due course you will be served.

Dave Israel

UCO TELEPHONE NUMBER

What is the correct telephone number for UCO.

According to the February UCO Reporter it is listed as 683-9189.

According to Jerry Karph's column in February UCO Reporter

he states "contact me at our new UCO office's telephone number

561-683-5135.

Which number is correct.

Condo Assoc. Insurance value assessment

Does anyone know what value UCO has placed on 3 bldg. 24 unit Assoc. for Insurance replacement value and deductible purposes is ?
Mike

GEORGE WE WILL REALLY MISS YOU

Hi All,
The following list is floating around the INTERNET!

------------------------------------------------------------
George, we will miss you and your words of wisdom that brought tears to our eyes!

'The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country.'- George W. Bush

'If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure.' - George W. Bush

'One word sums up probably the responsibility of any Governor, and that one word is 'to be prepared'.' -George W. Bush

'I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future.'- George W. Bush

'The future will be better tomorrow.'- George W. Bush

'We're going to have the best educated American people in the world.'- George W. Bush

'I stand by all the misstatements that I've made.'- George W Bush

'We have a firm commitment to NATO. We are a part of NATO. We have a firm commitment to Europe. We are a part of Europe '- George W. Bush

'Public speaking is very easy.'- George W. Bush

'A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls.'- George W. Bush

'I have opinions of my own --strong opinions-- but I don't always agree with them.'-George Bush

'We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur.'-
George W. Bush

'For NASA, space is still a high priority.'-
George W. Bush

'Quite frankly, teachers are the only profession that teach our children.' -George W. Bush

'It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's all the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.'-
George W. Bush

And let's not forget: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED"

And how about: $1500.00 dollars per Unit!!!!!

Dave Israel

'The End of the Financial World as We Know It'

Must read from NY Times, best expose I have seen of SEC agendas. Read to the end past Madoff.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/04/opinion/04lewiseinhorn.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

Association Officers

If nobody residing at an Association refuses to take the Office of
President what is the outcome. We were told that Seacrest will take
over at a cost of $400.00 per unit per month. Can an Unit Owner
who is a snowbird and only at CV for 2 months take the position
of President? Any commets would be appreciated.

JOKE AND QUOTE GENERATORS

Hi All,
Please do not hesitate to comment on the Joke and quote generators in the sidebar.

Based on your responses, they shall stay or they shall be removed.

Thanks,

Dave Israel

CB Radio

I remember reading how Bob Fogelman was into ham radio. Who's into Citizen's Band radio? I used to have one of those! I understand you have to study before being allowed to use a ham radio, but with CB radio, all you have to do is just buy the thing; you don't even need a license.

Correction to Pres. Loewenstein's current column

With regard to the Article in particular, paragraph 5, refers to Delegate Assembly vote against
Exploring the ability of every unit owner to vote for both UCO Officers and Executive
Board Members... Perhaps the actual reason for defeat of this motion, was an
oversight on G.L's part....
This particular issue was addressed on more than one occassion, in years gone by,
by previous chairs, certainly since I began attending Delegates' meetings, as an
interested seasonal resident in 2003,
Most fortunately, several villagers had complete recollection of this issue and were
able to convey the outcome to the assembled...It was further mentioned, that little
or no interest has come forward from the community at large, as evidenced in their
respective Boards or at Delegate Assemby meetings, where various associations, are
not represented, concluding that there was no need to re-visit this issue.
As a post script, had the current chair, and her committee met with their predecessors, ( in other words, done their homework )this would not have occured.

TRUCK BREAKIN & ROBBERY

HI ALL
SOMETIME LAST NIGHT A PANEL TRUCK WAS BROKEN INTO AND CONTENTS TAKEN, WHILE IT WAS IN THE NORWICH-N PARKING AREA.THE BACK WINDOW WAS SHATTERED , ALLOWING THE DOORS TO BE OPENED. DO WE HAVE A ROVING SECURITY PATROL?
MIKE

Random Joke Generator

I tried 3 random jokes on the left side Random Joke Generator, if you like tasteless and Larry the Cable Guy its for you! Somehow I do not think it will be copied by the CVCC site.

Our lakes

What is going on with our lakes? The water level has gone down at least 6 inches in the last 10 days, which were not Summer days as per Florida standards.
Are we buying recycled water or not?
How come the level is not maintained as mentionned many times in the past?
Is it that the recycled water pipe is too small to keep up with the natural evaporation?
When will the long overdue correction program of the shores be implemented?
Andre

FOUNTAIN OF MISINFORMATION

Fountain of Disinformation
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The Following is to be found on the CV Web Site INFOLINK
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REF: http://www.centuryvillagewpb.org/investigation.htm

The only problem is that these paragraphs are not to be found in Chapter 718 as the INFOLINK suggests. There is a difference between local procedures and State Law. Will it never end???

Dave Israel
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Investigation Procedures
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Chapter 718 — A contract for purchase or transfer of a deed or lease (if rental) must be given to the Condominium Association. This must be accompanied by a $100 check made out to the Association for the investigation. The Association deposits this check and issues an Association check for $100 made out to UCO. A married couple will be one (1) investigation. A marriage certificate is needed if the names are different. All other requests will require separate investigations; therefore, checks will be required for each investigation. Anyone can bring the contract, etc., together with the check to UCO. An application will be given to the bearer of the contract and the check.
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Chapter 718 — The completed original application must be returned to the Condominium Association. It should be examined immediately for completeness (proof of income, proof of age, if mortgaged — a commitment letter). Page #4 is to be notarized as the thirty (30) day time clock for approval or rejection starts when all necessary information is received at UCO.

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A condo board member must sign page #4 of the application before it is returned to UCO for the investigation to begin. This will affirm that the Association has screened the application and is aware of it.
Anyone can bring the completed application, after being signed by a Board Member, to UCO, for the investigation process to begin.

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Only a Condominium Officer or Board Member can pick up the completed investigation report. It is a confidential report and the Officer or Board Member will be made aware of the report's contents.

Purpose of the UCO Reporter

The purpose of the UCO Reporter is to keep unit owners informed on matters of common interest. The February UCO Reporter says next Delegate Mtg is March 6. I do not see anything in the paper about the February Mtg and upcoming nominations and voting for VPs and Executive Cmte. Huh! Are owners encouraged to participate? There is a small comment at the end of VP Cornish column. What is nominating procedure?
You have to watch channel 63 for better info: next Delegate Mtg. February 6th. Nominations will be taken from the floor.

CABLE - IS IT REALLY ABLE?

Hi All,
Clearly, we have a problem.

The Following articles are from the Miami Herald dated 20 and 21 January, 2009
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REF: http://www.miamiherald.com/business/technology/story/863349.html
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AND
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/nation/story/863991.html
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References provided by a Senior Cable Company Executive.

Dave Israel
CV Cable Chair
-

FCC fines cable operators over channel changes
By DEBORAH YAO
AP Business Writer
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PHILADELPHIA -- The Federal Communications Commission is fining nine cable TV operators for attempting to thwart its investigation of a practice in which analog channels were transferred to a more expensive digital tier, leaving some customers without access.
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In a letter to Congressional leaders Monday, on his last full day in office, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said cable operators had exhibited "contempt" for the commission by not providing full information about their practices, as ordered.
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"The cable operators' refusal to provide the commission full information has delayed our investigation and inhibited our ability to examine allegations" stemming from nearly 600 complaints, he told the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
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The cable operators receiving fines were Comcast Corp., Time Warner Cable Inc., Cox Communications Inc., Charter Communications Inc., Cablevision Systems Corp., Bright House Networks, Harron Communications LP, Midcontinent Communications Inc. and Suddenlink Communications Inc.
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The fines range from $7,500 to $25,000 - totaling about $500,000 - and some companies also were told to issue refunds to customers within 90 days for failing to give a 30-day notice about the channel changes.
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In October, the FCC asked 13 cable operators to provide more information on their practice of migrating channels to digital. The agency was concerned that customers who subscribe to less expensive tiers of analog service, such as basic cable, will have access to fewer channels because some have been moved to the digital lineup, even as those subscribers' bills continued to rise.
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Cable companies want to move analog channels to digital to free up bandwidth so they have more room to add high-definition channels and other content. It is not related to the national switch to digital broadcasting.
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The FCC said most of the cable companies it fined had provided incomplete or evasive answers, or even refused to answer some questions.
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Some, such as Comcast, said it needed more time to comply with the inquiry and questioned the legitimacy of the FCC's inquiry. Comcast declined to comment and referred questions to the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, which had no comment.
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Cable operators saw Martin's last-hour action as a final jab at the industry, with which he had hostile relations.
"We were a bit surprised. On his last day, the chairman took his final shot at cable companies," said Tom Simmons, senior vice president of public policy at Midcontinent. He said his company would "beg to differ" with the FCC's allegations and would appeal the fine.
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Time Warner Cable said it disagreed with the finding and will appeal. Suddenlink said it has fully complied with the FCC "as circumstances allowed" and increased the number of analog channels offered within the time studied by the FCC.
Other cable operators didn't immediately respond to calls for comment.
------------------------------------
Cable companies fined by FCC over switch to digital
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Nine cable TV operators face fines of up to $25,000 for what the FCC said was 'contempt' for the agency's investigation into channel changes.
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PHILADELPHIA -- (AP) -- The Federal Communications Commission is fining nine cable TV operators for attempting to thwart its investigation of a practice in which analog channels were transferred to a more expensive digital tier, leaving some customers without access.
---
In a letter to congressional leaders on his last full day in office, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said Monday that cable operators had exhibited ''contempt'' for the commission by not providing full information about their practices, as ordered.
---
'The cable operators' refusal to provide the commission full information has delayed our investigation and inhibited our ability to examine allegations'' stemming from nearly 600 complaints, he told the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
---
The cable operators receiving fines were Comcast, Time Warner, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, Cablevision Systems, Bright House Networks, Harron Communications LP, Midcontinent Communications, and Suddenlink Communications.
---
The fines range from $7,500 to $25,000 -- totaling about $500,000 -- and some companies also were told to issue refunds to customers within 90 days for failing to give a 30-day notice about the channel changes.
In October, the FCC asked 13 cable operators to provide more information on their practice of migrating channels to digital.
---
The agency was concerned that customers who subscribe to less expensive tiers of analog service, such as basic cable, will have access to fewer channels because some have been moved to the digital lineup, even as those subscribers' bills continued to rise.
---
Cable companies want to move analog channels to digital to free up bandwidth so they have more room to add high-definition channels and other content.
---
It is not related to the national switch to digital broadcasting.
The FCC said most of the cable companies it fined had provided incomplete or evasive answers, or even refused to answer some questions.
Some, like Comcast, said it needed more time to comply with the inquiry and questioned the legitimacy of the FCC's inquiry.

---
Comcast declined to comment and referred questions to the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, which had no comment.

POST OFFICE - SPECIAL LINE FOR CV, IS IT REAL

Hi All,
It has been announced at a number of venues, that due to the ambiguities surrounding the Mobile Postal Service Van; that a "Special CV Dedicated Line" has been opened at the Roebuck Road Post Office, at certain times of the business day.

It is not clear that this is true.

The following item was contributed by Phyllis Richland in another Post - Comment stream:
-------------------------------------------------------------
PHYLLIS HERE,

I WAS AT THE POST OFFICE YESTERDAY AND ASKED WHERE THE SPECIAL LINE FOR CV IS. I WAS TOLD BY THE CLERK THERE IS NO SPECIAL LINE FOR CV.

IT WAS A RUMOR AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA OF WHERE IT CAME FROM.
SO I WAITED ON LINE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. WHILE I WAS THERE I MET ANOTHER RESIDENT FROM CV AND ASKED HIM TO PLEASE RELAY THIS TO THE ADMINISTRATION .

IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED AT EVERY SHOW AND IT IS INCORRECT.

Jan 22, 2009 7:35:00 AM
----------------------------------------------

Have any of our BLOGGERS had a similar experience?

Dave Israel

"SERVICE" REAL MEANING REVEALED

Hi All,
The following was contributed by Dotty Kern:

"I became confused when I heard these terms with reference to the word 'service'.

Internal Revenue 'service'
U.S. Postal 'service'
Telephone 'service'
Cable 'service'
Civil 'service'
Customer 'service'
State, City & County Public 'service'

This is not what I thought 'service' meant.

But today, I overheard two farmers talking, and one of them said he had hired a bull to 'service' a few cows.

BAM!!! It all came into focus.

Now I understand what all those 'service' agencies are doing to us.
I hope you are as enlightened as I am.

Thanks, Dot, simply priceless!

Dave

WHICH WAY IS THE BUS GOING - AND WHY

Here is a neat little puzzle

---

Assume that the bus is moving, the question is; which way is it going,

LEFT toward "A" or RIGHT toward "B"?

Please give your reasoning in your response.

Dave

VETERANS AFFAIRS 21

Hi all,
Here is the latest mail

http://www.military.com/NL_MR/1,14852,6627,00.html

Dave

Legislators File Condo Owners Insurance Repeal Bill S 714/ H 419

If your association was thinking of buying insurance for owners per FS 718, hold on there –

1/20/09 Dear Florida Condo-Owners, Friends and Members,
The bill ( http://www.ccfj.net/PB09S714.html ) repealing the provision requiring condo owners to provide evidence of a currently effective policy of hazard and liability insurance has been filed. This was the provision in FS 718 that caused all the excitement:
FS 718.111(11)(g)2. The association shall require each owner to provide evidence of a currently effective policy of hazard and liability insurance upon request, but not more than once per year. Upon the failure of an owner to provide a certificate of insurance issued by an insurer approved to write such insurance in this state within 30 days after the date on which a written request is delivered, the association may purchase a policy of insurance on behalf of an owner. The cost of such a policy, together with reconstruction costs undertaken by the association but which are the responsibility of the unit owner, may be collected in the manner provided for the collection of assessments in s. 718.116.

The new bill -- H 419 + S 714 -- filed by Representative Ellyn Bogdanoff and Senator Dennis Jones will be effective July 1, 2009 -- if it passes the legislature. Thank you Representative Bogdanoff for keeping your promise!
Lines 155 - 165 will delete the provision that is causing such headaches!
Even if the statutes in the moment require such a policy, it's up to the association board to actually enforce this provision. The wording says: "the association may purchase a policy of insurance on behalf of an owner," meaning they can, but they don't have to.
So, how about using some common sense for about 6 month?
Warm Regards,
Jan Bergemann, President Cyber Citizens For Justice, Inc.http://www.ccfj.net/
http://www.ccfjedu.net/

WHAT IS PAST IS PROLOGUE

Hi all,
As Cable Chair I receive some interesting questions; this one has arisen before, in this BLOG, but I am going to re-post the answer as it is important to all Associations:

THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE; PLEASE READ THE STATUTE REFERENCED. The law provides strong sanctions, so do not get creative or you may end up in Court as the Defendant.
---------------------------------------------------
Question:

"May the Association have Comcast cut off Cable services to a Unit Owner who is delinquent in their monthly fees."

The short answer is NO! please read the following:
---------------------------------------------------
Hi all,

FS 718 does indeed provide strong sanctions in the case of delinquency of Fees. In essence they are:

1) Acceleration of all monies due to the end of the Budget year.(Filing of lien)

2) Charging Interest on amount due up to 18%

3) Administrative/Late fee up to greater of $25.00 or 5% of each delinquent installment.

4) Rejection of lease if Unit Owner is in arrears.

No mention of “Removal of Privileges” is contemplated in The Act, so don’t get “creative” Please read the extracts following:

REF: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0718/ch0718.htm

FS 718.112(g)

(g) Assessments.--The manner of collecting from the unit owners their shares of the common expenses shall be stated in the bylaws. Assessments shall be made against units not less frequently than quarterly in an amount which is not less than that required to provide funds in advance for payment of all of the anticipated current operating expenses and for all of the unpaid operating expenses previously incurred. Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude the right of an association to accelerate assessments of an owner delinquent in payment of common expenses. Accelerated assessments shall be due and payable on the date the claim of lien is filed. Such accelerated assessments shall include the amounts due for the remainder of the budget year in which the claim of lien was filed.

FS 718.116(3)(4)

(3) Assessments and installments on them which are not paid when due bear interest at the rate provided in the declaration, from the due date until paid. This rate may not exceed the rate allowed by law, and, if no rate is provided in the declaration, interest shall accrue at the rate of 18 percent per year. Also, if the declaration or bylaws so provide, the association may charge an administrative late fee in addition to such interest, in an amount not to exceed the greater of $25 or 5 percent of each installment of the assessment for each delinquent installment that the payment is late. Any payment received by an association shall be applied first to any interest accrued by the association, then to any administrative late fee, then to any costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred in collection, and then to the delinquent assessment. The foregoing shall be applicable notwithstanding any restrictive endorsement, designation, or instruction placed on or accompanying a payment. A late fee shall not be subject to the provisions in chapter 687 or s. 718.303(3).

(4) If the association is authorized by the declaration or bylaws to approve or disapprove a proposed lease of a unit, the grounds for disapproval may include, but are not limited to, a unit owner being delinquent in the payment of an assessment at the time approval is sought

Randall further notes in the Comment stream:

718.112 (2)(n)

Director or officer delinquencies.--A director or officer more than 90 days delinquent in the payment of regular assessments shall be deemed to have abandoned the office, creating a vacancy in the office to be filled according to law.

718.112(2)(d)....

or who is delinquent in the payment of any fee or assessment as provided in paragraph (n), is not eligible for board membership.

.---------------------------------------------------------
Dave Israel

The Gettysburg Powerpoint Presentation

11/19/1863
And now please welcome President Abraham Lincoln.
Good morning. Just a second while I get this connection to work. Do I press this button here? Function-F7? No, that's not right. Hmmm. Maybe I'll have to reboot. Hold on a minute. Um, my name is Abe Lincoln and I'm your president. While we're waiting, I want to thank Judge David Wills, chairman of the committee supervising the dedication of the Gettysburg cemetery. It's great to be here, Dave, and you and the committee are doing a great job. Gee, sometimes this new technology does have glitches, but we couldn't live without it, could we? Oh - is it ready? OK, here we go:
Click here to start

VETERANS AFFAIRS 20

Hi All,
Here is the latest mail:

http://www.military.com/NL_MR/1,14852,6608,00.html

Dave

I.O.U.S.A.: Byte-Sized - The 30 Minute Version

more info at http://www.pgpf.org/

Cappuccino's

Where a cup of coffee is a cup of coffee. The food is great. The price, like all the eateries these days, becoming on the upper side. The reason for this blog is I mentioned Cappuccino as a place with black mold existing inside the cover of the grated cheese containers on each table. I was greatly disgreed with. Well, I sat at a table, opened the cheese container, surely enough, the top was black with mold, but unlike in the past, I went to another table and opened the container there. It was clean. So, I have come to the conclusion they clean them every so often, but not all at once. I took a napkin and cleaned the inside of the cover. I will go back there and do the same thing because their food and their parmigian tastes great.

VETERANS AFFAIRS 19

Hi All,
Here is the latest mail:

http://www.military.com/NL_MR/1,14852,6583,00.html

http://images.military.com/NL_WK/1,14845,6575,00.html

Dave

Exit Gates

At the Jan. 9 delegates meeting, a woman said she had had trouble with the Village exit gate coming down as she went to pass through. It was explained that the exit gates are timed to allow TWO cars to pass through, and it was all in the timing. I don’t think the woman understood how this works, so I thought I would make a stab at it on the BLOG.

With the gate timed for two cars, the second right behind the first, the gate will remain constantly up so long as there is a steady flow of cars one right behind another. This is why. Picture two cars close to each other headed toward the gate. The first car slows down or stops until the gate goes up. The second car doesn’t have to pause, because it can go through on the first car’s triggering of the mechanism. As it passes through, though, the second car also triggers the mechanism, causing the gate to stay up, not only for its own passage but the next car's passage as well. The gate therefore stays up as long as the cars follow very closely on one another.

The problem comes when there is a gap between cars. Imagine a line of cars with a gap in the middle. Car 4 is in front of the gap. Now imagine an invisible car in the gap, which we will call Car 5. The invisible car is followed by the car in back of the gap. We will call it Car 6. When Car 4 goes through, the gate stays up for Car 5, the invisible car. But because Car 5 is invisible, it doesn’t trigger the mechanism to stay up for Car 6. Car 6 sees the gate remaining up for the invisible car and thinks it will remain up for it to pass through. But of course it does not.

Is this close to the right explanation? Has my invisible car only made the whole thing harder to understand?

Lanny

MOST RECENT COMMENT FEED FIXED

Hi All,
I am pleased to note that the Wizards of Google - BLOGGER have fixed the glitch in the "Most Recent Comments" feed.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Dave

TV Guide

What's the deal with TV Guide? Last I heard, the company was sold to another company for the round sum for one dollar! You may know it as a TV listings magazine, but it's much more: It's the entity that powers my TV's on-screen TV guide. Since the aforementioned events, the OSTVG is on the fritz. And now I hear that the Lionsgate movie studio may buy the non-magazine assets of TV Guide.

TRAFFIC CONTROL IN CENTURY VILLAGE

Speeding, Signage, CV Traffic Control and the Law

There is some interesting discussion in the BLOG about speeding busses, Signage specification and the legality of Traffic Control in our Village.

I have done some research on these issues and as always, if there is intent to do something Legally and correctly it is straight forward.
As always There are specific steps to follow; following is a Template which can get us there.
--
In short it goes like this:
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1) Place a Motion before the County Commission
2) Sign an agreement with the Sherriff (not an AD-HOC arrangement)
3) Re-do all Signage in CV to be legal

First we must drop all the nonsense about who owns what roads and the Private Property issues; the Law provides specifically for these issues and we can have Legal enforcement of traffic regulations on ALL roads in CV, not just on the Ring road; so please read the following and let your voices be heard:
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Let’s start with Florida Statutes: (The LAW)

Title: XXIII (Motor Vehicles)

Chapter 316 : State Uniform Traffic Control

FS 316.006 (Jurisdiction)

REF:

2007->Ch0316->Section%20006#0316.006">http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC006.HTM&Title=->2007->Ch0316->Section%20006#0316.006

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3) COUNTIES.
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(a) Counties shall have original jurisdiction over all streets and highways located within their boundaries, except all state roads and those streets and highways specified in subsection (2), and may place and maintain such traffic control devices which conform to the manual and specifications of the Department of Transportation upon all streets and highways under their original jurisdiction as they shall deem necessary to indicate and to carry out the provisions of this chapter or to regulate, warn, or guide traffic.
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(b) A county may exercise jurisdiction over any private road or roads, or over any limited access road or roads owned or controlled by a special district, located in the unincorporated area within its boundaries if the county and party or parties owning or controlling such road or roads provide, by written agreement approved by the governing body of the county, for county traffic control jurisdiction over the road or roads encompassed by such agreement. Pursuant thereto:
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1. Provision for reimbursement for actual costs of traffic control and enforcement and for liability insurance and indemnification by the party or parties, and such other terms as are mutually agreeable, may be included in such an agreement.
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2. Prior to entering into an agreement which provides for enforcement of the traffic laws of the state over a private road or roads, or over any limited access road or roads owned or controlled by a special district, the governing body of the county shall consult with the sheriff. No such agreement shall take effect prior to October 1, the beginning of the county fiscal year, unless this requirement is waived in writing by the sheriff.
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3. The exercise of jurisdiction provided for herein shall be in addition to jurisdictional authority presently exercised by counties under law, and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit or remove any such jurisdictional authority.
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4. Any such agreement may provide for the installation of multiparty stop signs by the parties controlling the roads covered by the agreement if a determination is made by such parties that the signage will enhance traffic safety. Multiparty stop signs must conform to the manual and specifications of the Department of Transportation; however, minimum traffic volumes may not be required for the installation of such signage. Enforcement for the signs shall be as provided in s. 316.123.
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The first step to making this happen is to place a motion before the County Commission. Following is an example which was accomplished by another community:
Please read the entire document, not just the extract; Note the Consultation with the Sherriff’s office
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REF: http://www.pbcgov.com/pubInf/Agenda/20070227/3c19.pdf
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Agenda Item #: 3-C-19
PALM BEACH COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY

Meeting Date: February 27,2007 [X] Consent [ ] Regular
[ ] Workshop [ 1 Public Hearing
Department:

Submitted By: Engineering & Public Works
Submitted For: Traffic Division

I. EXECUTIVE BRIEF

Motion and Title: Staff recommends motion to approve: An Agreement with Mizner's Preserve Homeowners Association Incorporated (Community) for traffic control jurisdiction to be performed by the Sheriff’s Office.

Summary: This Agreement authorizes the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office to provide traffic control enforcement services within the above-referenced private residential community.
District: 5

(M.R.E.)
Background and Justification: Section 316.006, Florida Statutes, provides that the County may exercise traffic control jurisdiction over private roads by written Agreement after consultation with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The community wishes to contract with the County for performance of law enforcement services and functions relating to traffic control within its boundaries in Palm Beach County, Florida. The community desires to have the Sheriff and his deputies control traffic upon its roadways. This will be provided at the discretion of the Sheriff.

Should the community desire deputies to be situated in its development at times outside normal hours, the community understands that a separate contract must be executed with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for additional services and that the community will be invoiced by the Sheriffs Office for such additional services.

Attachments:
1. Location Sketch
2. Agreements with Exhibits A, B, C (3)
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As noted in the Statute above, we must make Signage throughout the Village legal:

This is easy to do as signage specification and placement data is mandated by Palm Beach County Traffic Division as follows:
REF: http://www.pbcgov.com/engineering/traffic/pavement_markings_signing_geometrics/pdf/pmt08.pdf

So, let’s drop the AD-HOC approach and do the right thing.

Dave Israel

CV SPEEDING BUSSES

Why are the bus drivers not required to follow the 25 mph speed limit?

This is true for many vehicles such as US Mail and outside contractors.

The Funny Papers

The times must be so bad that the comics are flashing back to happier days. This week, Nancy is running strips inspired by when Fritzi was the star, before SLUGGO! That little girl entered her life.

In other comic strip news, Spider-Man has rebooted to match the movies. Now if only it could have shorter storylines so it could be in more newspapers.

W.P.R.F.

Today I read a comment in the CVCC website. I am going to
quote the comment so you don't have to search for it.

POINT OF INFORMATION TO CENTURY VILLAGE

The computer club members each pay approximately $100.00
per month to WPRF. Our club has over 500 members; therefore
what they pay is equal to $50,000 per month. Fifty Thousand
($50,000.00) per month equals $600,000.00 per year. The
computer club buys it's own equipment. No other club in Century
Village pays $600,000.00 a year and buys the equipment for it's
members to use for learning purposes. The Computer club
members, for the most part don't use the sailboats, the ping-pong
room, the ceramic or lapidary room, and the woodworking shop.
These rooms are not open for use.

Why should the computer club classroom to open to the non-
members and the public? The computer club classroom contains
very expensive equipment and some of the most expensive in
the clubhouse. The club members should have some say as to
how the classroom is used. The computer club rents the room
for $600,000.00 a year.

The above is written by a Board Member of CVCC

Can you believe what you just read. I haven't figured out yet
where my $100.00 plus is going. Any comments?

Tips on Driving and Shaving

Driving & Shaving Tips

The real reason for this BLOG is to find out if I can post a BLOG. I’ve had a problem doing so in my last few attempts.

Driving WHILE shaving is not recommended. The following are two driving tips and one shaving tip:

1. When driving by parked cars on the right side of the road, look UNDER the cars to see if you see the feet of someone, perhaps a child, walking in front of a parked car into your driving lane.

2. When driving in a potentially dangerous situation where you feel you might need to use your horn, if you can safely free one hand, keep it poised over the horn, so you can blow the horn immediately. A lot can happen in a fraction of a second, as we know from watching the Olympics. The extra fraction of time you gain could prevent an accident.

3. Do you men like it when the barber puts that warm lather on your skin? If shaving the “old fashioned” way with a razor and shaving cream, let the can of shaving cream soak in hot water for five minutes, and you’ll get the same effect. (Does everyone already know this?)

Lanny Howe

Update the Blog

The most recent comment section of the Blog has not worked for a long time. Please fix.

Thank you.

COMCAST HAS NO SHAME!

Hi All,
To this very day, I continue to receive calls from upset CV Unit Owners about the removal of channels from our Cable service. The most bitter complaints are in regard to the removal of the Catholic EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network).

It may not be generally know just how egregious and coercive this action was; because, in fact the EWTN costs Comcast nothing, as the channel is subsidized by donations:
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REF: http://www.rcta.com.au/RCTAewtnFAQ.html


2b. How is EWTN financed?

EWTN is donor-based. It is financed entirely by donations from its viewers, listeners, supporters, and benefactors. There are no shares, no invested funds, and EWTN receives no advertising or syndication income.

Mother Angelica founded the network relying on Divine Providence, and this mode of operation continues to this day.

2c. Does EWTN charge for its services?

EWTN does not charge for its services. All its satellite signals are "free to air", that is, available at no cost. It offers its programme transmissions free directly to the viewer, as well as to cable operators, broadcast television and radio stations.

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For those of you with Computers, EWTN may be viewed Online at the reference noted above.

As for Comcast, we can only hope that they find their conscience and treat our Senior Citizens properly in the future, if they are still here - in future!

Dave Israel
CV Cable Chair

UCO Office

The new UCO Office at 2102 West Dr. will open for business on Monday, Jan 5th at 9:00 . The old Camden Office will be, as it used to be, The UCO Reporter only.

More Comcast Changes?

Has anyone noticed that our Comcast channels have changed even more than the lost movie channels noted earlier? On Channel 19 there is now a Broward County Government station, and sometime after 11 pm, TNT and at least one other channel shows US programs (such as CSI) dubbed in Spanish??

TV FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Hi All,

The following site has links to Worldwide TV sources.

From Albania to Vietnam and everything in between.

A Wideband connection is required for good performance; your mileage may vary.

If you speak any of the various languages represented, let us all know what you think!

REF: http://www.beelinetv.com/

Dave Israel

Haverhill Gate, Transponder lane..

While doing some last minute shopping for NY Eve., on my return, encountered a
long line of auto's in the Guest lane, some crossing over from the transponder lane..
Thinking they too, were unhappy with the "bump & hump, or is it Hump & Bump"?
as I crawled closer, it became obivious......The transponder lane, was shut down.....
someone, zoomed through, breaking the arm.......once more... Undoubtly, the occurances have been reduced, but NOT eliminated....certainly hope the fines have
now been substantially increased, and the excess ( after the repairs ) monies put
into a fund, to offset damages to private autos of residents, who in time, will begin
legal action... Other issues have provoked legal action, could this be far behind?

And We Thought Comcast Was Bad

While flipping the channels on my TV the other night and landing on CH 30 MTV I saw a message being shown repeatedly at the bottom of the screen. It was directed to all Time Warner Cable subscribers advising that T.W. has or was going to take away 18 Channels. These would include MTV, Nickelodion and Turner Classic Movies. Viewers using Time Warner were advised to call an 800 number to register their protest. Now I know what I have to look forward to back in NY where Time Warner serves as my cable source.
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Your BLOGMEISTER replies:

It looks like this problem has been solved in the nick of time:

SEE:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/1700ap_viacom_time_warner_cable.html

Dave