EXCUSE ME?!!!!

              
 "718 makes Wi-Fi a common expense and therefore the opt-outs are meaningless."

    I kid you not. This is taken directly from the minutes of the Wi Fi meeting at which some sage (not) person stated this. Wrong, wrong, wrong. In no way, shape, manner or form is Wi Fi part of the shared or common expenses and therefore there is no reason and no way to say that all condo associations are bound by it. It has nothing to do with buses or any other shared expenses including cable. Because both come thru wires does not mean that they are "twins" or even related. Thus, OPT OUT is perfectly legitimate and allowed. Might as well say that opting out of the insurance was also not allowed as we all need to have insurance and yet, and yet, well, there ya' go - opting out was and is allowed and there are now dozens of associations who have opted out of the UCO recommended insurance. Makes one think how much UCO is trusted, doesn't it.
     Now we come to the new math of UCO. An inflated figure of $1000 is given as the cost of wiring up a building. Well, that figure is not a universal figure at all, but for the sake of argument let us allow it to figure in the equation. Assuming every association in the Village wired up - that would be $309,000. Even in new math, that figure is just about $700,000 less than the million dollar figure - and more - that David Israel and cronies are pushing. For a man who got incensed over a bill of $5400 for shared expenses with Boca CV, well, these numbers are a tad bigger, don't you think!!! Now go back to the true figures and the total cost is even less with so many coming in under that $1,000 figure. It also leaves out the fact that there are many associations that want no part of wiring up either and the residents have voted to leave it status quo, opting out of his proposal and the individual wiring up. One can no more force these people to partake in a Village wide Wi Fi than one can enforce a Comcast only Village. People have Directv, Universe, etc. Shall we then be forced to use only one ISP - AOL, Microsoft, Google, etc?
     You all remember the old, but true adage - watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves? Well, it is quite appropriate here. Count the pennies, count the difference in cost, count the choices one actually has and you will see that the dollars that the Village wide proposal represent is a wasteful and even dangerous proposal for the financial health of our home.
     What is "funny" is the statement of oh, perhaps a performance bond be required. Really? Gee, I wish someone had remembered that when he signed the road contract!! We would not be in this shortfall mess in the first place, then, would we!!!
     Now let's look at some other figures. WE have a $1.3 million dollar shortfall. It is there. A proposal - made out loud by David Israel at a public meeting - after much pushing - recommended the transfer of the current amassed and yet to be collected $2 Wi Fi exploratory fees and money be transferred over to the general reserves and ameliorate some of the shortfall. Yes, that is the way to go. Now, Mr. David Israel has gone back on that and wants it kept in Wi Fi and indeed be changed from an exploratory fund to a DEFINITE Wi Fi proposal. The shortfall? What shortfall was that again? The Emperor's new clothes have returned once more to the Village.
     So - UCO right now - if the fund is transferred - is saying we will need a $3.09 increase in fees. Add the $2 if it is transferred but David Israel and crew push thru a continued additional Wi Fi fee - $5.09. Now let us add to that the figure of $4.94 that WPRF is requiring for its needs and we are now at an increase of monthly fees of $10.03 and that is before your association comes up with their needs and before the whole truth of the mammoth expense needs of the proposed Wi Fi really comes out. And don't forget the needs of the funds we must amass again to repair the roads and perimeter. So here we are, with a huge increase so, okay, we will just tell people to cut out two dinners a month, what the hey, we all could stand to lose a few pounds or perhaps, do not buy the two gallons of milk, or treat yourself to that Carvel, or buy the shirt you really need to replace a worn out one or we can go on and on. Pennies, folks, pennies add up to lots of dollars - and they all come out of YOUR pockets, yours and mine - ours.
     Finally, a little note to dear Gracie Girl, my not so amazing Grace. You win. I will not keep those pet names for you. Your consistent inane comments have forced me to reconsider and I have found a better pet name - Your Ninniness or Her Ninniness, whatever works. Hope you like it. Want to get that coffee yet and talk like a grownup? Your choice. Always has been.