THE FACE OF EVIL

         "The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."    Albert Einstein
     Over and over again we have heard statements from people along the lines that if one does nothing to actively oppose evil, then one is actually aiding and abetting it to flourish. It is something where one cannot stand aside and say, "tsk, tsk" and await others to do the heavy lifting.
     No bones about it, today's world is rife with evil, be it exploding from  the groups who behead and torture to the cruel statements and actions of daily life. But again, think not that we here in the USA are immune from this concept and deeds. It seems that we were all becoming enlightened, accepting that others who were different were still allowed to live their lives as they saw fit as long as there was no violation of the rights of others or violence. So certain religious sects among Native Americans were allowed to use peyote in their rites without fear of arrest and prosecution. So said Federal law - and that was fine. But look at what has taken place now.
     Indiana passes its own law which basically states that one can refuse service to another who violates one's religious beliefs and it seems that the major targets here are those members of society who are LGBT. It seems that if one sells a bouquet of flowers to a member of one of those classifications, that one's own religious sanctity is violated. Really and truly? Are we supposed to believe this in 2015 or will this be acknowledged for the major leaps and bounds backwards into the fog of hate and harm that it truly is?
      Some LGBT are obvious to the eye while others are not. So what is one to do so as to avoid "violation" - even if that "one" is a big corporation? Oh, I don't know - maybe a search for these people and then a pink triangle along the lines of Hitler? That would certainly make it easier! And what about other bothersome people who impinge on one's religious beliefs? Why, let's not serve them either and let's mark them up too so we can avoid trouble to our souls!
     No, this is not the world of the "Bad Guys" vs. the "Superhewoes" of my grandson's world. This is the world of the bad guys who try to disguise themselves as regular members of society and those who go along with them. There is no excuse for discrimination - EVER. For Ted Cruz and Jeb Bush to approve and try to defend this new Indiana state law is anathema. I was actually thinking about Jeb Bush, especially after his recent statement about working past the great divide in our society and looking for consensus, but now? Uh uh! WE need to stand up, admire and vote for those who have voted with their feet, with their wallets, and with their mouths against this Indiana law.
     Laws like these lead to the Initiative in California which goes a step further, right to the max. If one does not like those who are gay and know that they are involved in sexual activities, why then just shoot them in the head and if that is not good enough, use any other convenient method of inflicting death upon them. I kid you not! This is up for approval in California.
    Hey, after them we can go after whatever group we want. Just cut them out of the norms of society and then engage in a shoot 'em up, a hunt, or whatever tickles your fancy! This is where excess and hate go. This is where they lead to. And it is our responsibility to uncover this hate and root it out, both by laws that are active and by preventing such laws of hatred and most of all, by education.
     And do not think that we here in CV are immune to this hatred. Before the Connie and Ruthie movie was shown in the Clubhouse, I heard the snickering of an idiot who told others to "see the movie and maybe there are some 'really good parts'". What I saw was a movie of heroic people, for that is what true heroes are - simple and everyday people who stand up in times of need against all odds. I have heard Jews being cursed as Jews, including myself, and told to go wherever it is that they belong. I have heard the "n" word and other derogatory language and I, myself, have been the target of this evil. I, too, have been made into a non-person of CV society, with my face and voice being banned, censored. Does anyone think that I am alone in this, the only one? Perhaps they have gone a bit overboard, yes, one might think, but I will not be the last.This is what happens when the hands that are supposed to be guiding hands turn into grasping and controlling hands and when people without any evident consciences are allowed to serve as point leaders and makers of policy. This is what happens when they are allowed to get away with it.
     So where does this all end? Well, in the larger world, we must speak up, write our representatives in government and tell them we will not stand for this. We will show that defiance with our votes and with our refusal to honor these laws, demand their retraction and refuse to support those companies that follow these barbaric laws.. Some laws are immoral and society must ban them. The laws of Nazi Germany were laws, yet those who followed them were guilty of war crimes, of crimes against humanity. Are we, today, in 2105, going to allow such laws to be promulgated in our own society? We cannot allow this evil to flourish - not in the world, not in our country and not in our Village.
     When good people stand aside and do nothing - that is when evil rushes in and flourishes. Think about that.
    

LET'S TALK TERMINOLOGY

     First, let me apologize for the spacing issue. I cannot figure it out and hope it will not recur. Also, Gerry saw Howie O'Brien last nite at the show so there is good news from that quarter.
     Now to terminology. Lots of adjectives have been thrown around in recent days, lots of actions that lead to these adjectives, voiced and unvoiced, so let's examine some of them.
     It seems that one morning I woke up to find myself a despirasido - and please excuse misspellings. What is this? It is a term used to describe those thousands upon thousands who simply disappeared off the face of the earth at a time of great upheaval and repression in Argentina. These mostly young, large percentage of whom were Jewish and many young women were pregnant or had young children, were ripped from their beds, from the streets, tortured, had their babies stolen and were then dumped deep into the ground or the depths of the ocean. It was only in very recent times that the fate of these people and their children has been uncovered to a degree and their names are recalled once more in public.
     So I am decidedly not pregnant nor have I disappeared physically but the efforts are being made to disappear me from the Village. No entry to any media, no entry allowed as a UCO volunteer and now even my face and voice have been termed verboten by our "esteemed" David Israel and his deputy, Ed Black. Wow!!!! Makes me feel important that such efforts are being made to shut me down and shut me up. However, won't work. Sorry, boys. It just makes me ever the more determined to air your dirty linen in public. That is the way it works. It would be so simple, so much easier for you to just do the right thing and release papers for whatever, on request, as you are supposed to do in the first place!
     You rant that we are on a fishing expedition. Well, aside from a short lived purchase and use of a fishing rod for my youngest, to indulge a wish of his, that has been my closest experience with fishing.  The question here is - what are you trying to hide? If there was nothing then why not comply with a simple request. Instead, right now you stand there like a guilty little boy next to the shards of the broken vase and your hands behind your back, refusing to show the baseball in your hands and thinking that no one will ever know or figure it out. Wrong again!
     Let's see....Ahh, I have called David Israel a sheikh. I guess that was incorrect for he is certainly not from Araby, certainly not a Valentino; nor does he have a harem, only a bevy of computers. But he does behave in a single ruler mode so perhaps we need to check other terminology. A fascist regime is an authoritarian and dictatorial regime wherein the rights of the people are denied. So, people, what do we have here.? Where are our rights? Why is one man and his buddy allowed to control all media? Smells like it, looks like it....so what is it? Answer that yourself.
     Now how about hypocrisy and for that we must part the curtains into the past and oh, yes, what do we see? Why, can that be Ed Black threatening a UCO president that unless he releases papers that he requested, he, Ed Black, would then retain an attorney!!! Oh, yes, that indeed did happen so dear Mr. Israel and Mr. Black, shall we go berserk here with the word "sue, sue"?  Goose and gander, my friend, goose and gander.
     Now let's have a little fun.  Allegedly,Ed tells me I am silly - no, not really, only in moments with friends and grandchildren, but certainly not when discussing evil issues. Old? Well, so are you, guys - and older than me so screw that. Slob? No, not a neat freak either but as Dr. Seuss wrote in one of his books, "just right, just right, just right." Finally, moron? That definitely not, else how could I write circles around you, understand your nefarious plans and by the way, how could a non elected resident of CV, the same as all other non elected residents of CV, have the right and power to censor media. How is that, exactly? You got some 'splainin' to do, Mr. Ed.
     Oh, one more recent name - demented. Truly, Gracie? Can you find nothing better? Much better that you finally shut off your drippy faucet of nonsense and try to understand the depths of the issues facing CV and that means issues that will affect you too, dearie, like it or not.
     So, despite the paranoia that drives one to try to censor all, we need to get down to the nitty gritty and find out where and why this place has gone off the tracks and how we get back on. And we need to do it NOW!
    

CAN WE PLEASE GET REAL HERE?

After getting a look at the first page of the new Reporter I did not know if I should laugh or cry and this feeling persisted as I scrolled through. Let's take a look at the bottom line here in CV regarding our media outlets.
     Channel 63 used to be a mere scroll of announcements and then we had talented people come in and work to change that. First we had Neil Moore who was first under the bus when he disagreed with you know who!
     Then we had a nice developmental period of time under the aegis of John and Kitty Gregg who used their experience and laid out their own money to set up a professional system and enhanced the taping and sound of the various committee meetings. All fine and good but the ominous sign were there for the looking.
      First Channel 63 was brought in to the Reporter building, the closer to the teeth of Joy Vestal. Better supervision, huh? Some issues about repayment of funds is what I heard but I cannot be sure about that, so reporting it as a rumor heard around the town. Finally we have a great Channel 63 and oops! No Go! Ed Black decides that an innocuous video about a book club that I belong to had to go and why? Because the powers that be have decided that I am to be a non person here in the Village. No paper outlet as I am verboten in the Reporter on the dictat of Vestal and now no visuals as anything I have to say is "tainted". Wow! McCarthy hearings and witch hunts of our own  making! Er...Ed....er Fred, made sure to send me a note that the video was removed because "I am a silly old slob and a moron" so thank you for that shining example of the level of your thinking and that of your partner in crime. Sure do admire the syntax and advanced thinking it represents. So the Greggs resigned on principle.
     So what is left? Ahhh.... the total and complete submission of the paper to the needs of David Israel and no bones about it. Israel knew and published the letters he received re the ballots from the previous election and in his own inimitable way managed to regress to kindergarten level and then made sure that the paper would have pictures of voting scenes. So what? What does that prove? Nothing, actually, but this is all an attempt to try the issue in a one handed one sided underhanded manner. Par for the course. Here is Vestal's promise - "We promise to seek the truth and to print both sides of an issue, to open dialogue to inform our readers, not to create controversy."
     Because there is a disagreement, a different opinion, does not mean there is controversy. That DOES  arise when differing opinions are censored based on the whims of a singularly unqualified person.
     And yet, read the editorial questioning whether the questions that arose about the election would have been asked under other circumstances. Well, the answer is YES, emphatically so. Our election process is flawed, very flawed, outgrown, out dated, open to violations of honesty and accountability and the meeting was a farce. There was a meeting prior to that and promises were reneged upon, as they were at the election. The whole thing needs to be swept clean and perhaps even get an outside neutral adviser in to formulate new procedures and new voting systems. What we have is a travesty.
     Look what the paper and UCO have sunk to. Instead of paying attention to the associations as UCO should be doing, instead of having real and timely meetings with the boards of these associations, instead of keeping an eye out for those associations that are struggling, we get a litany of excuses as to why this whole issue was neglected and allowed to grow and develop into this poisonous situation where there is danger to our very existence via Sheffield O and its venial disruptor. One fool says UCO cannot do anything legally, but who the hell said anything legally. It is called ADVICE. It is called assistance. It is called help during a time of need.  It is called the duty of the VP whose assigned role is not to yes, yes  to David Israel but to watch his/her own area. So let us see who the Vp for Sheffield area is. .....Ahhhhh - there you have it   - Bob Marhsall.
     Yes, the same VP who falls asleep at meetings. The same VP who chose at a time of crisis for the Village, to write stories of his grandchildren in his column. Very cute, but seriously! This will help how? Are we to have a grandparent competition to scare off the motel developer? Are we to go down laughing and going aawww, so cute?
     The whole paper is rife with pleas for volunteers. Need I repeat the same old same old. Cornish, Vestal, et al, put your money where your mouth is. Have a bit of courage and face up to the sheikh in the back office. Use our resources properly or is asking a former officer, several times over, an expert at finances, to submit an application for a position as an Exec. Bd. member considered proper management and usage of resources. Hey, here's an idea - Howie O'Brien is unfortunately ill in the hospital - and we send our wishes for a full recovery - but how about using this person's skills during this time of need/?Who are you planning to stick in there instead? Bob Marshall, he who is asleep or telling tales, who signed away $80,000 or perhaps Ed Black...shudder...but then again, that man never wants to sign his name to anything and leave a paper trail. So put on your thinking caps for a change, not the dunce caps!
     If we do not fix this place up, if we do not start using our heads, then I suggest that it might be time to move on for those for whom this is a home, our only home. I cannot afford to go down with the ship and nor can many others. Unless we get rid of this UCO administration, voting with one's feet may be the most honest way of voting and the most telling and effective. That movement has already begun. Sad, terribly sad, for all of us.

PARALLEL WORLDS

        The world is in a precarious situation. Four countries in Africa are at war against Boko Haram, Saudi Arabia is attacking Yemen along with other Arab states, Syria is a heap of rubble, deserted by its population, we are bombing Tikrit again and this time Iran is supposedly on the same side - though we are in negotiations to limit their nuclear capacity (no wonder Israel is wary of these negotiations) and ISIS is all over the place including recruiting from every country, including our own. The Middle East is on fire, the Ukraine is burning and what shall be done? What can be done?
     I do not have the answer in proper PC terminology and that is perhaps the problem. When we refuse to recognize the truth, when Obama refuses to state clearly that much of this world wide fire is caused by Islamic extremism, by religion perverted to goals of power, slavery, rape and terror, then what chance does the world have when our leaders are cowards.When our leaders acquiesce. When our leaders allow this to happen.
     When there is a bit of mold, or a small leak, or some dry rot or whatever small problem in a home, the prudent thing is to fix it before it becomes big and unmanageable. The principle is the same in the world, but we have neglected these small fires, turned a blind eye to them and instead of small fires they have turned into huge forest fires, uncontrollable in their fury.
     In 1969 there was a song, "One Tin Soldier" sung by the Original Caste. Go to You Tube and listen to it. How prescient it was. It speaks of a kingdom on the mountain which contained a treasure beneath a stone and of the valley people below who wanted that treasure, would get that treasure if they had to kill for it! So while the mountain kingdom wished to share it, the valley people turned that offer away, spurned it with sword and blood. After they had killed all, they turned over the stone and what it had buried there was the saying "Peace on Earth".
     The refrain:
                        Go ahead and hate your neighbor
                         Go ahead and cheat a friend
                         Do it in the name of Heaven
                         You can justify it in the end.


     Back to our world here in the Village. We also have two kingdoms here, one willing to share all with all, be inclusive of all the segments and sects of the Village, one which wishes to have that peace on earth right here in our home, but there are the valley people who wish to attain and keep total control, 100% control, and they are well on their way. When they can arbitrarily censor, force good people to resign, unable to work with people like this, when non elected people rule the roost, nastily, when we are told we cannot and will not be allowed to think for ourselves, then we are in big trouble and the small fires are now one big forest fire, ravaging our home.
     The person who lit the matches must be thrown out of office, along with his aides and abettors, if we are to survive. They can try to justify it all, but the first two lines of the refrain say it all. There is no love here on their part, only disdain and contempt for those they "rule", for those they wish to control. By the way, since this is OUR Channel 63, OUR funds that pay for it AND it can be viewed from elsewhere other than the Village, besides free speech violations I am wondering if there is a Federal violation of the rules of the airwaves as well and yes, my attorney is looking into that as well.
     David, I tried. I offered a hand and you slapped it. I offered to help and you spurned it. I offered a competition and you tried to crush it. I offered an easy way for the dilemma of the ballots and you refuse it and then cry wolf. Just exactly what do you think you will gain here? A legacy? I promise you, when you are  gone that legacy will not be a positive one. So think about it. There is always time to reconcile, sign a peace treaty and do the right thing, the moral thing and call off the dogs of war. Your choice. And by the way, Mr. Israel, I am not "that person" as you referred to me in a rant at a meeting. My name is Esther and there are many "that persons" around, many who think like me.

BETTIE BLECKMAN ON CHANNEL 63 AND THE GREGG'S RESIGNATIONS

Thursday, March 26, 2015

CHANNEL 63

Will the above channel the Village has come to rely upon revert back to the "Olden Days" of
Club announements etc.?  Due to the resignations of both Kitty & John Gregg, to whom we owe
heaps of "Gratitude" for not only their time, talent and dedication, to improving both sound & picture
quality ( Comcast equipment, FINALLY brought up to par, after several attempts by others who
failed to accomplish,what John Gregg, managed to do in a two week window)..in addition to the
variety of programing, that had been offered to inform and entertain our residents, no longer exist?
Channel 63 BELONGS to the ENTIRE Community..Political messages, other than Club Announcements
have not appeared to my knowledge..it was kept civil, informative & entertaining as it should be;
however, there are those, who due to an interview, conducted by myself, over one month ago, which has
been aired, more than once, with the President of one of our Book Club Reviews has now been deemed
"Unacceptable" All parties involved pre production, including myself, would not have WASTED our
time on an "Unacceptable" project....Remember, we all FUND THIS CHANNEL....

OPEN CENSORHIP OF CHANNEL 63 MAJOR SCANDAL

              SCANDAL!!!!!      SCANDAL!!!!!!!


     Well, folks, we are now living in Century Villagestan, a suburb of all the ....stans where the warlord or the Sheikh rules and his sub commanders set AND ENFORCE the rules.
     The censorship is now in the open, no subterfuges or room for denial. It is time to fight back, to ensure our rights and the respect they, and we,deserve. 
     About a month ago I was asked to do a short interview for a book club as all book clubs of the Village were doing. Reluctantly, as I hate to be on any kind of film, still or video, I agreed and thanks to Bette B. and the Greggs I was made to feel comfortable and we did it.
     I did not even get to see it on Channel 63, missing it, but no matter, However, NOW it matters, for yesterday, ED BLACK told Kitty Gregg in no uncertain terms that my interview was pulled. No viable reason was given.
     I can give you a reason. It is this: I asked, as is my right, for a recount using the original ballots. The sheikh of the Village then sent me a nasty reply and thought I would disappear into the mist but was sadly disappointed. He then received a conciliatory and friendly letter from my attorney asking that the request be granted and if not, well, there are other paths to follow (my words).
     David then proceeded to publish the attorney's letter on his blog with the ridiculous heading of Sue-Sue - and I dare and defy anyone to find that word in any of the correspondence vis a vis this matter. This was David's usual tactic of cyber tantrum and cyber bullying. But once again, the sheikh of the stan was to be disappointed for the tactic did not work and he received my thoughts in response as posted on my blog. he talks of money? Just agree to the reasonable request and there is  no money involved. that is ON HIM!!!!
     What to do? David, in the form of his alter ego, Ed Black, took the interview off 63 and told the Greggs this with no viable reason being given, just that it was so. The Greggs, on principle, resigned. I am so sorry that they are caught up in this, that the actions and behaviorisms of David and Ed are such so as to ignore all that the Greggs have done for the Village and 63, just ignored all their goodness and honesty. My apologies, Kitty and John, but I cannot control the illogical and vindictive reactions of this man.
     All of you out there, the shills that are always posting on David's blog, cursing me out or whatever - EVEN YOU must see the danger in this. Here we are, living in the state of Florida in the country of the USA, guaranteed freedom of speech, with our own Channel 63 paid for by OUR fees, not being funded by David and Ed as independent entrepreneurs, and they DARE to censor what has nothing to do with them but only of and for the Village? Even you cannot agree that this is right. What is next? YOU????? When will something that you love or support or wish to see be censored? When will you and yours be thrown under the bus?
     People, ED Black is a NON ELECTED PERSON AND YET HE BASICALLY RUNS EVERYTHING IN UCO WHILE DAVID ISRAEL SITS AND TAPS TAPS TAPS AWAY ON HIS BELOVED COMPUTER.
     Stand up and do the right thing. I do not care about the interview except in what it represents. It stands for our freedom of speech, our rights, our right to choose, to see for ourselves, to decide for ourselves. I do not know about you, but I do not need some sheikh to decide for me, to tell me what I can or cannot do or say or see or think.
    TIME TO RECALL     TIME TO DUMP ED AND DAVID BEFORE THEY DESTROY US.

TALKING TURKEY ABOUT BROADBAND

     So now we have the Broadband Committee and by the way, correct the misspelling in the schedule of meetings. Great proofreading that, Ms. Vestal et al. But exactly what does that term mean with reference to the average person's daily life and usage of machines, devices, viewing possibilities and payments. This is an issue that needs to be decided upon further information, cold hard sense, individual needs and the needs of the Village. There is no room  and no need here for force and intimidation, for emotional language and abuse or anything else. Just thinking!
     The technical definitions and statistics are truly not important here for that is not what people want to know. They want to know - what's in it for me? How does it affect me? What will it cost me? What will I get for my bucks? The techie stuff - is there to "impress" people, but that is way too stale a path and no one truly cares, just the same way that no one needed the details as to how the phone worked or the fax machine, etc.
     Supposedly one will be able to toss aside the traditional TV subscriptions and still maintain what they really watch, tailor it to a degree. Well, not so simple and not so cheap. Let's take a look at some of the choices. And remember - this is a swiftly changing world so it behooves us to step very carefully into this world, toe by toe, inch by inch, reading, thinking, investigating, checking finances and rethink before we even think of taking action.
     SONY has the latest hat in the ring. For $50 a month (I have rounded all .99 to the next dollar). one can access the standard broadcast channels and cable channels - not premium ones). BUT you need to own PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 consoles. Right now it is restricted to three cities but there is a plan to expand but also remember - no Disney owned channels such as ABC. And as far as further personalizing - well, there goes the bill, going up anyone?
     There is DISH for about $20 a month with 20 channels or so available and extra channels cost $5 a pop, no broadcast channels and only one device at a time.
     How about Apple TV? Range - $20 - $40 a month and they are in talks with some channels, but COMCAST and NBC are NOT involved.
     Well, what about HBO Now? That is $15 a month IF you have the Apple TV device. One gets all HBO programming - such as Game of Thrones but where is the rest of what one likes?
     CBS All Access is $6 a month with live TV available in about 14 cities right now and all over the USA for on demand past episodes of various series. And then, of course, we have Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and Hulu plus, Acorn, etc. Each of these cost money folks. I know personally, as I have top Comcast options with their X1 platform and I have added some other options which have original programs or options from other countries. I can use all my computers and all the TVs at the same time. Device usage is not limited via power or interference. That is MY choice and I value that choice - to keep, add, subtract, etc.
     The thing to remember is that NO ONE knows how broadband will end up? Who will govern it? How will it be classified? What are the fees that will be engendered and there will be. Nothing is free in this world and if it starts that way, it never stays that way as it develops new options. And how will new advances be factored in to older systems? Will there be tiers of service and access? Some say yes and some say no, but again, rules and votes change.
     The point is, one can get what one wants for the money one wishes to pay. There is no one choice serves and satisfies all and no free choice. No one loves you so much out there that they will donate the services for nothing. It is a business and ANYTHING we do, ANY STEP we take, need be measured carefully and with much input from ALL, from several companies, from experts that come from BOTH sides of the issue and then it should be OUR choice, not the choice of a dictator and henchmen.  Do Not Cede Your Rights!


PS: One can get all this streaming done in one's own unit without, that is WITHOUT wiring up the Village so why is there a broadband committee?

QUESTION OF THE DAY #15 AND #14

Please refer back to previous postings for the list of unanswered questions that we have posed, just awaiting the response of David Israel, ostensibly the President of UCO and thus responsible to answer these questions and address the needs and concern of his constituents. This is day SEVENTEEN and all we hear is the hollow echoing sound of silence coming from the direction of UCO. We will keep asking questions, posting the most recent two or three and keep the others available. Remember - this is your UCO and you are entitled to answers.


Question #15:
     Where, how and why does David Israel get and base his tactics of refusing all volunteers and chairs of committees who "displease" him? How does he feel and why does he feel that he is free from the rules of the Sunshine Laws as he develops his own set of "secret" rules? Remember - noses and opinions - everyone has one and are entitled to blow them as often as they wish. Once more, the dictatorship rules.


Question #14:
      David Israel, what is the true situation of the waterways in our Village? Release any and all information that UCO has, any reports, particularly on the future of our waterways. What are we planning - if at all - to do about the chemicals, about the color, about the developing odor, about the algae, about the hazard to health that it is becoming? WHAT!!!!!!!

LIES AND LIES AND DOES IT AGAIN

     I was just waiting for this infantile gesture of David Israel. While I have no the time this AM to fully respond to David Israel's lies, suffice it to say that in no way, word or insinuation is there any word 'sue" or threat to sue. Yes, we wish to come to an amiable agreement. Yes, we said that if this is not possible then there are further steps to take, but again - no word "sue". Read and feel the language of the letter.
     I am not interested in making money off the lies of this man. What I am trying to do is get him to release documents, open his books, run a transparent administration. This is for the health and the future of the Village.
     Notice that while I did not publish his nasty and contemptuous response to my original letter nor did I publish any other piece of correspondence, hoping that the man could possibly be a grown up for once in his life - he publishes everything.
     Ask yourself why that is? Why does this man behave as a cyber bully, thinking that he can threaten and scare people off. I am not threatening, simply stating facts and what can and should be done in an amicable manner. I do not turn to others, running to them as an infant or child does in the schoolyard, knowing he is wrong, but looking for those of his ilk who will come to his aid.
     There are always those who cannot stand on their own feet because they are weak, cannot accept constructive criticism nor opposing viewpoints. Well, Mr. Israel, opinions are like noses - everyone has one. Deal with it. Live with it and stop running to everyone and just do what should be done. For heaven's sake - grow up.
     Please note that you can continue to state whatever lies you wish and fight your battle as a cyber bully. Keep throwing your cyber tantrums if you must. I will not and this is the first and last time I will respond to your misstatements in this matter on the blog. So go ahead and do what you think you must. I know what is right.

LET'S TALK TURKEY - WE JUST DID PUMPKINS!

     So Joan Rivers inspired to talk, and carrying on the theme of talking truth, be it the inside of a pumpkin or the truth masquerading as talking turkey, let's look at recent newspapers and some of their stories.
     Still harping on poor Hillary who appears to have committed the cardinal sin of preferring to read things in hard copy form, as in printouts or actual golly gee real newspapers. Well, me too. Besides liking the feel and smell of a paper, the heft of a book, the peeking at the end, the glare on the screen bothers me. So call me old if one must, but that does not make it a crime or a defect, not in me and others like me or even Hillary.
     Then we have a story of a woman in a play about life as Arafat's secretary. How swell! Her major complaint? That the Israelis had the nerve to kill her "militant" father just because he hijacked a Belgium airliner and held it hostage along with about three other "militants". Golly gee, how dare they do that to her hero of a father! And the Times prints this in all seriousness! Militants? Is that what destroyed our towers?
     Then we have oh, such a heartwarming story about the quality of mercy, you should excuse me, that can be found in the Sharia system of justice in Saudi Arabia. Huh? Did I read that right? Did I type that correctly? The same system that will imprison a woman for daring to drive a car - GASP! The same system that canes and lashes?! The same system that cuts off hands and the same system that thinks that challenging the religious law is just about the worst crime one can do and deserves a truly hefty punishment? The same country that sent out so many of their citizens to take down our planes and the WTC, kill 3,000 of our people? The same country that had its citizens of wealth and royalty fly out that day when all other aircraft were grounded - but Bush let them go? Ah, yes, the quality of mercy. But let an Israeli soldier who is not much more than a boy himself, conscripted at 18 or a little slip of a girl serving as a Border Policeman shoot at a Palestinian throwing a Molotov cocktail or even a huge rock - and yes they do kill. Why not go visit the little girl who just died two years after being hit in the head with one and suffered massive brain trauma! Let that happen and the world freaks out! Turkey, anyone/ Rotten pumpkin, anyone?
     The Times redeems itself somewhat in one of the best articles I have read yet about the horrific loss of seven children in one family, about the strength of the father, of the efforts of the mother to reach her children, of the one child who managed to get out, severely hurt, of the grief that overwhelmed thousands - no, more, for the mourning flew overseas as fellow Jews felt the pain and anguish as well.
     So, can we talk turkey as it should be or will we think we can fool all with a 2015 version of Newspeak. Truth is the best policy, be it in a federal or international situation or one right here in the Village. For that lack of "turkey" just go and take a look at the unanswered questions that keep on coming and that never get an answer. Truth, folks, simple as that.

QUESTION OF THE DAY #14

     Please refer back to previous postings for the list of unanswered questions that we have posed, just awaiting the response of David Israel, ostensibly the President of UCO and thus responsible to answer these questions and address the needs and concern of his constituents. This is day FIFTEEN and all we hear is the hollow echoing sound of silence coming from the direction of UCO.


Question #14:
      David Israel, what is the true situation of the waterways in our Village? Release any and all information that UCO has, any reports, particularly on the future of our waterways. What are we planning - if at all - to do about the chemicals, about the color, about the developing odor, about the algae, about the hazard to health that it is becoming? WHAT!!!!!!!

THE INSIDE OF A PUMPKIN

     Crazy title, right? But it comes from an interesting Guyanese proverb. "Only the knife knows what's inside the pumpkin's belly." Think about it and one will realize that it has so many life applications.
      One goes thru life living on the surface, for the most part. We take things as they seem to appear and do not generally look too deeply into anything. Why challenge fate? Why spoil a good thing? So we never cut deeply into life and sometimes, many times, will not realize truly what life is all about or what the real deal is. If it is pretty enough, with nice color, who needs to know what is truly inside - rot or good?
     A family goes to sleep and wakes up shattered and shattering. A little girl finds her life is ended by the one who is supposed to protect that very life. And the good life that seems so great, so smooth, suddenly has dark undertones, ones that should long ago have been eliminated instead of suddenly flourishing again in the ugly minds of some ugly people. And what do we do? Nothing, for we are so immured in the importance of being PC that we shut our mouths and close our minds.
     Beautiful, is it not, when a grandson receives all these acceptances from colleges along with varied offers of scholarships. But ugly, is it not, when he goes to visit them with his parents and one of the questions that must be asked now, in 2015, 70 years after the end of the Holocaust, when it is now once again PC, trendy even, to hate the Jews, now, today, his parents must ask, "Is it safe for him to walk thru campus with his kippah (yarmulke or head covering) on his head?"
     What is inside the belly of the pumpkin when a President of the USA goes into a snit because he thinks he has not received the proper obeisance from the Prime Minister of an ally, a contentious, feisty ally, but the only true one in a war and hate blasted area of the world? Do we allow one who is struggling to keep his head above the water due to his lack of experience in world affairs, of a mouth that sometimes is perilously close to the shoot from the hip statements of Bush, or perhaps even due to the fact that for years his religious leader was an open and avowed anti- Semite? Do we allow his disastrous tantrums to draw the world deeper into the rotten belly of the pumpkin?
     What is inside that pumpkin's brother pumpkin when the motives of those who are supposed to lead us with altruism, with honesty, with understanding, with compassion, with foresight, with an unselfish desire to serve the community - when those very same motives are twisted and the seeds of the pumpkin are black with rot and the whole thing smells to the high heavens? What do we do then?
     Too many people justify their actions, pump themselves up with this statement.
     "Deus nobiscum. Quis contra?"
 Translation: G-d is with us, who can be against us?
     I believe that too many times the name of G-d has been usurped by the rotten seeds inside that pumpkin and unfortunately, those seeds have been able to convince others that no, that rotten smell is not coming from them, but from elsewhere. Just follow along their designated paths and all will be well.
     I know this is a bit dark and really not representative of how I like to look at life, but today the rotten seeds inside that pumpkin's belly seem to be overwhelmingly in the majority. We need to apply that truth seeking "knife" more often, cut deeply into the motives, statements and behavior of those in whom we have placed our trust. Yes, hopefully, prayerfully, G-d is with us, but remember the other saying - "G-d helps those who help themselves." Let us help each other to make a better world, a safer and kinder, softer world, where there are no more rotten pumpkins hiding under a lovely exterior. Let us apply that deeper cut, that deeper look into all aspects of our lives and then scoop out the rotten and fix and replant. That is our only option, truly, if you think about it.

DEAR G-D IN HEAVEN

     I have no words. After Shabbat I opened the computer with thoughts of a blog in my head but first checked news sources of the day and there it was. To my horror, I read the story of a large family, a Jewish family of the Syrian community in Brooklyn, who suffered an unfathomable tragedy. A mother in critical condition in a burn unit, a daughter in the same condition in another hospital and seven children dead, with neighbors reporting hearing the voices of children calling, "Mommy, help me."
     How much worse could this get? Much worse, when this tragedy was made even worse when I realized that this was a former student of mine, a lovely, sweet, bright young lady, quiet and gentle and now.....
     We say Baruch Dayan Emet - blessed be the true judge, but dear Lord in Heaven, this is hard, so hard. My heart goes out to the family and the community.

CAN WE TALK?

          The late Joan Rivers had the question correct. Can we talk is one of the most important questions of civilizations, for when it was posed and then when it was answered in the affirmative, humanity then took a great step forward. Sticks and stones became secondary, at least in some cases.
     Yet what do we do when people refuse to talk, refuse to respond, or insist that talk only come from one direction and not any other? We suffer - that is what we do.
     Once more we have a do nothing but argue and try to make a point Congress with the Republicans and Democrats becoming ONLY party members and forgetting that they represent real live people, Americans, and the Republican party itself fighting itself, turning on itself in a rigidly conservative vs. moderate split.
     When I had two kids sent to my office for fighting, verbally or otherwise, I would tell them I was too busy for he said/he said arbitration so they had to write, together, what happened. Given a pad and pencil, they were told to sit in the outer office until they finished the job. By the time they were ready, they were reconciled and each took a share of the blame. We discussed solutions to the initial problem and off they went, friends again and realizing the importance of compromise and listening to other people and their opinions.
     Yet one can become stymied when one side refuses to hear the voices of the other side at all, ignoring them, trying to suppress them, and becoming angrier and angrier, less and less able to function in a sensible and positive manner as the voices of the opposition keep on growing, getting louder and louder, despite all their efforts.
     Sound familiar? Yes, that is the local CV situation, with one person sitting with a figurative cackling laugh and own version of "I will get you, my pretty" with all the figurative flying underlings ready and waiting for their assignments. One needs to get out and smell the fresh air, talk to people, and see and hear what is the truth and the attitudes and needs of the people, not just the "bosses" - who are NOT bosses. The question of Joan Rivers, "CAN WE TALK" IS IGNORED and the Village continues to lurch from crisis to crisis while people with life experience in the fields that are so important to the Village are ignored, cursed at, pushed to the side.
     What a shame, for the true victim here is the Village - and its residents. Last nite there was a concert presented by the Duprees, a singing group of yore. They put on a somewhat different show, giving their aging lungs and feet time to recoup even as they developed excellent audience rapport. Their repertoire contained songs from the Thirties to songs of the Great American Songbook right on to show tunes and their own giant and not so giant hits. The audience loved it.
     Sometimes the different approach can speak volumes and sometimes the old can be renewed, better than the supposed new! Certainly time must be allowed for - in songs, in shows, in presentations and in the formulation and implementations of new programs. DEEP research needs to be done, appropriate evaluations of gains and losses - yes, losses - must be taken into account. Needs must be evaluated and new for the sake of new is never a good approach. Running for the sake of running without checking the track in front is bad, bad, bad. Can we talk? The answer is not just a yes, but YES, WE MUST TALK!

QUESTION OF THE DAY #1 THRU #13 AND THEY KEEP ON COMING!!

 Day THIRTEEN and still no answer for  any question. We will continue to post and WAIT for the answers.  We will reprint the gist of all previous questions, and their answers, should they be forthcoming. Watch  the tally of days awaiting responses grow..

Question #12:
     Why are we still talking to CSI or indeed anyone about Wi Fi in any form or name, broadband included. The government itself knows not how to classify it. It is expensive and misleading and yet here we are tangled up in a mess again, potentially costing us millions of dollars - AGAIN!!!! It was turned down by the delegates - overwhelmingly, so let it die a natural death until the issue becomes clearer in all its parameters.

Question #11: 2 days
     Why are there people holding two or more offices, leading to conflict of interest and a manifestly "wrong" administration. The most prominent example is that of Joy Vestal, a VP, who also holds the position of Co-Editor of the Reporter, thus insuring a biased and closed paper, unreflective of the varied views of the Village? Additionally, she has oversight of Channel 63, another conflict of interest.


Question #10:  3 days
          Mr. Israel, please explain and justify your policy of closed door administration wherein you have sole control over all volunteers, all books. If even the federal government must respond to requests for information, then how do you justify your refusal to answer any and all questions about your administration? Question #9:  4 days
     Why does this administration shift blame to a previous administration, a time when we all knew where our money was, where it was going and how it was being spent? When a half million a year was being put away for the roads - which  the CURRENT administration misused and left us virtually bankrupt at one point! Fess up to your past misdeeds and ongoing misdeeds as well. 

Question #8:  6 days
      Our lakes and waterways. The water looks gross. It is a putrid green in many areas, sick, scummy water with  loads of algae. The  water we PAY for is not healthy, contaminated with a residue of a process and is sprayed around the village - on our cars, our properties and ON US! Worried about our resale values? Well, ugly, unhealthy water does not help! 
5 days


Question #7:  7 days
     What exactly is going on at the pickle ball/tennis court area? I am told that there is yet another sinkhole under the court and half the tennis courts are closed what with people tripping and falling. If this is so, could we please fix this mess before we find ourselves another $70,000 in the hole (pardon the pun).
Could we please be candid and up front about this whole mess and indeed, what about the sinkhole issue for the Village in its entirety?

Question #6:  9 days
     Missing full and detailed explanation of exactly where, how, when and why the $5.3 million dollars was spent on the roadways.  Now possibly another $250,000  on patching, corrective drainage and repaving specific areas to satisfy complaints? Where has this money come from, how is it going to be replaced, where is it reflected on the budget and how does this mesh with the "plans" to save and put aside money for a new and complete repaving that will need to be done sooner than later?
   This question sent in by Ed Ross and added to somewhat by myself. 

Question #5: 10 days
     Once more of the roads, now the talk is of restriping and sealing the roads with a cosmetic cover, making all look oh so shiny bright black and yellow.  FROM WHENCE DOTH OUR MONEY COME FOR THIS PROJECT?

Question #4:  11 days
     Why has UCO  been useless to the associations in the case of undesirables buying units, refusing to give advice or aid in any form? So one man continues to buy up units, take over entire associations, and turn them into motels? problem.  This is now a major existential threat to CV.

Question #3:  11 days
    Why do you continue to refusethe rules and  to open the books of the Village to its own residents? 
 
Question #2:  11 days
   The mangling of the words of another and  posting these mangled efforts without allowing response to it? 10 days

Question #1: 13 days
   Justification for moving $80,000 overnight, signed off by David Israel and Bob Marshall as VP, as well as the $2 million plus that was spent without delegate approval as per our by laws?  12 daysD

WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE?

         Look around and ask yourself what's not to love about life here in the Village, life here in south Florida?
     Shall we list the points? For me the super library system is a top point. There are always new books and if one is not bought a request can be made and the book purchased. The staff is a helpful bunch and what is more - we have two library systems to choose from - the County and the city of WPB.
     Shopping is your delight? Shop till you drop, as the saying goes, be it in a mall, an outlet mall, or go thrifting for fun and see if you can uncover a treasure to take home with you or a great book or record find.
     Love nature? Morikami to Gumbo Lindo and everything in between. From Okeeheelee Park to Peanut Island, never a day when one cannot find a nice nature trail or even go watch some alligators at rest or fly thru the Everglades on an airboat. And of course, do not forget the beaches.
     The people? I find most of then lovely, willing to strike up a conversation, help carry a bundle or open a door, and of course, most helpful when looking for the facilities. The stores will go a hunting for just the very item you want and get it shipped to you and the people you pass every day begin to wave at you and before you know it, there is another friendship that has been set in motion.
      Even eating out can be an adventure with so many restaurants opening up- even kosher ones and the shopping, food and sundries is just fine. Publix is one of the most obliging chains I have ever seen - just look at the amount of space the Community Drive Publix sets aside for CV customers.
     The down side? Distance from family and those precious grandchildren, but then again, the quiet is nice too and the kids love coming to their grandparents' "hotel"! Less space for "stuff"? Well, that actually can be a good thing!
     So what are we missing? Yes, aside from the lessening of our physical and mental prowess! We are missing the exercise of our rights as American citizens, the rights of free speech, of a surety that all functions and processes are done with an open and transparent manner, with assurance that those entrusted with our financial well being are actually taking that responsibility seriously and honestly, and not slushing and mushing all together for exactly what purpose, that all administration papers and books are open and available to all, easily and quickly.
     There is an old Bavarian saying, - "Not the flesh of the prey only, but fear is the sustenance of wolves." This is what is happening in the Village. People who ask questions, people who displease those who think "they" got the power are threatened, intimidated, cut off from their rights, from possibility of working in UCO, of speaking up, for should they do so, woe upon them. Many fear the consequences to them personally as certain statements are made. So they shut up and opposition and criticism is verboten!
     This is not the way it should be and is the only cloud over our life here - aside from those blasted hurricanes- may they long stay away from us and go safely out to sea! It has been said that, "Beneath the rule of men entirely great
The pen is mightier than the sword."
     Thinking men do not fear the pen, indeed, even welcome it as a guide for themselves, as a source of wisdom and advice and even criticism. Honest men cherish the word for with it they can spread the power of goodness. And the power of the pen brings about revolution and reform. Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense, Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence,  Hamilton wrote The Federalist Papers, and Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address. FDR spoke of the Four Freedoms that all are entitled to and Kennedy penned his wonderful phrases that encouraged a young generation to grow up and serve their country in one way or another, to work for change. (Sorry, but cannot think of any inspiring words spoken or penned by our most recent leaders!)
     It is only the fearful, the dishonest, the incompetent, the hoarders of supposed power that oppose the freedom of the pen and the words that flow from these pens. It behooves us to think about this, long and hard, and then look at our lives, and think about the conjunction of these two trains of thought.

QUESTION OF THE DAY #1 THRU #12

 
     Day TWELVE and still no answer for  any question. But we will continue to post and perhaps one day David Israel  will   actually ANSWER THEM!  We will reprint the gist of all previous questions, and their answers, should they be forthcoming. Watch  the tally of days awaiting responses grow..

Question #11:
     Why are there people holding two or more offices, leading to conflict of interest and a manifestly "wrong" administration. The most prominent example is that of Joy Vestal, a VP, who also holds the position of Co-Editor of the Reporter, thus insuring a biased and closed paper, unreflective of the varied views of the Village? Additionally, she has oversight of Channel 63, another conflict of interest.


Question #10:

          Mr. Israel, please explain and justify your policy of closed door administration wherein you have sole control over entry of all volunteers and refuse to open the books of UCO, violating the spirit and letter of the law of the Freedom of Information Act. If even the federal government must respond to requests for information, then how do you justify your refusal to answer any and all questions about your administration? 2 days

Question #9:
     Why does this administration insist on blaming all on a previous administration, calling it corrupt, when we all knew where our money was, where it was going and how it was being spent? It was a time when a half million a year was being put away for the roads - which of course the CURRENT administration misused and abused and left us virtually bankrupt at one point, hanging on by one toenail! Why does this administration not fess up to its past misdeeds and ongoing misdeeds as well? 3 DAYS

Question #8:
     Just exactly what is going on with our lakes and waterways. Yes, I see the level down, but that is the result of lack of rain,  not the issue. The water looks gross. It is a putrid green in many areas, sick, scummy water with algae growing quite well, thank you. The  water we PAY for is not healthy, contaminated with a residue of a process and is sprayed around the village - on our cars, our properties and ON US!  Where, oh where, is the answer to the problem? Worried about our resale values? Well, ugly, unhealthy water does not help! 
5 days


Question #7:
     What exactly is going on at the pickle ball/tennis court area? I am told that there is yet another sinkhole under the court and half the tennis courts are closed what with people tripping and falling. If this is so, could we please fix this mess before we find ourselves another $70,000 in the hole (pardon the pun).
Could we please be candid and up front about this whole mess and indeed, what about the sinkhole issue for the Village in its entirety? Is there any way to do a survey about this, for our own safety and sanity. 6 DAYS

Question #6:
     We need a full and detailed explanation of exactly where, how, when and why the $5.3 million dollars was spent on the roadways and how much more, possibly another $250,000 have we spent on patching, corrective drainage and repaving specific areas to satisfy complaints. Where has this money come from, how is it going to be replaced, where is it reflected on the budget and how does this mesh with the "plans" to save and put aside money for a new and complete repaving that will need to be done sooner than later?
   This question sent in by Ed Ross and added to somewhat by myself.   8 DAYS

Question #5:     There is talk once more of the roads, that sad situation in our Village, but now the talk is of restriping and sealing the roads with a cosmetic cover, making all look oh so shiny bright black and yellow. Now here is the question, without arguing the right or wrong of the action. FROM WHENCE DOTH OUR MONEY COME FOR THIS PROJECT?
 9 days

Question #4:
Why has UCO not been proactive in reenergizing and invigorating the boards at those associations that are under fire as one man continues to buy up units, take over entire associations, and turn them into motels? Why has UCO not reached out or even answered the pleas of those residents who find themselves alone and unable to defend themselves?  A Village problem, and a UCO problem.  This is now a major existential threat to CV. them? 10 days
Question #3:Why do you continue to refuse, against all the rules and laws of Florida, to open the books of the Village to its own residents? 
 10 days
Question #2:Why do you feel it necessary to mangle the words of another and repeatedly post these mangled efforts on your blog and without allowing response to it? 10 days

Question #1:
  What was your motivation and justification for moving $80,000 overnight, signed off by David Israel and Bob Marshall as VP, as well as the $2 million plus that was spent without delegate approval as per our by laws?  12 days

WHO AM I AND WHAT DO I DO WITH TIME?

          Today we are a bit introspective and contemplative, probably because someone asked me yesterday why I keep on, particularly after I showed this person my lovely store of sent comments, sent to try to hurt and threaten rather than respond in a responsible manner.
     I am a person who sometimes sees the passionate fighter for a better world that was around in my days of old. I see the one who debated with feeling and facts, the one who just KNEW that things could be made better - at least until life subsumed me with its daily necessities as Gerry and I married young, still in college, and had to build and sustain a life for ourselves.
     Yet the drive to right a wrong, to speak up when something needed to be changed or adjusted, remained and sometimes I even got "in trouble" for it, for saying what I believed needed to be said, but so what? That drive is still here. The need to fix what is unfair or simply just plain wrong, - is all still here, and while the big job of fixing the world at large has to fall more and more into the hands of the younger generations, there are things we can do.
     What is going on here in the Village is wrong. People are being chastised in the UCO office because they take three pieces of candy rather than two? And really, who paid for that candy if not us? Why have it there at all if it is such a concern. We would all be better off for it anyway!!! But more seriously, people are being blocked from UCO itself, its committees, its information and UCO picks and chooses what it will and won't do, so there are serious lacks in what it provides for the associations and please, not the legal bit again. Giving needed advice and having a discussion is not legal advice; it is called aid in a time of need. I am glad that David Israel acted on my suggestion at the DA that we have a class on identity theft rather than hearing just warnings about it and perhaps he might now act on other suggestions I have made. Right! One can dream, can't one?
     Napoleon once stated, "Ask me for anything but time." And so it is now at our stage in life, Act III. We begin to get a bit impatient. The scenes are moving quickly and time is a limited area, after all we have to schedule all between the doctor appointments, right? Seriously, it is hard to wait for someone to see the light, but wait we must though we soldier on and see areas of progress, but until the day comes when the books and doings of UCO are open and transparent to all, we must continue towards that goal - and so we will.
      Next year's election campaign has already begun. The key issue right now, my friends, is to get term limits reinstated as they were for all of our history until the current president decided that his need to control trumped all. Why he feels this need so deeply is a mystery. There is so much in life that is right out there and it is so easy to step out of one's office and get a life, mingle with people, talk with people, smell the coffee and the roses.
     So for all of us, when we become somewhat introspective, especially as we view that strange but familiar face in the mirror, think what we want to do with our time and what we need to do with our time. Balance the needs of yourself with the needs of the community and find a balance that works for you. Me, I love doing my blog where no one can censor me, only myself, and I can write on anything I want. Granted, it is not the book people expected me to write after retirement, but perhaps when I retire again then I will find the time for that!
     In the meanwhile, enjoy life. Get involved, read, walk and laugh a lot. Talk with friends and take a walk. Watch a program you recorded or TV'oed and enjoy. It is YOUR time. Me? think I will go watch the last episode of Walking Dead!

QUESTION OF THE DAY #10 AND FOR ELEVEN DAYS NO ANSWER ON #1 THRU #9

So here we are, day ELEVEN and still no answer for  any question. But we will continue to post and perhaps one day David Israel  will copy these to his blog and actually ANSWER THEM! To make sure there is no problem, we will reprint all previous questions, and of course their answers, but we highly doubt that these responses will be forthcoming. Just a thought! Keep watch on the tally of days awaiting responses.

Just to let you know, this has been going on for ELEVEN days now and there have been no forthcoming answers.
Question #10:

          Mr. Israel, please explain and justify your policy of closed door administration wherein you have sole control over entry of all volunteers and refuse to open the books of UCO, violating the spirit and letter of the law of the Freedom of Information Act. If even the federal government must respond to requests for information, then how do you justify your refusal to answer any and all questions about your administration?


Question #9:
     Why does this administration insist on blaming all on a previous administration, calling it corrupt, when we all knew where our money was, where it was going and how it was being spent? It was a time when a half million a year was being put away for the roads - which of course the CURRENT administration misused and abused and left us virtually bankrupt at one point, hanging on by one toenail! Why does this administration not fess up to its past misdeeds and ongoing misdeeds as well? 2 DAYS

Question #8:
     Just exactly what is going on with our lakes and waterways. Yes, I see the level down, but that is the result of lack of rain, but that is not the issue. The water looks gross. It is a putrid green in many areas, sick, scummy water with algae growing quite well, thank you. If this is the result of water we PAY for, then we have the right to see that the water is healthy, not contaminated with a residue of a process. This same water is sprayed around the village - on our cars, our properties and ON US! We have spent tons of money already on pipes and tubes, heard lectures about how to cut the grass near the water, but where, oh where is the answer to the problem? Worried about our resale values? Well, ugly, unhealthy water does not help!
4 days


Question #7:
     What exactly is going on at the pickle ball/tennis court area? I am told that there is yet another sinkhole under the court and half the tennis courts are closed what with people tripping and falling. If this is so, could we please fix this mess before we find ourselves another $70,000 in the hole (pardon the pun).
Could we please be candid and up front about this whole mess and indeed, what about the sinkhole issue for the Village in its entirety? Is there any way to do a survey about this, for our own safety and sanity. 5 DAYS


Question #6:
     We need to hear a full and detailed explanation of exactly where, how, when and why the $5.3 million dollars was spent on the roadways and how much more - exactly - how much more - possibly as much as another $250,000 that we have spent on patching, corrective drainage and repaving specific areas to satisfy complaints. Where has this money come from, how is it going to be replaced, where is it reflected on the budget and how does this mesh with the "plans" to save and put aside money for a new and complete repaving that will need to be done sooner than later?
   This question sent in by Ed Ross and added to somewhat by myself. All such questions are welcomed - and answers from David Israel would be even more welcome! 7 DAYS

Question #5:     There is talk once more of the roads, that sad situation in our Village, but now the talk is of restriping and sealing the roads with a cosmetic cover, making all look oh so shiny bright black and yellow. Now here is the question, without arguing the right or wrong of the action. FROM WHENCE DOTH OUR MONEY COME FOR THIS PROJECT?
This will cost several hundred thousand dollars and here we are trying to save 15 million for a redo of the paving so again, FROM WHENCE DOTH THIS MONEY COME?  And it is not from the Lord, either! Does it come from the slush fund that is now SOP in our Village? How will you move those funds, justify those funds being moved, even tell people since all that slush is a great coverup? Just askin'. Just waitin'.  8 days

Question #4:
Why has UCO not been proactive in reenergizing and invigorating the boards at those associations that are under fire as one man continues to buy up units, take over entire associations, and turn them into motels? Why has UCO not reached out or even answered the pleas of those residents who find themselves alone and unable to defend themselves? This is a Village problem, which makes it a UCO problem. Why has UCO not responded prior to this becoming a major existential threat? Are there any plans and if so, what are they? When can we expect to hear of them? 9 days

Question #3:Why do you continue to refuse, against all the rules and laws of Florida, to open the books of the Village to its own residents? It leads one to suspect that you are hiding many things. Why not open them if all is correct and clean? 
 8 days

Question #2:Why do you feel it necessary to mangle the words of another and repeatedly post these mangled efforts on your blog and without allowing response to it? 9 days

Question #1:
  What was your motivation and justification for moving $80,000 overnight, signed off by David Israel and Bob Marshall as VP, as well as the $2 million plus that was spent without delegate approval as per our by laws?  11 days

I DON'T UNDERSTAND

          There are many things in this world that I do not understand. I wonder how and why people would do something and I wonder why G-d would let these things happen. I am not a theologist and do not claim to have any special insight into G-d, but I do wonder if He is asleep at times, napping, while we, His creations, run amok, having at each other as if there is no tomorrow. And at times I wonder if there really will be a tomorrow for our children and grandchildren.
     But my biggest area of misunderstanding is about people and their motives. What makes people tick? Actually, I know that there are nefarious and selfish motivations, but what I do not understand is why people act on them, what do they gain in this behavior?
     I used to tell my kids, biological and educational, and in fact, still do, in various chats, real and online, that the bottom line is important, that bottom line being will it leave you with a positive feeling, will you gain any goodness from it? If the answer to that is no - then forget it and move on.
     Around the world we have many people who work with that value. The Ebola health volunteers, brave as anyone. Soldiers who go into battle for home and country, for family and nation, for the right values. People who choose humanitarian careers in fields where money is not the motivation but the need to serve and help people are. My three  kids are all doing that. I am so proud of them.
     And then, of course, I look at our world here, the Village, and think about the people whose names one hears, whose names are associated with the politics in the Village. We have volunteers who give graciously and generously of their time and energy. We have volunteers who ask nothing for it but the good feeling they get from doing whatever it is they do and keep themselves busy at the same time. We have people in the Village who care nothing at all for administration, only that their "resort" be there for them with everything they demand and hence we get some issues that develop over priority of needs.
     We also have people who want what is right for CV. They are the guardians, those who gain nothing but aggravation as they face the entrenched opposition who sadly enough, seem to feel that the "power" of office, or even not office but the granted power that has devolved upon them from another elected official, that power serves them, makes them feel good. Well, that is okay, all are entitled to feel good about their deeds, but the question here is - do they deserve to feel that way? Do we continue to let them wreak havoc on our finances, on the very fabric of our home, to spit in the face of democracy.
     (At this point, a private note - dearie, you need serious help to deal with your anger issues and seriously soon. Reread what you write every day, sometimes several times a day and think.)
     We, as the residents of CV, need to evaluate and see where our bottom lines lie. Are we in this just for the joy in living in a virtual sleep-a-way camp for the remainder of our active days or are we also in this to make our lives better, to improve our environment, to set an example for our kids, to show others that simply because we are seniors that we are not fools and ripe for the picking, that we can be sensible, decent, caring, thoughtful and forward looking people, people who work within the parameters of our country and its ideals, people who do not ignore others nor send them ridiculous responses. We have so many good people here in CV. Don't they deserve a good place to live, a place that is kept in tiptop condition with the proper prioritization, funding, and planning?
     Again, I do not understand the motivations and "gains" of people at times and in a sense, I am happy about that as at least it lifts me out of the muck in which they thrive and I know that my motivations are not selfish, not greedy, understand the purpose and morality of accepting responsibility of position and serving the electorate. And I sit and wonder, at times, is it worth it all? Is it worth the time, the agita, the abuse, the hamster wheel that we sometimes seem to be on, but then again, I wonder how can one  not do what is right. That would spit in the face of all that I have been taught by wonderful people in my life.
     It all comes down to motivation, the right kind and the wrong. Again, out of order? Not the opposition is it? Please look the other way. And please do not give up and join us in the ongoing struggle to right our administration and get it back on track, where all are welcome to serve and volunteer, where all are welcome and where "out of order" need not be used and abused any longer.
    Please remember to look every day at the new question and the calendar of days of non response. Thank you.
    

EXACTLY WHO IS OUT OF ORDER HERE?

      The most famous phrase around this Village is "out of order". It is either being misused at the DA or being said in jest and jeer at the most frequent user of the phrase. So really, what does this phrase mean? When should it be used?
     It should be used when a member is being disruptive, perhaps asking a question that is out of the current context, or is in some way being physically or verbally offensive and disruptive BUT NOT WHEN A PERFECTLY PROPER QUESTION IS BEING ASKED IN PERFECTLY PROPER TONE AND LANGUAGE AND IS APROPOS OF THE SITUATION. It should have nothing to do with the opinion expressed by the speaker.

     How is it used here, in our DA? Totally improperly. A current example is when at the last DA one speaker asked a question of the treasurer as to what happened to certain funds, perfectly apropros. When should one ask a budget question if not when the treasurer is reporting on that very item. In fact, after the question was asked, and the chair snarled "out of order", the very same amount was then mentioned as the treasurer continued. Quite frankly, we all should have stood up and fought that statement, called a point of order or walked out, whatever, but we did not and I, for one, acknowledge that I sat there, just tired, just wondering if it all made a difference, thinking that maybe only Father Time will be the arbiter of this whole issue. So I apologize to the member who asked the question and shame on all of us - including the illustrious chair who never fulfills that role in the way it should be done.
     Out of order is not to be used to muffle and muzzle free speech. It is not to be used to batter down opposition. It is not to be used by the chair in a partisan manner as the chair is SUPPOSED to be neutral and display no bias one way or the other. (HA!!!!) It will be used in that way in any dictatorial society and that, my friends, is what we have here.

     Bob Rivera wonders why I am not on a committee and I should be. Jean Komis says that David Israel has no control or displays lack of control, that  "he needs to stay

impartial and conduct the meetings in an orderly manner." 

    

     Here, I enter a challenge? A request? to Barbara Cornish, our new VP. Last year you said that if you had room on your bid committee I would be appointed. Well. New year new members. Time to put your money where your mouth is for if not, you have joined in on this presently misused system.

 

   Finally, I have a question to Pat Sealander and obviously it then goes up the ladder to David Israel. Why was a certain elected Executive Board member NOT present at the installation? It was because that member had been asked to pay $30 for the privilege of entering the Clubhouse room - which he helps pay for as a resident of the Village - and being installed and for that "privilege" would be given a salad as dietary restrictions precluded eating the meal being served.

     Now, since the federal government and businesses can make accommodations for religious reasons, why is it that here in CV we cannot do the same? Is there more underlying this action and attitude? Is there shame in the "leader" to make these accommodations?? Where is Pat Sealander in all this? Whose directives is she following and if her own, then perhaps she needs to be impeached or called to task, chided at an assembly. At the very least this newly elected member, a prior member of several administrations and former president of UCO deserved better than this! David Israel, you who constantly complain that you do not get "proper" respect - you need to fix this offense.

 

   JUST EXACTLY WHO IS OUT OF ORDER?

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