The world is changing, at enormous speed and with many frightening, life changing moments. It is almost too much to take in and understand. It is shocking, and to be found at all levels and intersections of life, offering little to no relief - other than to deny the whole mess, insist on living in a deep hole where nothing penetrates. It is to allow life to flow around you, but never with you, as you give up responsibility and input.
This morning I am torn. There is so much that is wrong in this world and indeed, is most frustrating what with the mule headedness of so many, refusing to hear the truth no matter the issue or the proof. The world is torn, on the brink of an eternal war waged upon a proxy nation, already reduced to rubble, with its population, soldiers and civilians alike, being reduced in horrific numbers. It is a world undergoing massive starvation, within numerous nations, even supposed 'wealthy' nations, as the breadbasket of the world is destroyed or unreachable. It is a world where supposed leaders lead only in name, other than to lead their nations into a quest for their own personal power.
It is a nation, to quote a distinguished jurist, "What in the world has become of our country and those who purport to lead it? Is this really who we have become?
America in all its greatness cannot survive the centrifugal forces of self-destruction loosed and growing across our land. We have become incapable it appears to address pressing national problems like climate change, voter suppression, assault rifles on our streets, kids being gunned down in our schools, the dangerous rise of white nationalism and antisemitism, and the self-confident smugness of growing ignorance across a host of national issues."
It is a nation where a former, should never have been President in the first place, is actually guilty of treason and could be, should be, charged with that crime. But will he? Will his acolytes and cringing enablers who refused to do their part in removing him from office? Will we be able to maintain stability within this country of ours? Doubtful, looking grimmer by the day.
Finally, probably least important on a scale of urgency, it is, in fact, most urgent for us, here, in the Village in West Palm Beach. Our home, my home, no other to turn to, is under attack. On all sides, from without and within. If we refuse to face that fact, if we refuse to understand the parameters of it all, then we are doomed, perhaps already are.
We have a most unconscionable contract, signed by a former President, an early proponent of the rule by fear theory so popular with Trump. It was a contract that sucked this Village dry, imposing massive unconscionable money obligations upon it, insisting that we pay any and all expenses of WPRF facilities, whether they were useable, damaged, or in need of repair or capital improvement. We paid for cars for the other side. We were limited in ability to amass funds necessary to properly maintain the Village, inducing great rifts within the Village, all to the benefit of Benenson and WPRF. They gained breathing space as we were distracted by arguments that should never have been allowed to see the light of day.
We have been refused relief from the contract by the courts, always biased towards deep pockets. However, if done properly, the arbitration insisted upon by the court, might improve our current situation. Maybe. Who the hell knows?! But we must fight like hell and that fight begins with a long overdue replacement of a lawyer incapable of dealing with sharp minds of more connected legal team of Benenson and who slows down our more capable lawyer on the team. It is very difficult to climb out of a hole which we ourselves dug, and then proceeded to dig even deeper, rather than dig footsteps and handholds with which to pull ourselves out, into the sunshine.
Finally, most urgent, here we are, back at the ranch, with a rot eating at our very foundation. The Village is a wonderful demographic mix, with all populations welcome to UCO, urged to participate, to join in and with the Village, to become part of the whole. Now we are faced with a major quandary, one that will determine the future of the Village and its welcome to all.
There is a group who have over the past decade, bought into the Village in increasing numbers. Armed with funds with which to tempt owners, their plan only became clear after passage of time, and frustrated plans. Compromises were unacceptable, yet they persisted in increased buying, taking over several associations, to the detriment of those associations. Absentee board members, lack of positive interaction with UCO, violations of safety and construction rules of both Village and County, much to the very real danger to Villagers. To the point of condemning apartments, where sections were collapsing onto lower floors as a result of improper construction. Unsafe, unpermitted renovation- tearing down bearing walls, concreting areas belonging to the association, introducing chemicals harmful to life itself. Unable to buy a piece of property by Dover which would have allowed their women to sit separate from the Village, barring other Villagers, private property where there was never any. They could not subvert or change the rules regarding separate swimming pools and or hours. A proposal totally antithetical to the ethos of the Village.
Enter a long-range plan, one which would allow them to separate themselves from the Village while living within it, totally shredding the very soul of us. They bought the Medical Building, one where residents were served via therapy, drugstore, salons, etc. No one was barred. Parking spaces were available for peak demand times. A symbiotic relationship. But no more.
This group wished to close this building off. They wished to build within a huge synagogue, to cut parking places, to build two swimming pools, one for men and one for women, along the shoreline of the lake, endangering its very viability, demanded an area of more density, changing the looks of the Village. Building tall intrusive walls where there were none. We are a retirement community, not a replication of city crowding. We did not buy into that at all.
They lied when applying for permits, a process which we had to insist upon as they freely violated that requirement all over the Village within apartments, refusing to notify and gain approval, nor had County input or permits, a very dangerous situation. Including the rental on a hotel like basis to couples, especially ones with many young children, totally not for this Village!!!
They lied when they said Saturday store hours were to be in place. Not really. In a courtyard where huge crowds would be standing, talking, dressed in Sabbath clothing, well, no cars would be able to enter - no room, dangerous in the overcrowding. Women dressed as they do here, shorts, tops, pants- to wander around !!! Gimme a break!!!
Availability of parking spaces as they do not drive to synagogue, as they said in their permit request. Well, they certainly do during the week and the area will be overcrowded with cars and traffic, with people crossing the street, by people known not to listen to rules for walking here in the Village or riding trikes and bikes safely. Furthermore, the lot will be parked in by Friday night as cars will be there, available to drive home after the Sabbath is over, on Saturday night. Just to contemplate the problems arising on a Saturday night with show and dance - in peak population months - Oy Vey!!
No, this is not antisemitic. I am a Jewish woman. I observe the Sabbath, am part of the Orthodox segment of Judaism. I find no difficulty at present living within the Village. We knew the rules before we bought and agreed to abide by them. There should be no exceptions to this. If the living situation does not fit the needs, nor cannot be modified, as the Village has done in other cases, then look elsewhere. There are so many areas under construction now, open, from the very beginning, so why not go where it would be easier to live by one's own rules. I, and so many others, have no problem with a mixed demographic population within the Village. That is perfectly fine and good for the Village. Aitz Chayim, the synagogue across Haverhill has even improved a situation at Haverhill entrance, working with the County to increase the time allowed for we old folks to cross the street. Anshei Shalom has generously made their grounds available to the Village numerous times, to the benefit of all.
However, what is not good, is a group which seeks to separate and divide, to conquer, to create its own rules or lack thereof, endangering others, which in fact, induces antisemitism as this group refuses to conform to rules and regulations. And aims at separating a piece of property at the very crossroads of the Village for their own, never mind the lies with which they coat their requests made to the County. There are those of us who know the truth.
It behooves all of us to pay attention to the calendar and be there for the hearings. It is our lives at stake.
Our future at stake.
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