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COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION LIVING STUDY COUNCIL |
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An
Opinion By Jan Bergemann Published March 8, 2009
The Community Association Living Study Council finally gets going -- too little to late! Courtesy of Division Chief Michael Cochran, who, as usual, not only confused himself but as well a lot of other people. So far only four (4) out of seven (7) members have been appointed -- please see below.
Nevertheless, it will be a good way to make your opinion known locally at a location near (?) you -- if you can't make it to Tallahassee. Three meetings with official public input: Tampa, Miami Beach and Tallahassee. For exact meeting schedule please see below!
It is imperative that as many interested owners as possible will attend the meetings of the Council to let the legislators know that legislative association reform is a priority for many of us. The bad economy finally showed the true face of these community associations. Instead of protecting property values as promised, they have turned out to be a serious liability for the financially responsible homeowner.
Representative Julio Robaina filed the big condo and co-op bill H 1397, very important for condo owners, but HOA reform seems to stall once again in Tallahassee. Please read my opinion here! I'm not quite sure why our elected government officials consider homeowners living in mandatory homeowners' associations as stepchildren of our society. Homeowners surely pay large property taxes without getting much in return? Make your opinion known and let our elected officials know that we need HOA reform NOW, not next year -- or after we are all flat broke!
Make sure you bring a hard copy of your presentation and hand it to all members and the Division staff. In the past, minutes of Council meetings often didn't reflect exactly what was presented to the Council by the public. A hard copy makes sure that you have proof of what you actually said!
The first meeting with public input will happen this Friday in TAMPA: DATE AND TIME: Friday, March 13, 2009; 12:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Council Workshop 3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Public Input PLACE:
Tampa Airport Marriott Hotel, Citrus Room, (Parking: Bring your parking ticket to be stamped!)
YOUR
CHANCE TO BE HEARD!
See you there! DATE AND TIME: Friday, March 13, 2009;12:00 p.m.-- 6:30 p.m. 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Council Workshop; 3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Public Input PLACE: Tampa Airport Marriott Hotel, Citrus Room, Tampa International Airport, Tampa, Florida PURPOSE: To receive public input and conduct general business of the Community Association Living Study Council. DATE AND TIME: Monday, March 16, 2009;8:30 a.m.-- 12:00 p.m. PLACE: Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Northwood Center, Suite 16 Conference Room, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, or via teleconference at 1.888.808.6959; Conference Code 9227625. PURPOSE: To conduct general business of the Community Association Living Study Council. DATE AND TIME: Monday, March 23, 2009;10:00 a.m.-- 4:00 p.m. PLACE: Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Northwood Center, Division of Professions’ Board Room, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, or via teleconference at 1.888.808.6959; Conference Code 9227625. PURPOSE: To receive public input and conduct general business of the Community Association Living Study Council. DATE AND TIME: Friday, March 27, 2009; 12:00 p.m. -- 7:00 p.m. PLACE: Miami Beach City Hall, City Commission Chambers, 3rd Floor, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139. PURPOSE: To receive public input and conduct general business of the Community Association Living Study Council. DATE AND TIME: Monday, March 30, 2009; 8:30 a.m. -- 12:00 p.m. PLACE: Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Northwood Center, Suite 16 Conference Room, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, or via teleconference at 1.888.808.6959; Conference Code 9227625. PURPOSE: To conduct general business of the Community Association Living Study Council
DIVISION STAFF: Ex-Officio: Kevin Stanfield, Deputy Director of the Division of Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes -- nonvoting member of the Council. --- K[email protected]
Debbie
Miller, Government Analyst I -- [email protected]
The official Website: http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/lsc/division/StudyCouncil.html |