Naples community members against HOA switching cable to streaming service

Article Courtesy of  WINK NEWS

By Anika Henanger

Published March 12, 2019

  

The homeowner’s association at a Collier County retirement community wants to switch over to a community-wide internet streaming service when it’s cable television contract ends, but community residents are not happy about the decision being made by the HOA board.
 

Several people living in Riviera Golf Estates in Naples spoke to WINK News after hearing cable could get turned off.

“They’re gonna lose touch they’re going to feel isolated,” neighbor Robert Catelli said “It’s very unfair. It’s a quality-of-life issue.”

Cable television never seemed so important. But Catelli said for many neighbors, it’s a big part of their routine.

“Our residents, some of them like to go home,” Catelli said. “Some of them have early Alzheimer’s disease, and some of them are wheelchair-bound. And they don’t have [the] ability to do Internet streaming.”

People living in the 692-home community have cable included in their homeowner’s dues, but the HOA is looking to change that to internet streaming.

Naples community members against HOA switching cable to streaming service.


 

“Something as monumental is this should be discussed with the community,” Catelli said.

Some homeowners said they feel like they have no voice regarding the changes happening in their community.

The president and vice president of the HOA said the current cable contract is ending. They need to renew and are being pressured to update the technology.

“They look strongly as their future being Internet only, so they are pushing very hard,” said Bill Cannon, the HOA vice president.

The HOA president said the decision to switch from cable to internet is a vote that is up to the HOA board alone. The HOA said it held several open sessions.

Worries are growing among neighbors over extra costs to buy for fixed-income retirees and leaving people behind in the rush to change.

“They feel they’re moving into the future, but the future isn’t here yet, Catelli said.

The HOA said its decision isn’t final. It should be finalized by the beginning of April, and the changes done by the end of the year.

A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, devoted to the cable issue in the community.

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