Article Courtesy of WINK
NEWS
By Anika Henanger
Published March 12, 2019
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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.
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Naples community members against HOA switching cable
to streaming service.
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“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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