Article Courtesy of THE FORT LAUDERDALE CITY NEWS

By Grayson Walker, Ph.D.

Published July 2007

Gulag is an acronym for the former Soviet Union’s penal system. Since then, it has come into common use to describe any repressive system. I named my column the “Tales From The Galt Gulag,” because I write about the repression of unit Owners on the Galt Ocean Mile.

This column marks the eighth month of my column. In previous issues, I have written about general issues of graft and corruption along the Galt Ocean Mile.

We consider the Galt as the “biggest crime scene” in Broward County. In this issue, I change the format, and publish some of the stories from my readers. Because of space limitations, some of the letters were edited.

Parker Plaza Estates

At the Parker Plaza Estates, $1.44 million is alleged to have been stolen in kickbacks. Four people are awaiting trial for felony charges of organized fraud. These are the former board president, the CAM Manager, the Maintenance Supervisor, and a plumbing contractor. The former Condominium Manager was granted immunity in exchange for her testimony.

Southpoint
The Parker Plaza Estates story reminds me of the Southpoint story, when in February 2005, Attorney Inger Garcia served much more extensive allegations to Southpoint. These included the illegal payment of cash to the President, use of a “Holiday Fund” to avoid payment of income tax, kickbacks, unlicensed contractors, extensive work without permits or inspections, slander by the board, violence, and selective refusal to enforce rules. The Southpoint board ignored the 33 pages of allegations. However, subsequent meetings with the State Attorney and Police were encouraging.

From a Southpoint Owner. “Most of the owners that I speak with are tired of the name-calling and soap opera tactics. The board stoops to a very low level and seems to thrive there. We need an audit by an outside, independent auditor that does more than attest to the accuracy of the books, but examine expenses, bids, contracts, purchases, salaries, etc. Equally important are a Code of Ethics for the board members; better communication with Owners; and open, democratic meetings.”

Regency South
What happens when unit Owners ask questions about money, projects, contracts, or other non-trivial matters? Following the Southpoint model, the Board makes public statements designed to discredit the individuals. The dissenters receive anonymous, threatening letters. There are other issues, including the Galt Mile Association falsely representing them as a member. 

Islandia
I am an Owner in what was called Islandia. Many of the condo laws in place now were the result of activities that took place here in the 80’s and early 90’s. Our President absconded with between $500,000 and $1,000,000 in reserve funds, and charged personal trips and lingerie for his mistress.
I did not envision the vindictiveness of the petty people on the board. We removed them and installed a board that kept everything open and honest. All records are available to Owners on the Internet. Our Special Assessment process requires a pre-assessment meeting. All Owners can question the need for the assessment, and provide feedback. We made arrangements for Owners with hardships to have a 5-year payment plan.

Letter One
I extend my praise to you for your heroic stand on the condominium issue. As a native Floridian and a woman who has seen many changes in Florida, I congratulate you on your work with the Fort Lauderdale City News. We have needed such a newspaper since the Gores sold the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. You have brought to the public the great problems many have in condominium ownership and all should appreciate this fact. You have brought out the recent laws which have been passed, and which will help protect all condominium owners. Thank you again!

Letter Two
Wonderful reading your letter about abuses in your condo. Wonderful because we have now found companionship to the scenario of Board abuses of power. We also have untold stories that we could go on and on about, but the most vivid is our financial condition. After a recent audit, our auditors were so concerned that they called our attorney, and insisted on a meeting with him. The board made this a closed meeting. When the Owners protested, they moved the meeting to the President’s apartment.
The ombudsman’s site saddened me. The number of problems reported will take years to address, yet more complaints come in daily. Is there any hope? Can we organize condominium owners? We only think we live in a democracy!

Letter from the Gulag
I have read your last three issues of the Galt Gulag. Thank you for including me in your circulation list! It is very hard for me to read what I am reading regarding all the problems with the Boards as highlighted by Fort Lauderdale City News, along the Galt Mile condos. Allow me to borrow the American expression “it boggles my mind” to accept that the described situation is allowed to exist in the United States of America. The behavior of the Boards reminds me of the Soviet Union, where the proletariat referred to a similar lopsided situation as the “Funnel Law,” with the wide part of the device for the establishment and the narrow one for the oppressed Soviet citizens. Some of the excuses of the Boards are that they are not paid for their work. Pay has nothing to do with performance. By the way, life in the real Gulag was not that bad.

Dangerous Unpermitted Work
Unpermitted and uninspected renovation work, replacement windows, etc. put you and your entire building at great risk. Your building’s insurance company be invalid. Your Owner’s insurance policy could be invalid. Confirming that all work on your building is lawful. Go to www.fortlauderdale.gov/building_services/onestop/kioskopt.asp and look up your unit, association, and Board members. Check all permits and
inspections. Protect yourself.

Attorney Inger Garcia can be reached at www.IngerGarcia.com or by telephone at 954-752-1213. 

Jan Bergemann’s Cyber Citizens For Justice is an organization of Owners, for Owners, to protect Owners’ rights. For more information, please visit them at www.CCFJ.net or telephone 386-740-1503 or by email at [email protected] 

The Galt Mile Yahoo! Discussion group is a free forum. You can reach it at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GaltMile/ and if you wish to subscribe, simply send an email to [email protected] 

The Southpoint Condominium Yahoo Discussion group is a free forum. You can reach it at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SouthpointCondominium/ and if you wish to subscribe, simply send an email to [email protected] 

The Southpoint Condominium website can be reached at http://Southpoint-Condominium.org

The AARP’s Bill of Rights for Homeowners is available online at http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/consume/2006_15_homeowner.pdf

Government Officials

Governor Charlie Crist can be reached at 850-488-7146 or by email at [email protected] .

Your State Representative is Ellyn Bogdanoff. She can be reached at 954-762-3757 or by email at [email protected].

State Representative Julio Robaina can be reached at 305-442-6868 or by email at [email protected] 

Harold Hyman of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Bureau of Enforcement canbe reached at 954-202-3982 or by email at [email protected] .

Danille Carroll is our Condominium Ombudsman. She can be reached at 954-202-3234 or by email at Danille.[email protected]

Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Bruce Roberts can be reached at 954-828-5700.
State Attorney Michael J. Satz can be reached at 954-831-6955.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle can be reached at 954-828-5003, or by email at [email protected] .
The Galt Gulag’s Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner is Christine Teel. She can be reached 954-828-5003, or by email at [email protected] 

  
Fort Lauderdale City Manager George Gretsas can be reached at 954-828-5013, by fax at 954-828-5021, or by email at [email protected] 

Code Enforcement Head Cate Mc-Caffrey can be reached at 954-828-4989, or by email at [email protected] .
Code Enforcement Supervisor John Gossman can be reached at 954-828-5806, or by email at [email protected] 
Galt Gulag Code Enforcement Officer Al Lovinshimer can be reached at 954-828-5118, or by email at [email protected] .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

TALES FROM THE GALT GULAG -- PART I

TALES FROM THE GALT GULAG -- PART II

TALES FROM THE GALT GULAG -- PART III

TALES FROM THE GALT GULAG -- PART IV

THE CONDO LAWYER -- INGER GARCIA