Letters + Hate + Lies + Threats + Disrespect + ??????

Would you buy at Valerie Arms now? 

Letters + Hate + Lies + Threats + Disrespect + ?????? 

Re: 5 page letter dated 5/10/12 from Jill and the BOD. The sentence structure, syntax, spelling and grammar was good. The content is not good! Over 1600 words! That’s a lot of words in a letter to Shareholders who are insulted and disrespected by your words. I reread it to try to understand.

Much of it (seems to me) was gobbledygook, silly accusations, ‘non sequitur’ statements, allegations and recapping mistakes by previous BODs. You spent Shareholder money to explain your personal philosophies?

The letter (diatribe) posted behind glass is more bizarre.

Are Marc and Ellen also responsible for the murder of Teyvon Martin and starvation in Somalia and Sudan?

If you wanted to generate more animosity, anger and hatred, you are succeeding. Ask you fellow Shareholders.

Why does Jill and the BOD do this? HATE? ANGER? THREATS?   ???? Nobody likes this stuff.

To: BOD and Jill: Please stop using our money for mailings that insult us. Please stop using our money to resolve personal disputes and punish Shareholders.

Disrespect: (M-W)    contempt, insult, offend, dishonor, … go to

 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disrespect  

We (Shareholders) want to know. We don’t get information we request, are told they (Jill, BOD) will give info when they decide to, “none of you business”, are called names (cowards, liars, disgusting, etc.) and treated with gross disrespect, contempt, etc. 

STOP!

Why do they treat us with contempt/disrespect? This is a very bad thing! 

Q: Why does it happen? A: Because we let it happen!

Q: What can you/we do? A: Speak out and act out (legally). 

Confront every member of the BOD. Their silence evidences they are all responsible.

Repeat: “Evil succeeds when good people are silent. Therefore, people who are silent in the face of evil are evil.”

Are you threatened because of speaking out? Voicing you opinion, blog, posting comments? 

Action: Go to   https://www.aclu.org/contact-us .  File complaint. Learn your rights and what we can do. 

This blog is open to ALL Shareholders to comment and/or ask questions.

Stop and Think

The problems at VA didn’t start recently. The problems have been growing and getting worse for years. Shareholders MUST wake up and get involved!

Obviously, Vision is/was a major part of the problems. The past and present members of the BOD are at fault because of the things they did, are doing and didn’t do.  Shareholders (including you and me) are at fault for not participating, not paying attention and allowing our problems to happen. 

The current infighting, personal attacks, accusations, distortions, etc. are making our problems worse, not better. The value of VA apartments (shares) is falling. And if we don’t fix things, we all suffer.  We don't want to become a kakistocracy.

It is possible to disagree without becoming evil, vicious, nasty, liars, etc. We should all make things better, not worse. 

The BOD (Board) should be people who are knowledgeable, active, willing to learn and volunteer their time and efforts for the benefit of all Shareholders. The BOD is NOT for personal agendas, therapy, ‘power trips’  or a social club for people with problems. 

Every Shareholder should be fully informed, all our questions promptly and courteously answered and never never never told, “It is none of your business”.  

Did Ms. Schachter just appoint someone who lives in Atlanta to the Board? She just appointed a new Management co. and refuses to give us their name or any information. She is using Shareholder money for a “Meet and Greet” party.   She advertises she is going use our money to serve “Wine and Cheese” at a party.  Forgive offensive language but since she is ‘pissing away’ our money, serving urine and cheese would be more appropriate.

The people who control Valerie Arms (VA) are the BOD (Board of Directors). Who controls them? The BOD controls and is responsible for Management, employees, lawyers, contractors, etc. These people control your homes and investments. We MUST do a lot better. 

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Proverb

When someone tells me bad things about someone else, I ask. Is it true? Are they telling me for my benefit or their benefit? 

Reminder: The reason and aim of this blog is to inform, alert and protect Shareholders. Also to provide a forum for your input, comments, opinions, questions, suggestions, etc. You can click on button at the bottom of each blog or go to vasc11362@aol.com 

*Note- I invited Jill and friends to comment or post stuff on the blog.  We are for ALL Shareholders. We are ALL Shareholders.

I am not a lawyer, or a former Board Member and have only spoken with a handful of people involved. I am a Shareholder like you. And being a ‘concerned’ Shareholder does not make me a "coward". Calling people names is not nice. 

Jill kept repeating the blog is ‘disgusting’. The comments posted by Shareholders are ‘disgusting’. This blog is to inform and alert. It is not restricted. It is not ‘disgusting’. Shareholders are not ‘disgusting’.

‘Disgusting’ is telling Shareholders, “It is none of your business”. 

Bottom line: I/we believe the BOD needs improvement/replacing. I/we strongly suspect VA’s financial condition is not good. How bad? VERY BAD! The BOD and Vision do not answer our questions. Jill states “It is none of your (our) business”. The BOD is spending our money without our knowledge and/or consent. 

Action: Our money is being taken and spent without our knowledge and/or consent. To the best of our knowledge, the BOD authorizes payments and Vision issues the payments. Shareholders want this to stop. Tell the BOD, the Attorney, Vision and your fellow Shareholders.

Personality or emotional conflicts should not affect Shareholder welfare.
All involved should be nice, polite and work for Shareholder welfare.

Suggestion: Go to  http://www.cooperator.com  Learn stuff.

Info from Jill Management Co.

News: I spoke with Jill Schachter (phone) on 5/10/12. She called me again on 5/11/12. What follows is some of what she told me or what I inferred as a result of our conversations:
They hired a new Management Company She wouldn’t tell me who or what or why. She wouldn’t tell me how much VA is paying or what they will do. She admitted she had limited knowledge of management Companies, what they are supposed to do and how much they should be paid. She relied on the advice of “someone”.
Who? Who is the ‘they’ that makes the decisions? Is it Jill, or the BOD or Vision or other secret advisors? She refused to tell me. Quote from Jill, “It is none of your business”.

 (*Note – I have experience with RE management companies. I and other Shareholders had suggestions and wanted to help and provide input.)

Jill told me the legal stuff (advice, costs, bills, etc.) is in the hands of Co-op’s attorney. (Adam Leighton Bailey)  Jill hired him because of ‘something’ and he is a “Super Lawyer” and a “Leading American Attorney”. The information is available from Jill and his website. (http://www.alblawfirm.com ) I/we still cannot get information. (Costs? Invoices? Why? How much?) Jill told me the legal costs and commitments are a result of ‘legal advice’. She refuses to answer questions. “None of your business”.

VA also hired a “forensic accountant’ to investigate ‘stuff’. (Sounds like CSI Little Neck) How much? Doing what? 

Jill also reports she receives threatening, nasty and obscene letters, e-mails, phone calls and messages.

If this is true, it should stop. If it is not true, she should stop.

She should not make accusations that she will not or cannot substantiate. She refuses to answer who and what and when. (If she wants sympathy, she should follow Mark Twain’s advice.)

She told me the Police and her lawyer doing something and she has “protection”.

Are the Police investigating Shareholders? Is the lawyer taking some actions? What does “protection” mean? Does she carry a weapon? Does she use employees to be bodyguards or something with Shareholders funds? Is this a ‘bad movie’? 

Jill also stated/accused this blog is ‘disgusting’, my wife left a ‘nasty’ message, others made or said ‘bad things’, etc. Jill made disparaging remarks about the people commenting or making critical remarks about her.  Questions about financial and other things are “None of your business”, etc. 

Jill finally told me she would not answer my/our questions. She kept repeating, “It is none of your business.” Why doesn’t she answer Shareholder questions and give us requested information?

“It is none of your business.” She kept repeating, “It is none of your business.” (I take notes.) At which point, I said goodbye.  

In response to a Shareholder request, Jill did not give me permission to give her home phone number. It will probably be available from her ‘buddies’ or Vision. Jill also refused to give me her e-mail address.

(The lengthy call she made to me on Friday, 5/11/12, was at 1:12 PM. Yes, I do have record.) 

More to come …..


Also .... PLEASE ... No personal comments or attacks.

Thanx .... joel

Queen Regnant or Empress or ????

So … Jean Quinn, member of the BOD quit or resigned or got kicked out or something.

And then …. Jill Schachter, the all powerful PRESIDENT of the BOD appointed or anointed

Maggie Seminara Warford as Jean’s replacement.

Did the remaining three, Fran Rothkin 54-40 Apt. 5F, Barry Nelson 54-40 2R and Alicia Spiegel 54-44 6N, have a part in the decision? Did they simply follow orders? 

The appropriate thing to do was announce a vacancy. And next ...

Ask Shareholders to submit indications of interest to serve on the Board.

The arrogant disrespectful thing to do is what they did. 

Question: Who gave them the ‘right’ and the ‘power’ to do whatever they want?

Answer: You, the Shareholders did. You let it happen. You did nothing. (Some are trying.)

Are you powerless, timid, dead sheep? Are you spineless jellyfish?

The current BOD is making bad decisions.

Their actions are costing you money. (Assessments, repairs, legal fees, etc.)

The value of your home/investment is falling. And it will get worse.

Is your attitude is ‘let someone else’ fix the problems?

If so, you are part of the problem. DO SOMETHING!

Volunteer to help.

Action: Confront members of the Board. Demand all arbitrary assessments be rescinded. Demand full disclosure. Demand we (Shareholders) have access to all records. If they don’t listen and respond, perhaps they have hearing problems. In that case speak VERY LOUDLY. Shout at them, “STOP WASTING OUR MONEY!”. Contact the NYS Attorney General’s Office. I sent you the complaint form. If you need it, we will send it again. Contact every neighbor and get them involved.

Do it now! (All the above.) 

*Note – A shareholder is now in contact with the NYS AG office. One complaint is received and being worked on. Hopefully, more will follow. 

Important – Please read notes and comments from fellow Shareholders. 

Sample Letters from Shareholders to vasc11362@aol.com

From LUDVA     Subject: Ayatollah Schachter

What is wrong with her? She is a sick lady.

She has no right to yell and make fun at people. She makes jokes about old people, young people, foreign born people.She is nasty at everybody.

I asked why we got assessed and other things. She yelled and threaten me.

I will vote against her and all her friends.

Who should I vote for. Please write names of people who are good neighbors.

Thank you A neighbor.

From Levelheaded I would like to know why we don't have a surplus in our operating account.....we had a very mild winter, so our heating bills must have been extremely low as compared to past years, as well as little/no snow removal costs....where's the money? Someone I know who is running for the board would have informed shareholders of this money (not in exact amounts) and considered 1) pay down the mortgage 2) capital improvements 3) Local law 11 compliance 4) roof 5) landscaping 6) actually hire an engineer to find what's wrong with our water 7) maybe even hire a REAL NAMED forensic accountant to help us go after stolen money 8) get those contractors back into the building to finish the crappy job on the hallways 9) pay off the mechanics lien 10) upgrade the lobby ..... Or maybe just put it aside for a rainy day and make our books better. WHERE'S THE PRIORITIES? To the current BOD, use your heads, we as shareholders are not stupid and deserve information!

more to come ....

Job of Board and ....

We are a Co-op. The BOD (Board of Directors) is/are not-paid volunteers. They are supposed to contribute their time, efforts, skills, etc. for the good and welfare of all Shareholders. The people on the BOD should NOT be there to exercise petty vendettas, as a means of therapy, to have power over others, solicit ’kick-backs’ and/or other sick, sad stuff.
(Alliteration. Cool!)  

Bottom line: Job of BOD is to work for Shareholders, NOT against Shareholders. 

Who is/are the BOD? I am told Jean Quinn 54-44 1M just resigned/quit.

Her replacement is Maggie Seminara Warford. She is/was appointed or anointed by Ms. Schachter. (Please correct me if I am wrong.)

Other Board members are now; Jill Schachter, 54-40 Apt. 5R.

Fran Rothkin 54-40 Apt. 5F.

Barry Nelson 54-40 2R.

Alicia Spiegel 54-44 6N.

Do they all agree with everything Ms. Schachter does and says? Do they all follow orders? (*Nuremberg defense: “We were just following orders,”) Are they allowed to speak? Why are they silent?

"Evil succeeds when good men do nothing." – Edmund Burke, Albert Einstein, George Washington, etc.  The silence of BOD members  speaks for itself.

The BOD hires Management, Legal, Auditing, Accounting and other advisors. They are all supposed to work for you, Shareholders.
Sadly, frequently they don’t. They work for money. They work for their own self-interest. Frequently they generate expenses to enrich themselves at Shareholder expense. Who is ‘pushing’ these ‘legal’ bills?

Management is very important. I/we (Shareholders) want to be part of the screening and decision process to select a new Management Company. Some of us have the experience, expertise, knowledge and judgment to help make a good choice. The BOD actions is evidence they need help. I/we will help.

 We must be skeptical, we must be diligent and we must know. The BOD does not answer our questions. We have the right to know. What are they hiding?

Ms. Schachter and VE did not respond to our calls, messages, letters, etc.

To Ms. Schachter please contact me or post a good contact to vasc11362@aol.com or on this blog. (joel).

Sad Thing: VA (Valerie Arms) has troubles. VA’s reputation and values are declining. Our financial and infrastructure problems are increasing. And the internal disputes and BOD actions are making things worse.

Hopefully, it is a matter of good people making bad choices, not bad people doing evil. 

Help wanted: We need intelligent, emotionally stable, people with some knowledge or experience to serve on the new Board. If you have ideas, want to volunteer or thoughts to share or something to say, please post it on this blog. 

ANNUAL MEETING + ELECTIONS coming soon.

Lobby meeting + pool + Shareholders

Ms. Schachter wants Shareholders to go to lobby on SAT and SUN to write letters to Bloomberg.
A better idea is go to the lobby and demand she answer our questions. Where is our money? Who are the lawyers? Invoices? Who authorized an assessment to pay for her personal legal expenses? What other irregular expenses is she paying for with Shareholder money? And without Shareholder permission? Where are the required financial statements? Does the entire BOD agree with her and follow her orders?  

Go to the meeting. Go and confront Ms. Schachter and ‘pals’. Demand she answer our questions. Demand she produce co-op records.

Don’t be afraid! They (BOD, Management, Super, Lawyers, Accountants, etc.) work for us.   

Please tell neighbors and friends to read this blog. Please add your comments on blog to share your thoughts and ideas with other Shareholders.
Recent comments, ideas, etc.  

Shareholder: Major Construction at the Pool - Who is the company doing the work? How much of the Shareholder's money are we spending for 50 people to use the pool? Where are the Dept. of Building Permits posted for this type of work? Has the resident walkway been protected so that residents do not fall, trip, or hurt themselves on possible flying concrete or other debris? Have shareholders who have cars in the back parking lot that are adjacent to the pool door been advised to move their cars for a few days during the breakup of the concrete? etc. 

Shareholder: (Re: Board and Jill) Put mice in their mailboxes and smear peanut butter on the underside of their doorknobs. (Blog moderator: That is NOT nice and wrong. Don’t do it. (And how do you get mice in mailboxes anyway?) 

Shareholder: Why should shareholder's pay for a memorial to the building's superintendent. One who was terminated from his employment. If Jill wants a memorial for her daughter's godfather she should put it in her apartment and pay for it herself! 

Shareholder: I am a shareholder in Valerie arms. I want to know what is being done about all the problems that are going on between the shareholders and the board. The letters I am receiving are weekly and I am outraged that it has come to this. I DO NOT want property to be jeopardized because people can’t get along. Is there any way to rectify the situation? Fine her for her harassment? Get rid of the board? Please answers my questions I would love to know.  

Comment from many Shareholders regarding endless BOD letters, postings, etc. (If it offends, please forgive language. It seems appropriate,)



Action: Confront Board of Directors. Demand they stop this nonsense. Demand they make full disclosure and stop wasting our money.

More bad news: Bloomberg administration announced they are raising our water costs by 7%.

We need help. You can help!

Sadly, Co-op/Condo owners in New York are often victims of Boards of Directors and/or Management Companies that are; incompetent and/or corrupt and/or doing bad harmful things due to a variety of factors.

There are laws, government agencies and regulations.  The NYS Attorney General’s Office and Queens DA’s Office can provide help.

It is up to us (Shareholders) to request help. If we are too lazy or complacent or stupid to act, the harm will continue and get worse.

There is a unit for Co-op/Condo complaints.

Please complete the attached complaint form to the Attorney General’s Office. Go to … 

http://www.ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/pdfs/complaints/ref_complaint.pdf  

Suggested items of complaint;  (Use your own words and ideas)

-They imposed assessments without our permission, knowledge or vote.

-They imposed assessments under questionable circumstances and refused/ignored all requests for information.

-They refuse to provide information re: who the money goes to; invoices; what the money is for; etc.

-They refuse to identify the people they hire and how much.

-They do not provide mandated financial information and reports. (Ex. Audited Annual Report was due MAR 30. Not done!)

-Vision Enterprises (Management Co.) does not respond to our requests for information, records, etc.

-The BOD does not respond to our requests for information, records, etc.

-Refused to investigate after former accountant admitted to never performing an audit, despite filing “audited financial statements” with the Attorney General

-The BOD failed to account for tens of thousands of dollars of money Vision Management commingled into the Coop’s operating account and spent. (Never accounted for on financial statements.)

-The BOD spends thousands of dollars in legal fees and mailings for personal disputes with Shareholders.   

dhalloran@council.nyc.gov 

braunstein@assembly.state.ny.us    

avella@nysenate.gov  

Please mail and/or fax and/or e-mail complaint to NYS Attorney General plus the politicians who want our votes.

http://www.ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/pdfs/complaints/ref_complaint.pdf

Action: Do it! The more we demand action, the more likely they will act.

Remember: They work for us!

Remember: Tell fellow Shareholders to look at this Blog.