Tag Archives: Ridings

NYPD Employee Steals $366,380 From Woodbrooke Estates HOA

guest blog by Nila Ridings

One would think a guy that worked in the evidence and property room of the NYPD as a control specialist would have a high level of integrity. Nope. Wrong. Danny Juliano was the president of Woodbrooke Estates HOA in Staten Island and convinced the board members he was getting a cheaper price on pool supplies over in New Jersey so they handed him the cash to make those purchases.

I don’t know about the readers of this blog, but I’d be questioning the need for $366,380 worth of pool supplies since October of 2011. I’d also be asking for receipts. 629 condo and townhouse owners just took a financial beating because their HOA board members were sleeping on the job!

The Big Fat Greek Food Truck

guest blog by Nila Ridings

Greek food happens to be my favorite! As a matter of fact, I ate it for dinner tonight. This would be a dream come true for me to have Greek cuisine on wheels parked right next door! I would gladly offer to buy their leftovers.

But I do not live in Sugar Land, Texas in the New Territory HOA where the board president, Mike Pincomb is acting like a pinhead and bullying the owners of ‘Anna’s Greek Gourmet.’

The HOA Tree Huggers

guest blog by Nila Ridings

Michael Crick of Bridal Trails HOA in Bellevue, Washington loves trees but not ones that are diseased or at risk for falling on his home and possibly killing his family. So, he obtained the proper permits and the city arborist determined the trees he marked for removal were correctly selected.

The cutting began and suddenly a dozen neighbors arrived, including the HOA president, Ray Reass. The number one tree hugger offered Mr. Crick the standard advice given in all HOAs. MOVE! That’s right, if you do not want to take the chance of a dead tree falling on your house and family just MOVE!!! And then she so politely says, “Good Day.”

Increase Your Credibility By Always Documenting

guest blog by Nila Ridings

A townhouse complex in San Jose, California had a fire and two pets were killed.  As sad as that is, it could have been far worse.  Why? Two fire hydrants were non-functioning.

Residents claim they have reported these broken fire hydrants to the departments responsible for maintaining them.  Yet, the spokesperson is saying this was the first they heard of it.

Folks…we now live in a society where every contact you make MUST BE DOCUMENTED.  

When you make a call, write down the name of the person you are speaking with, the number you dialed, and their job title.  Make note of the date and time.  Ask for their employee ID, phone extension, location or call center where they are located.  If you are transferred to another person, repeat the process.  Make detailed notes of the message you are conveying.  And make detailed notes of what action they agreed to take and when.  Any future communication or documents to or from anyone on this topic must be added to the original.

Should something like non-working fire hydrants happen you can pull your spiral notebook out and say, “I reported that on date, time to Mr. Hydrant the Head Engineer at 555-5555 x 515.”  Nobody should argue with you when your documentation is detailed.

Better yet, make your communication in writing via email or a typed or handwritten letter. Keep a copy of it.  And keep a copy of any written responses.

These efforts will pay off when you win battles with people who claim no knowledge of ever hearing about a problem.  Had the folks making their claim for reporting these fire hydrants documented those calls somebody would now be sitting in a hot seat.

We know from previous condo fires the outcome is never positive for the owners.  Perhaps this one will be an exception but I doubt it.

Harriet Vallen Is A Brave Woman

guest blog by Nila Ridings

There is one thing I have never figured out about HOAs. Why do they hate the American flag so much? Why is it so wrong to be patriotic in an HOA? What is it about the stars and stripes that irritates the nerves of an HOA board so badly?

Harriet Vallen currently lives in The Ranches HOA in Eagle Mountain, Utah and she is moving to another home inside this same HOA. She is taking her magnetic American flag mailbox wrap with plans to attach it there. I say “plans” because she may change her mind when she learns how brutal the HOA board can be over something as small as a flag on the mailbox or in a flower pot. Remember Larry Murphree in Jacksonville, Florida among many others?