How did we get HERE?
MUSINGS PART II
For those of you waiting with bated breath, here goes part II of the musings. We have asked the question why UCO can not run just like a well run building and as of yet have not received any answer or guidance. But we must remember that it is often stated that we get the government we want or have earned and I shudder to think that is true in the case here, though it might be to some degree.
So how did we reach that point.
I will use my own experience as an example of how we got to where we are. When we first bought and were snowflakes, we came as often as possible, as soon as we could string three days together. We found it relaxing, pleasant and welcoming. As snowflakes, we did not get involved in the government of the Village, barely even recognizing that there was one and what it did. I think Kurt Weiss was the president at that point.
Then in 2003 we made the big move, selling out and moving down permanently, no back and forth for us. We acclimated to our new home and explored what was around us. We found shows and theater, libraries, great shopping of all kinds and lots of friends. Gerry became active in the condo association and by default, so did I. But I must confess that after having retired I certainly did not want any hassles, pressure related to job and responsibility, etc. so we just drifted along, paid maintenance and WPRF and just asked a few questions, but human nature being as it is, we began to focus a bit more and ask more pertinent questions.
We were horrified at the Millennium deal; we were horrified at the whole scandal with the Clubhouse after the hurricanes and did not understand what the heck was going on. Little by little we began to figure it out, talked to people and became more in the know. So we voted for those we thought would be better for the Village and then there was the dirty campaign between Dave and Dan. At that, we just about threw our hands up in disgust and said, basically, screw it all and went on with life. We got involved in lots of things, but generally not heavy into the Village government.
Then Dave's government became impossible. Nasty things were going on, being condoned. People who were not elected had a voice in the running of the government and Village. I guess they imagined they were as Cheney to Bush! The odor of the UCO situation became rank, almost overwhelming and grew even more as small problems were neglected and became bigger ones and finally came the wake up call. The septic tank was overflowing.
This whole business with the paving of the streets just about blew the roof off the issue for us and for many other people. The Village was in severe danger of going bankrupt, the manner of paying bills and assigning funds was damn near criminal, if not actual. people were being defamed and threatened and when I asked questions on Dave's blog I had to push and push and finally he published some test for phase one which answered nothing as it did not say what was the phase two results, what happened after time had passed, why the streets were collapsing already, how roads are paved without milling, where the money came from and where it went, and on and on. So we woke up and now are writing postings and asking questions but getting no answers from Dave and minions.
So how did we get this government - by not taking an active part in it, by waiting too long to demand answers to strong and pertinent questions. I was guilty of doing that and so are many of us here in the Village but if we do not stand up for ourselves then nobody else will and we will find ourselves robbed of a Village. People, hear the plea. Become active. Ask questions. Demand answers. Force your delegates to vote as YOU and your fellow residents wish, not as Dave has threatened them to vote. Come out against Dave and the rottenness of his reign and a reign it is as he has become a tinpot dictator. Together we can fix and cure, take out the trash and get the right people in. Speak up for yourself. That idiot Elainb, and others like her are NOT the voice of the Village. We ARE. Speak up.
For those of you waiting with bated breath, here goes part II of the musings. We have asked the question why UCO can not run just like a well run building and as of yet have not received any answer or guidance. But we must remember that it is often stated that we get the government we want or have earned and I shudder to think that is true in the case here, though it might be to some degree.
So how did we reach that point.
I will use my own experience as an example of how we got to where we are. When we first bought and were snowflakes, we came as often as possible, as soon as we could string three days together. We found it relaxing, pleasant and welcoming. As snowflakes, we did not get involved in the government of the Village, barely even recognizing that there was one and what it did. I think Kurt Weiss was the president at that point.
Then in 2003 we made the big move, selling out and moving down permanently, no back and forth for us. We acclimated to our new home and explored what was around us. We found shows and theater, libraries, great shopping of all kinds and lots of friends. Gerry became active in the condo association and by default, so did I. But I must confess that after having retired I certainly did not want any hassles, pressure related to job and responsibility, etc. so we just drifted along, paid maintenance and WPRF and just asked a few questions, but human nature being as it is, we began to focus a bit more and ask more pertinent questions.
We were horrified at the Millennium deal; we were horrified at the whole scandal with the Clubhouse after the hurricanes and did not understand what the heck was going on. Little by little we began to figure it out, talked to people and became more in the know. So we voted for those we thought would be better for the Village and then there was the dirty campaign between Dave and Dan. At that, we just about threw our hands up in disgust and said, basically, screw it all and went on with life. We got involved in lots of things, but generally not heavy into the Village government.
Then Dave's government became impossible. Nasty things were going on, being condoned. People who were not elected had a voice in the running of the government and Village. I guess they imagined they were as Cheney to Bush! The odor of the UCO situation became rank, almost overwhelming and grew even more as small problems were neglected and became bigger ones and finally came the wake up call. The septic tank was overflowing.
This whole business with the paving of the streets just about blew the roof off the issue for us and for many other people. The Village was in severe danger of going bankrupt, the manner of paying bills and assigning funds was damn near criminal, if not actual. people were being defamed and threatened and when I asked questions on Dave's blog I had to push and push and finally he published some test for phase one which answered nothing as it did not say what was the phase two results, what happened after time had passed, why the streets were collapsing already, how roads are paved without milling, where the money came from and where it went, and on and on. So we woke up and now are writing postings and asking questions but getting no answers from Dave and minions.
So how did we get this government - by not taking an active part in it, by waiting too long to demand answers to strong and pertinent questions. I was guilty of doing that and so are many of us here in the Village but if we do not stand up for ourselves then nobody else will and we will find ourselves robbed of a Village. People, hear the plea. Become active. Ask questions. Demand answers. Force your delegates to vote as YOU and your fellow residents wish, not as Dave has threatened them to vote. Come out against Dave and the rottenness of his reign and a reign it is as he has become a tinpot dictator. Together we can fix and cure, take out the trash and get the right people in. Speak up for yourself. That idiot Elainb, and others like her are NOT the voice of the Village. We ARE. Speak up.
Esther
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