David Israel's WI-Fl plan puts his hands deeper into your pockets.
Despite clear evidence of overwhelming opposition, David Israel is forging ahead with plans to initiate broadband WI-Fl service in the village. The new plans outlined at a committee meeting calls for increased rates for a package of internet or telephone and cable T.V. services.
Atlantic Broadband representatives were queried at the meeting about the scope and the costs of the proposed project. It is clear that an original proposal included the ability to choose TV itself or additional services for each individual association. Those choices were withdrawn because of David’s passion to Wi-Fi the village despite not having the authority as is clearly stated in the bi-lateral agreement. The issue of universal Wi-Fi has been turned down several times by the delegates. In actual fact, it is not up to the delegates as a group to approve universal Wi-F. It falls to each individual owner because of our core documents. A recent Florida case underscores that fact. A recording of the meeting can be heard by opening our website (www.centuryvillagemessengerclub.com) and clicking on the audio player in the top right corner of the homepage.
Our calculations based on figures presented by Atlantic Broadband reps proposes an additional cost of $25.00 a month per unit over and above the $33.00 fee we pay now for cable TV service. Doing the math puts the total additional cost of the ten-year contract at around $24,000,000.00.
That’s a princely sum of money to lay out for a service that most residents don't want , and it's a bit disconcerting that David Israel would entertain any idea of initiating WI-Fl or broadband or anything else with an enormous outlay of money without a legal authority to do so while subjecting UCO to a possible lawsuit.
An article explaining the plan is published in the latest edition of the CV MESSENGER which is posted on our website.
Opposition to this plan comes from among others the many snowbirds who are opposed to paying extra fees every month for a service they will use only for the few months they are in residence. Then there is the residents who will be compelled to pay but don't own computers, don't know how to use the internet and show little if any interest in it.
Notices that Broadband committee meetings are being cancelled for one reason or another are posted with a not too surprising frequency. Without committee meetings plans are being formulated in the dark with little or no input from residents.
Standing back and allowing David Israel to continue in his crusade for WI-Fl can only lead to higher monthly fees attached to each and every condo in Century Village. Rosy predictions that condo prices will be enhanced by the addition of WI-Fl don't add up when one considers that one of the first things prospective buyers investigate is the cost of monthly fees they will be taking on with the purchase of a unit.
HIGHER CONDO FEES = LOWER PURCHASE APPEAL.
Some associations in Century Village have already installed WI-Fl in their buildings at an average cost of $5.00 a month per unit and are not tied into a ten-year contract. Many other Associations have opted out based on prior failed efforts to force this folly upon the village. Many other unit holders are experiencing difficult financial times and paying for a frill they do not want is a nonsense. Compared to the $25.00 a unit proposed by David Israel's plans it's not hard to see the fallacy of Israel’s plans.
The bottom line is that David Israel has no authority to negotiate a contract. His plan takes away any choice you may have in choosing service, and the increases in fees will be mandatory and universal.
Ed Grossman and Neil J. Moore
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