Here we go again!

Rather than address the concerns raised by Ed Grossman about the proposed building swap, the administration, led by you know who, again embarked on their usual tactics of attacking the character of the person raising some serious questions.

Ever since the initiative to swap these two buildings was raised, the administration and the committee have said that there is no assessment or evaluation registered at the county assessors office. That claim was decidedly put to rest when Ed Grossman produced a letter from the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's office showing that there is a current assessment for both buildings.  The assessments showed that the building and property proposed to be given in trade for the realty office's quarters is worth a fraction of the value. In other words: The swap is unfavorable as far as the interests of CV is concerned. 

Not having a credible answer to the revelation, David Israel immediately pronounced that Ed Grossman is a liar, and also that the County assessor is in the same category. Israel's posting on his blog before the assembly also smeared the reputation of the objectors, but didn't have an answer about the huge difference in value of the buildings and property. A difference that was ignored by the committee, who maintained that the buildings had no assessments. They either didn't know, because they didn't do their homework, or hid the real truth in their quest to push this initiative forward. 

It's a disgrace that an elected leader and his so called "team "  would resort to tactics like this. It's a shame that the committee would accept the distortion or concealment of the facts without so much as a whimper.   

When another concerned resident spoke up at the assembly. Israel told him to keep quiet or he would bring up some dirt on him. That is a very troubling statement. If there is something about the delegate that is of concern about his character, Israel should reveal it, Not use it to intimidate him into silence.

The assembly turned into a circus when Ed Grossman approached the committee on the stage and was accused of perhaps carrying a gun and suggesting he is plotting an assassination. That is one of the most ridiculous statements ever heard .  Ed Grossman has never threatened anyone. Israel's asinine squealing to call the Sheriff was just a tactic to avoid the questions and evade having to answer why he is not furnishing the residents with the whole story. He didn't answer any concerns about anything. When challenged as to why the Atlantic Broadband contract was altered after the vote, his only reply was to grunt and change the subject. 

We can look forward to the usual finger pointing and accusations of people disrupting the meetings for some vicarious thrill.  We can look forward to not getting any answers to the issues being raised. It's just the way David Israel and his team do business. Israel implied that the objectors are just causing trouble, and trying to shut down the whole initiative to swap buildings, this is another gross misrepresentation of the facts. The real idea behind the objections is to make sure that CV is getting a good deal in the swap. Not just to destroy the whole thing.
Keep in mind that the whole swap is about giving Atlantic Broadband space at $1.00 a square foot, a clause that was illegally entered into the contract after the ratification vote at he Delegates Assembly. 
Keep in mind that Israel attempted to deny the residents a vote on the matter by pushing a motion at the committee to put the decisions in the hands of the UCO officers, leaving the residents out of it. He voted in favor while the rest of the committee turned it down.
Keep in mind that if this piece of property is acquired by WPRF, or whoever it is that the deed will go to, it's gone forever. When the time comes that CV residents want to buy out the Levy family, it's another asset that adds to the value of their holdings. It's another asset that will add a nice increase to their asking price. 
Keep in mind that the construction shack that CV will acquire has a considerable tax bill attached to it, something the realty building does not have attached to it. When Atlantic broadband is done with it, CV is going to be left with .... What ? A building and property that really has not much going for it that will need ongoing maintenance, taxes and utilities. 
Keep in mind that the original deal giving the realty company the use of the building on East Drive, gave the village newspaper free use of space at another facility owned by WPRF. Now that the original deal is compromised due to the building being unfit for occupancy, the newspaper is using space in the clubhouse, space that all residents pay for. That's not the deal ! There's no quid pro quo there. CV realty has a pretty good deal and still gets to use their building pretty much for free, while we are expected to pay for the facilities to use the clubhouse for the paper. That's not the way it works! WPRF agreed to give the paper free space , that is not happening, the terms of the agreement are void, there is no agreement as long as WPRF doesn't hold up their end of the bargain.
It would be better for CV to get a 99 year lease at a dollar a year on the construction shack, just like the deal that the realty company enjoys, do their own renovations, and keep the property on East Drive. 

The latest is that this was put on delay to be taken cared of at a  later date. - Gary