Enough Gall to go around

So, the Little man and his Minions are at it again. It seems so petty for D.Israel to go after Phyllis for her endeavor to help the less fortunate of ours in this Village.

He wants us to all believe that she is for a Soup Kitchen establishment in our Village. The truth is that she has a big heart and always wanted to help the struggling. So Israel comes out over a quiet weekend on the Political attack. He is attacking her for some imagined crime. She has the gall to stand up for the poorer in our village.

Is that the way it should be?

It that what we want?

Good Grief, not again?

FLASH: HAS FASCISM ARRIVED IN CENTURY VILLAGE? .

Dave Israel has struck again. For the second time he has contacted Code Enforcement to have the campaign banner announcing that Phyllis Richland is running for UCO President removed from a residents building. He claims it is eye pollution.

We claim it is fear. Fear that his attempt to win a fourth, term is in serious jeopardy. He is a spiteful man who will do anything-to win the election.

Beware residents, the next attack could be against you!

Winston tastes good like a cigarette should. Oh Yeah?

AN OPEN MESSAGE TO ALL CENTURY VILLAGE RESIDENTS

Stew Richland

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

A few years ago, when the JCC was still operating their facility on Community Drive, they offered a marvelous compassionate plan for the elderly population here in Century Village.  This plan offered residents the opportunity to be transported to their facility, offered lunch, entertainment, companionship, and allowed to take home the left-over food.  All this for FREE.  Many of these residents were living close to the vest, their only income was their monthly Social Security check.

Many of these residents were what you would call “early settlers” to our Village.  They travelled from far and wide, answering the call “come on down, start your retirement, enjoy the good life.”  Sadly, “man plans and God laughs.”  At the beginning life was good.  However, you never know whose tomorrow it is.  A spouse dies.  Illness changes everything.  Pensions end, and Social Security payments are frozen.  Life changes dramatically.  WE ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THE SAME AX FALLING ON US AND CHANGING OUR LIVES.

All the JCC did by this humanitarian gesture is bring a bit of sunshine into their lives of these “shut ins” and the program was just once a week.

When the JCC contract in their facility ran out, the organization moved to a new location in Boynton Beach.  These generous souls did not want to end their program and offered UCO and Century Village a program in which they would continue serving the needs of our less fortunate residents by sending a food mobile to the Village and set up the party room, serve the food, provide entertainment and then, CLEAN UP THE ROOM, at no cost to UCO or Century Village.  Wow!  What a deal.  Food, entertainment all for free.

This program was for Century Village residents only.  Never, yes never, was this program ever to be extended to any OUTSIDE GROUP, INDIGENT PERSONS, OR THE HOMELESS.  THIS PROGRAM WAS EXCLUSIVELY FOR OUR CENTURY VILLAGE RESIDENTS ONLY.  EVERY PERSON ON THE COMMITTEE KNEW AND UNDERSTOOD THE PARAMETERS OF THE JCC FOOD/ENTERTAINMENT/CONGENIALITY PROGRAM.

The Committee was told repeatedly that what was being offered was for our residents only. 

Phyllis Richland, who was a Vice-President at this time, a compassionate individual whose goal had always been to help those who were unable to help themselves supported this plan.  Unfortunately,  her pleas for compassion and charity, fell on deaf ears.  Many of those who opposed this offer said that it would turn Century Village into a “SOUP KITCHEN.”  Regretfully some committee members were convinced by this argument and voted against the program.  Some members even uttered comments such as, we don’t want the elderly slobbering all over the floors.  As a result of this “cold hearted” decision,  the JCC was told that their services were not wanted.  END OF STORY.

However, the curtain did not fall all the way on this issue.  There are some persons that are perpetuating the idea that Phyllis Richland still supports this plan and when becoming the next UCO President will reinstall this service when she takes office.

We have a good idea why and who are  spreading this shameful piece of gossip.  We all know that politics is a very dirty business.  Candidates who are in jeopardy of losing an election resort to “dirty tricks” such as urging their robot supporters to plant these untruths where ever they can.  Like a “nerf ball.” if it sticks great.  By the by, the JCC does not offer this program any more.

Fascism uses the a propaganda technique called the “Big Lie.”  They believe if you tell a lie over and over again, people will begin to believe the lie.  A classic example would be the infamous cigarette commercials of yesteryear.  “Winston tastes good as a cigarette should, or smoke Camels, doctors have testified that your throat will never be sore.

Well you know what happened to all those who believed this big lie.  I urge all our residents to reject these rumors once and for all.  Move on and let the sun shine in.

Jail for the Perpetuators

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY, HAVE YOU REACHED A VERDICT?

“Yes, your honor, we find the defendant David Israel Guilty of contacting code enforcement to remove a banner recommending his opponent Phyllis Richland be voted the next president of UCO.”

 “I shall now pass sentence:  David Israel you have been found guilty a second time of willfully being responsible for having removed an election banner.   I hereby sentence you to resign the presidency of UCO immediately and refrain from running for any UCO office for a period of not less than five years.   I am ashamed of your actions. You have used your office to deny the right of your honorable and qualified opponent to advertise her candidacy for President of UCO.  You have acted in a shameful manner. If you in any way do not follow these instructions, you will be remanded to jail for the remaining period of your sentence. Do you understand?

“Yes, your honor.”

“Jury is dismissed."

Third World Pools

I wrote a post here about the third world pools that we enjoy here in Wellington. I have not heard directly from anyone on this, BUT, I have heard.

First off the complaints I have posted here are not mine alone, they belong to the people that have been using the pools. The backdoor comments that I have heard are from people that do not use the Pools.

So I think the more creditable remarks are from the Pool users and not the people that do not use the Pools.

I will be happy to name all the Pool users that are remarking about the poor pools, not the water in the Pools, but the pool infrastructure, fence to fence.

 So those of you who disagree with my remarks can comment on this Blog.

You are Welcome.

The Autocrat

By Stew Richland

Dave Israel’s mantra:

    Ho Ho

    Hay Hay

    How many people did I fire today?

When elected officials move closer to the end of their tenure in office, they begin to think about their legacy.  Well let’s take a gander at Dave Israel’s legacy.

For starters, he broke the time honored rule of term limits.  The term limit restriction was placed in the by-laws by the founders of UCO when they clearly understood that no one person should occupy the office of president indefinitely.  To quote Ed Black, who clearly spelled out the importance of this issue on 5/23/08, he stated, “….the fire in the belly of a newly elected to do their best,”  is the main point why there should be term limits. Mr. Black also noted that term limits, “…promotes and encourages the next generation of qualified applicants to become involved in the administration of this Village….” Mr. Black also warned against have elected officials , ‘entrenched for the next millennium….”  as UCO officers.  Mr. Israel clearly understood the rules when he ran for office.  Why he broke them is not a mystery.  He is ego driven.  When he looks in the mirror,  he has to believe his own propaganda that he is the most knowledge person in all Century Village.  Just a reminder Dave, “the exaggerated sense of your own self-importance is exhausting.” (Jessica Strobietto- graphic artist)

Another notch in his legacy belt, is the fact that he has fired  or rejected more people in, and from his administration than any other UCO President.  I attended a meeting awhile back, when a committee member had a difference of opinion with Dave over policy.  Dave was so intransigent about his position  that the committee member said he could not take this nonsense any more and walked out.  Howie Silver challenged something that Dave wrote and soon after the incident he was summarily fired from his volunteer position at the UCO Reporter.  The list is much longer, but suffice to say, you get the drift.

Shakespeare noted that the “evil that men do lives after them,” so let it be with Dave Israel.  Yes he is ambitious.  He wants a fourth term.  Well on 7/11/2008 Dave Israel stated, “Autocrats abhor term limits because they preclude their becoming permanently ensconced in their autocratic positions.  Conclusion: Dave Israel is an autocrat.

Back to the Nest

This is the picture I get of the little rotund man after the meeting with Phyllis at Golf's Edge. There he is. I can see him now, scurrying back to his nest and writing such news as he heard at this meeting. Can you imagine? Phyllis is going to request all the Committee Chairs to offer their resignations and the new President will decide whether to keep them on or not.

Pretty much like the new President of the USA will do after his election.

So their past actions will be looked at and decisions made on their fitness for service.

So, what is wrong with that? 

Some people, some Volunteers, that have been denied a place at a Committee will be put in place. Good people. Thinking people. All having been denied in the past because of Israel's animosity to their remarks and thinking.

So, what is wrong with that?

Be quick, be calm, my Battered Heart!

Run, Run, Quick. We must tell what we just found out. We must tell what the competition just told us, what they said.

So, what did they say, what did they do that requires an immediate remark from the President?

He actually heard a threat from Phyllis Richland,the candidate for UCO President, the only candidate, she has remarked that her first steps upon being elected would be to ask for all Committee chairs to resign. This is pretty much what the New USA President will do. This was done, is being done, so that the new President can start with a clean slate. This does not mean that they will not be invited again to be Committee chairs. But it does give her a historically first step.This has always been done upon the election of a new President. It gives her a chance to start with a new slate.

What is wrong with that? The great Prez thinks his Committee chairs should continue to rein even after he is gone.

Filtered Business

Dave Israel suffers from “selective hearing.”

By Stew Richland

About an hour after Dave Israel left the Golf’s Edge Association meeting,  he rushed back to his cubby hole and posted a comment to a question , asked to Mrs. Richland, “What is the first thing you would do if elected as UCO President.  Phyllis Richland,” she replied, “ I would advise all UCO Chairpersons to submit their resignations.”  This is all what Dave Israel heard.  This is another example of “selective listening.”

What Phyllis Richland wants as the  new president is to immediately established a new, infectious atmosphere of optimism about her administration.  This is exactly what every new President does when they take office.  There was no hesitation or  vacillation about her answer.  The reason why Phyllis Richland is running for UCO President, is to bring about the changes that are necessary in making UCO more responsive to the needs of the Century Village Community.  What this action illustrates is that she has the courage and boldness to take the helm  and make the necessary changes that will move our Village forward. What Mrs. Richland wants to convey is the idea that her administration is simply and absolutely about advancing the interests of Century Village.

Mrs. Richland believes the President is literally the leader of the people, particularly in the development of ideas.  She is quite aware that many of the chairpersons are making  significant  contributions to UCO operations and made it clear that she would encourage them to stay on job.  Phyllis Richland clearly understands that Century Village wants a leader with a clear vision for the future of our community.

With his myopic view of how “business is run”  is all that he gleaned from the comments made by Phyllis Richland.  As a self-styled historian,  Mr. Israel should be aware of the fact that when a new President takes office,  they always bring with them persons that will provide them advice and criticism,  we refer to these people as the President’s Cabinet. Many of these advisers or chairpersons will be asked to stay on because of the their knowledge, expertise and commitment to our Village.

How many volunteers has Dave Israel “fired” because they disagreed  with him.  Dave Israel refused to allow a Villager to become part of the Insurance Committee, even though the Chairperson, okayed the appointment.  Why did so many people quit Israel’s administration? Loyalty to those who serve, is not part of his psyche.  We all know that when Israel came into office he began to make changes to suit his management style.  If it’s good for the goose why not for the new president?  

Unfortunately what we have here is a filtered listening.

Ha ha Ha

DONALD HO HO FOSTER IS HA HA LAUGHING AT THE RESIDENTS.

Donald Foster is  illegally volunteering to act as our CAM until the position is filled. I have observed  him  on many mornings  taking the golf cart from UCO and leaving it at his Condo all day.  The golf cart is commonly used by the CAM to ride around the village looking for trouble spots. Since the cart is not seen at the UCO office, it is assumed that Mr. Ho Ho  is doing his job. Not only is Mr. Ho Ho NOT doing his job but the residents are getting   a "snow" job because they paid for Mr. Ho Ho to go to school to get his CAM  License – all at the request  of Ed Black and David Israel, who admitted he would continue as CAM  when he is  licensed.  It does not seem to matter that   he does not have the experience or qualifications to be a CAM the important thing is he is a friend of Mr. Black and David Israel.  A person only needs   30 hours of school and to pass a test to receive his CAM license. This does not qualify anyone without experience to be CAM for a 15,000 resident compound.

This is another reason why you must not allow David Israel or Ed Black to remain a part of UCO.

 A VOTE FOR PHYLLIS RICHLAND WILL ENSURE INTEGRITY AND HONESTY IN THE VILLAGE.

 Observed and written by Lilly, the Lady, who sees all.

Why do we allow it?

MORE PERVASIVE FEAR

A candidate running for office of UCO recently approached the president of the democratic club to speak at one of their meetings. They were turned down. The reason given was the following:   “I am afraid that if I allow you to speak WPRF will take our meeting room away from us.”

ARE YOU LISTENING EVA?

Signage

WE, THE PEOPLE, HAVE PUT UP POLITICAL SIGNS

Mr. Israel, call us anything you like.  Whatever names you have stored up for us for the sole purpose of identifying us, and your making an effort to irritate us, is not affecting us.

What you have to say means nothing to us.  Why?  Because we stand for the good in people; for righteousness and justice.  You are like a non-person . You stand for nothing!

You hide behind your computer and condense your comments to the point where one has to say – “I cannot believe he is President of a civic group that represents as many as 14,000 residents.”

You, Peyton Israel, David Israel, or whatever other name you choose to hide behind while calling code enforcement to have a sign removed from private property, namely the synagogue, and causing them big-time problems is an ill-natured act intended to hurt your opponent, Phyllis Richland.   One has to feel sorry for a self-made coward who doesn’t have a close friend to talk to about personal and private matters.  It would appear that your computer is your best friend and your telephone is your “drop-a-dime” pal.

SO - why would anyone want to vote for such a person for president of UCO?  Therefore, the Messenger, endorses Phyllis Richland for the Presidency of the United Civic Organization.

We, as a group of “MALCONTENTS” and others, with the approval of the Associations, have placed and will continue to place signs in various places around CV.  Let Mr. Israel, or whatever name he chooses to hide behind, “secretly” complain and report us of sign code violations.  How many times will he call code enforcement for sign violations?

WE, THE PEOPLE, have rights and we are not violating any county laws, rules, regulations or ordinances.  He is losing more and more every day and he knows it.  So, additional dirty-rotten politics will not come as a surprise.

Mr. Israel, you should realize by now that most people are on to your antics and that you should pick up your scroungy, seersucker short pants and just fade away into a dark room – don’t forget to take your computer.

EDWARD J. ROSS

Pervasive fear

So fear pervades out lovely Village.You cannot move freely through out this Village without some fear that if you do something that is not approved by the President UCO administration you will be punished. Not in the normal sense of punishment. Nor physically punished, but rather in the more esoterically way. They will take away what is your rights. That is they will take away what they call your privileges.

If you are using a room in the Clubhouse it will no longer be available to you. If you are hanging a electioneering sign up some where, they will force you to take it down.

The worst thing is the taking away your privileges to have a room at the Clubhouse available for your Clubs functions.

This is all inclusive. It pervades the Villagers at all levels. These injustices are promulgated by David Israel. But are followed by all of UCO Administration. This even includes  the Manager of the Clubhouse, who does not work directly for the President of UCO. But never mind he, Israel, hold the keys to the purse strings and so his desires are satisfied.

Right now his desires are about the upcoming election and keeping his competition quiet and out of sight of the Villagers.

How much longer are we going to allow this to go on? How much longer are we going to put up with this?

We can end it. We can end it now. Vote for Phyllis at the Election cycle and end all these injustices.

So the President says.

AS spoken by President Barack Obama.

“My fellow Americans, whatever you may believe, whether you prefer one party or no party, whether you supported my agenda or fought as hard as you could against it, our collective future depends on your willingness to uphold your duties as a citizen. To vote. To speak out. To stand up for others, especially the weak, especially the vulnerable, knowing that each of us is only here because somebody, somewhere, stood up for us. We need every American to stay active in our public life and not just during election time, so that our public life reflects the goodness and the decency that I see in the American people every single day.”

This holds true in the US as well as CV. The Delegates should read this. And follow its lead.

Nasty man

This is a modified quote from the NY Times Editorial page.

It is about Cruz but it is so apropos that I have  printed it here.

But Israel's remarks are marked by what you might call pagan brutalism. There is not a hint of compassion, gentleness and mercy. Instead, his remarks are marked by a long list of enemies, and vows to crush, shred, destroy, bomb them. When he is speaking in the Delegate Assembly or to an Association the contrast between the setting and the emotional tone he sets is jarring. 

In plain words he is nasty!

Dirty T-Shirt people

That great and wonderful writer, that knowledgeable and all knowing wordsmith Lanny Howe is at again.

Now he is commenting about pies and the Mikado. In his last post (from my mouth to Gods ear, last should be it) he comments about Stew Richland's remarks about beheadings. Some how, some where, he wants all readers to believe that these comments are literal and not rhetoric. Are meant to be.

This is exactly the kind of thinking or lying that we expect from the minions of the 'Dirty T-shirt' people.

And that is another thing. Mr. Israel used to dress some what appropriately for the DA, but something happened. As a matter of fact it happened right after he declared for his 4th term.

At any rate his some what dressing for the Assembly was changed to a series of 4 dirty T-shirts. Why? Has he no respect? And a little more decorum when it comes to his revealing shorts. Please!

A letter from a Repulsed Resident.

AN OPEN LETTER TO DAVID ISRAEL.

As a person who attends many meetings at UCO, I am disgusted at the way you present yourself. You are the president of an organization which represents over 14,000 residents.   Your manner of dress is indicative of a street person. You wear shorts at meetings and keep your legs spread apart.  I am embarrassed by the many times I have been forced to have a front view of your very private anatomy. I hope you see this and take the advice to heart. I want to continue attending meetings at UCO but I find it personally repulsive to do so as long as you continue to dress and behave the way you do.  

An Anonymous resident who had to beg Ms. Wolkenstein to post this letter.

Comic Opera

 Hello Mr. and Mrs. Century Village and all our residents around the globe.

Stew Richland

Observations on the “Comic Opera” nee Delegates Assembly meeting.

“Someone must teach that good manners, disciplined behavior, and civility—by whatever name—are the lubricants that prevent discourse from turning into combat. More than that, civility is really the very glue that keeps an organized society from flying into pieces” Chief Justice Warren Burger

Unfortunately not all people heed this guidance and instead resort to hostility,  incivility, whether out of anger, laziness,   a proclivity for conflict,  personnel insecurity,  poor listening skills,  or the inability to reason well.  Instead of acting like a good man, exercising the rule of fair play, or as the British say showing “good form. “  Our UCO President has repeatedly shown that he lacks the basic skills  to conduct himself in a manner that brings dignity and professionalism to the office he holds.  The UCO President has a professional responsibility and an ethical  obligation to conduct himself  in a civil manner, not to use means that has as its fundamental purpose to embarrass, demean,  belittle any or all individuals or groups that share differing opinions than he does. In Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, The Mikado,  the phrase, “short, sharp, shock” was used to mean “a quick severe punishment.” which a prisoner awaiting his beheading is about to experience.  This is  what I would proscribe for our UCO President.

The Comic Opera began with  a  very patriotic rendering of our National Anthem  and salute the flag, then introduction of our local dignitaries,  the police report,  followed by our Treasure’s report. Then we were treated with detailed reports of the previous months activities by our UCO Vice Presidents.  This is my attempt at droll humor.  We learned nothing of substance about the happenings from the quadrant commanders or even what they did during the past month.

UCO DELEGATE ASSEMBLY MEETINGS RUN

                         BY DAVE ISRAEL

Then amateur  night at Comedy Central began.    Our Commissar, apprising  the Assembly, stated that there were a large number of people wearing red t-shirts and said this was like a meeting of the “Comintern,” which in the real world is an assembly of delegates  to the Communist International.  Then he added “red is a good color.”  The red-t - shirts were worn by supporters of Phyllis Richland and advertised that she was running for President of UCO.  Dave’s first attempt at Saturday Night at the Comedy Club humor was a bust.

When another speaker posed a question that agitated the Assembly, our Commissar retorted, these people come here to shake you up at the meetings.  When it was announced that there was going to be a candidates forum in the Club House where delegates can have a question and answer session and by the way food will be available to all,  Dave blustered out, “Yea food for votes.”   These remarks clearly explains his state of mind.  A man who lacks any sense of decency and morals. On his blog, he remarked that Phyllis Richland left the auditorium when he they were talking about the “snipe sign” suggesting that perhaps she was embarrassed by what was being said.  Again the man wears filters over his eyes.  A delegate approached Phyllis to ask for some advice about a problem that his association was having, and rather than have the conversation interfere with the Delegate Assembly, she and the resident left the room to discuss home owners concerns in private. 

Now I ask our Commissar of Correctness. why did you not address the issue of so many delegates leaving the room?  Perhaps they were sick of your asides and went home to enjoy a reality show.

What is happening here in the Village under Dave Israel is the second coming of Tammany Hall or Chicago style politics.  First he reports to County Enforcement about the campaign banner on the synagogues fence.  Now he says that he wants the eye sore pollution  campaign banner displayed at Northampton R taken down, and he announced that he  reported this to Code Enforcement.  Well Commissar, did you report the “sails” displayed in front of Village Real Estate office to code enforcement also?  Of course not!   Politics as usual by Dave the Czar.

To continue his abuse of power, he contacts the owner of the Medical Center to complain that political debates were taking place in one of the meeting rooms and it was only a meeting of a club.

All these acts have been taken because Dave Israel fears, and rightly so, the swell of support for Phyllis Richland’s run for the presidency of UCO, and he will resort to any act that attempts to demean the competition. 

The residents that support Phyllis Richland are displaying their support in the open for all to see.  They are proud to be on her side and the banner and tee shirts are just examples of this openness. You Lanny Howe, chose to defend a person who resorts to unprofessional actions,  a person who so wants to be a four term president that you accept scurrilous verbiage,  his mean spirited policies and  low ball attacks on  all those who oppose him.  Well Mr. Howe,  ( also  Pete Cruise) I think that the “short, sharp, shock,”  will be coming your way this March.

”I will of course yield to whomever
agrees with me.” 

Dave Israel’s meeting style!

Electioneering by the Master.

So listening to David Israel at his Electioneering talk at the Wellington Federation I learned some things that are worth passing on.

For instance. There is no denial of the fact that at one time Israel had been all for Term Limits. Probably because it served his purposes at the time. He was running for VP against a incumbent. Now, not so much. He has "changed his mind" since he is running as the incumbent. So much for honesty.

His, Israel's, remarks about Phyllis being involved in  UCO government for the past 18 years, reads like an indictment rather than a complement. Israel has been involved in UCO government for over 12 years. So what?

It was pointed out to him that he should not run again, that if he needed to still be involved with UCO affairs he would be the President Emeritus and have a say is the administration's efforts. He said NO. Phyllis would not accept any suggestion from him. I don't believe it. More than likely his presence on any Committee would be welcome.

His remarks that he don't like Snipe signs belabours the fact that in his years of running he had his signs all over the Village.

But worse than that. This man has a history of bad deeds. Remember he effort to lie about a competitor when he was running for President a number of years ago? His lies in print were so egregious that the recipient sued, successfully, for a retraction, and got it.

Another thought is the claim by Israel, that his, our mailing list was hacked. When he was asked about it he said it has been fixed and the problem don't exist anymore. So is he telling us that the hacked email addresses are back? What he tried to lead us to believe that there are 2 email accounts. His personal  one and the rest of the Village. I don't believe it. Eventually we are going to see some problems with this in the future.

I always thought that putting files up in the cloud was especially safe. I guess not.

Or Mr. Smarty pants, didn't put anything up in the Cloud.

No Posters Allowed!

Flim Flam Ala Kazzam -  you guessed it – our new Rembrandt

The Wizard of UCO

Stew Richland
Thomas Edison was the wizard of Menlo Park. Now we are witnessing the rise of the second coming of a self styled wizard of electronics communication and gadgets here in Century Village.  Our very own UCO President on his tout sheet (biography) describes these special  gifts that will bring the wonders of electronics to, you guessed it, Century Village, USA.

What Dave Israel is doing is taking a desperate shot from half-court to justify an unjustifiable act.  He is attempting to make his pitch to the residents, that he “Il Supremo” is the only viable candidate for President of UCO.  This is from a person that has broken, and trampled on the traditions of Century Village by trashing the accepted bylaw and indulging himself to not only one drink from the trough but now two.  The American people allowed Roosevelt this pass on tradition because we were at war and Americans did not want to change horses in mid-stream.  Dave Israel is no F.D. Roosevelt. 

Failing to stem the tide of support for Phyllis Richland for UCO President, “Il Supremo” now resorts to what he knows best,  using the  “nerf ball” of rhetoric to attack or besmirch what others are doing in support of Phyllis Richland.  This student of Machiavellian subterfuge, now refers to the Banner that Olga has placed legally on her association property “eye pollution.”  By his self-styled standards of aesthetics he classifies the banner as an “eye sore.”  We have been told that the UCO Reporter is in short supply for new articles.  Just a suggestion Dave, since you are our self-appointed art critic, why don’t you share your artistic expertise with those that are just normal Century Villages humans.  Let me provide you with a column heading,  “Dave Israel the Rembrandt of Century Village.”

Mr. Israel, aka Rembrandt,  also views any communication placed on Association bulletin boards as “eye pollution.”  The “art critic” strikes again.  What we have here is business as usual.  Dave Israel has had a free ride for his quest for an illegal fourth term.  When the Century Village Messenger became the Village gadfly, he responded by not responding.  When this group did not go away,  he then responded in his inimitable classic response labeling the group as “malcontents.”  But the Century Village Messenger Club  did not go away. 

Israel wants to be UCO President so badly that he reaches into his bag of goo to come up with any tactic that could demean his opposition.  This explains why he trivialized the banner that Olga has displayed on her Association property.  If Dave, as he attempts to justify his reaction to the campaign banner as an affront to his sensibilities, why then does he not call County Enforcement about the “feather banners” decorating the Century Village real estate office.  Two years ago when the county elections were in full swing, there were literally hundreds of posters and banners displayed up and down every main thoroughfare.  How about the person who wears the cow costume that is in full display at the entrance of the Turnpike right outside of our village.  Why not complain about the advertisements on every County bus, or the bill board signs for lawyers and the Florida Lottery.  Well Dave why did you not exercise your critical eye on these advertisements?

We all know why you did what you did!   You will do anything to win this election.   You know that Phyllis Richland has all the qualifications and support to win in March.

How effective are election campaign posters?  According to research, the impact that posters, as well as broadsides , banners and billboards have had great impact over last two centuries in America as well as the rest of the world.

Posters,  Propaganda, and Persuasion in Election Campaigns Around the World  written by Steven A. Seidman,  is considered the definitive study of political posters as a medium of communications in different societies and eras.  His study ranges from American political campaigns from the early 19^th century to contemporary politics in Europe, Asia and Africa. His research provides compelling evidence of the effectiveness of the political poster and how it has influenced public opinion and behavior.

The election of 1912, became the watershed of campaign posters in American politics.  The contenders were Teddy Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson.  For the first time patriotic symbols were not used.  Instead there were images of the candidates, symbols of their political parties and a very short slogan.  Every political campaign from this time forward imitated the technique used by those running in the election of 1912.

That is why Phyllis Richland placed her election poster on the fence outside the Village.  It was designed to inform the electorate that some one of substance was challenging the status quo.

You clearly understood that banners and posters were a threat to your campaign.  As most people who fear opposition, you resorted to the tactics of Fascist dictators of old and attempted to limit their exposure to the voters of Century Village.  No campaigning in the club house, no handouts to be allowed in the Club House because people do not want to be bothered with this “stuff.” while playing cards.  Pool campaigning also Verboten and using UCO pressure  to end free public gatherings at public buildings in Century Village.

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

One final observation.  The speed in which the Nomination Committee is moving to put in place the process and procedures for the March election, would probably come in second place to the speedy Turtle. 

Not allowed

Not Allowed

Political Scientists refer to the art of politics as a very dirty business. Based on the actions of our current leader, Century Village can be used as the bench mark for this observation.

Show above are some of the great examples of political campaign posters.  Based on Dave Israel’s standards,  each and every one of them would have to be torn down, because they are offensive because they pollute the eyes. 

The purpose of the poster or banner is a low tech manner to reach voters. Political campaigns that we run here in Century Village rely on low tech methods to get their candidates name and message out. We want the voting public to notice that there is a real election going on in the Village.  Dave cannot stand the fact that he is now facing a formidable candidate, Phyllis Richland, so he has to resort calling County Enforcement.

This tells us that the Commissar is sitting on a very shaky seat.

In the preface to a Library of Congress publication on campaign art, and NPR writer Brooke Gladstone comments, “We all know that posters are blatant manipulations, intended not to inform but to enlist. They emphasize faces and catchphrases. They condense complicated issues into jagged little pills. They are blunt instruments.”

“At the same time, the most effective campaign posters of every era leave as much as possible to the voter's imagination. They are like Japanese manga: the less detailed the image, the more easily we can identify with the candidate, the more space for projecting our dreams. The more specific the image, the greater the risk of creating a feeling of "otherness," which translates into death at the polls.”

What emerges is political portrait of American politics in action.  Campaign posters are part of our cultural heritage. What Phyllis Richland is doing is keeping our cultural heritage alive.