Unresolved Street Problems Erupt

Last year, our former AD continued his efforts to move this association in a certain direction. That included driveway repairs, new roofs and Lakecliffe repairs. He was stopped and removed from the board. Others, most notably our CD, have a better idea. Others on the board seem to think that repairs and what not, occur "automatically" here at BLMH. They don't. The only thing "automatic" is the collection of fees. The board decides exactly how every dollar is spent here at BLMH. Did you see "Lakecliffe Repairs" as a line item on the budget this year? It wasn't. The board will again deliberate and will probably, as discussed briefly during the most recent association meeting, have the original contractor survey this street and make recommendations, possibly including "warranty repairs". Good luck!

So "How did the new direction for Lakecliffe turn out"?

As requested, last year I provided information to our previous AD regarding issues with this street and possible corrective measures. Why last year? Because the red lights were flashing and the alarm bells were chiming. That's why! Cores were taken. Some of the issues were debated among the board during association meetings, it turned into finger pointing and repairs were never implemented. I guess protecting those out of compliance, parties, more tulips, lots of mulch and so on were much more important. Recommended repairs, and the widening and sealing of cracks, to save this street, were not done. Ah well, we have more important things to do and to spend our fees on, here at BLMH.

This year, people look at the street and say "How could this happen?" Why wasn't this corrected, how was the street allowed to get into this condition, "what do we get for our fees" etc., etc., etc.  I view it as the "Katrina Effect". Unit owners are comfortable and when the street began crumbling beneath us, still seemed to be okay. So everyone puts their attention on other, "more important" things.  However, water does enter the widening cracks, and does damage the sub-base. The few cracks begin to spread and checkering takes place, as heavy trucks and cars drive over the weakened street. The condition worsens and the damage spreads to larger areas. Holes begin to pop-up as the "mortally wounded" sub-base and "bituminous concrete" shift, crack and splinter. Ever larger areas of the street begin to pop out and holes, once a few, now begin to form throughout. You can see this in the following photos. Last year and the year before, the issues were only visible to the discerning eye. But no longer!

Eventually these problems become obvious to all, but by then it is simply too late. Ah well, it's like watching a slow motion train wreck again, and again and again.

My concern about Lakecliffe, then and now? Protecting the sub-base of this street and halting its expensive destruction. As the cracks form, water enters, the cracks widen and the sub-base erodes, accelerating the destruction. As predicted, at some point, the street will simply disintegrate. How are we doing? Well, here are some of the consequences to Lakecliffe due to the lack of action. It isn't simply a warranty issue. Some of this may have begun as a warranty issue, but if damage is not speedily corrected, this is what happens:

Note: the object in the photo is a yardstick. Clicking on the photos will enlarge them (1).

But, we can all feel great because our fees didn't go up this year. Whoopee! 

The question is, what is more important to the unit owners? Reducing fees or proper maintenance and repairs?  Lakecliffe is one of the "billboards" that advertises our association to potential buyers. Our "official" website shows beautiful streets lined with trees in fall colors. But enter the community and the above is what greets you. Walk the site and view the trash at the shore of the northerly lake, etc. Somehow, the reality that greets the home buyer hasn't made it to our communications department. Buyers in this discriminating market aren't going to buy our color brochures. They'll walk the site, kick the tires and put the propaganda in the circular file.  Ah well!

I suppose, the new board members will simply blame the former board members. Blame is certainly easier than taking appropriate action or taking responsibility. Certain unit owners will attend the association meetings and spread the party line, and certain board members will sit there, expressionless and smug, while the tar and feathering goes on. 

We don't anticipate, we react. We don't manage, we administer. We don't lead, we rule. We don't plan, we party. We don't prepare, we complain!  We don't enforce the rules, we promote chaos. We don't spend money pro-actively, we spend money on damage control. Welcome to the new and improved BLMH! Question to the board of managers: Do you REALLY think this is what current and prospective unit owners want here at BLMH?  Feel free to publish a multi-colored response in the font of your choice in the next issue of the newsletter. 

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References, Errors, Omissions, Comments:

(1) Added note elaborating on the presence of a yardstick in the photos, per a question posed by a unit owner.