GalaxyFacts Chat Room

[Luane Spingola]

September 26, 2007

TO: MS. LISA BOLASCO, DIRECTOR
CC: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MS. MARY ELLEN SAKS, INTERIM GENERAL MANAGER

FROM: LUANE SPINGOLA, T-III 10-E

RE: YOUR COMMENTS REGARDING CHARACTER ASSASSINATION ON THE WEB
Dear Ms. Bolasco, Directors, and Ms. Saks,

I am writing to take issue with comments you made at the September 20, 2007 BOD meeting. Specifically, I am referring to the discussion of whether the BOD should release the list of petitioners' names to those people who requested it - people who just happen to be all former Board and Galaxy Rising.com supporters.

When the subject of character assassination on the Galaxy Rising website was mentioned, you said, "that works both ways."

Ms. Bolasco, it appears you have no understanding at all that the terms "character assassination" and "Galaxy Rising" are virtually synonymous. Are you unaware that the Galaxy Rising website does not allow rebuttal or open discussion, while Galaxyfacts.com welcomes it?

And my amazement gave way to incredulity at the following exchange:

Fini Strumza stated that she had been attacked on the Galaxy Rising website.
Your reply was, and I quote:
"That's right, and it happens on both sides, and it's part of politics."
Ms. Bolasco, really. You cannot be serious.
And if you are, then you seriously do not get it.

Have you ever logged on to the GalaxyRising website? After you wade through the flowers and Hudson views, it becomes truly remarkable in its foulness.
It is a one-sided, completely biased, monumentally unfair and dishonest website that is, in every sense, the "tool" of the former BOD.

Galaxy Rising crucifies anyone who does not agree with them, yet provides no platform for discussion, debate or potential vindication.

You may say people are entitled to their own opinions, and I agree. However, I also believe people are entitled to equal time and the right to defend themselves. But on Galaxy Rising, opinions other than those of the Webmasters never see the light of day. There is no equal time. There is no fair play. People who have been slandered on this website have no recourse - their rebuttals and explanations will not be posted. They have no way to mount a defense. End of story.
And when Galaxy Rising is shown to be wrong about a person, do they print a retraction?
Are you kidding? Ask your fellow Director, Mr. Lerner.

Ms. Bolasco, read the post from "The Illuminator" below, or better yet, log on to Galaxy Rising. Look up people like yourself, or Mr. Ellinger, or most of the BOD members. You'll see adjectives like "standout," "world traveler," "wow!" "nice," "most popular," "good job," "fine." Galaxy Rising - your mouthpiece - adores all of you; and why not?
Yours are the collective hands that feed it.

Now look up people the Galaxy Rising website does not like. I'm sure you know who they are. You will see words like "liar," "obscene," "indecent," "contempt," "intellectually insubstantial," "frightening," and "con the innocent."

Type "blackmail" in the search line, and what comes up? Fini Strumza's name.
Does Ms. Strumza have the right to defend herself? Absolutely!
Does this forum allow that? Absolutely not!
And what makes Galaxy Rising really repulsive is that
everyone knows this suck-up site is backed by the BOD!
Yet you, Ms. Bolasco, allude wrongly to the issue of fairness and character assassination with the unfortunate assessment that "it happens on both sides."
It does not. On Galaxyfacts.com, there is no censorship. You have both the right and the opportunity to defend yourself, or to set the record straight.

Unlike Galaxy Rising, Galaxyfacts is a two-way street. The playing field is level.
All posts are published, unlike Galaxy Rising. So if you are slandered or maligned on Galaxyfacts, Ms. Bolasco, and you would like to defend yourself, your defense will be posted for all to see.
Galaxyfacts, unlike a certain other website, is not afraid of open discussion or open communication among owners. Galaxyfacts, unlike a certain other website, is a fair forum.

So, Ms. Bolasco, coming out with a statement as insipid and erroneous as "it happens on both sides" makes you sound, at the very minimum, completely uninformed about either website.

It worries me that you, as a Director of the BOD, equate Galaxy Rising with Galaxyfacts - one of which is vile in its righteousness and completely closed to any opposition, with no room for debate; and the other, which is open to all.

I therefore request clarification of your position as it applies to your comment about these websites. And should you choose to reply in a genuine open forum such as Galaxyfacts, I can assure you your response will be printed in its entirety. Sadly, the same cannot be said for Galaxy Rising.
You'll note I have sent this to both websites. Let's see which one posts it.

Sincerely,

Luane Spingola
T-III, 10-E
CC: Galaxyfacts . com (Mr. M. DeLuca)
GalaxyRising . com (Mr. B. Appel)

PS: I invite you to read the following post, submitted by "The Illuminator" and available for all to see on Galaxyfacts. In light of this gentleman's essay, I am curious as to whether you would still make the above comments.
PPS: Unfortunately, the bold type and underscores did not come out on the copy below, as it appears on the website. I "bolded" the Galaxy Rising quotes myself for easy indentification, with apologies to "The Illuminator."

The_Illuminator
Joined: 19 Sep 2007
Posts: 2
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 11:43 pm Post subject: SHINING THE LIGHT ON GALAXY RISING


SHINING THE LIGHT ON GALAXY RISING
(THAT 'INDEPENDENT' MEDIA VENTURE)

The Illuminator needed a good laugh today.
And the Illuminator knew just where to find one:

GalaxyRising.com.

True, the Illuminator got a little lost among all the flowers and boats and vegetables...but the Illuminator stayed the course. And finally, there it was: The Disclaimer. Possibly the best piece of comedy writing the Illuminator has seen yet:

Galaxy Rising aims to highlight the many positives of Galaxy life and enhance community and homeowner value. It is an independent media venture.

Oh, the Illuminator is doubled over with laughter.

The Illuminator would like to direct your attention to the following posts from the Galaxy Rising website...posts that truly "highlight the many positives of Galaxy life and enhance community and homeowner value."

But first, the Illuminator must issue a warning: some Readers may be nauseated by the vileness of some of these posts. Not only are they riddled with untruths and innuendo, the snide, condescending tone also serves to underscore this website's basic nastiness and incontrovertible mean-spiritedness towards anyone not in agreement with them.

And remember: opposing views are not allowed on the Galaxy Rising website. Those people who have been slandered and lied about (The Illuminator kids you not, read on) are not able to reply in that sacrosanct, rarefied forum.
Such is Justice, Galaxy Rising-style.

And the Illuminator wants to add a disclaimer of his own: to those who will say these comments were taken out of context, the Illuminator agrees that it was not possible to print the entire post, for fear of wearying - or, more to the point, sickening - the reader. However, he invites those who are so inclined to go to the following link search for one of the names mentioned below and read the complete text.

// galaxyrising com/ee/index.php?/search

You will see the Illuminator has not changed the context of any post; the Illuminator does not stoop to those levels. The Illuminator has no need to do so: these little jewels speak for themselves.
And speaking of little jewels, the Illuminator has saved the best for last.

The Illuminator invites the Readers to fasten your seat belts. This ride is way past bumpy.

First of all, it seems Galaxy Rising has a particular, and rather morbid, fascination with one Mr. Mike DeLuca. How about this little neighborly post from one of the Board Dogs? Remember, the mission is to "enhance our community."

Posted by Peter Quennell on 12/01/06 at 4:44 am
WHEEEE!! GALAXY STOCK JUMPS 300 POINTS....
We sure gave Mumbles aka Smirky a bit of the ol’ tit-for-tat here at G-R in the past 18 months. And we were unsurprised at his fall.
From the heyday of his bullying reign of terror at the Galaxy..... to a dithering, incoherent political candidate in Guttenberg..... and finally to a whining and narcissistic blogger on the web.

Very nice, Mr. Quennell. You certainly have that neighborly spirit down pat. But your nastiness may be outdone by SteveO, who further promotes harmony and enhancement of our values with this post:

The View from My Stoop: DeLuca Has Left the Building
Posted by SteveO
It is with unrestrained happiness and relief that I can report that Mike DeLuca and Martha DiGiovanni have picked up their mannequins, negative attitudes, paranoia, lies, spiritless auras and the rest of their heavy baggage, and moved out of the Galaxy.
And why stop there, SteveO? Let's get really personal!
The Illuminator feels the following post is so loathsome, the Illuminator has removed the woman's name from it. SteveO did not have the class - or the heart - to do that. The Illuminator is not surprised; if SteveO had any class at all, he would have realized he was crossing the line with this one. The Illuminator believes single motherhood is a personal issue, and sees no reason for the following post, except as a testament to sleaze and hurtful innuendo. The Illuminator finds the following particularly offensive, and is sure he is not alone.

My View From the Stoop Posted by SteveO on 08/27/06 at 03:06 PM
Anyone see Ms. X lately? I’ve been sitting here pretty much all summer with no sightings... A few nabes heard that she is temporarily out of circulation until a “certain expected bundle” is delivered. Any confirms?

The Illuminator has three words for "reportage" like this: Tacky, tacky, tacky.

And how about a few choice, fair, unbiased words about the election from this "independent media venture?" The Illuminator firmly believes people are entitled to their opinions, and defends their right to endorse the candidates of their choice. However, what you will read below amounts to a woeful lack of humanity at best, and slander at worst. And may the Illuminator remind you again: regardless of the disclaimer, this is a Board-backed website; no dissension, no opposing viewpoints allowed.
The people mentioned below - and above - had no recourse to defend themselves, since Galaxy Rising will not post opposing views.

Remember, we're "highlighting the positives of Galaxy life..."

The 'Slate' Candidates' Platform: One Of Fear And Lies
Posted by SteveO on 03/18/06 at 01:18 AM
Pull out the slate’s flyer that was mailed to you with the runoff ballot. It’s the one that is printed on yellow paper; yellow journalism at its best.

WHAT IS LERNER HIDING?
Posted by Phil Bergovoy on 03/04/07 at 07:05 PM
Please watch the tape of Candidate’s Afternoon if you want insight into how frightening it would be to elect candidates backed by the cuogs.
We do not know who or what Lerner is except that he works 24/7/365 to con the innocent into accepting him as The Leader.
Love the "con the innocent" line, Phil. Isn't that your job? The Illuminator smiles, knowing your tail now resides permanently between your legs. At least it has plenty of room.

THE HOT AIR TEAM
Posted by Phil Bergovoy on 02/07/06 at 04:35 PM
In their glitzy, glossy, intellectually insubstantial brochure, the “team” gives a platform that is so misleading and false that it qualifies for a Professor Irwin Corey award as “Hot Air Team of the Century.”
They complain that “for the past three years, we have witnessed progressive deterioration within our Galaxy community.”
That statement is a blatant lie!!!!!

The Illuminator has to interject: Phil, Phil, Phil. Come on. Then or now, the Illuminator knows that even you don't believe the last statement.
Walk through the Lobby lately? Drive through the Garage? Look at your maintenance bill?
The Illuminator bemoans the fact that "there are none so blind as those who will not see."

But allow the Illuminator to direct you to one of Galaxy Rising's most endearing qualities: the two or three people that appear to run it not only suck up to the Board, they suck up to each other!
The Illuminator is convulsed with laughter, yet curiously disgusted, as well.
Read the following comment from Barry Appel, in response to Phil's post, above.
The Illuminator can't make this stuff up!

Comments:
Posted by Barry Appel on 02/11/06 at 01:38 AM
Bravo, Phil
Every owner should print your list and carry it around for reference.

The Illuminator appreciates self-serving, flagrantly idiotic gems like this...but wonders if Barry Appel knows how blatantly sycophantic - and how downright laughable! - this sounds.
Hopefully, the Illuminator has enlightened him.
The Illuminator believes sucking up is an art. Overdo it, it just doesn't work.
No Milk-Bone for Barry on this one.

So - Barry tries Plan B!

The following is a response from someone named "Big Ed" - a new resident of the Galaxy, allegedly - to a long-winded post by Phil Bergovoy on October 10 regarding the sale of Galaxy apartments.

Phil, thanks for the explanation. I am a fairly new resident and have heard many rumors but few facts. Has this matter been settled or we still burdened with the apartments in this competitive market along River Road?

Who are these people that appear to be hurting the Galaxy along with themselves?

Aren't the names you listed the members of CUOG?

Posted by BigEd on 10/09


But, as one of the Illuminator's favorite authors would say, here's the rub:
click on "Big Ed," and you get Barry Appel's email address! bbappel @ verizon.net

Barry, Barry...or Ed, Ed...such a tangled web you weave! Does the sensitive nose of the Illuminator detect the faint odor of fraud? And - correct the Illuminator if he is wrong - this odor appears to be coming from the gentleman who is now, and who was at the time of this post, head of the Governmental Committee. Yes, our own Barry. Or Ed.

The Illuminator feels this poor attempt at impersonating an innocent new resident did not come off. Then again, the Illuminator understands that it is a tall order for anyone posting on the Galaxy Rising website to pretend to be of average intelligence, or even sane. If words like "burdened...hurting the Galaxy...members of CUOG" didn't tip the reader off...well, there's the unfortunate matter of that bothersome "Big Ed" link, right, Barry?

Fear not: the Illuminator is going to buy you a copy of "Deceit for Dummies."

Here's another degrading post from the fine gentlemen at Galaxy Rising - a post that crosses that line from innuendo to deliberate untruth.

An Indecent Midnight Rider
Posted by Paul Revere on 10/24/05 at 12:38 PM
A know-it-all member of a small, divisive faction of Galaxy unit owners was CAUGHT IN THE ACT last week while on a post-midnight ride that was both illegal and indecent.
A security guard discovered Slava Lerner putting flyers under the doors of unsuspecting residents sometime around 1 AM, according to numerous reports.
But there are many more reasons to hold Lerner in contempt...

In the interest of fairness and truth in journalism, the Illuminator will share the facts:

The author, "Paul Revere," stated unequivocally that Mr. Lerner was guilty of all charges. False.
And to add to the obvious evil intent of this post, The Illuminator invites you to re-read the grossly misleading and downright slimy introduction: "Caught in the act...on a post-midnight ride...both illegal and indecent." The Illuminator has no doubt which party is the indecent one.

The facts are, at a Covenants' Committee hearing, all charges and allegations were dropped and Mr. Lerner was completely exonerated. Therefore, this posting is not only vulgar and slanderous, it is untrue. Also, "Paul Revere" could have only gotten this confidential information from someone on the Board.
Good dog!! Extra Alpo for you!

Ms. Strumza Is Mathematically Challenged
Posted by Phil Bergovoy on 02/07/07 at 08:00 AM
Ms. Strumza, who claims to have an M.B.A., is apparently severely challenged mathematically.
What a gentleman. And such wit! The Illuminator wonders how you resisted the urge to say Ms. Strumza's mother wears combat boots.

And now, for some world-class sucking up and brown-nosing...
who says Galaxy Rising is not the dog of the Board? Just as the Illuminator is horrified at the above onerous posts, he is similarly amazed at the following glowing ones.
Especially since Galaxy Rising is, as we all know, "an independent media venture."

• Lisa Bolasco: Our Itinerant World Traveler
To us the taking on of complicated trips to exotic less-visited places says a great deal about a person...In her second interview with Galaxy Rising, Lisa told us...

Hmmm. The Illuminator does not recall any of the opposing candidates being invited to be interviewed by Galaxy Rising. Strange, since this is an independent website.

• Some people may not like me saying this, but Jerry Spike...deserves high praise for his honesty and integrity in this campaign.

• In very strong contrast, you KNOW that Karl Kieninger was an officer and a gentleman ... and does not ever lie.

• Karl Kieninger and Pam Sanabria are one of the Galaxy’s best-known and most popular couples.

• Wow to Allan Ellinger! A real standout. Some real recognition for his huge contributions to our values seems in sight here.

• Steve Rosen ...must be the most moderate and positive voice in the Galaxy. An adult. A uniter. And a wall-to-wall likeable guy. (And an athlete AND a cook!)

• Steffanie Haase and Lisa Bolasco, two more likeable, fine and dedicated souls...

• Jerry Spike! A very nice guy. His 102 votes would now seem almost by definition to move to the other nice guys. Slava Lerner must be REALLY wetting himself this morning.

• Thank you, Board majority and legal counsel, for standing firm in the face of threats and intimidation.

Nauseous yet?

And if anyone has any further doubt about Galaxy Rising being the well-fed, well-cared-for dog of the Board, read on...and let's not forget that disclaimer: It is an independent media venture. The Illuminator's sides are splitting.

GOOD NEWS ON THE LEGAL FRONT
Posted by Phil Bergovoy on 11/24/05 at 08:29 AM

Hooray for our side!!!!!

Kinda says it all, hey, Phil?

For those readers still not convinced that Galaxy Rising is as far away from an independent media venture as the Galaxy itself is from finishing the Lobbies,
the Illuminator offers the piece de resistance.

A memo from Phil Bergovoy to Ms. Norget, Ms. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Ellinger, Mr. Lomanaco, Mr. Price and Ms. Benitez written on January 19, 2006.
The first line?

"As usual, I have been polling and probing the psyche of the electorate."

Extra kibble tonight! The Illuminator commends the fact that the author is a true working dog. No air-conditioned doghouse, no satin pillow for him! "As usual," - that's verbatim - he is polling and probing us, the electorate, and reporting back to his masters on the Board. The Illuminator gives heartfelt thanks that there is no possible conflict of interest here, since Galaxy Rising is an "independent venture."

Phil continues: Bottom line - the support for the dissidents among the previously neutral or Board-positive is stronger than I thought it was, and is getting stronger. Of course, "we," like John Paul Jones, have not yet begun to fight.
"We," Phil? The Illuminator did not realize you were on the Board! And now, what about that disclaimer? How can you truthfully post that the Galaxy Rising website is an independent media venture? The Illuminator regrets your dishonesty, but reluctantly admits that you have raised brown-nosing to new heights.

The Illuminator congratulates the Galaxy Rising team. With the amount of practice they've had, he believes that they could suck the chrome off a '57 Chevy.

[miked]

September 28, 2007

TO: MS. BOLASCO
CC: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MS. MARY ELLEN SAKS, INTERIM GENERAL MANAGER

FROM: LUANE SPINGOLA, TOWER III, 10-E

Dear Ms. Bolasco,

First of all, thank you so much for your rapid response to my letter. You will see that I am replying in an open forum, because I think owners should know that there is at least one Director on the Board - there may be others, but there is definitely one, and that's you, Ms. Bolasco - who has the courtesy and the intellect to reply to letters in a timely fashion.

Thank you for stating your position on sharing the petition with certain owners; however, my issue had nothing to do with that. I merely wanted to call your attention to the obvious inequality of the two websites in question. Yet, you say,

"...whatever rhetoric, ill will, or “character assassination” occurred in the past. Believe me, THAT is what happens on both sides, and I have first hand experience of this during my election campaign."

This is an excellent lead-in to the difference between the two sites. Ms. Bolasco, I believe you have the right to respond to such allegations if you choose to do so. More importantly, I believe you have the right to be heard. Those rights are respected on Galaxyfacts. Those same rights are nonexistent on Galaxy Rising.

I appreciate, and applaud, the following clarification:

"I agreed to be interviewed by Galaxy Rising during my campaign unaware, perhaps even naïve, to the censoring that took place. Once I learned of this, I refused to have anything more to do with it."

Once again, thank you for your timely response to my question,
and I wish you luck in achieving your commendable goals.

Sincerely,

Luane Spingola
Tower III, 10-E

PS: Since I quote your letter, I feel it is only right to reprint it in its entirety below. If you object to this, I apologize; email me and say so, and I will have it removed from the post.

CC: Galaxyfacts.com (Mr. M. DeLuca)
GalaxyRising.com (Mr. B. Appel)

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