GalaxyFacts Chat Room

[Guest]

November 3, 2007


TO: MR. LLOYD MEEKER, T-3
FROM: DIRECTORS STRUMZA AND LERNER
RE: MR. MEEKER'S COMMENTS AT THE BOD MEETING 11/1/07

Dear Mr. Meeker,

Thank you for addressing the Board last Thursday night.

Unlike prior Boards and some current Board Members, we believe it is vitally important that the Owners have a chance to speak their minds. Therefore, we are glad you have availed yourself of this opportunity - an opportunity which you would not enjoy, if not for us. We have fought long and hard for the Owners' right to be heard, and we are happy to see you reap the rewards of our efforts.

Before we respond to your baseless accusations and misguided innuendo, may we remind you that Mr. Lerner had a telephone conversation with your wife around two weeks ago, in which she brought up some of the same things you mentioned Thursday night. Mr. Lerner offered to meet with her, to show her the documentation that disproves your statements. However, your wife did not take him up on his offer. This is unfortunate, because such a meeting might have prevented you, a respected member of our community, from making some of the completely erroneous statements you came out with in your speech.

Mr. Meeker, you said that since we have become Directors, only chaos and turmoil have taken place on this Board. Could this be because we are not yes men who will rubber-stamp every bad decision the Board tries to make? Could this be because we ask the hard questions, and demand truthful answers? You seem to have mistaken chaos and turmoil for researching, questioning, and real, unbiased deliberation of the issues.

You also made serious accusations which we do not take lightly. You said, and we quote:

• we made "false, misleading comments, outright lies and in some comments [sic] that border on slander."
• "they also deceive many of their followers in the same way during since [sic] the election."
• "altering many of the facts relating to the construction process."

We demand that you furnish proof of these allegations.

As one of the Directors said Thursday night, your speech carried no weight, because you did not back it up with facts. Could it be because there are no facts to substantiate your misguided attack on us? Therefore, we ask for evidence proving Fini and I have lied, slandered, deceived, and altered the facts.

We also take exception to your comment that it is only "common sense" to expect projects to never come in on time or on budget. If you really believe this, either you have been brainwashed by some of your friends, or, like most of the people in charge here, you have never had the experience of working with real professionals.

Mr. Meeker, are you aware the Lobby Project was supposed to take 22 weeks to complete? And that now, we are looking at two years, from start to finish? Even replacing the carpet on Ten in Tower 3 - a small job - took the Board nine months.
Do these seem like normal, expected delays to you?

You went on to say "many of the components of the larger construction program have been in fact completed with total satisfaction: we have a state of the art fire system."

Mr. Meeker, we do NOT have a state-of-the-art fire system. We have an upgraded system that meets regulations. But it is a far cry from state-of-the-art. And this project was supposed to cost $2.7 million, yet we ended up paying $6.6 million.

You said, and we quote: "The entire outside of our building has been repointed, repaired, cleaned and waterproofed."

Yes, Mr. Meeker - but looking at the current rust stains, how successful was this project?

Before undertaking this project, Quality Contractors told us they could not guarantee the quality of the powerwash if the HVAC sleeves remained in the poor condition they were currently in.
How did the Board address this problem? They ignored it.

So, Mr. Meeker - look up and enjoy the rust cascading down our newly cleaned, repointed buildings. This project cost us $8.6 million. And those are, unfortunately, the cold, hard facts.

You said all Directors contributed to the fact we are getting outside management. We were, and are, the two foremost proponents of this, and it was a fight to get the other Directors on board. Remember, our entire campaigns were based on a radical change in management.
So yes, Mr. Meeker, eventually, the Board unanimously agreed on outside management. If you count dragging the other Directors "kicking and screaming" towards outside management as their contribution, then you are correct.

And finally, you call the recall of "democratically elected" Directors horrendous and malicious. Do you not understand that the recall itself is the epitome of democratic process? 318 owners think there's a better way. Who are you - or we, for that matter - to say they're wrong?

You said Directors Bolasco and Haase have nothing to do with our problems. These two Directors have been Board Members since December 2005 and March 2006, and the homeowners know they have voted "yes" on virtually every bad decision the Board has made. And may we remind you, Mr. Meeker, if Ms. Bolasco had her way, you would not have had the opportunity to speak your mind Thursday night, or ever. The owners know these Directors have everything to do with the issues currently confronting us.

Interesting, too, is your comment that the recall smacks of Third World politics. May we remind you that in many Third World countries, there are no recalls, no democratic process, and no open elections. The fact is, here, owners are able to be heard and have the right to petition for a recall. And, like it or not, Mr. Meeker, that's exactly what happened. God bless America.

We continue to strive for honesty, transparency and integrity on this Board. Yes, there is still work to be done; but we hope you agree we've come a long way. Your being able to speak Thursday night proves that point.

We look forward with great anticipation to your providing the above-mentioned evidence of your claims. And again, if you want to learn the truth about what's been going on here, we would be glad to meet with you at your convenience.

Sincerely,

Director Fini Strumza
Director Slava Lerner

[Guest]

I find the comments referring to Third World countries made by that man at Thursday's Board Meeting very offensive considering to whom they were directed. He should apologize and produce the evidence. He is just another bag of wind board buddy.

[Guest]

my guess is if the recall election is not successful... they will need to rename the complex... the Ford Galaxy Towers... Ford... as in Fix Or Repair Daily

[Guest]

Why are you guys so hot and bothered about folks like Meeker? He was always part of the old board kiss-ass group. Some people just need to feel important by belonging to a regime or group that has probably sent the Galaxy to it's untimely death. What he said at the meeting is just a proxy for what Norget/Ellinger/Simon/Furman or their buddies might have said. He's just a mouthpiece singing the old board's swan song.

[Guest]

Amen to the letter! I do not know Mr. Meeker, and I am certainly noth looking forward to meeting him. I do think, however, that he was toally out of line to use the two+ minute format for an unsubstantiated attack on people he doesn't like. The purpose of this "perk" is to bring to light problems that need attention in a manner that is constructive as well as civil. Clearly, Mr. Meeker does not understand How to make use of this privilege.

[Guest]

Unfortunately, I was unable to hear Mr. Meekers’ 2.5min harangue at the board meeting but have subsequently been apprised of it. It is surprising that it has grabbed so much attention because it is miserably and utterly lacking in any content. In addition he supplies histrionic,
melodramatic distortions with repetition of the words honesty, transparency and integrity. He presents a paradox because on one hand he makes disparaging remarks about “third world country politics” while simultaneously ridiculing our democratic processes! Could he be confused? Is the spin style familiar?

[Guest]

thank you slava and fini. i sure appreciate the great efforts from all you guys. thanks

[Guest]

What a terrific letter. A masterful letter!! But its unfortunate that time has to be taken to respond to dribble when Meeker should as we all should honor Fini and Slava for their work.

[Guest]

Who’s Meeker, why don’t you give him some equal time so that he can put his foot in his mouth some more. Then you will have more to write about.

[Guest]

Thanks for the video clip. Meeker is even more vile in person. I wonder who put him up to this?

[Guest]

Morning everyone! I have to say that Thursday's night Board meeting was for me of the most entertaining. The truth is my fellow readers; the GLAD team is on a mission. Smearing the two newest directors from a diminutive bunch of Norget supporters are just showing how desperate they are. Many of their fellow compatriots are being exposed for their destructive roles in this association and their propaganda is not working. What GLAD wish to overlook is the fact that some of the most ardent supporters are themselves sick of the surroundings and that is simply because it is hurting their pockets as much as ours.

As one poster said that “GLAD - a small group of unknown, unnamed dissidents,” my friend that is truly wrong. The very people who are involved with Norget's bunch of GLAD hooligans are the very same personas that are on the committees in this association and or are involved with the dark side website…… (which I miss dearly). You can clearly tell who they are by looking at “Galaxy Lifestyles.” It is always the same faces on that newsletter that is why I don't read it anymore.

These supposedly ladies and gentlemen are taught to go into someone's face and intimidate, lie and smear anyone who does not consider with their views. As I always say what a true fascist does.

[Guest]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the info you've been sharing. It helps my
decision making. I do not know the 2 remaining Directors that are the
subject to the recall, but the bottom line is that when things don't work,
and have not worked for a long time, it may be time to try other options.
The lobby project is an embarrassment. I used to be so proud to come home
and welcome my guests, now I almost feel a need to justifiy the lobby
looking so lame for so long. That alone, justifies some kind of sanction, or
expression of dissatisfaction with our board and if a recall is the best way
to do so,then I am all for it! Thanks for your service to those of us who
aren't as much in the know...the facts that you present make much better
sense to me and I hope to others too.

[Guest]

It looks like Meeker's comments have had a reverse effect on residents. Many are appalled at what he said.

[Guest]

Thank you for all the hard work and professionalism that is so desperately needed at this time.