You really want a $200 special assessment for cameras?

Some Board of Directors members think you’re rich. They claim to speak not only for themselves but for all International Village owners when they say that you wouldn’t mind paying a $200 special assessment to install 26 “security” cameras in each of the Village’s 11 residential buildings, at a total cost of about $150,000. They say you want these cameras now, privacy be damned, and you’re ready to write a check today to get them.

Big Brother could be coming to your building.

Does this sound like you? I didn’t think so. But that isn’t stopping certain Board members from convincing themselves that their views are those of all unit owners, because they surround themselves by the echo chamber that is their small clique of well-to-do friends. To them, you don’t exist. They haven’t seen the many emails you’ve sent me telling me how strongly you oppose this project because you don’t want Big Brother watching you all the time, because cameras have proven ineffective in the clubhouse, and most of all, because you simply CANNOT afford another special assessment.

This Monday, you have a chance to let them know you exist.

International Village Board of Directors President Marvin Tow, an enthusiastic advocate for cameras everywhere, is calling a special meeting of the Board of Directors on Monday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. in the clubhouse to consider his $150,000 proposal, even though at least three out of seven Board members will be out of town and able to participate only by phone. In doing so, he’s ignoring calls from other Board members to at least first consider a demonstration project to prove they can work in the clubhouse – or in the Zurich building where cameras were installed at building owners’ expense a few years ago – before going whole-hog on this massive project.

Bottom line, we can't afford this. According to our property manager, there isn't enough money left in the fund from the last special assessment in 2012-13 to pay for this project and still have enough emergency reserves left over. That's why another special assessment is being proposed. In fact, even if the Board were to approve the project on Monday, another meeting would have to be held to actually pay for it. Because Florida law requires condo associations to mail all unit owners a notice of intent to special assess at least 14 days before a meeting approving a special assessment. So add the $500 cost of the mass mailing to the cost of the project. Yes, you'd be picking up the tab for both of course.

That’s why you need to show up and speak up at Monday's meeting, and start emailing Board members before the meeting HERE to let them know how you feel. Otherwise you will continue not to exist for them... Except when it comes to making you cough up another $200 in special assessment money.