The Plumber and the Exterminator (2) & Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $700,000! (#916)

The Association's plumber found a broken pipe under what's left of our our bathroom floor!
Tomorrow, work recommences on the bathroom.

Tuesday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$718,153.85 from an original $75!

They've broken the $700,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $7000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's 900 (NINE HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

The Plumber and the Exterminator

In the morning, Jeffrey Kratowicz of Jeffrey's Plumbing and Victor (last name unknown) of A.N.D. Exterminators are going to be here to, supposedly, see what can be done about the rodents and to survey the plumbing problems in the bathroom.
Jeffrey has sworn that he is not going to touch the plumbing, just assess it.
We'll see...
They both have long-standing relationships with Mara Feldman-Fox and I'm hoping her apparent lack of morals and ethics isn't transmittable.

Mara Plays Games & Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $700,000! (#915)

Over the weekend, we sent the following to Maniac Mara...

On page 5 (Article II, point 2) of the Declaration of Condominium Ownership and Bylaws for Claremont Condominiums Association, it states: "No structural components of the Building, and no pipes, wires, conduits, public utility lines, ducts, flues and shafts situated within a Unit and forming part of any system serving one or more other Units, nor the Common Elements shall be deemed part of said Unit."
Since the recently-discovered Laundry Drain in our unit fulfills all these requirements (and is of no use to us since we don't have or use a laundry unit), we demand it's immediate repositioning from our property to a condominium common area at the Association's cost, of course.

Then, we added this on Monday. 

Mara Feldman-Fox's failure to act in a timely manner...
...is now resulting in additional charges that will be billed to the Board.
Since we had to stop work due to your stupidity, the opportunity to purchase 12" x 12" bathroom tiles at 88 cents each expired on Sunday.
If we do purchase the tiles, they are now $1.25 (or more) each.
Fox Management and/or the Board will pay the difference, since the delay is your fault.
The longer you take, the more charges will accrue, but then you know that from the late fees you've already run up...and the meter is still running on them!
Oh, still waiting on the 2011 Financials.
Run out of red ink?

This afternoon, Mara, still unable to follow the simplest instructions, again, called M at work.
I tried to call Mara on her cell, but, like the mental midget she is, the idiot refused to pick up.
So, again, I e-mailed...

Regrettably. since there is no direct phone line to reach you (the 847-831-8822 phone always goes to an answering machine.), it is your choice to delay contact, as usual,
As long as Jeffrey is aware he is to move the "Laundry Line cleaning access" to a location outside our unit, he will be granted access.

As pointed out in our earlier e-mail, the Laundry Line is not used by our unit, nor is it hooked up to what could be our Laundry Room, bypassing it entirely, and merely "passing thru" our unit to the "cleaning access" and sewer, probably because the space was common area before it was converted in 1995 to a condo unit.

Therefore, by your own standards of exclusivity by which you claim we're responsible for the other plumbing, the "Laundry Room cleaning access" should not be in our unit under any circumstances, any work on it will involve moving it, or no work will be done.

If Jeffrey is not going to move the line (which will be a two-day job) he will be denied access.
All our phones, including cells, have 911 on speed-dial and I will not hesitate use them to call police and file charges.

BTW, Every time you call M at work, I will call you on your cell.
Note: I still owe you several calls from your earlier calls to M.

Act like an adult and do your job.

and
Let's see what happens next.
I may update this entry if anything happens...
Monday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$711,043.42 from an original $75!

They've broken the $700,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $7000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's 900 (NINE HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

M's Response to the Atrocities of Mara Feldman-Fox and the Claremont Board

M, who is usually extremely-reticent to post publicly has written an open letter...
Dear Mara:

This letter is in response to your letter of Friday, April 13th.

On page 5 (Article II, point 2) of the Declaration of Condominium Ownership and Bylaws for Claremont Condominiums Association, it states: "No structural components of the Building, and no pipes, wires, conduits, public utility lines, ducts, flues and shafts situated within a Unit and forming part of any system serving one or more other Units, nor the Common Elements shall be deemed part of said Unit."

Therefore, it's obvious that the following code violations (discovered by Design Inventions, Inc. on April 11th and 12th) must be completed and paid for by the Association as soon as possible:
1. The proper clean-out for laundry units located above unit GE is missing. The laundry drain from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floor is currently connected to a 4" sewage line in the unit GE kitchen/bathroom wall.
2. Current bathtub connection inside the ground is made out of copper. All in ground connections in need to be installed with cast iron pipes.
3. Bathtub drain is missing a vent.
4. Kitchen drain is missing a vent.
5. All connections for the radiator (union) can’t be hidden and access is needed. Electric fan (currently blowing in the wrong direction), in areas where water is present has to be supplied thru a GFCI outlet.

The above violations were the shoddy work of Home Remodeling, Inc., the contractor for the buildings in '95, when the buildings were converted to condos.
That company is liable, but probably defunct.

We were informed by our insurance company that the Condominium Act (Section 12, Insurance) makes it mandatory that the Association insure structural damage through the drywall, plaster and primer.
Unit owners aren't responsible for their own pipes, or pipes that serve other unit owners, and we may not interfere with the common elements.
Further, it would be unethical for Design Inventions to cover up illegal plumbing with their own good work.

It's clear that, when you and the Board confronted me during that terrifying surprise visit at the front door, that you, Edward Foss, Carol Krengelis, and Diego Arce were aware that violations might be revealed when the drywall came down, based on your combined thirty or more years experience in dealing with structural problems in the Association's buildings.

When I purchased my unit in '05, I never dreamt that we would uncover illegal construction.
Therefore, I hold you and the Board personally, legally and morally responsible for the fact that my unit is now uninhabitable, without toilet or bathing facilities.
I also blame you for the result that the remodeling is indefinitely postponed.

When you and the Board interrogated and bullied me in the entryway of '60 Claremont on April 3rd, I believed that we had the same goal-- the final elimination of rats in our buildings.
In point of fact, we had previously resolved to remodel our bathroom ahead of our initial schedule to accomplish that goal and avoid conflict.
I now realize that I was foolish and naive.
Your goal was not to deal with rats, but to correct the same systemic problems that you had encountered in the '58 building, but on my dime.

That fact is verified in that we are still waiting for your exterminator to come back and plug up the rat tunnels found in the dirt where we used to have a tub.
(There was no concrete under the tub, only dirt-- another violation.)
We've blocked the bathroom door with bricks, but we hear sounds of movement through the door.


M

Is the Project Dead? & Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $700,000! (#914)

Mara looked thru the list, picked the single cheapest item and informed us haughtily that only that one item would be paid for by the Board.
The rest was our problem!

Here's her letter and my response...

I am in receipt of your startlingly-inaccurate letter of 4/13/12.
There are five items that your contractor is suggesting to correct and or repair. The Association hasauthorized Piotr to complete the installation of the cleanout for the laundry units, $450.00; item 1.
Items 2 through 5 all relate to the 5060 G unit specifically, not the common elements or the Association, and are the unit owners’ responsibility to repair and maintain.
2. Current bathtub connection inside the ground is made out of copper.
All in ground connections need to be installed with cast iron pipes.
Copper can only be used above the ground.
3. Bathtub drain is missing a vent.
4. Kitchen drain is missing a vent.
5. Bathroom radiator is concealed in the ceiling, metal box is constructed around, and electric fan is installed next to it with hidden switch.
All connection for the radiator (union) can’t be hidden and access is need.
Electric fan, in areas where water is present has to be supplied thru a GFCI outlet.

Mara, this is why having only a degree in accounting and no actual certification in anything else (beyond a grandfathered license, which we will use this situation to challenge) is a problem.

Items 2-5 are all...
a) behind the drywall, therefore your responsibility under the Condo Code.
Feel free to cite otherwise.
b) part of the original conversion to condo done in the late 1990s, long before we bought the unit in 2005 and inaccessible/unobservable until the walls had been ripped down.
Therefore, not our responsibility.
c) The bathtub connection is in 2 is "in-ground", therefore beyond the drywall (or floor), therefore, association responsibility.
d) Note that we had complained about laundry backwash from other units into our tub and kitchen sink...which you failed to correct.
These incorrectly-installed items in 3 & 4 are the cause, therefore, part of the common elements, since other unit's use of their washing machines caused a problem directly-attributable to these items.
Item 5 is part of the building's heating system embedded behind the drywall, therefore a common element.
e) Correcting previous construction problems that predate the present owner is the responsibility of Fox and the Board, who can then go after the original contractor to recover fees.
Not our responsibility under the Condo Code.
Again, feel free to cite otherwise...

We are subpoenaing Jeffrey as a licensed plumbing professional/expert to make a statement regarding the particulars of this matter.

Using your own documents and statements, we are filing complaints with the Department of Buildings and you are being reported to the Disciplinary Committee of the Department of Financial & Professional Regulation on several different charges we have evidence on, including this matter.
(I suggest you ask art therapist Eddie Foss, since he's licensed by the same agency.
He'll tell you they don't fool around.)

You're playing God with M's health and I will not allow that!

As it stands, M is so depressed that she's considering just "walking away" from the unit.
The property's value has dropped to just barely being worth paying the mortgage.
The hassles with Maniac Mara have pushed M to the edge.
Being forced to lay out an additional $5,000 for either a lawsuit or plumbing fees we shouldn't have to pay is probably the last straw.
And life is just too short to deal with apparently-unemployed / underemployed arrogant idiots like Diego Arce, Carol Krengelis, and Eddie Foss.
They want to get rid of us, so we'll go!
If our leaving sank their investments in the condominium, it would be poetic justice!

Quite frankly, it would cost almost $50,000 to make the property marketable (including the plumbing upgrades), so it's doubtful the bank would even bother, probably opting to just dump it for $50,000 or less, making it the second Claremont unit in a year to go for less than half it's original value.

Friday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$704,003.39 from an original $75!    

They've broken the $700,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $7000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's 900 (NINE HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Bathroom Work Stops, Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $600,000! (#912)

Demolition began on Wednesday and went along swimmingly.
The exterminator showed up at the end of the workday and placed traps around the room as well as in the false ceiling, then assured us he'd come by around lunchtime to collect any dead rodents and reset traps.
Thursday was something else.
The workmen were fast and efficient, and around 2pm all the tiles, drywall, tub, vanity, and toilet were gone!
Then the plumbers saw the pipes that had been behind the wall.
Not one thing was done to code!
If there had been a way for the original contractors to cut corners 15 years earlier, they had done it!
Our contractor, understandably, was concerned.
He couldn't proceed to put good work over non-standard plumbing.
He has a reputation (well-deserved, I might add) to protect!
He contacted Mara Feldman-Fox with a list of things about the common element plumbing that had to be corrected before he could proceed.
The cost would be about $5,500.
You can probably guess what happens next...

More, shortly...

Thursday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$697,033.95 from an original $75!    

They've broken the $600,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $6000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's 900 (NINE HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Bathroom Work Begins, Maniac Mara & Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $600,000! (#911)

We began work on the bathroom on the 11th, so to catch up, we're doing several posts cover day-by-day events...
On Tuesday, Maniac Mara Feldman-Fox again contacted M thru her office e-mail, despite being instructed not to do so and to e-mail me instead, claiming she hadn't received the Certificate of Insurance (which she, in fact, had! We'll tell you why in a minute.).
I re-sent the Certificate in various formats including PDF and JPEG on the more-than-likely chance that Mara is so incredibly-clueless that she doesn't know how to open a PDF, which a five-year old can do.
Since Mara had said nothing about the exterminators, I added the following...

Since we have not heard from you as of now, we take it as given that...
a) you received at least one of the many transmitted versions of the Certificate of Insurance that was initially-sent yesterday.
b) that you have no plan in place for access to the Boiler Room tomorrow morning.
c) that you have no plan in place for providing required exterminator service on Thursday morning and evening.
We, however, are far more efficient than you (and we're not even licensed Property Managers!)
The following procedures will be put in place if we do not hear from you...
a) If you have not received a copy of the Certificate of Insurance, I will travel to your listed business address at 1820 Clifton Avenue and drop off a hardcopy of the document.
b) If neither apparently-underemployed/unemployed financial aid manager Diego Arce nor apparently-underemployed/unemployed business analyst Carol Krengelis (who, according to you, both have keys) can let us into the Boiler Room, we have a locksmith standing by to open the locks without damaging them, and billing his services to Fox Management.
c) We can have an exterminator on call to handle Thursday duties, billing Fox Management for his services.
And, considering I'm now doing your job for you (and better than you), I'll probably bill Fox Management for my time at the rate you established...$75 an hour.
Lack of response to this e-mail before the opening of business tomorrow (8am) will be taken as tacit agreement to the facts listed and consent to all the terms above.
Since M has already left for the day, sending an e-mail to her office email or calling her office voicemail (even though you've been ordered numerous times not to do so) would simply be proof that you wish to delay the progress of this project, despite your claims otherwise, since she won't see or hear anything until after 8am tomorrow morning, too late to affect the "wheels in motion", as it were.
Only emailing me or calling us at xxx.xxx.xxxx (redacted) will be considered legitimate responses.
And, I will be the one dealing with you, not M.
Just as you are the Board's surrogate, I am M's, and you will act accordingly, or be reported to the Disciplinary Committee of the Department of Financial & Professional Regulation.

I had mentioned that I had proof that Mara had the Certificate of Insurance?
Here's the proof...
She called the contractor, whose phone number she had gotten off the first transmission of the Certificate, on MONDAY and told him to come to her home/office at 1820 Clifton to get the Boiler Room keys!
This, of course, raises the question as to why Mara told everyone during the lynching...er "impromptu meeting" that all three Board members had Boiler Room keys!
Could it be that Mara (gasp) apparently lied again?
She did call our home phone, as instructed, late Tuesday night, and informed us about the contractor coming to her home.
Mara sounded sheepish, almost frightened about leaving a voice mail message that could be duplicated and transcribed, probably for the same reason she and the Board members fear being recorded in any form, to provide plausible deniability.
Anyway, she still hadn't mentioned anything about the exterminator, so I followed up yet again...

As a precaution, to avoid any misunderstandings, we will follow up any meeting or phone call with a write-up.
As we've pointed out several times previously, Victor of A.N.D. informed us (and I know Michelle of A.N.D. informed you, Mara Feldman-Fox, since I was on the other line at the time) that A.N.D. apparently be here Thursday due to prior commitments.
If you like, I can forward the e-mails from Monday and today that you received, and .didn't read.
(The fact that Fox Management has only one exterminator on call for all their properties is almost too astounding to conceive.)
Therefore it is up to Fox Management to find and pay for a replacement to "fill in" for A.N.D. on Thursday at 8am and 4pm and Friday at 8am.
How you do it is up to you.
But, we sincerely suggest you make it happen.
If, in the unfortunate event you're incapable of doing so (which will be noted and logged), we will get an exterminator of our own and bill you for his services (which will probably include rush charges).
The onus is on you.

More, shortly...

Wednesday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$690,132.62 from an original $75!    

They've broken the $600,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $6000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's 900 (NINE HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Mara STILL Can't Follow Instructions (3) & Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $600,000! (#910)

Here's one for the record books!
Despite the e-mail I sent her yesterday, Maniac Mara Feldman-Fox still claims we didn't send her the Insurance Certificate (which was attached to the e-mail)!
So, we re-sent the e-mail, with the Certificate (now in jpeg form) embedded in the body of the e-mail!
Let's see the crone deny it now!

In an additional bit of stupidity, Mara called a masonry company yesterday (according to their workers) to begin work tomorrow on the masonry and lintels.
Considering the concrete and mortar they'll use will need water, where will the masonry workers get it from, since the water will be turned off for our bathroom demolition?
Does Mara Feldman-Fox have a brain?
Don't think so!

Tuesday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$683,299.62 from an original $75!    

They've broken the $600,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $6000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's 900 (NINE HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Mara STILL Can't Follow Instructions (2) & Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $600,000! (#909)

We finally heard from Maniac Mara this morning.
As usual, she contacted M instead of me.
Once I received the e-mail, I responded...

Once more with feeling...

Your statements, then reality...
I am in receipt of several emails from your husband, B regarding the upcoming interior repairs to your unit.
True.
Note that they are from last Thursday, several days ago.
You seem unaware that a Property Manager's job is 24/7/365, in other words, all the time.
Perhaps you should look into a different line of work that you are more suited for.

As discussed Tuesday evening, April 3 you were directed to provide a copy of the contract with Design I and submit a certificate of insurance for Design Innovations prior to work commencing.
No mention was made of a contract during the lynching (I mean "impromtu meeting"), nor is there any proviso in the Condo Code or Claremont Declarations requiring such documentation be provided for projects under $10,000.
We asked for a citation if there was such a proviso in our earlier e-mail, and you've failed to provide one in your belated response.
If there is one, and you provide a citation, we'll provide the contract.
(For someone who has yet to provide the 2011 Financials, as of April 2012, you're hardly one to talk about required documentation!)
You were informed in the previous e-mail that once the terms of providing A.N.D.'s services were confirmed, you'd receive the insurance forms.
This is the first we've heard from you since your previous e-mail (to M instead of me, as you were instructed to do, but failed to do), on Thursday.
Now that we finally have confirmation about A.N.D., you'll receive the certificate with both M's and the Association's names on it.
And remember, dear, you may request, but you do not demand or direct!

In addition, a Certificate of Insurance should name Claremont Condominium Association as named insured. As of today, this information has not been provided.
See above.
Attached is the certificate, naming both M and the Board, now that you have done as we asked.
If you cooperate and act like an adult, good things happen!

I have contacted AND Exterminators and requested that they contact your husband, Brian directly to make arrangements for service work once your renovation commences.
I have confirmed with AND Exterminators that they have left a message for B on Friday, late afternoon, April 6th.
They have not received a phone call back from him when I spoke with Michelle this morning.
Any claims that B makes, that any contract work will be delayed due to lack of Fox Management Group’s efforts to coordinate are unfounded.
Since this is the first e-mail we've received since Thursday (even if you still don't know how to follow instructions) the claims are well-founded.
E-mail is far more efficient at avoiding miscommunication.
I will get A.N.D.'s email addy and follow up any phone conversation with a detailed e-mail.

Contact the management office to arrange for your contractor, Design I to schedule access to the boiler room.
Refrain from contacting the Board of Directors directly.
If you refrain from contacting Mary directly, I'll contact you as you request.
If you contact M, I'll contact the Board members directly.
I do as you do.
Same rules apply.
If you don't follow our request, we are under no obligation to follow your request.

Please note also, that all communication as discussed on Tuesday evening, April 3 will always be emailed to you.
You may forward on to B at your discretion.
B has claimed that he has left messages on Fox Management Group’s voice mail.As discussed, you were to send all communcations to me, and not bother M with them.
I'm concerned about your memory.
Are you getting enough CoQ-10?
And please cite or quote where I said I had left messages on "voice mail."
I vastly prefer e-mail since it creates a "paper trail" (actually an electron trail) that can be presented to the Disciplinary Board and used as evidence.
If I do call, it won't be to the voice mail, so your statement is totally-erroneous, as usual.

And it's just Monday...

Monday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$676,534.28 from an original $75!    

They've broken the $600,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $6000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's 900 (NINE HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Mara STILL Can't Follow Instructions & Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $600,000! (#908)

After the Claremont version of the Ox Bow Incident, Mara e-mailed M, not me.
M forwarded the letter to me, and I responded to Mara...

You were specifically-instructed to send any correspondence to me, and not bother M with it.
She has forwarded it to me for handling and will do so with any correspondence in the future.
Your sending it to her appears to be a deliberate attempt to delay matters being handled.
We'll just have to add this to the long list of failures on your part for the Discipline Board's attention now that you actually have a legitimate Property Manager's license...after waiting to the very last minute to file under the "grandfathering clause".

Let's look at the list of items and what really happened...

Thank you for joining the Board and me at the impromptu meeting last night to discuss the interior repairs to your unit.
The following are the issues brought to your attention and the recommendations and requests by the Board for you to follow:

It was two nights ago, not "last night".
You seem to have a real problem with dates and times.
Claiming March 16th was 30 days after February 16th (when actually it was 29, as any schoolchild knows) indicates a problem with temporal perception and/or mathematics.
You might want to have it checked out.
But, back to the matter at hand...
Interrupting our dinner unannounced with a demand to face a perceptibly-hostile group outnumbering us and using standard cult techniques of encirclement and harassment is not exactly an "impromptu meeting".
The phrase Ox-Bow Incident comes to mind, presuming you know the pop culture reference...
But your mileage may vary.

Kitchen plumbing repairs have been completed by Jeffrey Plumbing and Heating Services;
True.
Note we paid for them, not the Board, so please don't try to take credit for them.

Plumbing repairs/bathroom renovation is scheduled for the week of April 9, 2012.
Work scheduled to commence Wednesday, April 11th or Thursday, April 12th;
True.
As soon as I know the exact date, I'll inform you.
In addition, since you failed to correct the reported backwash problem caused by other units' washing machines on the same line backing up into our tub, we are having a backwash valve installed.
It's an additional charge and, since failing to correct the problem is your fault, will be billed to Fox and the Board.
Now, if you wish to (at your expense) have Jeffrey take another whack at it on the day of demolition, we will graciously allow him to do so after demolition is completed and the drainpipes are open and accessible.
This might negate the need to install the backwash valve and billing of you and the Board, presuming it works.
(It didn't last time.)
If it doesn't work, we'll still have to install a backwash valve, again, at your expense (and probably a greater expense, since we'll have to open up the now-completed shower stall to do it).
Your call.
Roll the dice.

M will confirm the exact start date in sufficient time, by the end of this week, as to schedule AND Exterminators;
Fox Management will coordinate with AND Exterminators, AND will be scheduled to conduct rodent inspection of the space behind the bathroom walls, set traps and plug holes as necessary;
Sort of true.
I will confirm the date.
As stated earlier...
1) Exterminators will be required at the end of the first day to plug existing rat-holes and lay traps to catch any rodents in the walls at the time who would seek to use the now-plugged holes for egress.
2) The following days, until the walls are constructed and sealed, we require (note the word) exterminators present both at opening of the bathroom (7:30-8:00 am) to handle trapped/dead rodents and any live ones in the bathroom at the time, and closing (5:00 pm) to lay fresh traps.
Failure of Fox Management to provide exterminators on any of these times will result in our providing an exterminator of our selection and billing Fox and the Board for their services (and possibly my time, as well).
And, of course, Fox and the Board are responsible for paying AND Exterminators or any other extermination service.

Fox Management will provide B's phone number to AND so that B and AND can coordinate specific days/times for service and follow-up;
True, with the understanding that Fox and the Board are responsible for payment of AND Exterminators for their services in this matter.

M is to provide contract with Design Innovations and submit a certificate of insurance for Design Innovations prior to work commencing;
There was no discussion at the lynching...I mean "meeting"...of providing a copy of the contract, only the Certificate of Insurance.
And, AFAIK (that's "As Far As I Know" for those, like Mara, who don't speak Internet), there's nothing in theCondo code or the declarations requiring us to provide a contract to you, since we are paying for it, not you.
However, I may (repeat may) be wrong.
If there is, feel free to point it out (with a proper citation) and we will provide the contract...as required by law.
We did not volunteer to do so and will not do so, unless the law requires it.
And, considering your past failures to provide documents, even when required by law, you really shouldn't be surprised.
The financials for 2011, which we have yet to see four months into 2012, for example.
If you want the list, I can easily provide a print-out...

Certificate of Insurance should name Claremont Condominium Association as named insured.
The Certificates will graciously name both M and the Association as "named insured", though, according to the Condo Code, it's not required for projects under $10,000, nor one the Association is not paying for (unless you want to do so).
Again, if I'm wrong (and that's a big "if"), please feel free to point it out, with proper citation, of course.

M to provide 48 hours notice if there is a need to have the water shut off to the building.
The law, your earlier statements, and other units' owners (including Board members) have used "24 hours" as the time frame.
However, in another show of extreme graciousness, B will do so.

M to post notices in each entrance 48 hours in advance if there is a need to have the water shut off to the building.
B will graciously do so.
However, I note that someone removed the posters I put up the day before Jeffrey came.
Please tell whoever the EDiot is (and we're certain you know who it is) not to do so again.
As before, I will take digital photos of the posted notices when they are placed, and e-mail them to establish a time/date statement as to placement.
If the EDiot removes them again, it's not my fault.
I do my job.
Controlling Board members is yours, and it's not one you do well.

If you should have any questions or need additional information please contact our office.
If you should have any questions or need additional information please contact me and don't bother M.
She works on-staff, and is quite busy.
Luckily, I run an on-line business from home and am able to work my schedule around interruptions like you.

Haven't heard back from her yet.

Friday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$669,835.92 from an original $75!    

They've broken the $600,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $6000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's 900 (NINE HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Mara Feldman-Fox FINALLY Licensed & Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $600,000! (#907)

Guess what?
Mara Feldman-Fox finally has a legitimate property manager's licence... under license #261000648
It's a good thing she was "grandfathered" in, since she apparently doesn't have the other certifications or qualifications needed for the license.
It's listed as being active as of 3/31/12, the last day the "grandfathering" clause could be used as an excuse for not being qualified. (Cynical people could also call it the ultimate April Fool's joke, but that's another story...)

It's good to know we now have another option for filing complaints (as needed), besides the Better Business Bureau.
It'll be interesting to see how long the "Ever Disciplined?" box on the listing page stays "N" for "no".
Not long, I'll wager...

Curious she didn't mention it during the re-enactment of the Ox-Bow Incident on Tuesday...

Thursday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$663,203.88 from an original $75!    

They've broken the $600,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $6000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's 900 (NINE HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Mara Feldman-Fox = Flat-Earther & Slave Owner? & Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $600,000! (#906)

After the incident with financial aid manager Diego Arce, I received an e-mail from M regarding an e-mail from Mara.
After reading it, I responded...

Mara:
Note you sent M a note instead of to me.
Very childish.

It has been brought to my attention that your tenant and husband, B was
seen early this morning stealing the morning paper from another resident ofthe Association. It is
common knowledge that papers are delivered to the building by subscribers and therefore are not
available to anyone at the building interested in reading the paper. In addition to taking someone’s
paper, B strewed the morning papers to the side on the grass creating a mess.
Please instruct your tenant to desist this behavior immediately.
If this behavior persists, the Board of Directors will take Whatever actions they deem necessary not limited to fines.
Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter.

BTW, I'm not a "tenant", I'm a "resident".
A licensed property manager with the proper training and accreditation would know the difference.
You apparently don't.

"Common knowledge" is invoked when you don't have actual facts to back up your assertions.
That the Earth was flat was "common knowledge"
That certain ethnic groups were mentally and/or physically inferior to other ethnic groups was "common knowledge"
Your invoking of that old trope puts you in the same class as slave owners and flat-earthers.
Congratulations, you'll fit right in.

Plus, the papers were already "strewed".
Kicking them out of the way created no more of a mess than already existed.
Unless, like certain Board members, you place a higher priority on plants than humans (especially young children in the condo) who could trip over the papers.

Please don't bother M with trivial matters...at least until you have all the facts (which you obviously didn't, until now).
It's what an adult would do.
But then, like Republicans, facts are apparently not a priority for you.

PS: Speaking of alleged "stealing", is there a reason we haven't seen the financial report for 2011 as of the end of March 2012?
(and won't before the sham "election" being held next week?)

BTW, that meeting is tonight.
We'll let you know how it turns out (as if you couldn't guess...)

Wednesday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$656,637.51 from an original $75!    

They've broken the $600,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $6000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's 900 (NINE HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

She's not even registered as a property manager, 
as required by law!

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

The Ox-Bow Incident...Claremont Condo Style

M and I were having dinner tonite when there was a knock at the door.
I opened it and once more, the hulking figure of financial aid manager Diego Arce loomed over me.
My first thought was "There was no newspaper today! What's his malfunction now?"
But Diego didn't want me.
In a rumbling voice, he demanded that M come out and talk to the assembled Board and their servant, unlicensed Property Manager Mara Feldman-Fox, in the building's lobby.

M agreed to do so, and for the next half-hour Diego, business analyst Carol Krengelis, and Mara hounded, threatened, whined, and tried to cajole M.
Art therapist Eddie Foss, his beady eyes glittering, stayed silent for the most part, as most rodents are wont to do when caught in the open.
Though he said little, it was obvious to me that he was the manipulator of the whole scenario.
It smacked of someone who misused their training in psychology for evil instead of good.

They deliberately ignored me, concentrating on M with threats of legal action and other things too hideous to describe here.

Finally, the ordeal ended, and the lynch mob, apparently satisfied that they had broken M's will, left.
But, they had not.
Despite being brought to tears due to Mara's ranting, M stood fast.
I'm proud of her.
Just thought you should know.

The Not-So-Gentle Giant & Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $600,000! (#905)

Last Wednesday, while returning from dropping M at the bus stop, I saw the local newspaper sitting in a pile of other papers and flyers on the sidewalk.
Seeing no sticker on the wrapping, and aware that the paper runs a campaign every few months to solicit new subscriptions, I grabbed it and headed inside.
A few minutes later there was a banging at my front door.
I opened it to see a hulking, glassy-eyed giant.
It took a second to realize it was apparently-unemployed/underemployed financial aid manager Diego Arce in a disheveled sweatsuit, which he probably had slept in!
He snarled something along the lines of "Gimme my paper!" along with "Don't touch my thing!"
Rather than try to discuss the matter with the obviously-unbalanced Arce (and find out if, in fact it was his paper), I gave him the paper and he left, mumbling under his breath.
Feeling that keeping a safe distance would be the best approach, I e-mailed the following...

Diego Arce:
For the record, son,
1) Both the (local papers) have done campaigns where they put out complementary copies of their Wednesday-Sunday papers in order to attract new subscribers.
According to a quick search on the web, it's an ongoing thing that "rotates" thru various sections of the city at various times.
2) In New York City, newspaper deliveries (especially ones to multi-unit structures like apartment houses, co-ops, and condos) have stickers with the subscriber's name on them to avoid just such misunderstandings...which this obviously is.
Why our newspapers don't do this is a mystery.

In a matter you mentioned (but didn't explain clearly, for some reason)...What's the "thing" you were ranting about?

I apologize for the misunderstanding regarding the paper.

I still haven't heard back about "the thing".
I did hear from unregistered Property Manager Mara Feldman-Fox!
But, that's a story for tomorrow...


Tuesday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$650,136.15 from an original $75!    

They've broken the $600,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $6000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's 900 (NINE HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

She's not even registered as a property manager, 
as required by law!

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $600,000! (#903-904)

The plumber came on Friday, so we were too busy to post.
Tomorrow, an interesting incident involving apparently unemployed / underemployed financial aid manager Diego Arce!

Friday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$637,325.90 from an original $75!   
Monday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$643,699.16 from an original $75!    

They've broken the $600,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $6000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's 900 (NINE HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

She's not even registered as a property manager, 
as required by law!

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Maniac Mara Again! & Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $600,000! (#902)

Yesterday, we e-mailed Mara Feldman-Fox...

Jeffrey Plumbing is coming to '60 N Claremont tomorrow morning (March 29th) to do repairs that involve turning off the water to the building so leaking fixtures can be replaced.
In order to do so they will need unencumbered access to the Boiler Room as the hot water must be drained from the system before the fixtures can be removed.
Since Condo Board member / art therapist Eddie Foss is the only on-site person with keys, and has refused to provide an emergency contact number (and doesn't list one on his Board election eligibility form, which I believe is a violation of the Illinois Condo Code) we suggest you call and arrange for him to be on hand to open and close the Boiler Room between 9am and 1pm, since he probably won't surrender the keys.
Failure to do so will result in our billing any additional costs due to lack of access back to Fox Management, who permitted this ongoing lack of emergency access to the boiler room, which has resulted in problems like...
Three days (8/9-8/11/09) without hot water when a neighborhood blackout shut down the boiler and Eddie was on vacation with his family in NY!
The Board paying Jeffrey an additional $200 per hour for two plumbers to wait for someone to show up with boiler room keys during an emergency visit in March, 2010.
Numerous examples of owners unable to have phone/internet service added/repaired because technicians couldn't get into the Boiler Room.
Y'know, things like that.

She responded instantly, not only to me, but to M via her work e-mail, which she was instructed not to do...

Work in your unit will need to be rescheduled. 
As a courtesy to unit owners in the building, you must provide more than 24 hours notice if you will have to shut done (sic) the system.
In addition, as access to the boiler room must be arranged in advance, it is not feasible to make those arrangements in the limited time allowed.
Please contact our office when you have arranged for a new date/time.  I will make the necessary arrangements for access to the boiler room.
Please note that it is your responsibility to post a notice to inform the unit owners that there will be no water service for the estimated time period while work is being performed.

I responded to her...

There have been notices in both lobbies, and on the laundry room doors, since this morning (before 9am), so that requirement was fulfilled.
(Who do you think I am, you?)
The fact that you, unlicensed property manager Mara Feldman-Fox, allow a situation where only one inaccessible and irresponsible person has keys to the most important part of the entire complex is not our concern.
Jeffrey is coming tomorrow, unless you call and cancel the appointment...which you can't do since you're not paying for it (unless we don't have access, of course.)
And act like an adult, for God's sake.
E-mailing M simply means you're bothering her at work.
All she does is contact me to respond.
You'll still deal with me...for the rest of your life.

Maniac Mara hastily called M...on her work phoneline (another thing she was told not to do), leaving the very phone numbers that she didn't want me to call (her home and personal cell) and ordering M to call her immediately!
Since M does not take orders from servants, she didn't do so.
Mara also called Jeffrey Plumbing and lied, claiming we didn't post notices to alert the other unit owners.
Rather than put up with Mara's bullying, Jeffrey asked to reschedule the work.
I reluctantly agreed to do so.
I could see the position he was being put in by Mara's ranting and didn't want to put him through any hassles in dealing with our resident control freak.

We posted flyers with a new work date (tomorrow morning) on Wednesday night and e-mailed Mara the proof...

New posters have gone up on both laundry room doors and in both lobbies...more than 24 hours before the water will be turned off, so the unit owners have been notified.
Still waiting for your excerpting of either Illinois Condo Code or Claremont declarations that Condo Board's servant (you) must be informed 24 hours or more before water shut-off.

Let's see what happens next.

Thursday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$631,015.74 from an original $75!   

They've broken the $600,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $6000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's 900 (NINE HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

She's not even registered as a property manager, 
as required by law!

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $600,000! (#901)

Wednesday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$624,768.06 from an original $75!   

They've broken the $600,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $6000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's 900 (NINE HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

She's not even registered as a property manager, 
as required by law!

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $600,000! (#900)

Tuesday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$618,582.24 from an original $75!   

They've broken the $600,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $6000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's 900 (NINE HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

She's not even registered as a property manager, 
as required by law!

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $600,000! (#899)

Monday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$612,457.66 from an original $75!   

They've broken the $600,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $6000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's almost 900 (NINE HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

She's not even registered as a property manager, 
as required by law!

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Assessment FINALLY & Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $600,000! (#898)

The assessment bill, due the 20th, arrived yesterday (the 22nd), postmarked the 21st.
Typical unlicensed property manager Mara Feldman-Fox incompetency!

Friday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$606,393.72 from an original $75!   

They've broken the $600,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $6000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's over 800 (EIGHT HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

She's not even registered as a property manager, 
as required by law!

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Meeting Postponed, Assessment LATE & Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $600,000! (#897)

The Board meeting scheduled for yesterday was postponed, probably due to the fact the idiots realized that the "election" would've been overturned since
1) it was less than 30 days for any potential candidates to register.
2) The usual irregularities the Board pulls to guarantee their positions.

The assessment bill, due the 20th, still hasn't arrived.

Thursday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$600,389.82 from an original $75!   

They've broken the $600,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $6000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $30,000+ a week!

It's over 800 (EIGHT HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

She's not even registered as a property manager, 
as required by law!

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Enter...the Lawyer (2) & Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $500,000! (#895)

Turns out Claremont Condo's lawyer Sheldon Perl does have e-mail (a Gmail account, like me), but does not list it on any of his free listings on things like Yahoo business or White Pages.
He doesn't have a website that I can find, though.

Wednesday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$594,445.37 from an original $75!   

They've broken the $500,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $5000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $25,000+ a week!

It's over 800 (EIGHT HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

She's not even registered as a property manager, 
as required by law!

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Enter...the Lawyer & Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $500,000! (#894)

Unregistered property manager Mara Feldman-Fox responded (To M via her work e-mail) with notice that she's sending our letter to the condo association's lawyer, Sheldon Perl, so I responded...

Looking forward to hearing from Sheldon Perl.
I'm checking him out at the American Bar Association.
Should be interesting...

And, in the future, if you wish contact, go through me.
Bothering M at work is impolite, and makes you look foolish for deliberately slowing down the lines of communication, since all she will do is forward the matter to me for handling.

BTW, intending to issue the legally-overdue 2011 financial statements for the condo soon?

B

BTW, how's getting your overdue property manager's license coming?
http://www.mcgoverngreene.com/specialists/fox.html
http://www.mcgoverngreene.com/specialists/cvs/MF_CV.pdf

I note that Sheldon Perl of Morgen & Perl Attorneys and Counselors...
...Doesn't have email!
...Doesn't have a website!

Tuesday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$588,569.67 from an original $75!   

They've broken the $500,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $5000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $25,000+ a week!

It's over 800(EIGHT HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

She's not even registered as a property manager, 
as required by law!

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $500,000! (#893)

Monday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$582,742.25 from an original $75!   

They've broken the $500,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $5000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $25,000+ a week!

It's over 800(EIGHT HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

She's not even registered as a property manager, 
as required by law!

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)

Maniac Mara (4) Fox Management Group Defaults, OWES OVER $500,000! (#892)

Today was the deadline (a day off, because Mara Feldman-Fox was unaware that February had only 29 days) of Maniac Mara's inordinate demands on our time and money.

Yesterday, we sent the following letter to Mara:

Dear Ms. Feldman-Fox:

I am writing to you on behalf of unit owner M, in your capacity as Property Manager of Claremont Condominiums, and in answer to your letter of 2/16/12.

I have been in discussion with Jeffrey’s Plumbing and other contractors about the problem, and would appreciate clarification and expansion of certain points.

1) The Condominium Act (Section 12, Insurance) makes it mandatory that the Association insure structural damage through the drywall, plaster and primer.
Why, then, are you asking us to pay for tearing down the wall, replacing the tub and shower valve (along with the waste and overflow which are currently blocked to prevent backflow from washing machines in other units in the '60 East unit line--a matter you failed to correct.) as well as demanding installation of replacement access panels to the radiators in the bathroom and kitchen, when the existing access panels were OKd by the city inspector when the conversion from rental to condo was approved in the late 1990s?
As a matter of law, the city inspector’s approval of the ceiling panels overrides both Jeffrey’s Plumbing's, and your opinions.

2) What's the basis for your theory that implementing these repairs alone will close all access for the rodents currently infesting the building?
While the hole by the drainpipe is one possible point of access, the front lawn still shows signs of multiple rodent burrows. (Those points of access have existed since 2008, when I first e-mailed you about them.)
Fox Management and the Condominium Association have done nothing for '60 N Claremont in the five years since, allowing the pre-existing problem to grow worse!

3) It is clear (after talking to contractors) that the arbitrary 3/17/12 deadline is not achievable without exorbitant rush charges.
We’ve talked to several contractors and none was able to schedule the work within that time frame.
Moreover, since Fox Management and the Claremont Condominium Association are responsible for any rodent infestation due to lack of action on the reported, pre-existing condition dating back to 2008, it’s difficult to see how you could set a deadline for us to do your work for you.
In addition:
a) Jeffrey’s Plumbing, (whose evaluation you’re basing your demands on) obviously, doesn’t consider the matter a high priority.
Despite having been to '60 N Claremont Unit GE three times in the past month to inspect the situation, Jeffrey's Plumbing has not yet presented either an estimate for the work, or proposed a schedule to commence work (if we agree to it)!
b) We’d also like to know why Fox's chosen exterminator (A.N.D. Exterminators) has not been sent by Fox to lay traps at the “entry point” in our unit’s walls to staunch the supposed flow of rats into the building until the repair work is done (A.N.D. previously performed similar tasks in the kitchen of unit '60 2E [in the same line with us], and probably other units as well), indicating that Fox and the Board do not consider the matter, at least in our unit, to be worthy of immediate service.

When renovation work does commence, we want written assurance that Fox and the Board will:
1) Provide exterminators the day the wall is opened to close the hole in the ground around the plumbing, as well as place traps to handle rodents still inside the building who, when they discover their exit is now blocked, will seek other egress, most likely into '60 GE thru the now-opened walls.
2) Provide exterminators twice each subsequent day of the renovation to:
a) At 8:00 AM, clear away any vermin caught overnight and deal with any active vermin when the room is opened up for the workmen to begin their task.
b) At 5:00 PM, set fresh traps when the workmen finish each day’s work, after which the room will be sealed overnight.
NOTE: Since the opening around the drainpipe was a result of poor construction when the condo conversion took place over a decade ago, as well as rodent burrowing which the Condo Association failed to stop after being notified, the responsibility falls to Fox Management and the Board to provide and pay for the exterminator and sealing services.
Renovation work will not be scheduled or commissioned by us until we receive your written agreement to this aspect in order to protect the lives and health of the owner and resident of '60 N Claremont, Unit GE.

The report from Jeffrey’s mentions mold.
Mold can be very dangerous, leading to inflammation of the lungs.
Also, several years of rat feces and rat urine left by rodents after Fox Management and the Board failed to act on reported infiltration, can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Lassa Fever, as well as Leptospirosis.
We believe that conditions in the Unit G bathroom may (if they haven’t already) seriously endanger our health, and we are eager to correct the problem in a reasonable timeframe.

In addition, when the walls are torn down, it will also become clear how much of the wall damage was the result of the water leak from unit '60, 1E (directly above ours) that occurred about a year and a half ago.

Work with us and we'll work with you.

We haven't heard back yet.

Friday's total for Fox Management Group's still-unpaid bill from July, 2008 (over three years ago!)...$574,992.33 from an original $75!   

They've broken the $500,000 level!Now that the 1% per workday cumulative late fee is over $5000, it's really mounting up, at a rate of $25,000+ a week!

It's over 800(EIGHT HUNDRED) late charges, and now the amount (with late fees) is over 2600 times the original bill...

Isn't that just pitiful?

But then, what can you expect from Mara Feldman-Fox, 

someone with only a bachelor's degree in accounting
and NO other accreditation, whatsoever?

She's not even registered as a property manager, 
as required by law!

I hope for her sake Mara's better with her library books and DVD rentals! 

But I doubt it... ;-)