A crisis of our own making...
We are in a crisis situation with our water operations and most members are not aware of it, as are few of the Board members. The handling of asbestos pipe and it's disposal is a huge issue and getting bigger every day. This could very well be the biggest issue we have ever had in our over 50 year existence. This information is deliberately being withheld from members and especially from the full Board. I will not disclose all that I know at this time, but to those who are involved in this mess, I do know, and the full truth will come out.
Our water is safe to drink. That is not the issue. However, it is borderline and of continuing concern. The asbestos is the biggest concern. What was an internal issue has now become an external issue. Outside regulatory agencies are now actively involved in our issue. This puts us in a legal situation that could be very expensive and subject to prosecution. When you mislead, present partial information, and even lie, as with many investigations, the cover up becomes worse than the offense.
Our association is facing fines on several issues. Asbestos pipe as well as not obtaining permits for the new carbon treatment plant. The environmental ok was not received, yet building started, but can't be completed. It is a mess. A mess of our own making by allowing it to happen.
In the self serving rage to cover up this mess, those who made it are seeking the source of the leaked information. Doing the right thing for the right reasons many times takes courage. Unfortunately, many lack that courage.
The Board needs to demand full disclosure and hold those responsible accountable. Time will tell, sooner than later.
45 comments:
Ultimately, the Board is responsible. For them, it is the inevitable outcome of keeping this information from the membership. Resignations should follow,but probably won't, as accountability in non-existent.
The truly scary part is it this could be only the tip of the iceberg. What else is going on in those offices that we do not know about?
Board may be responsible, but we all pay for letting it happen.
Boy, I am sure glad that I was fired when I was, so that the wizards of smart could do this so freely without the homeowners knowledge.
The board has spent the last 3 years fussing over Patrick Johansen's shed roof, and hassling other RV owners over similar trivial nonsense - meanwhile ignoring the big stuff.
Focus on being mean and unreasonable, and Karma will get you !!
Bob,
It surely is frustrating for you to see things go badly with the Surfside water system and its management. Can you tell us what you were doing with the asbestos pipe while working for Surfside?
Right on 11:16! SHOA IS MESS. How about starting from scratch and cleaning house? Wait til the lawsuits come with this asbestos nightmare. Won’t be a funds left in the account of HOA.
I'd be interested to hear what Bob did with the pipe too!
Right 11:26,
When we go broke from fines and the state takes over our water system, there will be no surfside left. The neat and attractive community we been working for for 50 years, will just be a memory. We have Flood, Williams and Neal to thank. Watch your property values, views, compactor all go away. Those clowns will move on and we will be left holding the bag. Shame
Thought pipe replacement started after bob was gone? Sounds like someone deflecting blame? If bob did it , ok for others? What’s your point? All comes down to board not doing what is required. To monitor and oversee.
Be interesting to see what changed after Bob left. If it did, why did procedure change? Not on anyone's side just looking for information from someone that actually worked here, not an anonymous source
It takes professionals to monitor and oversee a water system. A well digger, a business manager and a volunteer board have clearly been insufficient and derelict in their duties. When will Surfside employ professionals who are accountable to perform well or to suffer consequences? Amateur hour should be a thing of the past for this HOA.
It has never been evident that the well digger had the best interests of Surfside as a priority. Shame on the board for allowing this to continue for years and years.
I started the Pipe replacement program and outfitted and trained the crew.
In regard to the pipe being replaced, we buried it in place adjacent to and below (where possible) the level of the new pipe intact and filled with sand which is allowed. It made for a wider trench but headed off all the problems SHOA is experiencing now.
Thanks Bob. I suspected that you did your best to do things the right way and a safe way.
I don’t know the story regarding Bob’s employment in Surfside. Sounds like he is reasonable and has some sense. Why would this HOA want someone competent like him? Did you cross the wrong people in Surfside? I’ll bet I’m right!!!!
Re: Did you cross the wrong people in Surfside? I’ll bet I’m right!!!!
You could say that but it was for the Homeowners that I sacrificed my job for.
Long story and very political and sadly most of the players are still in play covering things up.
I feel bad for SHOA the Homeowners who have been like sheep being led to slaughter.
Am I still ticked off, your damn right I am but I still stand for the homeowners.
Hopefully things will change for the better in time, good luck guys!
Thx for your response. I figured as much. Anyone with integrity is harassed and forced out. We need more than good luck to solve this epidemic!
Thank you for your efforts, Bob.
A lot of people have put time and effort into this Association. It is sad to think that a small amount (5?) of hardliners may lead to it dissolution.
By the time the attorney fees are paid and matters of the asbestos is corrected that will be the only solution is dissolution. Hold onto people!
Looking over the comments I find it interesting how close the time stamp are. Not sure yet if I find it suspicious or troubling. I guess a little of both.
2:40, bankruptcy maybe. HOAs come & go sometimes.
2:43, just an interesting topic I think.
So "September 11, 2018 at 2:43 PM" what are you saying
Is Russia sabotaging this blog?
Your not the only one Bob, others have gotten “let go” because of board member interference. Won’t be the last. First cross connection guy had just got a very good review, crossed Kirby n gone within a week. Heaven forbid Kirby should be expected to comply. He said shoa have to sue him first.
Sept 11th @4:10 PM please name your source for the comment Kirby supposedly made. Tired of false accusations by so ,any Bloggers. Put up, retract or shut up.
Biggest as——-e in Surfside!
looks like there will be a lot a cheap property for sale in our area soon, I'm going to be buying! Just wait.
4:28, I’ve put my name to an entire statement more than once on this blog, why should I keep doing that? Changes nothing. Kirby and Neal, and others are aware of it, whether you believe or not means and changes nothing, nor would it if you were there.
The comment about this only being the tip of the ice berg is so true. There is panic behind the scenes by those who created this mess. They are lashing out and have a real fear of going to jail. The circle of wagons is breaking apart as those responsible are now trying to CYA. Who new what and when did they know it.
There has been a shocking audacity demonstrated by the HOA that has been waiting for it's moment to be seen for what it really is, incompetence. The Waterworks has been on the State's radar for a while now, and the HOA was forced to address it's poor water quality. Who thought that mishandling asbestos pipe and ignoring permitting requirements would not be noticed ?
It is far too soon to make any predictions of doom, and not at all likely the HOA will go bankrupt or dissolve. Jail time ? Not likely either. There would have to be a clear trail of criminal intent, I believe. But a sad revelation, that the BOT and Water Dept. have let the community down in a way that will be very damaging to Surfside monetarily, and widespread distrust of the community management.
Fair compensation for damages would be better than jail time in my opinion. This is what you get with yahoos on the board hiring a well digger to manage the water system.
To deliberately to tell employees that it is safe to handle asbestos pipe and it's disposal when you know that is not true, is a criminal offense. To lie to federal investigators is a criminal offense.
Just sayin - - - compensation would be more helpful to the association than putting people in jail.
Never did support the underhanded hiring of Neal. It was a bad deal from the get go.
Take a look at Flint, MI - This is not that bad. The drama here is laughable, we don't have it bad you guys. You take George's words like they are carved in gold. He isn't on the board, he gets every thing from the grapevine and we all know how that game works, distorted the minute it leaves your mouth.
12:34. Just go away back to la la land! It is that bad in Surfside. Stop comparing one mess to another. It is what it is here!!!
Really? You want to compare our water department to one of the worst civil disasters in US history? Will you not be happy until we get there?
As to George's words, they are more accurate and make more sense that anything that's come out of that Board in the last 2 years. Keep your head in the sand, and oh by the way pull out any pipe you see down there.
It is interesting, the BOT's commitment to the "mile of pipe" annually, yet surely knowing that the proper disposal was not being addressed. And who on the Board should be overseeing the permitting of the new building housing the Water Filtering units ?
An example of a baffling lack of organization and accountability.
Flood got his mile of pipe, but at what price?
Neal keeps his job, but at what price?
They lied to the board trustee's, the employees and the members. They have compromised the health of the employees for the rest of their lives. They will need medical exams every year or more because of the asbestos exposure. Williams, Flood and Neal need to get out of our lives. We have had enough of their disgusting lies and cover-ups.
Amen 8:24
How is it that the members have voted for Williams and Flood for years and looked the other way as Neal made numerous mistakes and wasted our money? The ability of the board to coverup this mess for so many years is staggering.
It has not been clear what role North Beach Water Dept. plays in our Water Dept. management, if any, and Surfside's responsibility left obscure as well. With $150,000 budgeted annually for pipe replacement, and installation of a new 1/2 million dollar CTP, the necessity of BOT oversight is unclear ?
It would seem that North Beach, who we share Bill Neal with, shares some responsibility for the missteps in Surfside Water management. It would also seem that the two entities should have had periodic communications about procedures and problems incurred. Apparently no one has taken on that role, leaving Surfside vulnerable to major blunders and improper procedures.
Surfside water also does work for north beach water outside of surfside. Seen our trucks on-site many times. We have also been a training ground for future northbeach employees. Def not a good deal for us, if nothing else liability.
I've been filtering the Surfside water for cooking and drinking for more than 12 years. It has never been a source of water that I have felt could be trusted for good health without filtering. In the Weekender today, I saw the full page offering information about water filtering systems and felt a new wave of dismay about our water. Literally millions of dollars have been put into this water system that continues to provide water that cannot be trusted to be safe and healthy water. The expense of filtering is no small amount if you are serious about removing the cancer causing elements that are apparently created as a byproduct of chlorine treatments. The expense and work of removing water stains from everything that our water touches is a further annoyance. Tell me again about what a good deal it is to live in Surfside.
Water was clear shortly after ctp went online, turned yellow again in no time. You were told system didn’t work well. Or economically. So why didnt you listen? Kickback, or just plain stupid? Hmmmmmm?
The water my home is now as bad as it was when I moved here in 2002. Water department says it's my hot water heater, but when they flush the end of the line the smell goes away. ???
Sadly, I am now following 4:45, and looking at home filtering. Love paying for a service I'm already charged for!
Oh yeah, but if you complain about this HOA, they respond with: but you get your water and compactor and a useless sheriff patrol! What a deal....
You think it's bad now, you haven't seen anything yet. Your going to look back at this as the good old days.
Post a Comment