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21 January, 2006
Introducing the "new" MarinaWatchDog Sound Off Blog
NOTE: Click the "comments" section at the bottom of this first screen. When the blog pulls up, go to the bottom again and click on "newest" to see the latest postings. You can navigate back and forth from newest to earlier posts by clicking on the bottom of the actual blog
.MarinaWatchDog proudly introduces a new forum of communication for Marina City residents.
This Web Log, commonly referred to as a "blog" is simply an online journal for individuals to post their personal thoughts, concerns, comments, opinions, compliments, complaints or questions and to disseminate information that they may want to share pertaining to Marina City.
The editors of MarinaWatchDog saw a desperate need for this service, in light of the current prohibitive atmosphere the association board has pertaining to the sharing of information with us or one might say the censorship of information with us, their membership.
As the cliche goes, information is power - so let's share our thoughts and opinions.
We welcome your thoughts of all matters of concern to all owners and residents of Marina City.
Submit your blog, simply by:
1: Go to http://marinawatchdog.blogspot.com assuming you are not there already.
2: On the right hand column, scroll down and click on "comment"
3: On the right hand column, you can type your comments in the box that's titled "leave your comment"
4. After your comments, you can sign your name, your initials, nickname or pseudonym. Or
5. You can chose to be "anonymous" If so, click the "anonymous" option.
6. The click the blue box that says "Login and Publish"
Your comment will now be posted in the left had column for all to read.
You may submit your blog anonymously or you may "sign" it. Embrace your First Amendment Rights and be heard. Participation in this blog is completely free, with no charge to you. Anonymous comments can never be traced back to the author.
The editors take no responsibility for the comments posted on this blog. The comments are those of the individual bloggers and not those of the editors. This blog is not associated or affiliated in any way with The Marina Towers Condominium Assn. or the Marina City Commercial Property ownership.
510 comments:
1 – 200 of 510 Newer› Newest»- MarinaWatchDog said...
It's been said before -- DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER!!
We're setting a new ground rule.
Posts that contain comments that "bash", or "blast" the blog or the blogmeisters, will no longer be released. The blogmiesters are not the authors of the posts on the this forum and just provide a venue for comments, questions, concerns or opinions. We're not here to edit your remarks and have said from day one, we don't want to be the censor of the individual authors.
If you find a posting offensive, ignore it or address it, but don't chastise the blogmeisters for releasing it. Feel free to comment on it, post something else or change the subject.
In summary, postings that blast the blog or blogmeisters will not be released for posting. - Monday, December 07, 2009 7:22:00 PM
Thank you for the explanation Mark. Now we understand that all 7 need to get in.
I sure wish Louvain would answer on the blog or he seems as removed as ever and that's too bad. That's what people hate about board members how they think they're above answering questings. Come on Mr. Louvain, what have you got to lose????? - Saturday, March 30, 2013 9:34:00 PM
You guys have to court people to get their votes, I can't wait to see you all at Dick's. Did you invite the opposition too?
- Saturday, March 30, 2013 9:36:00 PM
There was a push several years ago (I think 4 or 5) to seek landmark status of the building. But because of the lack of interest and follow through nothing was ever submitted to the cityy and the state. So it died on the vine.
- Saturday, March 30, 2013 9:59:00 PM
- MarinaWatchDog said...
Have a Happy and Peaceful Easter
- Sunday, March 31, 2013 6:45:00 AM
9:13 Now that you're sober, reread the first line of your post. The rest doesn't get much better. You are an embarrassment to this blog. Do the candidates a favor and stay off of it!
- Sunday, March 31, 2013 7:12:00 AM
Happy Easter all.
9:13, we have a blogman not a blobman! Geeze.... - Sunday, March 31, 2013 7:44:00 AM
Wildings at 6PM on Mag Mile last night, 400+ kids creating disturbances andd attacking women on the L. Stay away from Chicago and State! It's not even summer yet, sheesh!
- Sunday, March 31, 2013 10:07:00 AM
Any word from the clean slaters on whether they plan on raising assessments?
- Sunday, March 31, 2013 10:35:00 PM
- MarinaWatchDog said...
To the person who keeps submitting (sometimes 3 to 4 times a day) the same post quoting the Illinois Condominium Act. I have posted your comments already and I'm not going to post it again. Your just wasting your time.
- Monday, April 01, 2013 6:16:00 AM
Today is opening day for both the Sox and Cubs. Sox are at home, Cubs are away.
- Monday, April 01, 2013 10:02:00 AM
- Pranav said...
10:35 pm - The clean slate certainly does NOT plan on increasing assessments! I wouldn't think any board plans on increasing assessments. Poor management of funds and over budget projects however, will likely result in eventual assessment increases and depleted reserves. This is exactly what we want to eliminate.
The clean slate wants to see our money utilized wisely. Accountability and financial transparency are key. We support instating a strong financial committee that meets regularly and reports to the board and unit owners on the financial condition of the association. A detailed capital expenditure plan will be generated that estimates and plans for expenses over the next 2, 5, 10 years (more if required) so we know exactly what we can afford and when.
Any expenses that do not provide direct benefit to owners should also be eliminated e.g. litigious letters from council about everything, unnecessary mailings. We will also explore ways to generate income for the association. - Monday, April 01, 2013 1:00:00 PM
Pranav, Thank you for replying. I already trust you!
Where is a reply from Michael Louvain? maybe he can't write in English. Will he even bother to show up at Dick's?
- Monday, April 01, 2013 4:55:00 PM
There will be a Meet the Clean Slate Candidates night on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at Dick's Last Resort from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. 20% off all Drinks; Free Appetizer Buffet. Please RSVP to Carol at (312) 222-1307. OWNERS ONLY!!
Hope to see you there!
Carol - Monday, April 01, 2013 5:58:00 PM
I am pretty impressed with the number of architects in the candidate info packet, but if more than one gets elected will all these creatives agree on anything?? lol
- Monday, April 01, 2013 6:50:00 PM
Yes, you can trust Pranav. He was an excellent choice to run for the board. The owners couldn't ask for a
better board member. He wouldn't be aloof. He would communicate with owners and be interested in what they have to say.
Pranav is the real deal.
It's important that ALL seven candidates on The Clean Slate win the upcoming election, and unseat Donna.
- Monday, April 01, 2013 8:46:00 PM
- Pranav said...
Thank you for your kind comments 4:55 and 8:46 PM.
Michel is traveling so I don't expect to see him at DLR. As for the creatives not agreeing with one another, I assure you that this group has the utmost level of professionalism. The industry today is all about a culture of collaboration. We will not be trying to push our favorite color down your throats. Besides that, each one of us has a different skill set, from project manager, technical director to project architect.
Let me ask you this... what kind of changes would you like to see around here? - Monday, April 01, 2013 11:17:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
Note the OWNERS ONLY all caps and two exclamation marks. Same us vs. them mentality. Disrespectful to a lot of people who live here. Their full of crap. Nothings going to change.
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 6:54:00 AM
- Anonymous said...
I strongly believe that board members should not be designing our common area improvements. Outside design professionals should always be hired. Pranav, do you agree?
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 7:23:00 AM
Which other candidates won't be at Dick's?
Will Louvain be around for the election day or will he be traveling then too? - Tuesday, April 02, 2013 7:36:00 AM
To 6:54AM. I am sure there was no intent to be disrespectful. You have to understand that space is limited and it gives the owners the opportunity mingle with the candidates of The Clean Slate in an informal setting. It is the unit owners who chose who to vote for and elect the Condo Board.
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 7:57:00 AM
With two retread board members on the Clean Slate why should things be different? They will try to dominate no matter how good new people are. Like where is Ellen Chessick? Not a word on the blog from her but she wants our votes! I would see her in the elevator sometime and say hello and I'd get the "chill" just like from Donna but now she's going to be Miss congenielity and make a difference? I don't think so. Louvain acts like he's doing us a favor by living here. You can't change the spots on a Tiger.
I don't know who put together the Clean Slate but it should have been new and really clean. Sorry for being negative, I'm letting off steam like the blog says we can do. When board members jump sides there is personal feuds going on you can bet on it and that's never a good sign for anything.
Blogmeister, I am sure you don't want to post negative thoughts about the slaate but I deserve to have my thoughts read, that's what you made the blog for. Thank you. - Tuesday, April 02, 2013 8:08:00 AM
SPACE IS LIMITED is a big old excuse for "we don't want you here." Sure only owners vote but many don't even live here! Renters would like an opportunity to talk to board members besides their landlord. Many renters are younger and aren't as set in their ways as the older owners. I'm not disrespecting older people but if anyone has read the blog, they don't like change and money and bills is all they pay attention to and they'd like things to remain like they were back when. Maybe it would be good to listen to people who pay their good money to live here every day instead of the ones who hole up in their apartments or in Florida and collect rent and hope they don't have to fix anything anywhere. 6:54, you sound like a politician and I don't buy it. Of course only owners vote, don't belittle us by saying that. What about a board who would give an ear to the renters here? If you leave everything up to owners alone you are missing the input of a large vital part of this residency. You cut off people but don't care.
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 8:22:00 AM
- Anonymous said...
6:54, youre right. We cant vote and thats all they care about. Heres my story.
Last week I came down the escalator and a smiley woman was there handing out papers. I slowed down to take her handout but she said do you own here? When I said no, the smile turned off and she turned away. Just like that. Like I had head lice or something. No explanation. I now know it was for a campaign but why the hell not tell me that? I was even unworthy of her phony smile! Im not a kid, I dont smell bad or look far out.
If the woman who was there is reading this, you are a snob. I hope I run into you in the store or cleaners so I can size you up and act like youre not good enough for me to nod or smile to.
Have a good day renters, if nothing else, we got views and balconies.
(Dont deep-six this because it comes from a lowly renter. )
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 9:27:00 AM
- Anonymous said...
According to an article in the Trib Chicago's building code requires that trash chutes must be protected with self-closing doors that can prevent the spread of fire for at least 90 minutes. Are we up to code? Not on my floor.
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 9:59:00 AM
How about a suggestion box? Weird suggestions could be ignored but there might be a few worthwhile ones. Put it in the laundry room or exercise room. People could voice things they are too shy to say in person but it wouldn't ignite arguments like the blog does.
You have my vote. - Tuesday, April 02, 2013 10:14:00 AM
- Anonymous said...
going off tangent...people really need to not be so lazy and leave their garbage in the hallways because it won't fit into the trash chute...c'mon.
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 3:29:00 PM
Just my 2 cents. I see it as real simple. The only chance we have for change around here, is to vote for the new clean slate. Yes, some old board members are on the slate, but maybe they "saw the light" and have broke off from Donna's control. Will there be sweeping changes - I don't know, we can hope for something new. We already know what we get with Donna's current board, and if they win, it will be more of the same old stuff. Also, I see people calling out for the clean slate people to answer questions here, maybe they don't even read this blog. They have advertised their own facebook page - go there for answers, ask your question there. If they don't respond there, then you have reason to complain.
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 3:38:00 PM
I'm sure other candidates know about this blog but where are they? It's great Pranav takes a minute to post. Good politics Mr. P.
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 5:16:00 PM
- Laura Holman said...
Hello everyone,
I had to check back with the person that arranged the event with Dick's Last Resort, to confirm what Dick's had agreed to provide on April 11th.
We are not restricitng the event to just owners. RENTERS ARE WELCOME!!
but Very important is that we need all those that want to attend to RSVP to email@example.com or call (312) 222-1307.
To guarantee those who have RSVP'd their place, we will need to have the names of those who RSVP'd by the 8th on a list--at the door for admittance. This is how the MTCA Christmas party was done.
The reserved time is from 5:30 to 7:30 for the event--in our area. They are not closing the place for this event.
At 7:30 the event is officially over-but there will be a band that starts.
Please send us your RSVPs.
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 5:42:00 PM
- Pranav said...
Folks... to clarify... RENTERS ARE WELCOME at the DLR event. Please RSVP by 4/8. If elected, we promise you that renters will also be welcome of committees too. Yes, space may have been a consideration at first to be cautious about taxing Dicks occupancy limit. We have clarified with them and they agreed to work with a larger group, which were thrilled about. Please RSVP by Monday - 4/8
10:14 AM - Regarding suggestion boxes. Great idea. We already have a virtual one on Facebook but understand that everyone is not active on social media. If you are, please put a like on our Facebook page and leave your feedback until we can get some physical boxes installed -
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 6:15:00 PM
Thanks for including renters, hope they show up.
Good luck Clean Slate! - Tuesday, April 02, 2013 7:45:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
Is anyone else having trouble with their satellites tonight? Am I wrong in assuming that if I am having this issue everyone else is too? I guess it could be something with my receiver, but this seems to happen about 2 to 3 times a month.
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 7:55:00 PM
So, according to what I'm reading here, renters are invited to the Clean Slate's function at Dicks. Well isn't that just great. Well, as an owner I'll help out, I won't come, so another renter can get in! I have nothing against renters, I have some very nice renters on my floor, and have had many over the years. The fact they are renters isn't the issue, the problem is they aren't owners, they don't pay assessments here, they don't pay taxes here, and they don't have a vote. Not being anti-renter, those are just the facts. So the Clean Slate can invite owners and renters, heck invite the mail ladies and the Peapod delivery guys too. Spend your time courting people that can't vote for you - totally up to you, but as an owner, I won't bother coming.
Also, Pranav you need to do your homework. To quote you "If elected, we promise you that renters will also be welcome of committees too." Don't make promises you can't keep. Renters are NOT allowed to be board members, committee members, nor are the allowed to attend ANY condo meeting. - Tuesday, April 02, 2013 8:03:00 PM
To Unit Owner: you are an ass.
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 8:41:00 PM
UNIT OWNER makes some very good points. And for the most part I agree.
Why don't the RENTERS get togther and invite the Clean Slate Candidates for a small get together? Come on Renters - organize & do something. I'm sure they would attend? Would Donna and her minions even give you the time of day? I doubt it. Hell, she doesn't even communicate with the owners.
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 8:56:00 PM
- Pranav said...
Unit owner... Thanks for the passionate post. Many renters are tomorrow's owners. Like me. Also, investors need good renters to keep their investment viable. Several renters love this building and I see no reason we can't engage their talent on committees. They may not be at board meetings, per the rules. That's ok. - Tuesday, April 02, 2013 9:45:00 PM
"Unit Owner" post was delivered harshly, too in your face. But, I know the comments about renters not being on the board, or on a committee is true. Only a condo unit owner can be on a committee or on the board, or attend meetings.
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 9:49:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
9:49 pm. I don't think the objective here is to declare war on renters. These are our neighbors too. There's a much bigger picture. I know several renters that are esteemed members of the Chicago community. Would you like to throw a resource out of the window just because they don't own? Clean Slate, any thoughts?
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 10:21:00 PM
I'm pretty sure most renters just want to show up to party and determine if they have any hot looking neighbors, so the social committee aspects of the slaters appear to be in place.
Beyond that, it seems imprudent to suggest renters can influence anything in the building, as they do not and should not have a voice over the owners. Are you creating a false impression, or do you really intend to permit that??
If so, as an owner I won't be voting for you.
The slaters' popularity needs to reside with those who have a financial interest here -- the voters -- the owners. You are already showing a disrespect for that. Including renters is naive - if they want a voice they should log onto to MCO and make a purchase. Otherwise the issues they have should be addressed to their landlords.
But it should be a good party and a nice way to meet the neighbors. Rock on! - Tuesday, April 02, 2013 11:13:00 PM
Could posters 8:03 or 9:49 please give a reference to that segment of the "Rules and regulations " that prohibits "renters" from attending committee meetings? And please, specificity is laudable! Hostility is excrable!
Pranav has struck the perfect tone in his welcoming attitude to renters. A welcoming attitude and positive appreciation of a place for renters in this best exotic marigold condom-inium commune-ity is very important. Demo-crazy is fun.
How about a "Renter-liason" on the board? How about a renter forum? We owners have a great forum here. The "Clean Slate" is not a blank slate.
Hey blogmeister, How about two categories of "anonymous" "AnonymousO and AnonymousR, the "O" for owner and the "R" for renter. We need to hear them both. "R" is a future "O" And renters could know they have a place on this forum.
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013 11:23:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
I agree with unit owner. We pay assessments and taxes and in no way should a renter have any say so in any decisions made by the condo board. If they have an idea and the board likes it and backed by owners, thats great. But the idea that renters will be apart of the democracy here with no skin in the game is a joke. Renters should engage thier landlords and go from there. If I was on clean slate, I'd watch the fine line of how involved renters should be. By the way, who is paying for the Dicks Last Resort event?
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 12:57:00 AM
Neither renter said they want to vote. Neither said they want to make decisions. They clearly stated they just want to be heard by people who live here, not only by their landlords who might not listen. Sounds reasonable to me. (We all know that in many cases renters here don't even know who their landlords are, someone else manages their units.)
The renters who posted want to be part of a community where they get a friendly nod and asked how things are working for them. Why not listen to everyone's ideas if they're offered? Just because I own doesn't make my ideas about MC more worthy than a renter's. Ideas are free. So is good will toward one's neighbors. The two renters who posted sound too intelligent to think that our voting system would be changed because they want to be acknowledged in some way. So there's no reason to jump to conclusions about voting rights.
I'm sure the married couple who rents down the hall from me will be amused to read that someone thinks renters want only to check out "hot" people at meetings.
Let's not generalize.
Kathleen Gibbons
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 7:41:00 AM
- Pranav said...
good morning bloggers... please let me clarify - Renters do NOT vote. This is explicit in the Illinois Condominium Act. I apologize if I implied otherwise, I should have been more clear. Their role on a committee would be as advisors if they do indeed feel passionate enough to donate their time and skills to MTCA, knowing that they can't vote.
That said, if the concensus of owners is that renters should not be on committees, even in advisory roles, that's the way it will have to be. End of day, it is the owners that make decisions. I'm glad this topic generated some dialogue. The Clean Slate is here to listen, not to make unilateral decisions.
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 8:01:00 AM
- Pranav said...
PS - We have bigger issues here than renter engagement.
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 8:11:00 AM
Kcg, once again you pop up once in a blue moon on the blog. I agree with you about what the renters bloggers said but you never know what other renters might want if you start listening to a few. It's a slippery slope. I think an idea box is the best.
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 8:39:00 AM
Want us to wear badges to ID ourselves as lowlife renters so you won't have to get near? a separate renters' elevator? Kick us hard because we don't have money to buy.
All hail the owner 11:13! Do you wear a uniform at home and salute yourself in the mirror?
Your power is safe, great owner, I never wanted "the vote."
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:03:00 AM
- Anonymous said...
I dont even like the idea renters would be on committee as advisers. Thats too much influence for having no skin in the game. I dont want my assessments and long term building decisions to be influenced by a renters. Ideas are one thing...influence and lobbying are another.
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:36:00 AM
Well the waters are certainly getting muddied up with these red herrings about renters.
Renters already have a voice in the building. Gotta problem or suggestion - call the management office and talk to Sandra, John or the new manager. Call your landlord. If your property is managed by someone else, that's the deal you signed up for with your lease, so call your landlord's representative and ask them to pass on the info.
Why does Pranav or anyone else think this community is different from any other rental community? Do you think you would be able to attend the private meetings of a management company and tell them how to run the property if the building was a full rental? Act as a "renter's liaison?" Would never happen.
I suspect you would need the office's permission to place a suggestion box in the laundry room and I doubt it would be forthcoming, as they are currently, as they should be, working with the current board and suggestions should be going to them. As far as the bigger issues we have besides renter engagement, does the clean slate have anything CONCRETE to offer beyond the vagueries on your website which just point to the current board's missteps?
From his comments, Pranav seems like a well meaning guy, but the clean slate is rapidly losing credibility with the apparent limited grasp of the situation. - Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:45:00 AM
Steve, aren't you a renter? Do you only look for "hot" babes ar MC events? Be honest now. . . 11:13 thinks that's all renters do.
kcg, good will toward neighbors? ideas are free? You some kind of liberal socialist?
ANIMUS, renter-liason? Are you a community organizer?
Pranav, you actually talk to people, what kind of trend are you trying to start?
All in fun.
Good luck to the CLEAN SLATE. Don't let the narrow-minded folk get to you.
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:50:00 AM
Keep eyes on the prize. 8:30 pm, so what if guards and workmen were invited to meet candidates, they might have the best questions, they know what doesn't work around here. They might work harder and better if they knew they're listened to. Your owner status won't be lowered, don't worry.
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 12:22:00 PM
10:45 am, Talk about red herrings:
Who wants to tell anybody what to do? no one said that. Stop making things up. You say "renter's liason, will never happen. because you say so? Who are you?
You know damn well the few renters who posted don't want to make decisions or sit in on private meetings. Stop pulling things out of your ass to frighten people. Anybody with a brain can rip apart everything you wrote because it's manufactured bullshit.
My advice to bloggers: stop talking about renters. The 'dark side' will only use it against the Clean Slate. It was a good thought but they're twisting it any way they can. It's called dirty lying politics.
If your baby brother wrote something on the blog, they'd twist that too. - Wednesday, April 03, 2013 1:32:00 PM
The Clean Slate is not losing credibility. Don't listen to the liar who posted that. Go to the meeting at Dicks and talk to the candidates.
10:45 is setting up paper tigers and stringing together lies. His post is based on nothing that was said by anyone on this blog. It is pure puffery.
See you on the 11th. - Wednesday, April 03, 2013 1:44:00 PM
- Pranav said...
Dont worry - You raise a very good point. In casual chats with our staff, I find that they have solid insight about the condition of the buildings. As architects the first thing we do when we get a project to assess a facility is interview the maintenance staff. If designing a space or making a change in a space, we interview the users. Wed be out of business if we started thrusting disconnected ideas at people. I guess what Im trying to say is that a condo boards role should be to facilitate what the community wants and listen to the people that constitute it.
10:45 can you elaborate on what you call the situation? Regarding the assertion that the Clean Slate has nothing concrete to offer. Please see the following two section on our website. You can also come to the 'meet the candidates' event on 4/11 and have all your questions answered.
Pledge - http://www.marinacity2013.com/pledge.php
Our vision for better governance - http://www.marinacity2013.com/issues.php
You have two options. Vote for the Clean Slate and have a voice OR don't vote for the Clean Slate and it will be business as usual where owners, who are stakeholders in MTCA, have no voice. Choice is yours. - Wednesday, April 03, 2013 1:45:00 PM
Please, don"t get into a discussion of class distinction. Being a renter doesn't make a person a second-class resident. Thats not true.
Steve Dahlman is a renter,and he's highly respected for his opinions and comments. Steve's MCO is a good forum for renters to write their suggestions and complaints
Steve is very fair, and he will give other renters the "voice" they feel they should have.
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 3:13:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
Bloggers, you've interpreted everything in a black or white way, one extreme or the other. You forget there gray possibilities in between.
I'm a renter who posted. Got your undies in a bunch, didn't I? Didn't intend to. Forget it. I don't want to meet with you any more. No where, no time. I don't even want your nod or phony smile in the lobby. I now know I'm better than you - You have no class. The 10:35 person also suffers from excessive rule adherence, a sure sign of sexual dysfunction.
I wish some of you well.
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 4:22:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
4:22 pm ...."I now know I'm better than you". FYI - Your response should have been to 10:36 person not 10:35 person. I suffer from a need for accuracy.
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 5:07:00 PM
10:45 Other than voting for a board member at election time, do you think owners have a voice at Marina City? (plse expound on your yes or no answer.)
Please reply. Thanks. - Wednesday, April 03, 2013 5:10:00 PM
Bear in mind folks, if Donna Leonard continues as President for the next two years, there will be no Q& A periods at the board meetings,and no committee Meetings.
She wil have her way with the residential hallway remodeling, and we will lose the Travertine marble on every floor.
Donna hates it, and she doesn't care how much of our money she spends to have it dismantled and carted away.
The marble we own on all the floors represents $500,000 on today's market. Donna wants to send that investment to a junk yard. At our expense.
Plus, Donna said there will be no special assessment for the remodeling. However, she didn't mention the need for a special assessment if there's an emergency and our reserves are depleted.
If the City of Chicago ever votes an ordnance that older buildings must have a sprinkler system
in their hallways and lobbies, or if we are ordered to have a generator for each tower.
Two extreme examples of what could happen to us. However, if we face reality, Marina City doesn't have a lot of money. Not what we should have.
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 5:51:00 PM
10:45, You "suffer" from a need for accuracy. ooh, too bad. You put a lot of pressure on yourself. Hate to hear that you suffer. Watch out for that oncoming stroke....
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 6:40:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
6:40 pm... LOL...time reference is off (again)
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 7:15:00 PM
No. 10:45 am and 5:07 are both you. Your prized accuracy is falling off already. Get better soon.
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 9:01:00 PM
I am pretty sure the Illinois Condo Act, which regulates all condos, states condo committees are to be made up of unit owners. Maybe the Clean Slate can check into that. Also, if you have questions, go to the Clean Slate's party at Dicks. Quiz the candidates there.
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 9:06:00 PM
I will answer the earlier question by saying the owners have no voice at Marina City.
Donna Leonard has the owners muzzled.
Even her proposed survey will be a joke. She does not give a hoot as to what we think. She does what she wants to do.
The West tower lobby is a good example of how Donna operates.
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:27:00 PM
Well, I'm 10:45 and I'm not the same person as 5:07. I'm not going to waste my time addressing certain bloggers like 1:32 who descends into swear words and ad hominem attacks. As usual a few bloggers descend into personal attacks about sexual dysfunction and strokes. Could you please grow up and learn how to conduct a discussion?
To Pranav, the real situation is that we now have a lobby with one design and a potential board that advocates another design. Do you have any cost estimates as to what you are advocating or how you wlll incorporate the travertine? Or will we be leaving the building with a half-baked project while we conduct some financial audits to decided what we can afford. Do you have any specific legal contractual advice so that we can put a cap on ridiculous contract overruns by these "preferred" and dubious no-bid contractors?
As these issues have been on the table for some time, with both Straits and Louvain disagreeing with the remodel, they should have some idea of the specifics of an alternate plan.
The real situation is that we haven't heard from your clean slate members like Chessick & Louvain about the substantive issues to which they were privy. Incidentally, why did Chessick advocate landmark status if she knew this was prohibited by prior agreement? Waste of time with this grandstanding.
The real situation is that I doubt you can run around willy-nilly placing your suggestion boxes around the property, although soliciting feedback FROM OWNERS is a welcome change. You are not elected yet and you do not have the authority to place things around the property and would probably incur a fine.
That said, the "ideas" sound good, but so far it's just talk. Reminds me of Obama's "Yes We Can!" -- we all know how that's working out.
The presence of certain past board members on your slate suggests that a new board will be "meet the new boss, same as the old boss". As one prior poster stated, will they dominate and overrun other well-intentioned novice board members? Is it all just a vendetta against the current president?
Hate to be the cynic, but it is what it is. - Wednesday, April 03, 2013 11:00:00 PM
I trust you too find the pissing contest taking place on the blog childish. Not all residents are so needy for attention. These clowns suffer a need for the last word too. Ignore them and they go away. Problem is the smell of their urine stinks up the place for a while.
No response needed. May the Force be with you.
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 11:13:00 PM
Is there a meet the candidates night for the other slate? Where and when? Thnx
- Wednesday, April 03, 2013 11:41:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
Has anyone ever checked the registered sex offenders database? Looks like there are two child sex offenders at Marina Towers. Mitchell Rosin and Timothy Anzalone. Anybody know these scumbags?
- Thursday, April 04, 2013 12:17:00 AM
- Anonymous said...
9:06 PM.. Squandering hundreds of thousands, or offering to open dialog with renters... I wonder if you are a fan of the opposition, or you are just that easily distracted.
- Thursday, April 04, 2013 12:25:00 AM
11:41PM asked a good question - "Is there a meet the candidates night for the other slate? Where and when? " People are blasting The Clean Slate, but yet Donna's slate is advertising nothing at all. Why no information from the other slate?
- Thursday, April 04, 2013 8:18:00 AM
To: 11:00 PM There is no such agreement that the complex can not be landmarked. That is totally false.
And to 11:41 PM I suggest you ask Donna Leonard or one of her slate members if there is a Meet the Candidates Night. - Thursday, April 04, 2013 8:18:00 AM
To Donna Leonard and her slate members.
As President of the Board, our by-laws also state you are The Chief Executive Officer of MTCA. As such you are responsible for what happens around here. We would like answers.
1.) How can could you let the 53rd floor model floor project go $70,000 over budget?
2.) Why did the 20th floors, in your letter to unit owners say would cost $435,000 ( then it was approved by the Board) go over budget by almost $500,000?
3.) Why do you push through projects without any discussion and no competing bids nor detailed designs?
4.) Why have you eliminated all committees and offer very little communication to unit owners>
5.) Why is the MTCA web site a joke?
6.) Why did you & Gantt push through the ocast last year to lay gray carpet tiles on the commercial lobby floor for over $60,000 and now don't match the new lobby design?
7.) Why were there no committee meetings or at least the opportunities for owners to comment on the lobby project BEFORE work was started?
8.) Why diod we spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on new heating and air conditioning units for the residential floors and they don;'t work properly? Hot in the summers and cold during the winter.
9.) Why did you & Gantt push through a lower level of maintenace on the elevators, with now outages lasting weeks, not days?
10.) Why is there no seating, anywhere for guests and for that matter residents?
11.) Why are you and your slate members hiding? - Thursday, April 04, 2013 8:40:00 AM
Is any of this real?? You are a billboard for a condo of old people who want power by being elected for a board. Go voluteer someplace, it'll make you feel better. I'm a law student and I'd never buy here, it's a den of angry old dragons. You all deserve each other.
- Thursday, April 04, 2013 9:10:00 AM
All of those excellent questions should be sent to Donna Leonard's e-mail address.
Then she's sure to read them. You can't be sure she reads the Blog. - Thursday, April 04, 2013 1:37:00 PM
All good points / questions? Will someone from the other camp answer / explain?
- Thursday, April 04, 2013 6:07:00 PM
The blog from earlier today with the laundry list of questions for Donna and her slate had some very good questions. I think most of those questions are documented in letters on the Clean Slate's web site. Perhaps someone from Donna's slate can answer them for all of us.
- Thursday, April 04, 2013 6:14:00 PM
To anonymous law student at 9:10 am: You are too young and ignorant to be taken seriously, especially when, unable to spell, you insult. Although 56% of your graduating peers can not get jobs, the other 44% could separate the wheat from the chaff and recognize simple facts put forth by others.
The present board majority, and particularly its chair, has perpetrated cost overruns without explanation, has failed to communicate with their constituency, the owners, and has fostered opacity in their way of relating to this community. We crave openness, accountability, and transparency as a minimum. A little friendliness would also help.
The web site, mymtca.com, is virtually useless, a one-way street put forth with no owner input and absolutely no style, designed for minimal communication. Our board needs to be like a small city council--accessible, open, and friendly, ready to explain and answer questions and provide documentation by e-mail or U.S. Mail or by phone or in person. What good they have done is outweighed by their extreme remoteness and inability to communicate. We need a breath of fresh air. As someone said, "The Clean Slate is not an Empty Slate". However, we need to hear from them, collectively and individually. Pranav is doing a great job. Let's hear from the others.
- Thursday, April 04, 2013 7:43:00 PM
- Steve @ MCO said...
Just to clarify, even if you visit this blog from Marina City Online, it is still managed expertly by Mr. Ulaszek. We just provide a more convenient and useful interface - except today, when we were experiencing sluggishness due to a network issue with the host of our web server. It appears to be resolved now and I apologize to anyone who had trouble getting to this blog from MCO.
And yes, 10:50, I do look for one very special, very hot babe at events and that would be my wife, Mrs. Steve @ MCO. - Thursday, April 04, 2013 7:55:00 PM
I am laughing out loud at the law school student who is afraid of dragons. Are you sure you made the right career choice? What do you think a courtroom is like?
You don't have to worry about buying here because you'll be a debt slave for the rest of your life. But as an attorney you'll be superior to the rest of us little people. Keep telling yourself that. LOL
I have nothing agsinst young people. I met Nicole and Pranav in the lobby and I like their youthful enthusiasm! Good luck!
- Thursday, April 04, 2013 9:09:00 PM
Some excellent questions have been raised. But, I don't think we will be getting any response from Donna's Slate.
- Thursday, April 04, 2013 9:41:00 PM
Both the Sox & Cubs are currently in 1st place - enjoy it while it last!
- Friday, April 05, 2013 7:48:00 AM
- Anonymous said...
Bloggers, dont snipe at each other, it reduces this blog to childishness. Its election time, address the issues around here. Support the Clean Slate with intelligent comments. Control your desire to be the best pissers.
- Friday, April 05, 2013 8:00:00 AM
This is kind of a strange post, but has anyone else besides me noticed the outline of a bird on the window by the mailboxes? As you walk to the mailboxes from the main lobby area, its on the right hand side closest to "Dicks". On the window overlooking the river, is the perfect outline of a large bird, as if a bird flew into the window. This is not a complaint, or political comment, it's just an interesting observation.
- Friday, April 05, 2013 8:39:00 AM
8:00 I'm with you. Let's stop the LOLs, the snarky jabs, and the self-congratulatory catches of misspellings.
Good luck to the Clean Slate. They are trying to open up communication and make life better here. Thanks for taking it on, Clean Slate!
- Friday, April 05, 2013 9:42:00 AM
- Anonymous said...
April 3, 9:01pm-
I am April 3, 5:07pm and 7:15pm
I am not April 3, 10:45 am - Friday, April 05, 2013 12:22:00 PM
8:00, the frequent references to urination are disguating. Clean up your own act.
- Friday, April 05, 2013 12:30:00 PM
8 am is correct.
it's time to drop the gotchas and desperate attempts to get in the last word.
The CLEAN SLATE deserves backers who don't get distracted from the issues of the election. - Friday, April 05, 2013 4:31:00 PM
I didn't see the bird mark on the window yet, but birds crashing into glass windows is quite common downtown, especially during migratory season. There are volunteer groups that walk around with nets to capture the ones that survive to bring to animal hospitals and the dead ones are sent to the Field Museum for further study.
I have picked up a few dazed and confused sparrows on the plaza level as a result of this phenomenon. Evidently the birds cannot tell that there is a window there and crash right into it as though it were air.
Those groups are always looking for volunteers, if anyone is interested I have the info. It's a very early morning thing and they train you in how to handle the birds. (Lots around Daley Plaza, for example).
- Friday, April 05, 2013 6:21:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
OMG, there IS indeed a bird mark on the large window near the mailboxes. On the side closest to Dearborn. Either an elaborate hoax - and hat's off to whoever pulled that off - or some hapless bird slammed into that window. Look a little up and to the left - it's kind of a white outline. Time to put caution tape over those windows.
- Saturday, April 06, 2013 2:58:00 AM
Do you think maybe that perfect bird mark was an April Fools joke? It seems almost too perfect. I for one hope caution tape is not put up on the windows. I enjoy a view when I pick up my mail. If it goes up there I suppose it would have to go up on the Laundry Room and Exercise Room windows too. I think that would be a shame.
- Saturday, April 06, 2013 8:19:00 AM
Maybe the bird silhouette was put there to deter birds from flying into the window. It's like a decal it's so perfect and big. What kind of bird is that big?
It's too bad about birds in the city with tall glass buildings but I don't want tape across our windows either. - Saturday, April 06, 2013 8:42:00 AM
- Pranav said...
Hi bloggers... thanks for some encouraging comments in the last couple of days. Let's vote for change!
Don't forget to RSVP by monday 4/8 for the Meet the Candidates event on Thursday 4/11
If you're on facebook... check out our page. Some interesting ways to take opinion polls made possible by social media. How do you feel about using facebook to supplement resident-MTCA interaction?
- Saturday, April 06, 2013 10:06:00 AM
- Pranav said...
Have a minute? Take this poll -
https://www.facebook.com/questions/173931386095916/ - Saturday, April 06, 2013 10:21:00 AM
- Anonymous said...
I'd love some more information about that bird rescue operation. Got a site you can point me to? Thanks!
- Saturday, April 06, 2013 12:14:00 PM
Not enough peope are on Facebook, or are even interested in it.
- Saturday, April 06, 2013 12:42:00 PM
Pranav, I think most of the people who use this blog are not into social interaction through facebook. It's a generational thing. They won't even use their names on this blog.
I hope it goes well for you and your slate. - Saturday, April 06, 2013 1:45:00 PM
Bird Rescue Info:
Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation on Northerly Island call (888) FLINTCREEK or (847) 842-8000.
also check birdmonitors.net, another Chicago Organization which looks like they ran a training in March and may have some more scheduled.
If you search "rescue birds downtown Chicago" there is a good article on Medill News Service which describes exactly what Flint Creek volunteers do.
It's a worthy cause! The species that migrate through Chicago are really fascinating. - Saturday, April 06, 2013 3:08:00 PM
I agree 12:42; Pranav the property does skew a bit older -- many people do not use e-mail, internet, or even know about this blog or MCO because of property rules so the facebook poll unless advertised another way may not produce the results you want.
That said the iPods as a message board -- FANTASTIC IDEA!!! Think of the paper cost savings! Love it. Would have to be secured in a way to prevent theft, though. - Saturday, April 06, 2013 3:17:00 PM
After all the talk about the bird outline I did check it out today. Yep, there is a outline of a bird on the west window by the mailboxes. Looks like a big bird, a seagull or pigeon.
- Saturday, April 06, 2013 6:51:00 PM
Maybe that imprint of that bird (or maybe a dove) is a sign of the Holy Ghost.
- Saturday, April 06, 2013 7:46:00 PM
St Peter, you need to get to church and real quick. The Holy Ghost has been the Holy Spirit for about the last 30 years!
- Saturday, April 06, 2013 9:12:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
I am a big fan of the lobby renovation, much needed. We should spend some money and do the floor hallways next. Whats the deal with all the plants though? Million dollar house with a ten cent finish? What about putting some nice furniture like most condo buildings have? I know it will suck for the door people that have to talk to that old crazy lady but come on were not running a greenhouse are we?
- Sunday, April 07, 2013 2:40:00 AM
Plants that were in the East lobby are temporarily in the West lobby while the East is being renovated. I know furniture is definitely going into both lobbies but hasn't been ordered yet but the plan is furniture for sure. Guards will have to put up with the lady(ies) who need someone to talk to but the place is set up now so the guard is further set back from where furniture will be and he/she won't have to chat like before. I think that's good.
- Sunday, April 07, 2013 6:58:00 AM
I don't want to be rude but put on your thinking caps about the plants! The west tower is filled with plants because half of them are from the east tower lobby.
If each lobby will have furniture like before why do people want furniture in the big connecting lobby that doesn't serve the towers? It looks empty I agree but what good would furniture be out there, there're no reason for people to be sitting out there is there? - Sunday, April 07, 2013 8:18:00 AM
I agree the abundance of plants in the West Tower is probably because half of them will go back to the East Tower when it's finished. But, it does look like the Lincoln Park Conservatory right now. If furniture is definitely going into the lobby, as someone said, why hasn't it been ordered - very bad planning. Things like that are coordinated when done by professionals.
- Sunday, April 07, 2013 2:10:00 PM
- Laura Marsch said...
Regarding the dogs allowed in the building for Donna's daughter and friend: are they paying a "registration fee" like cat owners have to?
- Sunday, April 07, 2013 3:25:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
I am a big fan of the lobby renovation, much needed. We should spend some money and do the floor hallways next. Whats the deal with all the plants though? Million dollar house with a ten cent finish? What about putting some nice furniture like most condo buildings have? I know it will suck for the door people that have to talk to that old crazy lady but come on were not running a greenhouse are we?
- Sunday, April 07, 2013 8:38:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
Cool, great to hear the plan is to put furniture back in the lobby, hopefully that happens soon. There is a real chance to make both lobbies have that WOW factor that would help increase property/rent value when prospective tenants enter the building. Regardless of where the plants are coming from, they make the lobby look cheap and dated. If you take out the ones that should be assigned to East there are still too many. Maybe we could at least upgrade to some modern looking planters. The pictures in the elevator hallway look amazing. It would be great if we could incorporate some of that design into the main area once the new furniture arrives. And for 8:18AM, not sure what you are talking about saying people want furniture in the connecting lobby, I dont think anyone is suggesting that. And yes, that would be stupid.
- Sunday, April 07, 2013 9:17:00 PM
As I walk into the west tower lobby from the main lobby, which has charcoal gray carpeting and soft, subdued lighting, I'm hit with the feeling I'm entering into another building -- very much like a hospital.
Brght white lights, white flooring, white walls, and just a narrow blue runner on the floor.
There is no continuity of lighting or color in the two lobbies.
Tonight, a guest of mine said when he was in the elevator, he had the feeling he was "under water."
Eerie LED lghting in the elevators.
Gawd, what have they done to Marina City?
- Sunday, April 07, 2013 10:55:00 PM
I do not agree that it would be stupid to have furniture in the commercial lobby. I have seen some people sitting down on the floor out there while they wait for friends or rides or whatever. Is there anything tackier?
Look at the work that designer did with our original couch. Why didn't someone on the board think of reupholstering it? Oh, yeah, there was another agenda.
I personally find it exhausting to walk the length of the lobby with the stairs at the entrance when I'm carrying piles of groceries. There needs to be a place to set things down and rest -- and no I'm not a senior citizen, I just get carried away when I'm shopping, lol. - Sunday, April 07, 2013 11:05:00 PM
No arguments 11:05, but if you get exhausted carrying groceries walking the length of the commercial lobby, you should start exercising esp if you're not a senior. No sarcasm, no arguments.
Right now people sit on floor because lobbies are empty of furniture. Nobody sat on the floor when furniture was in lobbies. It was very amateurish not to order the furniture. Stupid in fact.
Commercial walkway should not be set up like a seating area esp if the lobbies will be. Some of you loved that old couch and everbody's got different taste but it was always empty anyway. There are no stores for people to wait for friends who are shopping like at a mall and the lobby just isn't that huge, it's not grand central station in size. I always thought of it as a passage way.
Maybe their surprise is to ask owners what kind of furniture they want after the lobby walls, floors etc are redone. In the meantime they put everyone out with no furniture anywhere. - Monday, April 08, 2013 6:51:00 AM
The two board members on the Clean Slate should know what the plans are for lobby furniture. What do they say?
- Monday, April 08, 2013 7:14:00 AM
If not many senior owners here use social networking, why don't ALL the Clean Slate candidates comment on this blog? It's name recognition and wouldn't take much time. What's the harm?
Somebody said they weren't sure if all candidates read the blog, well TELL them to! Mark, you're working for them, TELL them that people are asking. Who's advising them? They can't put all their eggs in one meeting at Dicks. Nobody knows who they are!
I look forward to meeting Pranav who is the only one campaigning and acts like he wants votes. - Monday, April 08, 2013 7:43:00 AM
Wow! 11:05 get thee to the 20th floor and exercise! I was feeling for you until you said you weren't a senior citizen. You have no excuse. You should be able to walk that causeway in laps with weights in your hands! Go exercise!
- Monday, April 08, 2013 7:43:00 AM
- Anonymous said...
11:05, buy a shopping cart.
- Monday, April 08, 2013 8:00:00 AM
Management has issued a rule that shopping carts are not allowed to pass through the new lobby(s).
The main lobby looks dark, depressing and unatractive with that dark gray carpeting. I bet it doesn't make a ggood impression when selling or renting an apartment here. - Monday, April 08, 2013 8:11:00 AM
- an RN said...
11:05, I'll join in:
Why not shop every few days and buy fewer things and the freshest food? Bags will be lighter too.
Young and middle age people shouldn't be exhausted from walking the length of a smallish-medium lobby. If you get chest pains too, see a doctor fast. - Monday, April 08, 2013 8:27:00 AM
I'm still waiting for Donna Leonard or one of her slate candidates to respond to the questions / concerns that were brought up on April 4th at 8:40AM.
What's the matter people? Unable to answer it?
Has anyone even seen or heard from anyone on that slate?
At least the Clean Slate has a web site, a Facebook page, sent out a mailing and have been working the lobbies.
The Leonard camp is MIA - Monday, April 08, 2013 8:48:00 AM
Absolutely agree. Donna & Co think they can just slide in without answering anything. That's why I thought it would be beneficial for Clean Slate to post on blog since bloggers don't use Facebook.
I wish people here would go on Facebook, Clean Slate is waiting for that opportunity. - Monday, April 08, 2013 9:23:00 AM
Um, logic people? Walking with groceries is not limited to the lobby but from the store where you made the purchase! A gallon of milk, soda, etc., these are heavy items. So a shopping cart is a good idea, but I'm never going to do that. I'm an impulse shopper. And I get plenty of time at the gym, a better one than the one on 20.
Put in some furniture, the place looks like someone's basement rec room. - Monday, April 08, 2013 10:01:00 AM
- Anonymous said...
7:14 am
Very little detail about the lobby renovation was presented to the rest of the Board when Board Leadership decided to bring the lobby design up for a vote. The budget does have money in it for furniture but no schedule was issued for the project so who knows when it will arrive. - Monday, April 08, 2013 12:35:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
maybe the donna slate is complacent cuz they have the voting rigged. just like the 'independent investigation'
- Monday, April 08, 2013 1:11:00 PM
What: Meet the Clean Slate Candidates
Who's invited? All Marina City residents, owners and renters. Meet with five new condo board candidates and two incumbents. Then enjoy free appetizer buffet and 20% discount on drinks.
Where: Dick's Last Resort
When: April 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
RSVP: Required by 6P/TODAY. Contact firstname.lastname@example.com or call Carol at 312-222-1307
We Hope to see you there! - Monday, April 08, 2013 3:54:00 PM
Right! I don't trust the "independent investigation." D&K Condo Vice Presidents are at Donna's beck and call.
If they find something which incriminates her or themselves,it will be buried.
Why do you suppose the Acting Manager takes the office files home? And what guarantees do we have that the files will be returned?
Donna must have something to hide. Otherwise, she would have called for an independent audit.
Looks suspicious.
- Monday, April 08, 2013 4:49:00 PM
Brett, thank you for the reminder about Thursday's "meet the Clean Slate" at Dick's. Come on out and meet the slate, ask them questions, get to know them. Here's your chance residents.
- Monday, April 08, 2013 5:32:00 PM
- Laura Holman said...
We ( the Clean Slate) recieved a question from one of our residents a few days back regarding the slip resistance of the terrazzo flooring in the lobby. I just got an email back from my firms's terrazzo rep today indicating that a sealer needs to be applied in order for it to meet ADA requirements for "Surface Friction: Not less than 0.6 according to ASTM D 2047". My firms master specifcations require this sealer, but according to our terrazzo rep if this is not in the specifications some contractors may not include it in their bid. Do we know if this sealer was applied? The lobby budget distributed did not have this level of detail. According to my rep, this sealer could be applied after terrazzo installation, but would require a preparation to remove any cleaning solutions applied after installation. Since the MTCA Lobbies were permitted as "cosmetic renovations" the design was most likely not reviewed for ADA requirements. - Monday, April 08, 2013 6:59:00 PM
I'm looking forward to Thursday evening. I'll be there and asking tough questions of the candidates.
- Monday, April 08, 2013 7:04:00 PM
Laura, thanks for your info. You raised some good questions?
- Monday, April 08, 2013 9:41:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
To the Clean Slaters:
Do you agree that outside design professionals should be hired for all common area renovation projects? Board members - even architects - should not be designing anything. - Tuesday, April 09, 2013 6:55:00 AM
Hey I tried to RSVP for one person but I input the email address wrong as email@example.com. Is it too late.
- Tuesday, April 09, 2013 7:44:00 AM
To impulse shopper, if you get plenty of exercise, you shouldn't be exhausted carrying home groceries. Ask a trainer about that. The exhaustion you describe would result from an extended period of accelerated heart rate or even forced muscle fatigue. Do you jog home carrying groceries? Either choose your words more carefully or build up your cardio levels.
- Tuesday, April 09, 2013 7:44:00 AM
- MarinaWatchDog said...
There is a new picture of Marina City on the front page of the blog. Scroll down on the front page to view.
- Tuesday, April 09, 2013 9:55:00 AM
- Laura Holman said...
6:55 am. The Clean Slate recommends outside design professionals should be hired for common area renovation projects. While the current Board Leadership has tauted the fact that the association has saved lots of money by getting "Free" design services for the lobby design, they have been silent on the fact that these free design services means that any liability for design flaws and subsequent litegation are now the association's problem. Hiring design professionals would minimize risk for the association.
- Tuesday, April 09, 2013 11:50:00 AM
- Pranav said...
6:55AM - In response to your question. Please see excerpt below from recommendations a group of design professionals in the buildings, including myself and Laura, put together for the board. This was presented at the 1/15 meeting but fell on deft ears.
The notion put forth by MTCA that money is wasted by employing the services of a qualified design firm is misinformed. On the contrary, it provides several benefits. In our estimate an additional $40,000 - $50,000 that may be required to hire such a firm, breaking down to an average of approx. $50 per unit would translate to value addition in the thousands for every single unit. In our view this is a worthwhile investment. We also feel that the $125,000 quoted as a savings by MTCA, by eliminating a professional consultant is an unreasonably high number.
A more pragmatic benefit of engaging a professional firm is that they take on any liability that may arise from mishaps or accidents attributed to the design of our public spaces. This liability should not be borne by MTCA. This is especially important when proposing materials such as glass panels. (Please note that it is unclear from the glass bid whether the glass is tempered, as it should be) Our judgment is that MTCA is compounding the risk it is exposing itself to by not engaging a professional firm, and in addition though the choice of materials.
It should not be the job of the board to design lobbies and corridors, and unfortunately, neither are they qualified for the role. Rather their time and efforts would be better spent obtaining a suitable design and facilitating its execution.
The board should not be making aesthetic judgments on behalf of owners either. They are elected to serve the best interests of owners, and are failing to deliver on this responsibility by not engaging the residents to consider their opinion and personal tastes as they embark on one of the most significant projects a condo association unde - Tuesday, April 09, 2013 12:05:00 PM
- Pranav said...
Some more below. Its a shame that this lobby renovation turned into a lost opportunity. Also keep in mind that for a board member to design the lobbies is a conflict of interest. No member of the board should use their position for personal benefit, which includes putting a project like Marina City public space renovation on their resume -
- A design that is more complimentary to the mid century aesthetic should be formulated with materials that the association has already purchased - through the focused efforts of a design committee at the very least, but preferably by retaining the services of a reputable professional firm.
- Any color accents should be limited to less permanent elements such as paint and upholstery.
- The white glass should be substituted for either travertine stone or high quality book matched wood veneer panels. Not only would this be more in line with the mid-century spirit and design of the original lobbies, it also protects against liability and maintenance issues from potential glass breakage. This is applicable for lobby walls as well as the reception desk.
- The option to leave in place high cost material like travertine through 80 residential floors should be advocated. There are several ways to work with the existing stone and deliver a high quality corridor design at reasonable cost. A design incorporating the existing travertine will be cheaper than the a scenario that replaces it, ironically with a cheaper material. We understand that travertine on certain floors is of inferior quality and will need to be replaced.
- We cannot stress enough the value of hiring a reputable professional firm to design our public spaces in collaboration with the board and a design committee involving residents. Chicago has an abundance of quality architecture firms that may be convinced to offer attractive design fees for work in a prestigious building like Marina City. - Tuesday, April 09, 2013 12:19:00 PM
- Laura Marsch said...
There has been discussion that Draper and Kramer was more or less working "for" Donna. I will bring this up Thursday, but has Clean Slate given any thought to replacing them? Thanks!
- Tuesday, April 09, 2013 1:09:00 PM
- Laura Marsch said...
Where do we send questions to Donna and her board? I can't find an email anywhere. Thanks!
- Tuesday, April 09, 2013 1:10:00 PM
To 7:44, could you be more smug and full of yourself?
I didn't know we had a resident doctor! Thanks for ordering the residents about, is that an amenity here? You need to check yourself . . . um, I mean either choose your words more carefully or build up your etiquette levels.
LOLOL! Know it all! - Tuesday, April 09, 2013 3:13:00 PM
I agree with most of Pranav's points, but c'mon, the blue tile doesn't look bad. Why should color be limited to the paint? I think the wood accents look good and should have continued through the lobby ceiling. There is a more modern feel and the pictures are great.
That said, I'm not necessarily a fan of the current board, I'm pretty neutral. - Tuesday, April 09, 2013 3:30:00 PM
Pranav and Laura,
This present board has never run against people like you who have such a firm grasp on matters. They can't hold a candle to you. I read your comments and I'm amazed that it's possible to have smart people running this place who would explain things to us.
The very best of luck.
OWNERS: Tell your friends about the Thursday meeting and tell them that the Clean Slate could be the beginning of a new era at MC. - Tuesday, April 09, 2013 3:33:00 PM
To 3:13,
You live under a rock? Several doctors live here and they'd argree with 7:44. Trainers would too. What don't you understand? That if you really don't mean "exhausted" don't use the word? Maybe 7:44 meant his arms are tired. Big difference, Bozo. Doctors and trainers use vocabularly correctly.
If your only response is "you need to check yourself" you are one dim wit. That's not even remotely funny. But your ignorance IS!
hahaha. lol. See how stupid that looks? Fits your IQ though. Laugh it up, fool. - Tuesday, April 09, 2013 4:36:00 PM
- Pranav said...
Laura (Marsch) - I see no reason for retaining the services of a provider that isn't doing their job propery... DK does a good job at other condos. One has to wonder how come we got the short end of the stick.
3:30 PM- I agree with you. The blue tile is nice. But its nice in isolation. The big picture issue is that once such a strong color pallet has been installed, what happens to the travertine on 80 residential floors? The option to keep it is totally lost and we will end up having to throw it away to be replaced with cheap wallpaper. Neutral colors and wood would have been a good choice since they are warm and also open op the possibility of doing a cheaper residential floor remodel by keeping the travertine stone and working with it. Take a look at the 53rd floor. would you rather keep the keep the stone and invest in a higher quality carpet and wallpaper around the corridors? Spending $85,000 on that floor is simply a mind numbing waste of our money!
3:33 PM- Thanks!
- Tuesday, April 09, 2013 4:41:00 PM
- Laura Marsch said...
Pranav: I agree with you on the 53rd floor. It took me a while to understand "blue equals water equals marina" but the decor made me feel like I was in an office building. And I personally do NOT like the astronomy plaques next to our door - feels like a hotel. How much did those cost?!
Three questions:
1) Where to send questions to the incumbent board?
2) Does Donna only own 1 condo as her bio states?
3) Has Clean Slate asked the incumbents for a public debate?
Thanks! - Tuesday, April 09, 2013 5:45:00 PM
Laura, You ask something I'd like to know too. I'd pay to see the haphazard incumbants try to debate you folks. Oh please let it happen.
- Tuesday, April 09, 2013 6:09:00 PM
I would send e-mails meant for current board members to the office downstairs. At one time Donna & John Leonard owned about 4-5 units, not sure if she still owns them. About ten years ago the board before Donna, had a function in the meeting room downstairs where the candidates took questions from the residents. It was the first time that was tried and it was an overflow crowd. It was an excellent function. When Donna took control of the board she cut that out right away.
- Tuesday, April 09, 2013 6:28:00 PM
Laura I believe Donna owns 3 or 4 units.
I had an email addresse from her when I tried to write her several years ago. Not sure if it is still good, but it was:
No one knows for sure how much the star charts outside each door costs (since it was never approved by the Baord), but it has been estimated to cost approx $60,000 - $75,000+ - Tuesday, April 09, 2013 6:36:00 PM
3:13, boozing it up while you post?
You fail on every point you think you make.
Yes doctors live here and they'd agree that "exhaustion" has specific meaning in medical lexicon. Yes that "exhausted" blogger is either using words loosely or he's in bad shape. I'd tell him to make a doctor's appt before boosting his cardio work. Don't want to get exhausted and drop on a treadmill!
You think "check yourself" is hard-hitting? You missed adding "nya nya nya." Grow up 3:13.
Do you actually say "um" when you speak?
- Tuesday, April 09, 2013 6:36:00 PM
I love the new picture for this blog. Great old pic of the west tower with the big antenna
- Tuesday, April 09, 2013 7:52:00 PM
Perhaps Laura Holman could check the ADA guidelines relative to the posting of apartment numbers in Braille in a residential hallway. I wonder if Braille was supposed to be included on each of the numbered stainless steel signs.
I know Braille is included with each floor number at the elevators, so how come it's not with the apartment numbers?
Do you think it was another "Gantt goof" when he forgot to include Braille when he ordered
the stainless steel signs?
- Tuesday, April 09, 2013 9:58:00 PM
I think some bloggers are confused. There are 2 Laura blogging right now - Laura Holman, candidate on the Clean Slate, and Laura Marsch. Both are asking good questions and making good comments, but I think people are mixing up the 2 Lauras.
- Wednesday, April 10, 2013 10:09:00 AM
4:36 and 6:36 (same guy) sorry you are so desperate for attention you need to post twice.
I do not waste time arguing with know-it-all, name-calling bully bloggers who lack a sense of humor, which would be you.
Stick to the issues, if that's possible for you. The point of the original post is that the commercial lobby needs some furniture. - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 10:12:00 AM
I too love those old pics of Marina City back when it was the only game in town. Must've been some great 360 views.
- Wednesday, April 10, 2013 10:14:00 AM
10:12 am, indeed it do. Got the last word in on the other guy didn't you? Bet it makes ya feel powerful, don't it?
Hey other guy, don't keep the you-know-what- contest going. We don't want to read your crap.
I'd stay away from 10:12, it sounds like they might use the word "Heil" in a sentence and want you to salute.
- Wednesday, April 10, 2013 12:02:00 PM
I just returned from The Clean Slate's function at Dick's. It was a well attended and informative event. About 75 people showed up, there were both long term residents as well as newer people too. There was alot of food and discounted drinks. The slate mingled around the room introducing themselves and chatting with the residents. They did take to the stage, and each gave a short speech and at the end they took questions from the audience. The candidates were up front and honest with their answers - something we aren't used to here at Marina City. The Clean Slate was impressive and sincere. I will be voting for the entire Clean Slate.
- Thursday, April 11, 2013 9:22:00 PM
- Laura Holman said...
9:58 pm April 10, 2013
The requirement for braille on signage is for public buildings or buildings with public funding. Having said that, considering all the other information imprinted on the unit number signs, if braille would have been included it would have had a purpose. FYI - Marina Towers lacks proper ADA required braille signage for the elevators and stairs which are related to life safety. Braille signs at the elevator call buttons should inidcate that the stairs should be used in case of fire (you will see this graphically shown on the elevator call button panel). Stair braille signage will typically have the floor you are on and the direction of exit. Since Marina Towers is not a public building or a building with public funding this may not be required but would certainly be recommended for any new renovations. - Thursday, April 11, 2013 9:53:00 PM
- Laura Holman said...
Thank you to everyone that attended the Meet the Clean Slate Candidates event at Dick's Last Resort tonight!
My conversations tonight, with so many of my fellow residents, reinforce my conviction that we are a smart and vibrant community at Marina Towers.....we just need a voice.
Thank you all for your support!
Laura Holman - Thursday, April 11, 2013 10:24:00 PM
Meet the Candidates Night:
Hey there, hi there, ho there, what a great group they were,
Two on the board we already knew, and five we met who are really new,
When they're in charge after the board election, they'll retore our mojo to much elation.
- Thursday, April 11, 2013 11:00:00 PM
- Laura Holman said...
Thank you to everyone that attended the Meet the Clean Slate Candidates event at Dick's Last Resort tonight!
My conversations tonight, with so many of my fellow residents, reinforce my conviction that we are a smart and vibrant community at Marina Towers.....we just need a voice.
Thank you all for your support!
Laura Holman - Friday, April 12, 2013 10:36:00 AM
- Ellen Chessick said...
Met so many wonderful owners and heard some great stories about Marina City in the 60's! Thanks so all who attended! Looking forward to creating more opportunities for community interaction! To answer a question posted a few days ago, furniture was NOT included in the budget that the board approved on Nov. 15.
- Friday, April 12, 2013 2:47:00 PM
Apparently the fire alarm went off in the east tower yesterday evening. The guard who was on the plaza level was never notified that there was a problem. The Chicago Fire Department was on site today as a follow-up and notified the office they "didn't like what they saw" and cited the association for a nonworking fire alarm system.
Mr. Bill O'Leary acting MTCA Property Manager and for the last 2 1/2 months has been the Project Manager overseeing the lobby renovations, what do you have to say about this oversight that could have endangered residents lives?
Board President Donna Leonard - do you care to comment? Why don't you put THIS in your campaign literature! - Friday, April 12, 2013 5:49:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
MCO shows a picture of a hallway in the new Langham Hotel and it is beautiful, subdued colors and a classy runner rug and beautiful lights. Why can't we have halls that look like that? Why can't our lobby look like that? I'm jealous.
- Friday, April 12, 2013 6:58:00 PM
WOW, that's pretty shocking 5:49. What happened to the maintenance guy they posted down in the lobby? Is the fire alarm system not working or is it just not monitored properly?
- Friday, April 12, 2013 7:52:00 PM
So, once again, the Board is putting residents lives at risk by not having a working fire alarm. Similarly, when the West Tower was undergoing the renovation, one of the elevators had a problem, and the person who was stuck in there thankfully had a cell phone that worked, BUT the elevator phone and/or alarm was NOT working!!
Good job, Donna!! - Friday, April 12, 2013 8:57:00 PM
Did the Fire Department stop renovation work in the east tower lobby?
We know they have the authority to do so if they don't approve of the non-
working fire alarm system. - Friday, April 12, 2013 9:41:00 PM
Was coming in off State Str. and there are several fire trucks outside the East Tower. Anyone know what's going on?
- Friday, April 12, 2013 10:22:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
Is anyone else having problems with DirecTv in the East tower?
- Saturday, April 13, 2013 1:37:00 AM
So what is the issue with the East Tower fire panel? Has it been fixed?
- Saturday, April 13, 2013 4:15:00 PM
I didn't go to that party at Dick's, so what kind of lofty promises are the clean slate making?
- Saturday, April 13, 2013 7:34:00 PM
- Pranav said...
7:34 PM - We wish you had come. We had a Q and A session. Some great ideas and suggestions were put forth by residents. I personally enjoyed the sense of community and open discussion. That for starters is something the clean slate wants to bring back.
For more detail please visit our webpage - http://clean.marinacity.org
- Saturday, April 13, 2013 10:22:00 PM
Does anyone know of cheap monthly or daily parking around Marina City? The place where the Hertz is used to be $6 per day and $100 per month, but as of February it's up to $14 a day and $170 a month. Is there anywhere else that stil offers cheap parking options? Thank you in advance.
#CheapParking - Sunday, April 14, 2013 10:50:00 AM
- Ellen Chessick said...
One of the main immediate promises is that we will have an association that provides outlets for owners' concerns to be heard, communication via newsletters, transparency and openness in decision making, opportunities for owner involvement via committees. These goals are not lofty but should be in place in every condo association. It is outrageous that they are not currently in place. It is not healthy for the building to be completely controlled and run by one person with no checks and balances. This is the situation we currently have. And this person had no previous business, management, or architectural experience. "If the only tool you have is a hammer then you see the world as a nail."
Our goal is to enhance property values and do so within our current budget. We have great opportunity with our asset, a world renowned building in the best location in Chicago. There is a lot of investment taking place in our neighborhood. To take advantage of this opportunity, we need strategic business thinkers who understand the market and architects who know how to take care of buildings. This is what the Clean Slate brings. But we need owners' support. Please tell all of your neighbor owners to vote for all the Clean Slate Candidates. Because only half of the board is up for election this year, we need all the Clean Slate Candidates voted in to make the needed changes. - Sunday, April 14, 2013 12:00:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
DK (and other condo assn. mgmt. co.'s) view the Board and esp. its chairperson) as "the client"; I agree that this presents a conflict as they are the Association's atty. We are members of that Association; they would theoretically have a duty to us and not to the Bd. members that we vote for and choose. The reality is that they do Donna's bidding. For instance, awhile back someone wanted to view our books and records. He had an absolute legal right to do so. Yet, Gantt refused to let him do so, leading to a charge eventually being filed against the Bd. with the City. We lost the (costly) proceeding. Asked why did we refuse to let him view the books (which he had an absolute right to do), Gantt told me, "Donna told me to refuse."
But otherwise, as to DK doing Donna's bidding, remember that any outside mgmt. firm is going to likely view any Bd. (the Clean Slate or otherwise) as ultimately being "the client."
- Sunday, April 14, 2013 5:28:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
The Clean Slate promises more open communications. That subject (open communications between and among the unit owners) has been a bane for Donna for years. Remember those several adjacently-joined curving couches that used grace the lower level walkway? Gone...ostensibly because outsiders sat on them. The reality is that unit owners opposed to Donna congegated on them and snipped at her. I wonder where those expensive couches went? Remember those plush, soft comfortable couches and chairs that used to be in the Tower's waiting rooms opposite the old security desks? Well, the same people who were sitting outside started to sit in them and so those couches were replaced as well (with what most people will readily admit were a more rigid and uncomfortable set of chairs). This reduced (but didn't end) the ability of people Donna viewed as being opposed to her from being able to congregate in common areas. I wonder what happened to and who inherited those costly comfortable couches and chairs? Note now that the stark, bright, sterile environment of our current lobby HAS NO CHAIRS AT ALL!
Note also that the chair(s) have been removed from the laundromat. And does anyone wonder at the real underlying reason that the bulletin boards are now securely behind a locked glass panel - with access restricted by the Mgmt.? That level of paranoia from our current Board is unhealthy. Its bizarre. Its gotta go. Donna's up for re-election; she's gotta go. - Sunday, April 14, 2013 5:48:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
Our Association Attorneys: Donna wanted to fire our old attorney (Ellis Levin, who had represented us for a long period of time). He was (I believe) her husband's hire and at one time had some clout, some "pull". She had given him a research and Memo project and wanted something from him as an attorney on his letterhead saying that the Board could trademark some of our names and thereby prevent her opponents from using them (you all remember the controversy); this would make those opponents less readily available to anyone searching MTCA for news. So, he did as he was told to do...but may have (in the minds of a very many of you who had access to some intelligent attorneys) not correctly stated the law. It was a major embarrassment for her and the Association.
Enter now the new clowns with their new Memos. Notice how (in tepid opposition and in near agreement to the opposition you've been giving them) that they are now saying that their Memos reflect only their OPINION and are not "the law". They can hide behind the fact that their OPINION can be wrong; hey, as they say, they're not stating the LAW.
Oh, for gosh sakes! Can we end this nonsense now with this election? Please?
- Sunday, April 14, 2013 6:03:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
Bridge-level Hand-scanners: This controversial matter passed the Board with a one vote margin. It's unsanitary, it's privacy-intrusive, it's a time waster...and it adds nothing that then-existing technologically available upgrades to our key fobs couldn't have very cheaply provided. However, it may have eliminated the attractiveness for some alleged "bad elements" to hang around outside, it suggests that we are improving things, that we are on top of the trends and, hey, it's a cool gizmo!
But after approving a dollar amount, the Board kept getting Gantt Memos about costly repairs (always beginning with him remembering some (probably) mythical "young lady" who gushed in appreciation at now feeling so much safer). We had to replace (costly bit by costly bit) virtually every aspect the project. If memory serves, we had at least three and possibly five repairs. If memory serves me, the computer reader went out, the hand-scanner went out, then BOTH door motors weren't strong enough. Then we put in air vents above the doors. Then the remote sensing device (allowing us to exit the building when coming out from the elevators) was too sensitive. Isn't that a classy sign telling us to "Wave Hand Here"? I think we also quietly "dumbed" down the system (that refused to open the outer door if anyone was in a particular radius) as well as the interior space (that wouldn't open one door unless the other door had comletely shut). I don't recall the Board ever being told what those several additional costly expenditures came to but I'd bet we're talking six figures each (i.e., per tower). Buried...and I'd also bet (but have no proof whatsoever) that that is where Gantt learned to run projects over budget with seeming impunity.
And a whole bunch of you have refused to provide a hand scan to Management. ALL OF YOU have been deprived of an amenity. Note that NOTHING that the hand-scanners provide couldn't have been provided by then-available technological upgrades! - Sunday, April 14, 2013 6:35:00 PM
Does anyone from the East Tower ever post here? It seems all posters are from the West and I wonder why?
Don't they have the same building issues? - Sunday, April 14, 2013 6:46:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
Eviction Attorneys: After firing Ellis Levin, we blindly hired some inexperienced jokers. Donna wanted a "unanimous consent" vote; this is a Mgmt.-prepared privately-circulated form soliciting our signatures; if we all consented, the matter was settled. Someone had some guts and refused to sign off...but Donna still wouldn't let it get to an open meeting. It was handled in an executive session; the new attorneys were not made available there...nor to you...for questioning.
Turned out that they had never filed an eviction before. They faced the Mathes in Round I (filed by Levin and coming up for jury trial); they choked (and voluntrialy dropped the case), contending that Levin's paper-work wasn't in order (Levin had done dozens if not hundreds of evictions; I can't imagine his paper-work "not being in order"). Our inexperienced buffoons filed Round II as a breach of contract case (and not an eviction)! It took months for the error to be ascertained and then righted...and for the case to then be transferred to an eviction court. The Jury ruled in the Mathes' favor and refused to evict them. But because they also gave us a completely uncollectable money judgment (and a VERY SMALL FRACTION) of our attorney's fees), our buffoons claimed a great victory! Now, the banks were also foreclosing so in Round III, they tried to get the foreclosure judges to give us an order for possession. This apparently went nowhere as they finally filed a Round IV (as an eviction), which is now up on appeal.
All told, we spent over a HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS on this idiocy. The Clean Slate, by allowing input, questions and transparency MIGHT help us avoid blunders like this in the future. Hey, worth a try; we can't do WORSE, can we? Time for a change, anyone?
Note:Virtually everything above is available by going on the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County's public web-site as well as by walking a couple of blocks down to the Daley Center and checking out the actual court c - Sunday, April 14, 2013 7:07:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
East-Tower Nut Case: Awhile ago, some frightening nut on the East Tower was threatening residents. Clearly an emergency and he clearly had to go and go fast. So we went to our attorneys, who couldn't get the judge to see it our way. Understand that this court call was done on an emergency basis...but only after WE had a chance to thoroughly prepare in advance, with almost no notice to the other side and without the other side having any chance to obtain counsel. The Judge (I believe) appointed someone for the other side. After the FOURTH court call (and apparently some luck in that our attorneys apparently personally knew the appointee and pressed the urgency with him), we got our relief. I think our legal services bill was between $35K - $50K. Now, bunches of you will have attorney friends and you can ask them what Chancery work like that might cost. You can also access the actual case file at the Daley Center; remember that the web-site and files are public records; see if I'm accurate or not, you know...
Your friends will tell you that at an attorney's rate of $350-$450/hour, it is just possible that the legal work reflected in the file could maybe barely possibly justify that kind of bill.
But the sign-on selling point is that these guys were only going to charge us $175/hour. Now, you likely will be unable to get their bill (just try to, go ahead, try) but if you could, you might find tasks that your attorney might say should take X hours instead being billed at some higher number of hours. Now, the Clean Slate, if they carry through on their promised transparency, if they allow questions, input, etc. MIGHT then allow us to catch this nonsense (if it is nonsense) early on when something can be done about it. You now, maybe it's worth your vote! - Sunday, April 14, 2013 7:41:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
MTCA Bank Accounts: Anyone out there ever wonder why we need to have many hundreds of thousands of dollars of our reserve money sitting year after year in several very distant bank accounts? Barrington?? Anyone?? Do they send out free meal cards to anyone here for use at fancy local restaurants? Do they provide discrete freebie Navy Pier cruise excursions to anyone? Classy cocktail parties? Box seats at the Cubs, Bulls, Blackhawks, etc.? Always wondered. I know banks will do that for other large depositors... Maybe we'll find out if the Clean Slate makes it in. We certainly won't otherwise...
If there are such bennies, MAYBE a "clean slate" will suggest that the same amount of money might go to an entertainment fund that can throw a beer/wine party for us all in our recreation room. I'm just sayin'....
Note: The deposited reserve money is safe and secure and we certainly need several and different banks because of FDIC deposit protection limitations. But the small, odd very distant banks, to me, is just bizarre.
- Sunday, April 14, 2013 8:00:00 PM
The monthly parking fee for Marina residents at State & Kinzie is increasing from $129.00 per month to $240.00 a month -- effective May 1. That's an 86% increase.
I have contacted GREENWAY PARKING on Kinzie between Dearborn and Clark to see what corporate rate they can offer Marina Residents.
When I hear back, I'll post what they will offer us.
- Sunday, April 14, 2013 8:12:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
Gantt's resignation: Resigned in shame, we all understand. Couldn't have happened at a worst time for Donna; the buck ultimately stops with her.
But what happened to him? Was he fired by DK or (like a Catholic priest in an understanding church), merely quietly moved to another site? If he was just moved, one wonders if he was just falling on his sword for Donna and that DK understood this loyalty to his client (who needed urgently and at all costs (pun intended) to present us with a "fait accompli" with respect to the lobby renovations).
If he was fired, one would hope that a newly elected Board would better monitor management's actions. Who was asleep at the switch here? The rest of the sleepy Board will brag about how quickly they can rubber stamp Donna's suggestions and get back to their TV's. They'll say it sweeter but they are nevertheless proud of their quick meeting turnaround times.
Note that the bare, stark, sterile, simplistic new lobby isn't really better; it's just different. We have the seen this nonsense before. Anyone remember those little round multi-lite fixtures that we used to have outside of our front doors? I thought they were classy; the "upgrade" that we now have (under Donna's administration) isn't really better; it's just different. Anyone really impressed with that obscure metal plate (placed up under you-know-who's administation) showing some stellar alignment that is now tacked outside our front door. Any of you remember putting in any input or even knowing in advance that we were going to be spending your good assessment money on those worthless pieces of tin? Have any of you read it? Can you (the print is so tiny). Ellen is posting some thoughtful and mature stuff that leads me to believe that she might instead solicit input (and possibly thereby prevent) some of the evident debacles that we've seen.
I'm going to give her a chance; we each need to go to several of our friends and urge them to give her slate a c - Sunday, April 14, 2013 8:42:00 PM
WOW some very interesting, long comments on here today! Sounds like insider information. If all this stuff is accurate, it sounds like some very shady stuff going on with our condo board! Anyone from the "Dirty Slate" want to respond??
- Sunday, April 14, 2013 8:45:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
Fools Errands: We have a Security Committe Board Member who gave a report awhile ago. He so stumbled over the wording, grammar and sentence structure that it was obvious that he had just been given the report and told to read it into the record. We had a Budget Committee head who skipped the vote on the budget increase because he and his Committee unanimously recommened against a successive compound assessment increase (during a deep recession) favored by the Chairperson. We have a Chairperson's daughter who says not one word from meeting to meeting but who nevertheless routinely and consistently gets the highest percentage retention votes (via the wonderful marvels of proxy voting). We have a Clean Slate candidate Michele Louvain, who (while on the Board) tried asking some sharp and penetrating questions about our accounts, interest, reserve funding and spending needs and who was resultingly rudely hooted down by the Chairperson and her pet management. Good Grief; will it ever end?
- Sunday, April 14, 2013 8:55:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
Protecting Your Interests: Anyone on the East Tower notice that the restaurant's valet parking will park (invariably black) cars on your side of State St.? That's supposed to be for you to briefly park (with your emergency flashers on) for an up-and-down trip or to pick up somone or to drop off a load of groceries. You've been deprived of that amenity and your Association apparently doesn't give a rat's patouie.
Notice how year after year that same restaurant will progressively encroach more and more (with their blocked off outdoor seating barriers) on the narrow right-of-way walkway that we have near the water's edge?
- Sunday, April 14, 2013 9:14:00 PM
Please explain what you meant by Donna's "Executive Session."
Is it the same as a Closed Session? - Sunday, April 14, 2013 9:20:00 PM
Can it all be true? Or at least most of it? If so, Donna Leonard ought to be in hiding. Can criminal charges be brought? Or if a new Board gets in, can they bring this as a civil action as she broke the condo laws, our bylaws and not to mention her fiduciary responsibility? - Sunday, April 14, 2013 9:24:00 PM
OMG, These big posts are packed with some juicy details. Keep the info coming!
- Sunday, April 14, 2013 9:48:00 PM
I don't want Donna back. I think one person is responsible for all the long blogs. Just sign your name already, we know who it is. You're not running so what's your fear? You've been trying to get her out for years so take credit for posting all the inside stuff that you always manage to know about. Don't hold conversations with yourself on the blog.
- Sunday, April 14, 2013 11:39:00 PM
So this is all very interesting and certainly has me considering the Clean Slate. To the poster who talked about the scanners, I find them so utterly disgusting. The other day there was condensation on the pad, ewwwwww. But they at least provide an alternative to the unfriendly and rude security on the afternoon shift in the west tower, whom I avoid at all costs she is so unpleasant.
- Monday, April 15, 2013 1:15:00 AM
- Steve @ MCO said...
I like your style but I studied the Mathers case file last July and your overview I'm afraid is really, really wrong. I don't even know where to start but very little of what you claim is true. The case was filed properly. The "paper-work" you're referring to was an academic discussion of whether or not a photocopy of an envelope with a certified mail label on it is proof that it was actually mailed. The case ended in MTCA's favor. I see the Mathers did appeal but there is no recent activity and appeals are not heard by juries.
Ellis was around as early as 1992, when Mr. Flader was president of the condo board. Ellis was let go in 2000 and brought back a few years later, most likely by Mrs. Leonard. Ellis indeed had clout as a former state legislator. His ignorance of copyright and trademark law was really quite spectacular.
You will be glad to know that the sofas that were on the concourse level are enjoying a new life with hipsters over at Merchandise Mart...
Jury awards possession to condo association in record-setting suit
Ellis Levin, Marina Towers condo association part ways
- Monday, April 15, 2013 2:50:00 AM
Off topic, I saw this article in the London Daily Mail which might be of interest to those interested in the bird imprint near the mailboxes. - Monday, April 15, 2013 3:46:00 AM
- Skip said...
My wife and I own in the West tower for 10 years. We own our home at Marina City as a second home but stay for extended periods of time and just love our place and the cool vibe it brings to our lives. We are with the Clean Slate group and hope that their election will lead to a more reality based operation of the Association. The best of luck to all you guys in the "Slate"! We do have just a few questions though related to the renovated lobby in our West tower: Can you pull small roller luggage thru the lobby and can you pull the little shopping cart we use for shopping at Jewel thru the lobby? Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated!
- Monday, April 15, 2013 7:05:00 AM
I checked with Sandy in the office. Apparently the guards were misinterpreting the new rules. Residents ARE allowed to pull carts and luggage through the lobby. It's commercial deliveries like PEAPOD or JEWEL who will not be allowed nor will move ins / move outs and construction material on carts will NOT BE allowed.
She did tell me that the guards were issued a clarification of the policy. - Monday, April 15, 2013 7:21:00 AM
Thank you for the link to the pigeon imprint. I found it interesting. Is the bird imprint still on the window at Marina?
- Monday, April 15, 2013 8:44:00 AM
To Donna Leonard and her minions:
With all those revelations yesterday, I'd say your goose is cooked.
Thank you to whoever wrote all those posts. It sure was an eye opener. - Monday, April 15, 2013 12:01:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
Steve @ MCO writes that my facts are wrong. He deliberately and deceptively mixes the four efforts by our attorneys to evict the Mathers to make his points. He says "The case was filed properly". Levin's case was filed properly; our new attorney's SECOND effort wasn't. Their FOURTH effort was filed properly. But the second effort (to which I referred to as being improperly filed) WAS improperly filed; it came up on the initial return day in a non-eviction court and after the Mathers filed their jury demand the case went to a non-eviction jury court room. He says the case was won. No, they dropped the first case. If it was won, then why was a second case and then an even later case filed? Hint:Because they lost on their earlier attempts to evict. Steve says the "paperwork" mix-up involved proof of certified mailing and a question had apparently arisen as to whether postmarks on a returned envelope was enough. ANY good condo eviction attorney will tell you that it was good enough. This is for the simple reason that the statute only requires that the envelope be mailed (i.e., introduced into the postal system); actual receipt is irrelevant. Having the envelope returned with postmarks on it SHOWS that it was introduced into the postal system. However, any and every good condo eviction attorney knows to also log onto the U.S. Postal Systems's web-site to punch in the envelope sticker's certified mail numbers and generate a printout. Again, this shows the introduction of the envelope and the tracking of its progress through their system. As a governement document, it is self-authenticating and needs nothing else to be accepted (at least by the eviction judges) into evidence. But our greenhorn attorneys (who had never filed an eviction case before) didn't know this and panicked.
NOTE that I've made a very many points. NONE of the rest have been challenged; I take it they are all admitted. - Monday, April 15, 2013 6:56:00 PM
I saw the big posters on the VG Marina office (is that still the name???) and I'm curious why they are huge advocates of the clean slate. Did they have personal/business issues with the last board?
I plan on stopping in and asking them before it's done.
By the way I'm curious what year the current hallways were done and if that's the Leonard's decorating or some other admnistration. Can't believe it was ever fashionable, and I've been around. - Monday, April 15, 2013 7:53:00 PM
- Steve @ MCO said...
First of all, why are you anonymous?
You're just foaming at the mouth a bit and as much as I would love to believe MTCA legal affairs are handled by monkeys, what I have seen shows they are at the very least competent. Ellis was a quite exceptionally bad attorney. He was more of a cartoon character than a lawyer. The current counsel may lack backbone to stand up to misguided client requests, but they are not complete buffoons. There are probably better firms out there, nonetheless.
All I have to go on is the voluminous case file and it's pretty obvious which side was the most professional. You may have interacted with the parties more than I did. The real tragedy of that case was pro se lawyers running up legal bills that their friends and neighbors have to pay, just to delay the inevitable. - Monday, April 15, 2013 9:09:00 PM
Yes, please stop in and speak with Brian Muir, the owner of Alto Realty, formerly known as VG Marina Management.
Brian will be glad to explain why he's backing the Clean Slate this year.
- Monday, April 15, 2013 9:29:00 PM
- Steve @ MCO said...
For the record, the judge accepted MTCA's position on that certified mail issue. They had a brief, interesting but nonetheless moot discussion of it after the ruling. Your heart is in the right place - the condo association needs to clean house.
- Monday, April 15, 2013 9:36:00 PM