I was out of town and not at the November meeting. Upon my return, I received many calls regarding the "petition". I have since received a copy of the petition (but not from the source).
To begin with, the committee was never the Redecorating Committee; in fact, it has always been the Refurbishing Committee, which was put into place by our last President, Woody Cunningham. Refurbishing is not redecorating but much more expansive. One familiar with interior design would know the difference.
From day one, there have been individuals (including a Board member) who have resented the fact that they were not selected for this Committee; in fact, those individuals have consistently put road blocks before the Committee. On the other hand, this Board Member was invited to meetings with the design firm and informed other Committee members and design firm members that he was pleased with the items selected. He also noted that he would expect expenditures to do above the budget; they had in the last renovation and "even the Government goes over budget".
As to the letters received by Mr. Jones and friends, it is my understanding that these letters were not available at the meeting. In fact, it is my understanding that when asked to produce the letters or names of those writing them, Mr. Jones could do neither.
With regard to the costs of refurbishing the Lobby level, those trying to distort the facts have said that the cost of furnishings and art would be in addition to the $1.25 Million originally budgeted for the project. This is not true. The cost of furnishings and art are, in fact, part of the original budget.
Any additional costs incurred were the result of 35 years of wear and tear and the lack of improvements by previous management and Boards. I would note that we should be very grateful to Legum & Norman, and Scott and Jim specifically, for their assistance and expertise in the areas of store front window replacement, pipe replacement and other areas that had deteriorated over the years.
I would note that on the positive side, we (the Committee) have received many letters and oral comments that are positive in their commendation of the work already completed. Many of these individuals have also encouraged the Committee to go forward with the hallways so that the Elizabeth Condominium reflects its place within the Friendship Heights Community. Our committee members, who are on the Board, can and will share those letters with those wishing to see them.
Several real estate agents have walked through the renovated lobby areas and have had only positive comments. We have heard from many of them that our building is now the most attractive in the Friendship Heights community. They have mentioned that the value of our units has increased as a result of this work and completion of the hallways can only increase our values more.
Unfortunately, many residents do not attend Board meetings and are not aware of the breadth of work done to complete the lobby level.
A number of these individuals have been frightened by those, who denigrate the work performed thus far and the future work, voted upon by the Board, and required to be completed to ensure the value of our properties.
It is truly unfortunate that we have residents who will polarize our residents and distort the true facts to get their own way and not work as a community.
As to the current work, it is important that residents wait until the lobby level is completed with furnishings and art work before deciding whether they like it or not. As I have said before, it is like a cake....unfrosted, it is not attractive but the frosting completes the picture....So it will be with the furnishings and art work.
As to the hallways, it would be my hope (and not necessarily that of the rest of the Committee) that the design firm will produce two recommended scenarios for the hallways. A public meeting would then be held, and residents would have an opportunity to vote on which the resident prefers. The decision would, thus, be a community decision.
Since I am not on the Board, I am not privy to all the financial ramifications being considered. However, I do know that The Elizabeth has the lowest condo fees of any of the buildings within Friendship Heights and, in fact, is the only one never to have had an assessment. (One cannot count the $16 I understand was assessed for the mailboxes several years ago).
We are now feeling the pain of not raising condo fees each year; unfortunately, we cannot "cry over spilled milk" but must face up to the fact that our building is 35 years old and needs a great deal of work done to bring it up to acceptable standards.
For those who have lived in private homes, you know that roofs must be replaced, plumbing and electricity must be updated and other work must be performed. A condominium is no different. Most of us have a great deal of money invested in our homes and want them kept up-to-date and in good shape.
I look forward to the completion of the total refurbishment of The Elizabeth so we may all benefit from living in a beautiful, updated and first class residence.
Judy Gann
To begin with, the committee was never the Redecorating Committee; in fact, it has always been the Refurbishing Committee, which was put into place by our last President, Woody Cunningham. Refurbishing is not redecorating but much more expansive. One familiar with interior design would know the difference.
From day one, there have been individuals (including a Board member) who have resented the fact that they were not selected for this Committee; in fact, those individuals have consistently put road blocks before the Committee. On the other hand, this Board Member was invited to meetings with the design firm and informed other Committee members and design firm members that he was pleased with the items selected. He also noted that he would expect expenditures to do above the budget; they had in the last renovation and "even the Government goes over budget".
As to the letters received by Mr. Jones and friends, it is my understanding that these letters were not available at the meeting. In fact, it is my understanding that when asked to produce the letters or names of those writing them, Mr. Jones could do neither.
With regard to the costs of refurbishing the Lobby level, those trying to distort the facts have said that the cost of furnishings and art would be in addition to the $1.25 Million originally budgeted for the project. This is not true. The cost of furnishings and art are, in fact, part of the original budget.
Any additional costs incurred were the result of 35 years of wear and tear and the lack of improvements by previous management and Boards. I would note that we should be very grateful to Legum & Norman, and Scott and Jim specifically, for their assistance and expertise in the areas of store front window replacement, pipe replacement and other areas that had deteriorated over the years.
I would note that on the positive side, we (the Committee) have received many letters and oral comments that are positive in their commendation of the work already completed. Many of these individuals have also encouraged the Committee to go forward with the hallways so that the Elizabeth Condominium reflects its place within the Friendship Heights Community. Our committee members, who are on the Board, can and will share those letters with those wishing to see them.
Several real estate agents have walked through the renovated lobby areas and have had only positive comments. We have heard from many of them that our building is now the most attractive in the Friendship Heights community. They have mentioned that the value of our units has increased as a result of this work and completion of the hallways can only increase our values more.
Unfortunately, many residents do not attend Board meetings and are not aware of the breadth of work done to complete the lobby level.
A number of these individuals have been frightened by those, who denigrate the work performed thus far and the future work, voted upon by the Board, and required to be completed to ensure the value of our properties.
It is truly unfortunate that we have residents who will polarize our residents and distort the true facts to get their own way and not work as a community.
As to the current work, it is important that residents wait until the lobby level is completed with furnishings and art work before deciding whether they like it or not. As I have said before, it is like a cake....unfrosted, it is not attractive but the frosting completes the picture....So it will be with the furnishings and art work.
As to the hallways, it would be my hope (and not necessarily that of the rest of the Committee) that the design firm will produce two recommended scenarios for the hallways. A public meeting would then be held, and residents would have an opportunity to vote on which the resident prefers. The decision would, thus, be a community decision.
Since I am not on the Board, I am not privy to all the financial ramifications being considered. However, I do know that The Elizabeth has the lowest condo fees of any of the buildings within Friendship Heights and, in fact, is the only one never to have had an assessment. (One cannot count the $16 I understand was assessed for the mailboxes several years ago).
We are now feeling the pain of not raising condo fees each year; unfortunately, we cannot "cry over spilled milk" but must face up to the fact that our building is 35 years old and needs a great deal of work done to bring it up to acceptable standards.
For those who have lived in private homes, you know that roofs must be replaced, plumbing and electricity must be updated and other work must be performed. A condominium is no different. Most of us have a great deal of money invested in our homes and want them kept up-to-date and in good shape.
I look forward to the completion of the total refurbishment of The Elizabeth so we may all benefit from living in a beautiful, updated and first class residence.
Judy Gann
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