Jim Jones response to Alexandra Kielty's letter to owners of Nov. 29, 2010

In a letter dated November 29, 2010, President of the Board of Directors of the Elizabeth condominium, Ms. Alexandra Kielty, used her power of access to official channels to circulate a rebuttal to an owner petition now in circulation. I and other owners have no such power of access, and must respond using other than official channels. As one representing those who have already signed the petition, or who may yet wish to sign it, I here respond to Ms. Kielty's letter.

Ms. Kielty (on behalf of the Board) calls the petition "an attack on the integrity of the Board of Directors." Rather, I would call it a challenge to the Board's judgement and its crass cronyism.

Despite Ms. Kielty's defensive efforts to portray the Board as transparent and acting on the best interest of the community, the reality hints otherwise. In brief, I would note the following:

• The Board should post in a public place the contract it has with The Hartman Group. In addition, the Board should post a breakdown of all incurred costs of the refurbishment done to date. This breakdown should be detailed, and should include the following in user-friendly format:

1. The contract between The Elizabeth and Hartman Group, with addendums.
2. The cost of each item purchased or installed under the contract, including artwork and furniture. The cost of artwork and furniture should be detailed by piece.
3. The fee paid to Hartman Group for their design and refurbishment work.
4. Any fees paid to the management firm Legum and Norman for transacting something like $1.3 million in the context of the refurbishment.

As owners, we have a right to know what we're buying and its cost. Moreover, the Maryland Condominium Act requires that owners have access to this information [Section 11-116, c. (ii)].

• Ms. Kielty further refers to a three-person Refurbishment Committee and a four-person Advisory Committee, all appointed under the tenure of past Board president Woody Cunningham. A major thrust of the present petition argues for new blood. Ms. Kielty and the current Board continued with the same small coterie as always rather than try to bring in new blood and new ideas, notwithstanding the concerns of many owners. The petition thus asks that the Refurbishment Commnittee be increased to seven persons, at least three of which should include persons signing the circulating petition. Ms. Kielty's letter fails to address this key issue.

President Kielty's highly defensive rebuttal is short on relevant specifics and in no way vitiates the essence of the circulating petition, which remains available to all who wish to sign. You can call me, Jim Jones, at (301) 657-1604, or e-mail me at jonesjcz@prodigy.net, for a copy of the petition. Or you can drop a note in my box (unit #307) at the reception desk.