BOARD'S PROPAGANDA Edit page

TRUTH is replaced with self serving PROPAGANDA 

 OCTOBER 2025

Trick or Treat has never been more fitting: tricks for the residents and treats for the board.

It is the observation of the Residents Club -based upon the Board's News Letters- that nearly every question for which the board seeks legal advice from the condo attorney, like the question regarding a resident repairing a driveway on their own, is already explicitly addressed within the condominium bylaws. It is against the bylaws for a resident to perform any repair on a common area. Driveway upkeep is the responsibilty of the board.  Any action by the attorney beyond simply referencing the bylaws in response to such inquiries constitutes a breach of professional responsibility. Billing the Condo for unnecessary legal advice that is inherently covered by the condo bylaws is unwarranted and unacceptable. Instead of running up legal fees why not fix the resident’s driveway.

Bylaws state that committees must have at least one board member and take minutes. 

Before forever board members Alan Rothenberg president and Cindy Davidowitz V.P. ruined the fun at Estates II, all residents were warmly welcomed to serve on a committee. The board did not select or exclude residents; instead, everyone had the opportunity to contribute to their community, as it should be.

July 2025 

FOOL

"A fool swallows lies as truth and cowers in silence when courage is required to stand against what is wrong."

Board Admits Complete Neglect of Due Diligence in Clubhouse Renovation—Uses 19-Month Closure Crisis as Excuse! Due Diligence Is Non-Negotiable!

CLUBHOUSE RENOVATION:

When undertaking what appears to be a simple renovation in a public space, it is imperative that all work complies fully with current building codes and permitting requirements. The assertion from Debbie Resnick and the board that the original work did not require permits is simply untenable and raises serious questions.  

The crucial question the board must answer is: Who told them that permits were not needed for the original scope of the clubhouse renovation?  The only entity authorized to determine whether permits are required is the building inspector. It makes no logical or procedural sense that the building inspector would initially inform the board that permits were unnecessary, only to later retroactively declare that permits were needed after work had already commenced.  Why didn't the board contact the condo's attorney when the town decided to put a hold on the clubhouse renovation. Are we to believe there is no statute of limitations when a town does not close out a permit from 45 years ago?  The board's story doesn't make sense.

Typically, the building inspector’s role involves assessing whether plans and modifications meet code requirements before the work begins. If the inspector believed permits were unnecessary, it would have been based on a clear understanding of the scope of work at that time—especially considering previous renovations, such as those in Daniella’s office, which were conducted without permits would now have to be permitted. Had the inspector been consulted initially, such issues would have been identified early on, avoiding delays and complications later.

Had Debbie Resnick held an honest  meeting with the building inspector to discuss the clubhouse upgrades, the inspector's actions at that time would have led him to review the original plans of the clubhouse, because that is how he discovered all of the un permitted work that was previously done. Prior to any construction, he would have uncovered the open permits on the property. Upon comparing the original plans to the current state of the clubhouse, the inspector identified numerous unauthorized changes made over the years—alterations carried out without proper permits—adding to the open permit that has been outstanding for 45 years. No matter how the board attempts to spin their narrative about construction issues, their explanations lack credibility and are entirely implausible.

Furthermore, any work involving stair rails must be brought up to code from the outset. Similarly, the bathroom would have needed to meet ADA standards from the start. These requirements are not afterthoughts but fundamental aspects of permitted renovations. If the board had engaged the inspector early, these issues would have been addressed proactively, preventing the delays and complications that plagued the entire process.

The notion that work could be done in a public space without permits—especially when code upgrades are required—simply cannot stand up to scrutiny. The board must clarify who provided the mistaken guidance that permits were unnecessary, as only the building inspector has the authority to make that determination.

FIRE ALARM: 

The board repeatedly demonstrates a persistent lack of basic common knowledge?  Passing previous inspections does not exempt a fire alarm from current code requirements. Once a fire alarm is relocated from its original position, it must be brought up to current code standards—this is a fundamental regulation that is widely understood within the industry. Unfortunately, it appears that neither the board, the design team, nor the contractor recognized or appreciated this basic principle.  

The board failed to disclose in the newsletter that they lied to the building inspector. They falsely claimed that the fire alarm had not been moved, despite knowing full well that it had been relocated. These are reckless individuals making fraudulent statements to a knowledgeable building inspector who recognized their deception. The presence of new sheet rock clearly indicated that the fire alarm was moved, since it had to be removed to install the drywall. This necessitated a permit, which should have been obtained beforehand, leading to additional unnecessary delays. Their dishonesty and careless actions have only compounded the issues and prolonged the project.

One would reasonably expect that the builder who sits on the board of managers, given his oversight role, would have served as an asset in ensuring compliance and providing guidance in such situations. Instead, the lack of awareness or action on this fundamental regulation by everyone involved is concerning and highlights a gap in their oversight and understanding of essential safety standards.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT:

It is important to recognize that all adult residents of Estates ll are fully aware of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its purpose. The ADA is a well-established federal law that ensures equal access and non-discrimination for individuals with disabilities. Given this, there is no need to repeatedly explain or "educate" residents about its basics, as this approach is both unnecessary and condescending.

Addressing residents as if they lack basic knowledge about such a fundamental law comes off as an unserious form of communication. It is unprofessional and disrespectful to speak to adults in a manner that resembles addressing children, especially when discussing serious and complex issues related to condominium issues.

Residents expect communication from the board of managers to be conducted with the professionalism and respect that residents deserve, recognizing their capacity to understand and engage with important community matters without being patronized.

The yellow paper below was distributed to residents during the clubhouse renovation meeting in October 2023. It states that the only cost for the bathroom is $250 for toilet seat covers. In contrast, the confidential paper for board use indicates that in March 2023, the board allocated $48,000 for an ADA-compliant bathroom. It looks like the board cut the ADA bathroom out of the budget so they could spend an obscene amount on fees & commissions for their vanity project. It appears the board neglected their responsibility to provide a safe, ADA-compliant public space in favor of creating a lavish, country club-style clubhouse.

The board later blamed the building inspector for insisting that the bathroom be made ADA compliant, using this as a reason to assess the residents and delay the public opening. In reality, the board was aware that the bathroom should have been modified to meet ADA standards, as reflected in the original scope and budget in March 2023.

OCTOBER 2023 ADA BATHROOM WAS REMOVED FROM THE 3/8/23  RENOVATION SCOPE & BUDGET

ROAD REPAIR ON AERIE COURT: The board is now stooping to manufacturing minutes to cover up their neglect.  They have ignored the glaring issue of the large pothole on Aeire Court for one year and everyone knows it. Would you want to drive over a massive, deep pothole every day as you exit and enter your driveway? Of course not. Logic dictates that the affected resident contacted management to request it be repaired. Yet, there’s no mention of this in previous newsletters. The reality is that most repair requests, including this one, are ignored.

The only reason the pothole was finally fixed was due to the Residents Club posting a photo of Board President Alan Rothenberg walking over the dangerous hazard on Aeire Court on Friday, July 18, 2025, along with a detailed article . This pothole had remained in front of a resident’s driveway for an entire year. Remarkably, the repair was completed on Monday, July 21, 2025—just one business day after the photo was shared.

This timing is no coincidence. It’s blatant proof that the board only acts when their image is threatened or when residents expose their neglect. They are fooling no one with their false narratives and manufactured minutes. The community deserves transparency and accountability, not lies and cover-ups. This incident has become the talk of the community, resonating with everyone living on Aeire Court and residents who walk around the neighborhood. It highlights a pattern of neglect and underscores the urgent need for more responsive management and proactive maintenance.

Friday, July 18,2025

Monday, July 21, 2025

ELECTION CALENDAR:  It would be helpful if the board reviewed and familiarized themselves with the bylaws. Stephen Fanuka had been assigned to complete Ely Zaken’s term. As a result, Fanuka is eligible to run for a second term. Completing Zaken’s term will count as Fanuka’s first term toward the board’s term limits.

RENEWAL OF CONDOMINIUM INSURANCE: The board has once again repeated the same talking points last time the rates went up, regarding the recent increase in our condo insurance rates, primarily suggesting that because many companies do not sell condo insurance, we simply have to accept higher premiums. However, this explanation is overly simplistic and fails to address the real reasons behind the rising costs.

It's important to critically examine what factors might be driving these increases. For example, could the escalating rates be linked to specific legal issues the condo has faced? One notable incident is the lawsuit from a maximum-security guard who tripped and subsequently received $250,000.00 from the Condo's insurance company. That is a BIG pay-out. Such large pay-outs undoubtedly impact our insurance premiums.  Making matters worse the board has rehired Maximum Security.  Would you rehire an employee after they sued you?

Additionally, there was the lawsuit involving our former TCM manager, Al Caceres, which may have contributed to increased costs. Moreover, perhaps most significantly, is the costly and entirely avoidable Supreme Court lawsuit resulting from the board's decision to force residents into legal action. This case stemmed from the security gate damaging a resident's car— the board refused to cover the costs of the car rental for affected resident.  The board made no attempt to mitigate damages, thus ignoring their fiduciary responsibility. Residents ultimately recovered all their damages, including legal fees, but the legal process was lengthy and costly.  The board went so far as to demand lengthy depositions when they had already admitted the fault lie with the malfunction of the security gate. They even had video footage of the incident proving the gate malfunction, yet the board let this become a lawsuit. 

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that Stephanie Michel, a current board member and an insurance adjuster by profession, was in a unique position to help mitigate these costs. Yet, her expertise did not seem to benefit the board in controlling or understanding the insurance issues.  We predict, with this vindictive -anti resident board- there will be more lawsuits down the road.

Given these factors, it’s plausible that the board's reckless or ill-considered decisions—rather than market forces alone—are contributing significantly to the ongoing rise in our insurance premiums. Transparency about these underlying causes is essential, rather than simply attributing the increase to market conditions or the number of insurance providers.

Condo  will spend more money to help maintenance men maintain the Condo when Estates l has 2 maintenance men yet they manage to get it done

MAY 2025

MAY 2025 NEWSLETTER-A TOTAL SNOOZE FEST  

The current newsletter is a perfect example of how to insult residents intelligence. It is a prime example of saying nothing meaningful while trying to give the illusion of being informative. Nice try.  We are sure most residents stay up at night wondering if their neighbor got apprvoed for a skylight. Enough of the empty words and useless updates; residents deserve serious information about the condo they fund, not this circus of silence.

To the Editor:

Would you like to know what adds "monetary value to our community"? It’s low maintenance. Maintaining low monthly upkeep costs directly correlates with higher property values. Conversely, higher maintenance expenses tend to diminish property worth.

Keep that in mind as the board embraces fiscal irresponsibility while they make raising the maintenance a quarterly event. Fiscal responsibility and prudent management are key to preserving and enhancing our community’s value. 

More to come…

APRIL 2024? 

 The Board Simply Can't Get it Together

So having two secretaries clearly isn't enough for the Estates ll Board, because apparently Debbie Resnick and Marilyn Friedlander are too busy living in the past—specifically 2024—to remember we're actually in 2025. We wonder which secretary's job it is to edit the newsletter. Not Very professional.

Meeting Was Called to Order at 4PM. Those With a Job Need Not Apply

The Residents Club is genuinely perplexed by the board’s decision to incur legal fees over a resident’s refusal to remove a car tarp. It seems that the board struggles with even the simplest managerial tasks without resorting to legal action. Meanwhile, the condo faces more serious issues that demand attention. 

Why didn't the board contact the condo's attorney when the town decided to hold up the clubhouse for over one year. Are we to beleive there is no statute of limitations when a town does not close out a permit? 

The Residents Club questions why the board did not seek legal advice regarding a particularly troubling resident, who has demonstrated malicious behavior toward neighbors and the community. This resident has intentionally defaced neighbors’ properties with cat food, spread dog feces in common areas, and deliberately harmed local cats—laying down rose thorn branches where the cats reside and even poisoning them.

Additionally, the board has failed to address a significant legal matter involving a supreme court lawsuit caused by a security gate malfunction that damaged a resident’s car. Despite this, the board did not communicate or engage with the affected resident, ultimately forcing a supreme court lawsuit. The condo’s insurance company settled the claim for more than twenty thousand dollars just as key testimony was about to be given by Rick Saccullo, yet there has been no mention of this in any newsletter or community update.

These incidents highlight a troubling pattern of misjudged priorities and misplaced loyalties by the board. The Residents Club is concerned that the board’s focus on trivial disputes, rather than addressing serious community issues, is undermining the well-being and safety of our residents and property.

MARCH 2025

To The Estates ll Community:

Oh, bless their hearts! The board has once again mastered the craft of completely missing the point. Do they really think the residents are just nursing their post-election disappointment, instead of genuinely wanting a condominium that doesn’t feel like a circus run by clowns? Who wouldn’t love a budget that’s been revised twice and still manages to include expenses that are about as legal as a three-legged race at the Olympics? And let’s not forget that budget meeting where the treasurers pulled a classic Houdini act, while  making funds disappear faster than popcorn at a blockbuster. Meanwhile, the clubhouse has been self-declared a no-fun zone for over a year—definitely just the residents being sore losers, right? It couldn’t possibly be that they’re just a tad miffed about the state of their home sweet home!

Let’s not kid ourselves. The real reason so many residents jumped at the chance to join the board in 2024 is because they were tired of watching this condo spiral down the rabbit hole! They can't honestly think that residents are grumbling about a desire for a better-run condo because of a little thing called "sour grapes" after an election. If our esteemed board had even the slightest clue about fiscal responsibility or management, we are pretty sure a group of residents would not take on the hard work involved to replace them.

And speaking of 2024 elections, what a stroke of genius to waste money by hiring folks to count a simple condo vote behind closed doors! Nothing screams “transparency” like a secret vote count right? Let’s also highlight their genius move of using the outdated 2021 voter log for the 2024 election!. Not suspicious at all...

We’ll be posting that old voter log for everyone to gawk at. So go ahead and check if your ballot was checked off and actually counted. Check to see if your address still has the old owners names attached to it.  

Spoiler alert: Honest election or not, it's clear as day—the residents are ready for a change. Wake up, board! The sound you hear is the ticking clock of our collective patience. At the end of the day, whether it was a fair election or an elaborate game of charades, the residents are waving a big, bright flag saying: We want change!" But hey, keep up the good work, board. You really are the gift that keeps on giving. 

TOP 10 EXPENSE CATEGORIES: LEGAL FEES $36,721

According to the March 2025 newsletter, we are now facing additional legal costs due to the Toll Brothers fence agreement! This includes charges from MONTHS in2024 that have NOT BEEN BILLED! Seriously, has anyone reading this website ever encountered a law firm that doesn’t bill in real time? This is nothing short of SHADY and reeks of SUSPICION! It raises serious questions about ETHICS at best—this is downright deceitful to the residents at worst! We deserve transparency, not dishonesty! This is an insult to all of us!

Suspicious Activity:

1. The board allocated condo funds to hire outsiders for the vote-counting process, conducted in private, raising concerns about transparency.

2. The decision to utilize a 2021 voter log, which had not been updated to reflect all current homeowners in Estates II, appears a deliberate attempt to undermine the integrity of the voting process.

None of these people live here but it appears they voted in the 2024 election

February News Letter Lacks Contrition and Sincerity.  Read Our In Conclusion Below

" Board meeting adjourned at 5:40." 

Board meetings used to begin at 6:00 when board members had careers and jobs they had to attend to. Estates ll has been reduced to an assisted living facility where everything ends at 5:00. Board meetings are not supposed to start in the middle of a work day.  With this board only retired people can attend board meetings. The early board meetings began when Cindy Davidowitz was president. Another self serving act and break from tradition implemented by Cindy as president of Estates ll.

FEBRUARY 2025

     TO WAKE UP AND TAKE A STAND

CLUBHOUSE RENOVATION LOWER LEVEL:

Stephen, Debbie, Alan, Cindy, Stephanie and Daniella. These are names of the Estates ll dream team who are going save us from the clubhouse nightmare . We can rest assured  knowing these experienced folks are going to make everything ok. Maybe we should all reach out to these project experts when we do work in our own homes.  The board keeps telling us Stephen is an experienced contractor, but he has been a contractor during the entire clubhouse failure, so his “professional experience” didn’t offer any help before. Debbie screwed the entire first floor project up so why should we feel confident having her involved in the lower level renovation. Alan changes tires in his could-de-sac. Cindy was a teacher and also on the board during the failed upper level project, so we are unaware of how she will contribute to the safeguarding of phase two. Cindy was president when the alarm system in question was installed without a permit. Cindy was also the person who decided to lock the residents out of the board meetings. So there's that.  Stephanie an insurance adjuster who was also on the board during phase one and Daniella has no base office to work out of. Sleep well fellow residents but keep one eye open.

“ The original scope was limited to a refurbishment project which, although extensive, did not require permits.” 

1- How did the board know the work did not require a permit when the only person who could determine this is the building inspector.

2- If the board asked the building inspector if they needed permits for the “extensive work” the inspector would have performed his due diligence and told the board immediately about the open permits

3- Who told the board they did not need permits? 

4- If the board told the inspector they were putting up sheet rock which meant moving the fire alarm the inspector would have told them they needed permits.

You can not know and know at the same time. 

CLUBHOUSE ALARM PROPOSAL:

The wireless system slated for replacement was the brainchild of Ely Zaken. Remember him? Ely has been the board's unwavering go-to for all matters construction-related—no questions asked, no scrutiny applied.

Recently, six individuals convened with the owner of the alarm company, and it appears the board operates under the delusion that a larger assembly guarantees superior outcomes. How misguided! As the adage goes, too many cooks spoil the broth.

We are left to ponder how the board, lacking any architectural plans and entirely devoid of permits, can justifiably decide that the condo should allocate a staggering $34,250 for the installation of a fire alarm system. This reckless financial decision raises serious concerns about oversight and accountability within our governing body.

 “OUR CURRENT FIRE ALARM SYSTEM WAS FULLY FUNCTIONAL BUT DID NOT MEET CURRENT COMMERCIAL CODES”

It seems the board of managers is stuck on repeat—blasting out the obvious like it’s breaking news! Yes, folks, we all know that functional items must give way to shiny new ones that meet the latest codes. Shocking revelation, we know! So, can we please stop pretending you’re imparting sage wisdom? Instead, you’re just highlighting your own ignorance and proving that none of you should be anywhere near a renovation project in Estates II. Quick tip: Nincompoops don’t make great managers!

INCREASE THE WORKING CAPITAL FEE:

Unfortunately for all of us the board can raise the capital fee 200% and it won't make a dent in the ditch this board has placed us in.

ARCHITECT'S PROPOSAL FOR COMPLETION OF CLUBHOUSE: 

It is utterly absurd to suggest that Debbie Resnick's endorsement of the architects fees is somehow justified, especially in light of her choice to engage an exorbitantly priced contractor and design firm for the first-floor clubhouse. This glaring inconsistency reveals a complete disregard for financial responsibility on her part. Residents are not fooled the individual responsible for disseminating this misguided newsletter. Let it be clear: the residents categorically oppose any involvement from Debbie Resnick in the clubhouse renovation. Our community demands better judgment and fiscal prudence. Debbie is the first secretary who decided she needed an assistant which is why we now have an unelected co-secretay. Thanks for nothing Debbie Resnick.

WHY CAN'T THE CLUBHOUSE OPEN?

Why can't the clubhouse open? What a preposterous question! Residents have had an entire year to dig into this mess and figure out why that clubhouse is still sitting there locked up tight! The answer, which has been painfully obvious all along, is outrageously simple: the clubhouse can't open because the board of managers has been trying to dodge their legal and fiduciary responsibilities to the residents of Estate II and the citizens of the Village of North Hills! They’ve been caught in one lie after another at every turn! The board hired the wrong contractor and an utterly incompetent design team, both of whom failed to step up and correct the disastrous course set by everyone involved—most egregiously, the board of managers who were happy to follow the lead of Ely Zaken, their go to person for everything related to the condo. 

PRIVATE INSTRUCTION ON ESTATES ll TENNIS COURTS:

Oh, how interesting… We all know the classic saying about how tough it is to keep lies organized. Remember  when the board stated a resident was yearning for private lessons for themselves and their non-resident pals on the tennis courts? Well, fast forward to the February newsletter, and voilà! Now it says a tennis instructor is the one who supposedly requested access to the lovelyEstates ll tennis courts for lessons. Isn't it fascinating how the board's stories evolve? Guess "liars gonna lie lie lie" really is the theme of the day!

ACCORDING TO A RESIDENT:

"The residents club rightly pointed out that the board's narrative regarding private instruction on the tennis courts has shifted from a request by residents to a request by an instructor. I believe it was due to the residents club that the board denied any requests for tennis lessons for non-residents in Estates II. The information presented in the newsletter from the board appears to be  intentionally misleading.

Here's what actually happened:  An instructor from a former tennis club was contacted by Alan Rothenberg, the president of the board, who inquired whether this tennis pro would be willing to provide lessons at Estates II. I have strong doubts about the integrity of Alan Rothenberg and the board of managers, as they frequently mislead us."

After three years of illuminating our condo address numbers, we can safely say the project has achieved the coveted status of ‘art installation. Who knew it would take an entire eternity to shed light on where we live? At this rate, the only thing brighter than our new numbers is the boards confidence in their timeline. One can only imagine the elaborate planning sessions that must have taken place. Oh the logistics of it all. Who knew hanging up some numbers could rival the complexity of launching a space shuttle? Congrats on setting the bar for efficiency! 

In Conclusion: 

In conclusion, how DARE the board of managers have the audacity to suggest that the community must step up to meet our obligations! Let’s be clear: the community owes NOTHING to the board—it is precisely the other way around. The board and management are mandated to do their jobs, uphold their fiduciary responsibilities, and ensure that we, the residents, receive the amenities we’ve been paying for month after month, without fail!

Even MORE infuriating is the implication that residents should somehow extend our support to the very people who are paid to do the day-to-day work on this clubhouse project. This reveals a shocking and utter lack of respect for the residents! Newsflash: the staff performing these daily tasks are compensated for their efforts, and we are DONE being asked to act as if they are working for free!

We have been assessed to the hilt, faced rising maintenance fees, and have been denied access to the clubhouse for OVER A YEAR! How DARE you act so nonchalantly and cavalierly about our discontent! This level of disregard for the community is unacceptable! 

     JANUARY 2025

CLUBHOUSE…WHAT CLUBHOUSE?

How long does a clubhouse have to be out of commission before Estates II is officially considered "clubhouse-less"? Oh, what a fantastic question!  One can only imagine the riveting conversations Alan Rothenberg is having, blissfully sure there are no issues with the delays, since he hasn’t bothered to hold a meeting to discuss it with the residents. It must be just lovely up there in that ivory tower where they hold their board meetings—do they serve tea and crumpets?

And let’s talk about that renovation disaster. Who dropped the ball on this one? It's astonishing to think you could hire a design firm and a special licensed contractor, and yet somehow, none of them thought, “Hey, maybe we should address these glaring code issues before we start the work.” What happened to “we don't need permits because the clubhouse is only undergoing a  superficial change” lie/excuse from ten months ago? Hard to keep all the lies straight isn't it?

Oh, and let's not forget the cherry on top: we already forked over money on the current alarm system for this *wonderful* illegal renovation, and now we get to shell out even more for a brand-new alarm system.   Estates II purchased a new alarm system, not long ago when Cindy was president, without proper permits—thank you, Cindy Davidowitz!  Does anyone else see a pattern emerging?  Oh, and just a friendly reminder: the residents club mentioned MONTHS ago that there was a delay because of the fire alarm permit. REMEMBER THIS…

WHO'S YOUR DADDY NOW 

Remember when the board kept warning you that the Residents Club was trying to steal your data? That was two maintenance increases, one assessment and one failed clubhouse renovation ago. As Aretha Franklin once said, "Who's zoomin' who?"  

    CLUBHOUSE LOWER LEVEL: 

Oh, fantastic! The same people who ushered in over one year of  chaos are now in charge of the lower level clubhouse renovation. This is the stuff nightmares are made of. Residents should definitely hold onto hope while simultaneously bracing themselves for what can only be described as the worst-case scenario. Because, really, who doesn’t enjoy a good double disaster? At this point, the residents might as well start praying for a miracle—divine intervention seems like the only way out of this  mess!   

THE HISTORY IS MESSY: The tumultuous history the board of managers is alluding to dates back to Cindy Davidowitz's presidency, during which she authorized the installation of a new alarm system without securing the necessary permits. Notably, many of the board members involved in that decision are the same individuals overseeing the current clubhouse renovation. This raises concerns about their adherence to protocols, as they have exhibited a consistent disregard for rules and procedures, failing to comply with condo bylaws and overlooking local ordinances.  It is any wonder Estates ll is in the mess it currently finds itself in.

MANHASSET CREST: Oh, wow! Let’s all take a moment to applaud  the board.  What an accomplishment!. The board took years to ensure 3 lucky homeowners a couple of feet of land in their backyard that literally no one, and we mean NO ONE, will ever notice ? Talk about a win-win! Meanwhile, Estates II graciously sacrificed  $60,000 for the glorious privilege of watching three homeowners bask in their few feet of paradise. As these 3 homeowner enjoy their paradise the rest of us are in purgatory for the tens of thousands of dollars spent to make these 3 homeowners happy. Truly, it’s a heartwarming tale of generosity, especially when you consider that 175 homeowners will never lay eyes on this precious property. But hey, let’s give it up for Rick Saccullo for pulling off one of the most costly and self-serving stunts ever! Estates II residents, you’ve really hit the jackpot in “loser of the year” awards, all thanks to our fantastic board of managers! How lucky can you get?

PRIVATE INSTRUCTION ON TENNIS COURTS: Previously reported: a homeowner requested that Estates ll allow his tennis instructor to give lessons on our courts to residents and non-residents. After discussion, the board agreed that according to Estates ll rules, “a resident must always accompany a guest.”  Huh? Did any of us think Alan would deny board member requests for private tennis lessons in our community? Why not let us know who wants to have thier friends over for private lessons.  Why now, all of a sudden, does someone want to have non residents take tennis lesson in Estates ll. Alan Rothenberg has proven once again he is the gas lighter in chief.   Alan did not answer the direct question: can a homeowner have a tennis instructor conduct a lesson with residents &  non residents on the Estates ll tennis courts?  YES or NO

COME ONE COME ALL: We should expect the board to hire a tennis court booker because we predict many residents will take the opportunity to save court rental fees and have their tennis instruction with their non resident friends where they live instead of a tennis facility. It seems we have some members on the board who are misers. If only they channeled that same dedication to saving their personal funds towards making thoughtful fiscal decisions for our community!

THE RESIDENTS CLUB WOULD LIKE TO HAVE PRIVATE COOKING LESSONS IN THE CLUBHOUSE

The Residents Club's position is as follows: Hard no to private lesson for non residents. Estates ll is not a public facility

1- Guests should not be allowed to pay for tennis lessons on the Estates ll tennis courts. Go Rent a Tennis Court

2- The tennis instructor must have proper insurance in case one of the people paying for tennis lessons falls on the tennis court and sustains an injury, and that person blames Estates II for not properly maintaining the tennis court.

3-Every individual taking tennis lessons in Estates II must indemnify Estates II from any injury claims. There will be lawsuits.

2025 BUGET MEETING FOLLOW UP:  

Alan reported that the revised budget was distributed to the homeowners. There have been no issues with the changes.  There are indeed issues with the new budget. On January 11, an email was sent to each board member high lighting many issues with the changes to the budget.

Date: Sat, Jan 11, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Subject: Revised 2025 Budget
To: <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>
 

Dear Estates II Board Members,

Since Stephen Fanuka, Treasurer, Stephanie Michel, Assistant Treasurer, and Debra Resnick, Secretary, were not in attendance at the 2025 Budget Meeting, this email serves to bring them up to speed from a resident's standpoint as well as an attempt to try to obtain answers to some of the many concerns residents voiced at the meeting and subsequent thereto.

At the December Budget Meeting, the majority of the attendees noticed the mistakes in the 2025 proposed budget and requested that the board adjourn the meeting. Since the Board had trouble rationally responding to the resident's concerns at the time, having the board reconvene the meeting would have given the board a chance to revise and correct the budget.  While the board has not yet rescheduled the meeting with residents, the revised budget distributed yesterday was advice well taken. However, the revised budget still raises many concerns. 

Therefore, for the benefit of the entire Estates II community, can you please address and answer the following:

1)  Consider that after the board was told  by residents that the Estates II Bylaws contain an article that requires social events to be paid for from admittance fees (and not from condo funds) the revised budget still contains the $15,000 line item for Social Committee events.  

This clearly violates the bylaws. With rising costs, year-after-year increases in common charges, and streams of assessments, the board should remove this item to be fiscally conservative to minimize the burden on residents.  The drafters of our bylaws clearly realized that Social Committee functions (that do not benefit all residents ) should not be paid for out of common charges.  For example, a children's Halloween party, which may well be attended by a limited number of people as well as non-residents, should not be paid for by the community as a whole.  To this point, residents should not be paying for coffee, snacks, and meals for the few groups of people who regularly use the clubhouse for card games and get-togethers, as another example.  For your convenience, Bylaw Article 8 is presented for your convenience below in this email.

In light of the above, please explain why this item has not been removed from the 2025 budget.

2) Can you explain why there is a car allowance for the TCM manager who is not an Estates II employee?  The 2025 budget shows we will be paying TCM nearly $90,000.

3) Why is there $0 budgeted for 'Lawsuit Settlements' when you know there is ongoing litigation against the condo? And, would you please inform the community of what are the on-going lawsuits.

4) Can you please detail the expenses included in the Misc Expenses category as $15,000 seems like a large number for undisclosed misc expenses?

5) As it has come to light that the litigation/negotiation with Manhasset Crest has been settled, why is there an additional $50,000 budgeted for in the legal expense category?

6) Why are both the Truck Maintenance and Truck Gasoline expense items tripling from 2024 actuals?

7) Why didn't the board accept a competitive security bid that would have saved the condo $50,000 per year?

8) Why is the Guard Booth Maintenance line item going from $415 spent in 2024 to $5,000 budgeted in 2025?  It's a brand-new guard booth.

9) Why is there a 21% increase in garbage collection in 2025 when your footnotes to your budget state the refuse contract is subject to 2% annual increases?

10) Why is there a 25% increase in water budgeted in 2025?

11) Why did the condo actually spend $20,152 for Snow Removal Extras in 2024, yet you are budgeting $70,000 for 2025

12) Noticeably absent from the budget this year is a presentation of the Capital Budget.  When questioned at the board meeting why there was no Capital Budget, Alan Rothenberg told residents that:"There will be no capital expenditures in 2025".  

Contradictory, in your accompanying letter to the revised budget yesterday you stated:  "We are working on a remodeling plan for the lower level. Once we establish the cost, we will determine the amount of the assessment needed to complete the project."  

Based on your statement at the budget meeting and your subsequent statement yesterday, is the community to assume the assessment for the lower lever renovation is going to happen in 2026 ?

Considering the President's conflicting statements, it appears to be the logical answer, or else Alan and the Board were just untruthful to the residents at the budget meeting. Please explain.

As stewards of our money and community, your expeditious responses to the above will be most appreciated by the Residents Club and its many followers.

DECEMBER 2024 

The Gifts Keep Coming for the Board of Managers: Parking Spots, $75,000 Fence, $15,000 for parties and a $500,000 Tennis Country Club. 

While residents get a lump of coal. The Residents Club anticipates a $5,000 assessment for the lower level of the clubhouse resulting from a lack of future planning.

Has anyone else noticed that in the newsletter, the board uses a ridiculous amount of words just to say absolutely nothing? The budget gobbledegook is completely incomprehensible! "Alan explained that he, with previous board operational and contract experience, had prepared the budget in consultation with Stephen and Stephani." What kind of nonsense is that? It tells us NOTHING! 

The Board has introduced a new section titled “FROM THE MINUTES.” Which really shines a light on the selective information doled out to residents.  Clearly, the board thinks we’re only interested in the tidbits they allow us to see, while conveniently glossing over the juicy details that might actually matter. Residents want to know it all, especially the minutes the board keeps a secret.  Bravo for pretending to keep us “informed”... the only people you are fooling are yourselves.

Manhasset Crest

Allocating $75,000 in legal fees, following an expenditure of over $10,000 on legal matters concerning Manhasset Crest that impact Rick Saccullo and two other homeowners, is an alarming display of financial irresponsibility. This decision becomes even more concerning considering that Manhasset Crest offered Estates II $60,000 for the land and the offer was accepted, prior to Rick Saccullo becoming president. It is reckless to spend such a significant amount of money on behalf of just three residents when accepting the $60,000 would have benefited the larger Estates II community.

The board's decision to allocate an additional $75,000 to the budget, along with a maintenance increase, reflects a troubling disregard for the broader community. This action not only appears selfish but also underscores a concerning arrogance, suggesting that the needs and concerns of residents are being overlooked in favor of the board members' interests. Such a stance raises serious questions about the board's commitment to serving the community as a whole.

BRAVA UNELECTED MARILYN FRIEDLANDER CONCERT MISTRESS

Just as the birds must chirp and the ducks must quack, the Residents Club must confront the egregious fabrications spun by Marilyn Friendlander, for if not us then who. Her words, cloaked in syrupy nonsense, weave a web of deception that we cannot ignore. It is imperative that we expose the truth and reclaim our narrative from her grasp of disinformation...

Marilyn along with the Conductor and the rest of the band continue to ignore resident's requests to attend the board meetings, read the minutes and have unfettered access to their condo information. That is what the masses want, along with timely repairs . 

Unelected Marilyn desperately wants residents to acknowledge all the positive that happened in 2024 so here's a small summary:

- Clubhouse renovated without resident input  
- Clubhouse closed for one year; blamed the building inspector 
- Renovations exceeded budget, resulting in a special assessment  
- Maintenance fees increased without cost-cutting discussions  
- $15,000 allocated for the social committee to buy lunch and dinner for the board and their friends, including Marilyn, which make her writings self-serving bunk.  
- New exit gate installed for the safety of walkers; opens slowly and is too long  
- Shipping container placed centrally in Estates II by the board  
- Bylaws rendered irrelevant, stripping residents of their rights  
- Residents labeled "Gestapo Agents" by the board 

 - A Budget meeting without the treasurers and secretary present 

The positive changes we've observed can be attributed to the efforts of the Residents Club. The snowplows have been stored away, Donna Geffner's car tarp was removed, the sloppy unsightly yellow tape around the clubhouse was replaced with a single neat strip, the dead potted plants at the entrance have been removed, the long-broken cobblestone has finally been repaired,and the stalled address lights project started back up. The only reason the board came clean about the fire marshall is because the Resident's Club wrote about it first. These are just a few of the many accomplishments of the Residents Club.

Estates ll Tennis & Country Club

Come one and all to the board's new country club. The Residents Club warned you: the board was crafting a country club for themselves and their pals. And we were right!  Rick Saccullo is one of the displaced Shelter Rock Tennis members. The Shelter Rock Tennis members knew for years the end of the tennis club was approaching.  Is it a coincidence that past board president Rick Saccullo and his crew are trying to turn Estates II into their own free Shelter Rock Tennis Club? After their tennis lesson, they will meander to the pool, where, thanks to Cindy Davidowitz—who changed the guest limit for residents during her time as president to suit her personal needs—they can enjoy a swim. They will then use the clubhouse you funded and enjoy a snack you paid for. If you are starting to feel like a sucker to fund Rick Saccullo's tennis club and $100,000 in legal fees for his fence  it's because you are.  

…BUT SERIOUSLY

It is important to note that the contributors of the Residents Club dedicate their personal time and resources in the hopes of fostering positive changes for Estates II. In contrast with the board, who keeps taking, the Residents Club selflessly invests both time and money, fully committed to the benefit of our community.

It is also important to emphasize that engagement with the Residents Club website is entirely voluntary; no one is compelled to access its content. The high traffic on the site reflects the community's growing concerns and dissatisfaction, particularly regarding the declining quality of life at Estates II over the past few years. The voices of the residents, which represent simple yet fundamental desires for improvement, are consistently overlooked by the board.

Moreover, there are troubling instances of misinformation, such as when Alan Rothenberg inaccurately claimed to be new to the board in response to a direct question, despite having previously served six consecutive years. This kind of obfuscation raises serious questions about truthfulness -or lack thereof- from board members.

The Residents Club represents a choice for residents, while the actions and decisions of the board significantly impact our community without our consent. The board's persistent practice of ignoring simple requests, withholding vital information, and imposing fee increases demonstrates a disregard for the welfare of the residents they are meant to serve. It is imperative that we demand better governance and a more open dialogue about the future of Estates II.

NOVEMBER 2024 

No mention of cost cutting measures
 

FROM THE MINUTES, NOVEMBER 14: JUST HAND OVER THE ACTUAL MINUTES!

TREASURERS REPORT: By accepting TCM's vague financials, the board ignores crucial details. These numbers are meaningless. TCM can't even get late charges right—residents are penalized for timely maintenance payments.  TCM's outdated management software fails to present meaningful financials. Gas charges have been incorrectly paid out for years!

The lack of proper safeguards is concerning. Proper software should automatically flag any expense anomalies.The treasurer shouldn't have been the one to alert TCM about the $50,000 monthly gas payment, the $9000 monthly gas payment, the many $4000 monthly gas payments; TCM should have raised red flags about these massive, improper charges. Especially since the average monthly gas bill is $200.  TCM should have identified and addressed these substantial and unjustified expenses. TCM's role is to prevent accounting errors and fund misappropriation. If it fails to do so, its effectiveness and relevance come into question.The board shouldn’t have to do TCM'S job! Ultimately, the board must hold TCM accountable and demand more.

Cutting-edge software meticulously tracks home repairs, documenting each condo’s repair history—including which repairs were completed and when. Unfortunately, Estates II lacks a comprehensive record of these details. Think about how many times each driveway has been done over the years. 

Without a clear account of previous repairs, the same issues can be repeatedly addressed, benefitting only the contractors who are compensated multiple times for identical work. This system operates without any checks and balances, leading to inefficiencies and potential waist of funds. 

TCM's management style is stuck in the past! 

MANHASSET CREST: Update on Legal Proceedings and Land Claims

The board has informed us about an ongoing lawsuit, raising several critical questions regarding its initiation and implications. Specifically, when did Schneider Buchel initiate this lawsuit, and is it related to past litigation or a new development? Additionally, it is concerning that Schneider Buchel, being primarily condominium lawyers, may not possess the necessary expertise in land issues to effectively navigate this legal matter. This begs the question of why the board is considering allocating legal fees to Schneider Buchel, when these funds could be more effectively invested in hiring qualified experts who specialize in land matters. Why does the board seem to go out of its way to use TCM vendors even when they are not the prudent choice.

As of today, it is believed residents of Estates II have incurred legal expenses totaling $20,000 in ongoing litigation against a billion-dollar corporation asserting claims to property that Estates II does not legally own and affects only 3 backyards out of 178.  What is the goal? Years ago, Manhasset Crest proposed a settlement of $60,000, which was accepted by Estates II. Legal documentation to formalize this agreement was subsequently prepared by Manhasset Crest. However, at the last moment, Mr. Rick Sacculloo reneged on the agreed-upon terms.

It is important to acknowledge that Estates II has conducted itself in a manner that raises concerns regarding good faith negotiations. If these continued negotiations remain unproductive, it is anticipated that Manhasset Crest may reach a threshold of frustration with the board's ongoing tactics.


CLUB HOUSE UPPER-LEVEL:  DECEPTION CENTRAL

Debbie Resnick asserted to the building inspector, on what should have been the final inspection early November 2024, that they had not made any alterations to the sheet rock or relocated the fire alarm.  The building inspector noted that new materials were indeed brought in and modifications had been made to the fire alarm.  Alarmingly, the board expressed a willingness to sign a false affidavit asserting that the fire alarm had not been moved, a move that would have implicated the inspector in their deceit. The inspector was understandably furious at this attempt to mislead and jeopardize our safety. Due to the replacement of the sheet rock and removal of the fire alarm, an inspection was now necessary hence the further delay. Had the original plans been followed as promised, residents would not be facing these delays. Alan Rothenberg has lied again to the residents of Estates ll.

CLUBHOUSE LOWER-LEVEL

Oh, can it really be true that the very same people who spun fairy tales to the residents of Estates II about phase one of the clubhouse—those who miraculously went way over budget and couldn’t manage to find their way out of a paper bag—are now going to take the reins on phase II?  You know, the one that’s going to be even more complicated and is projected to cost just under a million dollars based on the fabulous budgeting skills we’ve seen so far? How delightful! And isn’t it just charming how there's been absolutely no conversation about what kind of lovely assessments the residents can expect to help fund this masterpiece? 

It should definitely give us all the warm fuzzies that the board has carefully ensured that no residents are allowed to join the clubhouse committee—that’s the perfect recipe for keeping secrets and ensuring funds are spent efficiently! 

And let’s not even get started on whether the board will reward the designers and contractors who did such a spectacularly poor job on the main level with more work. If history is any guide, we can just sit back and watch them do exactly that! The board never corrects course; they’re practically addicted to overspending with the most unqualified people imaginable. What a show we’re in for!


LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE UNIT NUMBERS: UNIT? Really Marilyn. Try this...

LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE ADDRESS NUMBERS

The term 'unit' is unrefined just like the board.   Why not elevate the language to street address, home address, or simply address numbers for a more sophisticated touch?

We expect more from you Marilyn.

Oh, the board, bless their hearts, seems completely clueless about what it actually means to live in a condo. Apparently, they think uniformity is just a suggestion, even though residents don’t own the exterior and should really comply with board decisions on the matter. Meanwhile, the board lets everyone run wild, which is probably why Estates II has fallen so far from its former glory. And let’s not even get started on the decision to illuminate the address numbers—because, of course, residents should have no say in that. If the board decides to light up the address numbers resident must comply. That is what one agrees to do when moving into a condominium. The Hold Harmless agreement? A brilliant touch of absurdity that wouldn’t be necessary if they managed the condo with even half a brain. Do they genuinely believe someone is going to take on all the repercussions for their neighbors just because they didn’t want to light up their address number? How charmingly naive!

EXIT GATE:  It costs too much to speed up the new gate

It's embarrassing how the board -or TCM- can't seem to anticipate any issues and get things right on the first try. Why do they keep saying the exit gate was installed for the safety of walkers?  Have there been "walker" injuries we have not been informed about? Why must we all fall asleep while waiting for the gate to rise for the "safety of walkers." Who are these walkers that needed a gate to fall in front of them as they walk from or onto Searingtown Road? 

After all the years and countless problems Estates ll has had with all three gates, you'd think the board, TCM, or whoever's responsible for this mess would finally know how to order a gate properly. Seriously, what’s the proper length for an exit gate? How long should it even take to rise? Is this everyone's first rodeo in condo management? Because it sure feels like it to us residents dealing with the fallout of this constant incompetence.

SNOW CONTRACT: FORGET PLOWING SNOW, PLOW THE FAT OFF THE SNOW CONTRACT. The plowing is now subcontracted to Cardinali Bothers, who maintain the sprinklers. Because it just makes so much sense to pay two vendors when we could be paying one. I mean, who doesn't love the thrill of juggling multiple contracts? And the loyalty to TCM vendors is truly heartwarming. It's like they’re part of the family now and family get paid! A huge thank you to the board for enlightening us that the sprinkler guy will be paid to do absolutely nothing all winter long. Because, of course, money just grows on trees here at Estates II! No wonder we are broke. 

Sprinkler care and snow removal are two distinct services that typically operate in different seasons and involve different skill sets & tools, therefore it’s truly baffling that Estates II is suddenly outsourcing snow removal to a ‘sprinkler guy’ after years of relying on Bromate for this critical service. We can’t help but wonder what prompted this inexplicable decision. Why would Bromate be legally liable for Cardinali unless there is so much fat in the contract. 

It’s worth noting that Estates II managed perfectly well without a sprinkler guy before TCM took over, thanks to our skilled maintenance workers who saved us tens of thousands of dollars in sprinkler fees. It’s almost as if the board is setting us up for a costly lesson in poor decision-making!


EDITORS NOTE: AKA Marilyn's Deceptions
NOTHING BUT PURE BS
 

We're exhausted by the ongoing deception. It's simply unacceptable for residents to be told that the excerpts picked by Marilyn Friedlander from the actual minutes constitute true minutes. Anyone who has served on a board knows that what we receive in Estates II is far from complete or accurate. Legal matters should be included in the minutes since residents are footing the bill for those legal fees.

Here's a clear message: the board, along with Marilyn Freidlander—who clearly has no experience in anything we are aware of since she didn't run for the board, so residents never saw her resume—are failing to provide residents with any meaningful information. They conveniently exclude vital details that matter to residents. Preliminary discussions should absolutely be part of the minutes. After all, these discussions give residents insight into the future, including potential assessments and maintenance increases. Residents of Estates ll are entitle to transparency, not half-truths and omissions

Beware of the board for beneath its polished veneer lies a web of misdirection and deceit. Never have so many words conveyed so little. Marilyn Friedlander you have truloutdone yourself.

Alan Rothenberg, Cindy Davidowitz, Debbie Resnick, Stephen Fanuka, Stephani Michele, Donald Feldman, Donna Geffner
 Home, Home on the Condo: A Sad Serenade 

There's a place in the condo, where the board runs amok,
With their rules all a-tangled, oh, what rotten luck
Manhasset crest legal fees for sure are a waste
A never ending fight for 6 ft of land- is a disgrace
The winners are TCM’s Schneider Buchel 
Residents funding this can all go to hell

Home, home in the condo, 
Where the dues are a crime, 
And the board is all tangled, 
In a mountain of slime. 
Every meeting, a circus, 
With the truth tucked away, 
Home, home in the condo, 
Where the dreams go to fray.

They pretend to fix problems, but the fixes don’t stick, 
With a paint job and promise, they think they’re quite slick.
The clubhouse is closed for a year, it is so.
But the lies just keep coming, will they stop, we don't know.
They lied about the sheet rock but the inspector he knew. 
They lied about the fire alarm while their noses all grew.

As the leaks start a-gushing, and all three gates stall, 
You can bet none of them care, cause they’re having a ball $$

OCTOBER 2024
"The time is always right to do what is right." Martin L. King
                                
                            

Board of Managers Extends an invitation... 

An innocent title for a deceitful act!

Did Marilyn Friedlander write that fluff piece on herself?  The board of managers, wrapped up in their insulated bubble, is completely clueless. With every bylaw breach and every attempt to conceal critical condo info, they're only driving residents closer together. Things are spiraling downward  and the residents will unite and reclaim their condo! 

The sheer lack of relevant information in the Estates ll Newsletter is nothing short of astounding. At this point, the Estates II Newsletter is a prime candidate for the world's worst recycling program— it’s just a waste of a perfectly good tree! Tree huggers, unite! Let’s stage a protest against this mind-numbing drivel, which consists of two large photos and a few vague sentences about the exit gate that could have easily been relegated to an email update. Honestly, Marilyn Freidlander could teach any corrupt regime a thing or two about propaganda; it’s almost impressive! One can’t help but wonder if she has a shred of a conscience, deliberately omitting all the information that residents want.
Bravo, Marilyn! Your ability to dodge crucial details is truly a talent.


When Will the Pricy Fashion-Over-Function Furniture Start Its Dirt Debut?


CLUBHOUSE spin by Marilyn Friedlander
 

"The committee is sure that Estates ll has met all of the building code requirements ... 

We can all rest assured because Debbie Resnick says everything is OK. The clock's ticking on the clubhouse reopening! Feels like it's been closed for ages, right? But once you're inside don’t get too cozy—time to whip out those wallets for that lower level assessment!  Here's another sad prediction: We sense another maintenance increase coming your way soon. 

Exit Gate Improvement...?
 

The spin is out of control! " For pedestrian safety a longer gate was installed from sidewalk to sidewalk." How on earth does a pedestrian benefit from a gate extension that can come down onto a person who is walking on the sidewalk. The board is just doing a fantastic job, isn’t it? Who wouldn’t want a gate arm that extends way onto the sidewalk and moves at a snail’s pace for ‘pedestrian safety’? Clearly, the genius solution is to speed that thing up! What a brilliant idea! Why not just make the arm shorter, so it can’t possibly whack a poor soul strolling by? It’s not rocket science! It’s baffling—this arm has never been this long before. What possessed them to order one so ridiculously long now? It’s just an exit, for crying out loud! Fingers crossed no one gets hurt while they grapple with this revolutionary problem that Estates II has somehow managed to avoid until now.

Desecration of the Board of Managers: Bylaws Be Damned!
 

The Continued Negligence of Board Secretary Debbie Resnick Who Used the Out Dated Voter log for the 2024 Election


If Marilyn Friedlander wanted to be on the board why didn't she run in the election? Because if she lost the board could not appoint her to the executive board. 

The integrity of the Estates II board has reached a new low. The appointment of unelected co-board members—a striking breach of the Estates II bylaws—underscores a deeply troubling sense of impunity that has increasingly permeated our community. This alarming pattern of prioritizing personal desires over established norms and rules threatens to plunge Estates II into disarray. Adherence to the Bylaws is crucial for order to remain at Estates ll. The Estates ll property manager should be used to "facilitate reporting on the Board business and topics of community interests", if the secretary can't fulfill her duties according to the bylaws.

Secretary Debbie Resnick's apparent indifference towards her responsibilities is nothing short of appalling. Her failure to document minutes—a fundamental duty as mandated by our bylaws—casts doubt on her commitment to the position of secretary. Never before has the secretary needed assistance in fulfilling the responsibilities of the position.  If Debbie Resnick is unable or unwilling to fulfill this essential role, her position should be reconsidered without delay.

The inexplicable presence of Marilyn Friedlander at board meetings raises serious questions. What sets Marilyn Friedlander apart that she has been granted access while the rest of the residents are excluded? This blatant disregard for inclusivity, coupled with the obscured distribution of board minutes, illustrates a grotesque abuse of power that every resident should find utterly unacceptable.  It is obvious that this appointment was established prior to the recent elections or Marilyn Friendlander would have run for the board, like she should have.  It seems Estates ll can't have aboard of managers without a Friedlander on it, even if it's not legitimate. Mike Friedlander leaves the board and his wife is anointed a position. 

We, the residents of Estates II, must demand more from our leadership. This so-called board of managers must recognize that their actions are an affront to the very foundation of Estates ll—a foundation built on bylaws, respect, equity, and participation from all residents. The ongoing secrecy and manipulation cannot continue unchallenged.


NEW TREASURER SAME NONSENSICAL FINANCIALS

- How much of the $4355 in legal fees were spent to have the emotional support attorney attend election night? 
- Any legals fees spent on trying to recover money that appears to have been spent to pay someone else's gas?
- Is the Estates ll bank account a sieve?

Alan Rothenberg, Cindy Davidowitz, Debbie Resnick, Stephen Fanuka, Stephani Michele, Donald Feldman, Donna Geffner

SEPTEMBER 2024



Residents see all that is wrong but the Resident's Club is the one who asks why

 

Why use an outdated voter log?
Why pay for the attorney to attend the election meeting?
Why pay strangers to over see the election count?
Why tell residents you work hard to save money without explaining how?
Why use misleading expense categories?
Why keep assessing and raising the maintenance w/o cutting costs?
Why pay tens of thousands of dollars for gas Estates ll does not use?
Why not let the residents attend board meetings?
Why not let the residents read the minutes?
Why deny residents' rights to join committees?
Why not make the attorney return the money after it was discovered they over billed Estates ll?

ELECTION RESULTS

There seems to be a discrepancy on how many residents voted

more to come on the out dated voter log 



Mike Friedlander's Lies

Lie #1: Inflation and Minimum Wage Increases Have Eradicated Cash Balances

Inflation rates in the United States, which peaked at approximately 9.1% in June 2022—the highest in several decades—have shown signs of significant decline. By late 2023, the inflation rate had decreased to around 2.5%. Core inflation is down 25%.  This trend indicates a potential for price reductions from vendors. Contrary to the assertion that inflation and minimum wage increases have obliterated cash balances, the current economic landscape provides an opportunity for financial recovery and improved cash flow.

Lie #2: The Most Challenging Aspect of His Role Is Reviewing Monthly Payments

An examination of the monthly gas bills reveals a troubling trend in oversight. Mike Friedlander appears to allow funds to be disbursed without due diligence or concern, resulting in unchecked expenditures. Mike kept the gas expenditure information hidden from the residents, proving he has not been transparent. If the Estates ll resident did not retrieve the gas statements from nat'l grid residents would never know about all of this money deducted from the bank account.  Something similar happened at the Gates Condo; there may be a problem with condos who do not use gas paying out exorbitant amount of money for gas. 

Additionally, there is a pattern of approving late payments to certain vendors and National Grid.  This lack of vigilance not only impacts cash flow but also subjects Estates ll to unnecessary late fees.  Mike Friedlander also allowed the attorney to over bill Estates ll and instead of returning the funds the attorney was allowed to keep the money and issue Estates ll a credit.

Lie #3: Spending Must Be Transparent

The assertion that spending practices are conducted with transparency is called into question by the misleading categorization of expenses in the year-end financial reports. Such obfuscation undermines the integrity of financial practices and erodes trust. There is no transparency in Estates ll.


Rick Saccullo's Empathy:

1. Rick accepted Ely Zaken's assertion that a resident caused the security gate to crash down onto the resident's car. Fortunately there was video evidence that proved the accusation was another Ely Zaken lie. Never the less, Saccullo compelled the family to take legal action against Estates II to recover expenses incurred due to the damaged caused by the malfunctioning security gate and during the entire process displaying unfriendly and unhelpful behavior throughout the process.  There was a total lack of "empathy, warmth and respect."

2. He referred to Jewish residents using the derogatory term  "Gestapo agents."

3. He required residents to travel to Bellmore to access condo records, showing a disregard for their convenience.

4. He denied residents their rights to access board meeting minutes, which undermines transparency and accountability.

5. He has demeaned and dismissed the concerns expressed by individuals on the Residents Club website, failing to acknowledge their perspectives.

6. He condoned fellow board member Ely Zaken's consistent use of profanity and intimidation towards residents, which contributes to a hostile environment.

It's nice to know Rick Saccullo enjoyed his time on the board but the important question is: Did the residents enjoy Rick Saccullo's time on the board? 


Status of Our Real Estates Values

We learned that while our homes are selling well, comments made online can influence property values; however, according to the board, property assessments and ongoing maintenance increases do not negatively impact property values, nor do these eyesores below. However, we are told, by drawing attention to these eyesores, actually does affect property values. This presents a false comparison and seems manipulative. When you’re told you cannot speak freely and there are attempts to control dialogue through intimidation—like trying to turn the community against you—that’s a clear indication of a serious problem.

The board can keep doing what they are doing and the Residents Club will keep doing what it has been doing. 






Ladies and Gentlemen, the excessive praise the board bestows upon its members is quite unsettling!
Alan Rothenberg, Cindy Davidowitz, Debbie Resnick, Stephen Fanuka, Stephani Michele, Donald Feldman, Donna Geffner

___________________________________________________________
2024
"When people show you who they are believe them the first time" Maya Angelou

If your priorities lean towards the preferences of residents who enjoy swimming in the pool and the latest crime statistics snatched from the internet, then this fake newsletter is just for you! This disingenuous letter masquerades as a source of community information, yet it prioritizes trivial matters over the critical issues that residents have a right to know.  Forget about the pressing issues and real challenges facing Estates II; instead, indulge in sensationalized tidbits that distract from the serious matters at hand. This lighthearted take is all about those trivial details that won’t keep you informed, but will surely keep you entertained! Or not.

What is the point of presenting this financial spreadsheet without any explanation to clarify its contents? It seems designed to obfuscate the truth rather than inform, suggesting a deliberate intent to mislead and create confusion.  Is the board purposely withholding crucial financial information from residents? This lack of clarity suggests an intentional effort to withhold vital financial information. 


Excert from a residents' letter:
 

1-“The Estates II Cash Balance on July 31 was $626,559 versus $869,286 one year ago.”

This is completely useless information and does not inform the residents of anything. Does it mean we are going broke? Does it mean we lost $242, 727 over the last year? Does it mean we had too much money in reserves last year? Does it mean we have enough money to cover expenses for the next year, month, etc. ?

July Income was $163,091 and Expenses were $187,293.89.”
Again, what are we to infer from this information? The condo lost $24,202.89 in July? Or does it mean that our revenues were lower than expected? Or does it mean that we are running the condo at a deficit and we should expect $24,000 in monthly assessments.

The person publishing this information is telling residents absolutely nothing about the condo’s financial position, profitability and obviously does not have any competence or understanding of financial reporting.  They don’t even give us a conclusion or a summary of what their two sentences mean---because they can’t and they mean nothing!

Further, their “TOP 12” expenses tell us nothing as well!

JULY 2024:  WAKE UP!


 

The July 2024 newsletter is again evidence that our Board is trying to deceive the residents into thinking everything is perfect in our Estates II world.

IT IS COMPLETE DECEPTION that we are on solid ground, have plenty of money to pay for things, are running things efficiently, and have good management, etc. The constant increases in dues and new assessments are proof that we are poorly run and DON'T have enough money for the short and long terms.
 

Companies that are a day away from bankruptcy get the same report as Estates ll, as long as the records "fairly present" the actual position of the entity.  In other words, we can have one dollar in the bank and 120 million in debt and filing for bankruptcy the next day--yet we would get the same  "present fairly" report!  

In the financial reporting section of the newsletter the board brags that the condo accountants gave a good report on the financial statements as they mention the report states "the financial statements present fairly the books and records". This standard language is mandatory report language that must be used if the accountant does not find anything majorly wrong with the records and says they reflect the financial position of the condo.

HOWEVER,  this language does not speak to reckless spending, overspending, bad management, sufficiency of cash reserves, ability to cover expenses, assessments, long term planning needs,  etc.    

THEY FEED US MEANINGLESS INFORMATION EVERY MONTH

 

The residents are eager to understand Mike Friedlander's qualifications for reviewing serious financial records and reporting their accuracy, as his position as treasurer alone does not guarantee his financial expertise or inspire confidence in his abilities. 

 Why does Mike Friedlander use quotations around the word "Financials"? The use of quotation marks around a word can imply sarcasm or skepticism. Is Mike Friedlander distancing himself from the term or questioning its validity?  Does Mike Friedlander's use of quotation marks around "Financials," indicate that he does not fully believe in the reliability or significance of whatever is being referred to as "financials"? 

Is TCM really the source of the "Financials"? :

When a management company is entrusted with both maintaining and reporting financial records to the accountant, the potential for conflicts of interest and financial mismanagement increases significantly. 

By allowing the management company to control not just the creation of invoices but also the payment process, the board undermines the integrity and objectivity required for accurate financial reporting. This concentration of power creates an environment ripe for discrepancies, fraud, or oversight, as the management company may not have the incentive to provide a full and transparent accounting of its activities. Furthermore, it can hinder effective oversight by the board, which relies on accurate financial data to make informed decisions. 

Alan Rothenberg, Cindy Davidowitz, Debbie Resnick, Stephen Fanuka, Stephani Michele, Donald Feldman, Donna Geffner
WHERE ARE THE 2023 FINANCIAL REPORTS?  THERE IS NO MENTION IN THE NEWS LETTER AS TO WHEN RESIDENTS WILL RECEIVE THEM

Oct. 2023 



__________________________________________

Deadlines are not just guidelines; they are commitments.

The board of managers inability to produce the monthly newsletter on time raises concerns about their organizational skills and commitment to the residents. This lapse is particularly telling considering that the newsletter typically contains minimal information; a timely release of even a brief update should not pose a significant challenge. 

 

August 2, 2024

Please be advised that the July Newsletter will be distributed to all residents early next week.

We appreciate your patience.

Thank you,
________________________________________

June 2024 Monthly Propaganda Letter
 

"Nothing is As It Seems"

       
 

Front page:

Front side of letter repeats what was already announced to all residents in a community email concerning the resignation of Ely Zaken and his replacement. Empty words to fill the page. 

The board could have addressed:
- What is the board doing to bring down costs?
-The illegal parking spots in front of Ely Zaken's condo on Eagles Crescent.
-The board could explain to the residents why the address lights are taking 3 to 4 years to complete and offer an apology for the incompetence.  
- Filthy siding
- How long residents have to look at the ugly shipping container. How was that purchase billed?
- Why the board never admits fault. What are the odds the board is 100% spot on all the time.

The praise heaped on Ely Zaken is tone deaf. Ely resigned because he called a resident a piece of shit and told the resident he was now his enemy. Nice. Ely Zaken has verbally abused other residents over the years. Ely Zaken is a fowl mouthed resident who cannot control his temper.  Ely Zaken placed rose thorns around the area residents used to feed the kittens. Diabolical. The only person who has benefited from Ely Zaken’s time on the board is Ely Zaken by charging residents for electrical work for their homes. One resident was fined by the village because of Ely Zaken's unlicensed electrical work. Why didn't Razzle Dazzle Rick Saccullo send an email spinning that story. 

Ely Zaken benefited from his many years on the board by:
Obtaining a condo credit card
Charging residents for electrical installations
Purchasing condo tools to use for his personal projects
Changing the common areas to his benefit: Parking spots, specialty lighting, drilling into his condo


The residents club received an email from a resident stating Ely installed his TV for less money than the electrician was going to charge them. Ely has spent condo money frivolously on items for his own enjoyment and power, like the mulch machine, the ugly shipping container, that we are forced to look at, so that he could store overly priced garbage room doors,  Zaken purchased for some unexplained reason. Zaken was in charge of the purchase and installation of the garage doors that are now breaking because they were improperly installed.  Zaken moved the 3 parking spots from the cul-de-sac of Eagles Crescent to the front of his condo in  another self-serving act.

Zaken lied to residents about a license when it had been expired for years, as confirmed by the Department of State.  Zaken told a resident their basement leak was due to a back deck that was not level. Easily proven false with the help of a level. A licensed engineers report stated the leak was due to a very serious issue of the condo sinking due to the over saturation of the ground over decades. Zaken has no expertise and no license and has done more harm than good.  Zaken is a one man wrecking ball.  Residents can breathe a sigh of relief for now. 

There is some irony that the pretend contractor has been replace with a real licensed contractor. We bet this contractor has no desire to purchase unnecessary items with condo funds to inflate his ego. Good riddance Ely Zaken.

Financials…

Meaningless numbers with no explanations. What is ER Medicare?
Where's the quarterly bonus the security guards receive? How much is that?
Expenditures are hidden from the residents.

Second Page:

Rick Saccullo spends another $5000 on another attorney for his 10 feet of land. Estates ll has spent roughly one  thousand dollars per foot of disputed land and they are still not finished spending residents money on Rick Saccullo's back yard. This should have been a vote by the community to see how many residents really care about the loss of ten feet. 

THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND…..CONDO BOARD  

THIS LAND IS MY LAND…..TOLL BROTHERS

Privacy Matters: 

External Security Cameras:  The board, for the benefit of Ely Zaken, created this camera problem. Ely Zaken was the first to drill a camera into the condo which violates Estates ll bylaws and instead of telling him to take it down they decided to allow it, so now Estates ll is hard wired and the board is worried about Resident Privacy.  Too little too late. The board made all residents take down their hanging flower pots from the trellis but because Ely Zaken drilled a light into his trellis many residents are doing the same. Residents do not own the trellis and have no right to drill into it. The Condo is looking very hodge podge like the driveway patches. Estates ll once looked pristine with conformity. Now we have flags, ugly lights above some of the driveways, lights drilled into some of the trellis’ and still, not every home has their address numbers lit up. Estates ll looks like a messy neighborhood. 

“What Kind of community do we want Estates ll to be? Privacy matters Always.”

Picture Taking: As a board member, Ely Zaken filmed a resident on two separate occasions. The resident thought privacy mattered but the board told the resident they had no expectation of privacy, so what changed. The board started the practice of picture taking for the benefit of Ely Zaken.

Alan Rothenberg, Cindy Davidowitz, Debbie Resnick, Stephen Fanuka, Stephani Michele, Donald Feldman, Donna Geffner
__________________________________________________________________
June 2024


July 2024



Resident comment below:

As we all received 1/24 Estates II Newsletter,

Would anyone run their own houses this way?

Oct. 2023 


May 2023


Oct 2023


Alan Rothenberg, Cindy Davidowitz, Debbie Resnick, Stephen Fanuka, Stephani Michele, Donald Feldman, Donna Geffner
November 2023 News Letter


January 2022


March 2022


April 2022

April is a doozy. The same board that went 60% over budget for the Club house project took years to try and complete the address numbers that they told the residents would take several months. Years later the light project has not been completed.  The "test run on several units" were the homes of the board of managers & their friends, then the installation came to a halt and only restarted after the Residents Club began a relentless campaign to force the board to finish the project.   Another falsehood in the April News Letter stated the board "will seek input from homeowners" during the clubhouse project. 


June 2022


July 2022  News Letter


October 2022


Feb. 2021


March 2021


June 2021 News Letter


December 2021


August 2020 News Letter


September 2020 News Letter


November 2020 News Letter

 
December 2020 News Letter







 Estates ll Board of managers: Alan Rothenberg, Cindy Davidowitz, Debbie Resnick, Stephen Fanuka, Stephani Michele, Donald Feldman, Donna Geffner, David Hoffman