Saturday elections likely last for homeowners groups > Woodlands Villager > News > Houston Community Newspapers Online - News Around Town: "Voters heading to the polls for Saturday’s The Woodlands Association and The Woodlands Community Association elections could be casting their final ballots for the homeowners groups.
Six WCA and two TWA board of directors spots are up for election, as well as about 100 seats on village association boards and residential design review committees.
An action plan for a community governance transition from the homeowners groups to The Woodlands Township -- outlined in a document authored by township President Don Norrell -- calls for the bulk of the initiatives to be carried out in 2009, and completed by January 2010."
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Fred Pilot sent this link. Woodlands goes public.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Investigation: Homeowner's Hell
Investigation: Homeowner's Hell: "DALLAS - Trumped-up charges, excessive interest, intimidation, and threats of foreclosure: that is what lawsuits filed by some residents claim is happening at a north Dallas condominium complex they say has become a homeowner’s hell.
Russell Hoff bought his condo at Casa Blanca Condominiums in 2007 thinking it would be a great investment. Instead, he says, it’s been a curse. “It’s been hell,” says Hoff. “You don’t even want to come home.”"
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Another horror story--thanks to the anonymous commenter who forwarded the link.
Russell Hoff bought his condo at Casa Blanca Condominiums in 2007 thinking it would be a great investment. Instead, he says, it’s been a curse. “It’s been hell,” says Hoff. “You don’t even want to come home.”"
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Another horror story--thanks to the anonymous commenter who forwarded the link.
Queens tenants at condo had to pay fees and fines to Mafia thugs, feds say
Queens tenants at condo had to pay fees and fines to Mafia thugs, feds say: "Gambino gangsters controlled a condo board in Queens and extorted tens of thousands of dollars in bogus and inflated fees from owners when they tried to move, the feds say.
Testifying at the trial of reputed hit man Charles Carneglia, former residents of the Greentree Condominiums in Ozone Park said they were slammed with steep last-minute charges for 'failure to comply with condo bylaws.'"
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Imagine that. The mob looked at the way condos are organized and figured out that you can use a condo board to milk the owners.
Testifying at the trial of reputed hit man Charles Carneglia, former residents of the Greentree Condominiums in Ozone Park said they were slammed with steep last-minute charges for 'failure to comply with condo bylaws.'"
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Imagine that. The mob looked at the way condos are organized and figured out that you can use a condo board to milk the owners.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Burris' son got state job from Blago :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Roland Burris
Burris' son got state job from Blago :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Roland Burris: "The son of embattled Sen. Roland Burris is a federal tax deadbeat who landed a $75,000-a-year state job under former Gov. Rod Blagojevich five months ago, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.
Blagojevich's administration hired Roland W. Burris II as a senior counsel for the state's housing authority Sept. 10 -- about six weeks after the Internal Revenue Service slapped a $34,163 tax lien on Burris II and three weeks after a mortgage company filed a foreclosure suit on his South Side house."
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It isn't just that Burris Jr. got a job in the Blagojevich administration. He got a job with the agency "whose mission includes overseeing mortgage programs for low-income home buyers and anti-foreclosure initiatives."
A person could get the notion that here in Illinois clout is just about the only thing that matters.
Blagojevich's administration hired Roland W. Burris II as a senior counsel for the state's housing authority Sept. 10 -- about six weeks after the Internal Revenue Service slapped a $34,163 tax lien on Burris II and three weeks after a mortgage company filed a foreclosure suit on his South Side house."
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It isn't just that Burris Jr. got a job in the Blagojevich administration. He got a job with the agency "whose mission includes overseeing mortgage programs for low-income home buyers and anti-foreclosure initiatives."
A person could get the notion that here in Illinois clout is just about the only thing that matters.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Kenosha News | No date set for Ealy trial
Kenosha News | No date set for Ealy trial: "WAUKEGAN, Ill. — Defense attorneys were given more time Tuesday to gather their case for an Illinois man accused of killing a Trevor woman.
A judge did not set a trial date after the defense team asked for more time to submit motions on behalf of James Ealy, 44, of Lake Villa, Ill. Ealy is accused of killing Mary Hutchinson, 45, of Trevor in a Lindenhurst, Ill., Burger King in November 2006.
Ealy is charged with first-degree murder. Hutchinson was killed at the Burger King she managed as part of an apparent armed robbery. She was strangled with the bow tie from her uniform and stabbed 16 times."
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Two and a half years ago, this monster murdered the manager of a Burger King here in Lindenhurst, a few minutes from where I live. He had worked there previously and lied about his background to get the job. In 1982 he was convicted of murdering four family members. He strangled them right in front of the two little boys he didn't bother to kill. An appellate court turned him loose because his confession wasn't taken quite perfectly enough. He committed another rape or two along the way and did more time. But eventually he settled in this area and strangled and stabbed this poor woman as she was opening the restaurant.
Two and a half years ago. And he still doesn't even have a trial date. What kind of justice system do we have in this state? What, exactly, remains to be investigated about this psychopath?
A judge did not set a trial date after the defense team asked for more time to submit motions on behalf of James Ealy, 44, of Lake Villa, Ill. Ealy is accused of killing Mary Hutchinson, 45, of Trevor in a Lindenhurst, Ill., Burger King in November 2006.
Ealy is charged with first-degree murder. Hutchinson was killed at the Burger King she managed as part of an apparent armed robbery. She was strangled with the bow tie from her uniform and stabbed 16 times."
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Two and a half years ago, this monster murdered the manager of a Burger King here in Lindenhurst, a few minutes from where I live. He had worked there previously and lied about his background to get the job. In 1982 he was convicted of murdering four family members. He strangled them right in front of the two little boys he didn't bother to kill. An appellate court turned him loose because his confession wasn't taken quite perfectly enough. He committed another rape or two along the way and did more time. But eventually he settled in this area and strangled and stabbed this poor woman as she was opening the restaurant.
Two and a half years ago. And he still doesn't even have a trial date. What kind of justice system do we have in this state? What, exactly, remains to be investigated about this psychopath?
ACLU Backs Florida Bait Shop Ticketed for Displaying U.S. Constitution | ABA Journal - Law News Now
ACLU Backs Florida Bait Shop Ticketed for Displaying U.S. Constitution | ABA Journal - Law News Now: "At first, it was a painting of game fish on an exterior wall of a Florida bait and tackle shop that drew adverse attention from sign code enforcement officials of the city of Clearwater, who said it violates a ban on a business displaying a depiction of the product it sells.
But, when by the city ordered the Complete Angler to paint over it, the shop instead covered it with a banner providing the text of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution—and was cited over the banner, too, reports the St. Petersburg Times."
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Maybe Florida has so many CIDs the governments think they need to act like homeowner associations.
But, when by the city ordered the Complete Angler to paint over it, the shop instead covered it with a banner providing the text of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution—and was cited over the banner, too, reports the St. Petersburg Times."
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Maybe Florida has so many CIDs the governments think they need to act like homeowner associations.
Ex-Valley lawmaker wants to split Calif. - Local - fresnobee.com
Ex-Valley lawmaker wants to split Calif. - Local - fresnobee.com: "'Citizens of our once 'Golden State' are frustrated and desperately concerned about the imposition of burdensome regulations, taxation, fees, fees and more fees, and bureaucratic intrusion into our daily lives and businesses,' declares downsizeca.org, the movement's Web site.
Under Maze's plan, 13 coastal counties from Los Angeles to Marin would split from the remaining 45 counties, which the Web site calls 'the new revitalized California.'"
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I see why people living inland would want to do this, but it won't be easy. Here is Article IV, Sec. 3, of the US Constitution:
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
So, the California legislature and Congress both have to approve this, and given that Democrats rule the state legislature and Congress, why should they let the California breadbasket go its own way?
Under Maze's plan, 13 coastal counties from Los Angeles to Marin would split from the remaining 45 counties, which the Web site calls 'the new revitalized California.'"
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I see why people living inland would want to do this, but it won't be easy. Here is Article IV, Sec. 3, of the US Constitution:
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
So, the California legislature and Congress both have to approve this, and given that Democrats rule the state legislature and Congress, why should they let the California breadbasket go its own way?
FOXNews.com - Russians: Mosquito Survives in Outer Space - Science News | Science & Technology | Technology News
FOXNews.com - Russians: Mosquito Survives in Outer Space - Science News | Science & Technology | Technology News: "The buzzing bug was part of a larger experiment in which bacteria, barley seeds, small crustaceans and larval insects were placed in a container strapped to the exterior of the space station, which orbits in zero gravity about 200 miles above the surface of the Earth."
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Cut to: Charlton Heston lying on the ground, looking up at a big mosquito riding a horse and pointing a rifle at him.
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Cut to: Charlton Heston lying on the ground, looking up at a big mosquito riding a horse and pointing a rifle at him.
Markets Digest Obama Speech, Open Lower | The Market Story | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com
Markets Digest Obama Speech, Open Lower | The Market Story | Financial Articles & Investing News | TheStreet.com: "After a rollercoaster start to the week, stocks in New York were lower out of the gate Wednesday, as investor sentiment appeared little-altered by President Barack Obama's Tuesday-night speech."
--------It is 10:35 eastern and the Dow is down 157 points.
--------It is 10:35 eastern and the Dow is down 157 points.
The Associated Press: Bunning says he might sue if GOP backs another
The Associated Press: Bunning says he might sue if GOP backs another: "FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning on Tuesday said he would have grounds for a lawsuit against his party's national campaign arm if backed a GOP challenger to him in the 2010 primary.
Bunning made the comments during his weekly media call a day after Republican Kentucky state Senate President David Williams said he would not rule out a possible run in the primary. The discussion also came a day after he apologized for comments made about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's fight with cancer."
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That would be strike one and strike two for Senator Bunning, within a single week. One more swing and he will definitely be challenged in the primary.
Bunning made the comments during his weekly media call a day after Republican Kentucky state Senate President David Williams said he would not rule out a possible run in the primary. The discussion also came a day after he apologized for comments made about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's fight with cancer."
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That would be strike one and strike two for Senator Bunning, within a single week. One more swing and he will definitely be challenged in the primary.
Lake County News | California - Hidden Valley Lake Association concerned about medical marijuana growing
Lake County News | California - Hidden Valley Lake Association concerned about medical marijuana growing: "HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE – Hidden Valley Lake's leadership is looking at how to address the cultivation of medical marijuana in the gated community."
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There's an HOA issue I haven't run across before.
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There's an HOA issue I haven't run across before.
Neighborhood watches are on the front lines in bad economy - CNN.com
Neighborhood watches are on the front lines in bad economy - CNN.com
Nice picture of McGruff the Crime Dog, but who is the other character on the left?
Nice picture of McGruff the Crime Dog, but who is the other character on the left?
Landowner's 'in your face' antics rile Lake neighbors -- chicagotribune.com
Landowner's 'in your face' antics rile Lake neighbors -- chicagotribune.com: "LEESBURG - The oak trees are gone, and a scruffy-looking man -- perhaps homeless or perhaps paid to appear that way -- occasionally wanders the shadeless parcel near the Royal Highlands subdivision.
These recent changes have residents of the gated community outraged at their neighbor, Joseph Dougherty. They blame him for creating an eyesore at the entrance to their community and inviting the homeless to set up camp there.
Dougherty's property, which fronts U.S. Highway 27, now sports a tent, a grill and spray-painted signs welcoming the homeless."
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"Eyesore" is a good word to describe this little tableau that Mr. Dougherty has erected.
These recent changes have residents of the gated community outraged at their neighbor, Joseph Dougherty. They blame him for creating an eyesore at the entrance to their community and inviting the homeless to set up camp there.
Dougherty's property, which fronts U.S. Highway 27, now sports a tent, a grill and spray-painted signs welcoming the homeless."
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"Eyesore" is a good word to describe this little tableau that Mr. Dougherty has erected.
Yes We Can: Obama Thinks America Invented The Automobile
Yes We Can: Obama Thinks America Invented The Automobile: "In tonight's mini-State of the Union, President Obama said the 'nation that invented the automobile cannot walk away from it.' One problem. We didn't. That would be Karl Benz, in Mannheim, Germany."
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It isn't a big deal, but what would have happened if Bush had said that?
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It isn't a big deal, but what would have happened if Bush had said that?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Vancouver condo sold to developer against owner's will
Vancouver condo sold to developer against owner's will: "An investor was allowed to purchase the entire building at 1029 West 7th Avenue for the land value, approximately $1 million, following a July 23, 2008 court decision by Justice Victor Curtis. By contrast, the court estimated the building would have been worth about $2 million fully repaired.
'It's appalling,' Fraser said. 'I am just absolutely appalled.'
Fraser has the biggest unit in the building, which the court said would have been worth an estimated $800,000 after repairs. Instead, the self-employed single father with a three-year-old daughter said he will get a cheque from the sale for approximately $350,000. He has to be out by March 12."
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Fraser said, "I will probably never recover financially." Tragic.
'It's appalling,' Fraser said. 'I am just absolutely appalled.'
Fraser has the biggest unit in the building, which the court said would have been worth an estimated $800,000 after repairs. Instead, the self-employed single father with a three-year-old daughter said he will get a cheque from the sale for approximately $350,000. He has to be out by March 12."
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Fraser said, "I will probably never recover financially." Tragic.
Obama Job Approval Dips Below 60% for First Time
Obama Job Approval Dips Below 60% for First Time
And the trend line doesn't look good. See for yourself on this Gallup graph. He comes in with a favorable/unfavorable of 69/13, and a month later he is at 59/25.
He inherited one heck of a mess, and that wasn't his fault, but let's face it--he has not handled things particularly well so far. He is trying to do a whole series of big things as fast as possible, before his honeymoon is over. That strategy may be backfiring.
And the trend line doesn't look good. See for yourself on this Gallup graph. He comes in with a favorable/unfavorable of 69/13, and a month later he is at 59/25.
He inherited one heck of a mess, and that wasn't his fault, but let's face it--he has not handled things particularly well so far. He is trying to do a whole series of big things as fast as possible, before his honeymoon is over. That strategy may be backfiring.
Home prices post record annual decline in 4Q - Yahoo! Finance
Home prices post record annual decline in 4Q - Yahoo! Finance: "NEW YORK (AP) -- Home prices tumbled by the worst annual rate on record in the fourth quarter, two housing indexes showed Tuesday, and the slope of decline steepened in all but a handful of battered cities."
The Texas State Senate: Sen. Royce West's Questionnaire
The Texas State Senate: Sen. Royce West's Questionnaire
And, as Fred Pilot notes, the Senator has a whole series of questions on HOAs.
And, as Fred Pilot notes, the Senator has a whole series of questions on HOAs.
Houston may pay credit card bills for some homebuyers | Front page | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
Houston may pay credit card bills for some homebuyers | Front page | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "Houston taxpayers could start footing the bill to help first-time homebuyers pay off debts and improve their credit scores, under a proposal before City Council this week.
The “Credit Score Enhancement Program” will give up to $3,000 in grants to individuals who are trying to qualify for mortgages through the city’s homebuyers assistance program. City officials say some applicants fall short of eligibility by only 10 or 20 points on their credit scores, and paying off some debt balances can quickly improve their numbers.
The proposal has aroused critics who say the city should not use public funds to help people pay down car loans, credit card balances, or other debts — even if the slight credit bump would help them realize the dream of home- ownership."
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When I first saw this I thought I was reading The Onion. But no...this is a real government program.
The “Credit Score Enhancement Program” will give up to $3,000 in grants to individuals who are trying to qualify for mortgages through the city’s homebuyers assistance program. City officials say some applicants fall short of eligibility by only 10 or 20 points on their credit scores, and paying off some debt balances can quickly improve their numbers.
The proposal has aroused critics who say the city should not use public funds to help people pay down car loans, credit card balances, or other debts — even if the slight credit bump would help them realize the dream of home- ownership."
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When I first saw this I thought I was reading The Onion. But no...this is a real government program.
Collateral Damage - February 24, 2009
Collateral Damage - February 24, 2009: "A group of young Floridians invaded a foreclosed home over the weekend and threw a raucous bash that caused about $75,000 in damage and resulted in the arrest of 17 party-goers. According to police, the trashed Fort Myers home, now owned by Wells Fargo Bank, was overrun Friday night by party-goers who broke windows, punched holes in the home's walls, and spray painted graffiti inside the residence. Deputies with the Lee County Sheriff's Office arrested 10 juveniles and 7 adults (aged 18 to 25) on loitering and prowling charges."
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That must have been some party.
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That must have been some party.
FT.com / US / Politics & Foreign policy - Obama promises bipartisan action on deficits
FT.com / US / Politics & Foreign policy - Obama promises bipartisan action on deficits: "Although Lawrence Summers, head of the National Economic Council, fell asleep on the podium, most attendees, including Republicans, appear to have appreciated the exercise."
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I listened to Obama after the summit conference. He asked for statements by the heads of the various breakout sessions. It was the most vapid, content-free, touchy-feely, bunch of nonsense you can imagine. It sounded like one of those mission statement retreats that non-profit corporations are always doing. I don't blame Summers for falling asleep...or the Dow for plummeting another 250 points. What the heck is going on? I get the impression that this administration is flying by the seat of its pants and blaming Bush (as well they might) while Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid run roughshod over the economy, rewarding friends and punishing enemies. Time to take the controls, Mr. President. Wake up Larry Summers and the rest of your advisers and get this show on the road.
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I listened to Obama after the summit conference. He asked for statements by the heads of the various breakout sessions. It was the most vapid, content-free, touchy-feely, bunch of nonsense you can imagine. It sounded like one of those mission statement retreats that non-profit corporations are always doing. I don't blame Summers for falling asleep...or the Dow for plummeting another 250 points. What the heck is going on? I get the impression that this administration is flying by the seat of its pants and blaming Bush (as well they might) while Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid run roughshod over the economy, rewarding friends and punishing enemies. Time to take the controls, Mr. President. Wake up Larry Summers and the rest of your advisers and get this show on the road.
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Crisis of Credit Visualized on Vimeo
The Crisis of Credit Visualized on Vimeo
If you haven't seen this yet, do yourself a favor and watch it. This is where the Academy Awards should go.
If you haven't seen this yet, do yourself a favor and watch it. This is where the Academy Awards should go.
BobKrumm.com » Proving Reagan wrong
BobKrumm.com » Proving Reagan wrong: "“Why are they doing all this when they have to know that it isn’t going to work?” was the question my wife asked about the stimulus package. My answer to her: “It’s not about fixing the economy; it’s about proving Reagan wrong.” It’s about proving that an enlightened government is superior to a country led by tens of millions of individual sovereign decision makers."
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That's an original perspective. It would take a committed ideologue to do what Krumm says the Obama administration is doing. A pragmatist would just try whatever worked last time, and would change tactics immediately if the first approach didn't work. An ideologue would just keep doing the "right" thing even though it wasn't working.
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That's an original perspective. It would take a committed ideologue to do what Krumm says the Obama administration is doing. A pragmatist would just try whatever worked last time, and would change tactics immediately if the first approach didn't work. An ideologue would just keep doing the "right" thing even though it wasn't working.
Stocks plunge, end day at decade-plus lows - Stocks & economy- msnbc.com
Stocks plunge, end day at decade-plus lows - Stocks & economy- msnbc.com: "Investors unable to extinguish their worries about a recession that has no end in sight dumped stocks again Monday. The Dow Jones industrial average tumbled 251 points to its lowest close since May 7, 1997, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index logged its lowest finish since April 11, 1997. It’s as if the decade’s dot-com surge, collapse and subsequent recovery never occurred."
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Yes, and it is also as if President Obama's much-touted summit meeting on the economy never occurred. But it did. Today. The day the Dow fell another 251 points.
I get the sense that the investor class isn't overly-enthusiastic about the new team in Washington.
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Yes, and it is also as if President Obama's much-touted summit meeting on the economy never occurred. But it did. Today. The day the Dow fell another 251 points.
I get the sense that the investor class isn't overly-enthusiastic about the new team in Washington.
The White House - Press Office - Executive Order: Establishment of the White House Office of Urban Affairs
The White House - Press Office - Executive Order: Establishment of the White House Office of Urban Affairs: "Forward-looking policies that encourage wise investment and development in our urban areas will create employment and housing opportunities and make our country more competitive, prosperous, and strong. In the past, insufficient attention has been paid to the problems faced by urban areas and to coordinating the many Federal programs that affect our cities. A more comprehensive approach is needed, both to develop an effective strategy for urban America and to coordinate the actions of the many executive departments and agencies whose actions impact urban life."
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This got just about zero attention from the media. The new Director of Urban Affairs is Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion. Don't look for suburbs to get much from the Obama Administration except to the extent that they throw in their lot with the central cities.
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This got just about zero attention from the media. The new Director of Urban Affairs is Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion. Don't look for suburbs to get much from the Obama Administration except to the extent that they throw in their lot with the central cities.
2009 National Cohousing Conference; Growing Community | The Cohousing Association of the United States
2009 National Cohousing Conference; Growing Community | The Cohousing Association of the United States
Got this info in a comment to the post I did recently on co-housing. Seems there is a conference coming up in Seattle from June 24 to June 28.
Got this info in a comment to the post I did recently on co-housing. Seems there is a conference coming up in Seattle from June 24 to June 28.
Two people shot during home invasion |West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Treasure Coast local news, weather, live radar, investigative from Newschannel 5 | WPTV.com
Two people shot during home invasion |West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Treasure Coast local news, weather, live radar, investigative from Newschannel 5 | WPTV.com: "BOYNTON BEACH, FL -- Two people were shot in the face during a home invasion. The shooting happened in the Mirabella neighborhood just off of Federal Highway south of Woolbright Road around 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
Police say a man and woman were both shot in the face by an intruder in the gated community. The two were taken to Delray Medical Center as trauma alerts. Their conditions have not been released.
Police are investigating who committed the crime."
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Shouldn't people have a bit more private security than that? Home invasion? Gunshots? Nobody in custody?
It makes you wonder what those gates and walls are good for.
Police say a man and woman were both shot in the face by an intruder in the gated community. The two were taken to Delray Medical Center as trauma alerts. Their conditions have not been released.
Police are investigating who committed the crime."
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Shouldn't people have a bit more private security than that? Home invasion? Gunshots? Nobody in custody?
It makes you wonder what those gates and walls are good for.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The Raw Story | Glenn Beck scares Fox host into hiding under table: "Beck's greatest fear -- which he suggests is shared by his friends in the military and the FBI -- is clearly not the prospect of widespread poverty, hunger, or homelessness. Rather, it appears to be the notion that worldwide civil unrest could precipitate a civil war between what he calls the 'bubbas' and the United States government."
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As Glenn Reynolds (Instapundit) might say, "They told me if I voted for McCain we would have martial law, and they were right."
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As Glenn Reynolds (Instapundit) might say, "They told me if I voted for McCain we would have martial law, and they were right."
"I Don't Care", David Henderson | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty
"I Don't Care", David Henderson | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty: "That's the message President Obama is sending to those who have saved their money and waited on the sidelines to buy a house. One intended effect of his mortgage bailout plan is to support housing prices and the unintended effect of this is to make it harder for those who want to buy homes."
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I don't know who cares about whom, but people who don't own homes yet and have been waiting for prices to fall lower may be disappointed. However, I suppose those who said "screw it" and just lied about their income to qualify will be ecstatic.
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I don't know who cares about whom, but people who don't own homes yet and have been waiting for prices to fall lower may be disappointed. However, I suppose those who said "screw it" and just lied about their income to qualify will be ecstatic.
The Associated Press: Vegas, Midwest seek the $8 billion for fast trains
The Associated Press: Vegas, Midwest seek the $8 billion for fast trains: "The Republicans attacking President Barack Obama's economic stimulus package point to a project they dub the 'Sin Express' — a high speed rail link between Anaheim, Calif., site of Disneyland, and Las Vegas.
Not so fast.
In fact, competition for the $8 billion in mass transit construction is just beginning. Backers of numerous other planned high-speed rail corridors around the country are making their case for the money.
They notably include a Midwest initiative long supported by someone with even more clout than Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who strongly supports the Anaheim-Las Vegas line. That would be former Illinois Sen. Obama."
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I like that midwest proposal, especially because I believe it puts Chicago at the center.
Not so fast.
In fact, competition for the $8 billion in mass transit construction is just beginning. Backers of numerous other planned high-speed rail corridors around the country are making their case for the money.
They notably include a Midwest initiative long supported by someone with even more clout than Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who strongly supports the Anaheim-Las Vegas line. That would be former Illinois Sen. Obama."
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I like that midwest proposal, especially because I believe it puts Chicago at the center.
Foreclosures spur neighborhood ghost towns -- chicagotribune.com
Foreclosures spur neighborhood ghost towns -- chicagotribune.com: "Two streets that have little in common—Wilcox on the West Side and Farwell on the North— illustrate the latest chapter of the housing crisis: a surge in vacant homes that is sinking property values and blighting swaths of the city.
As foreclosures soar to historic levels, the infection has spread beyond places of perennial concern, such as West Garfield Park and Englewood.
Condo ghost towns replete with granite and stainless steel have emerged on stretches of the North Side, leaving a pox of hollow buildings dotting the landscape."...In the past when banks auctioned off foreclosed homes, buyers lined up to snatch real estate at bargain prices. But given the states of the housing and credit markets, almost 99 percent of homes lost to foreclosure in 2008 went back to lenders
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Condo ghost towns. Now, there's a concept. The North Side of Chicago is the nice part.
As foreclosures soar to historic levels, the infection has spread beyond places of perennial concern, such as West Garfield Park and Englewood.
Condo ghost towns replete with granite and stainless steel have emerged on stretches of the North Side, leaving a pox of hollow buildings dotting the landscape."...In the past when banks auctioned off foreclosed homes, buyers lined up to snatch real estate at bargain prices. But given the states of the housing and credit markets, almost 99 percent of homes lost to foreclosure in 2008 went back to lenders
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Condo ghost towns. Now, there's a concept. The North Side of Chicago is the nice part.
ABC News: America's Top 15 Emptiest Cities
ABC News: America's Top 15 Emptiest Cities: "Las Vegas edged Detroit for the title of America's most abandoned city. Atlanta came in third, followed by Greensboro, N.C., and Dayton, Ohio."
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Based on rental and housing vacancies. I can see Las Vegas making a comeback once the economy picks up again, but I have no idea what could save Detroit. You can send them all the federal dollars you want. Some cities are so far gone that there is no way to lure people back.
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Based on rental and housing vacancies. I can see Las Vegas making a comeback once the economy picks up again, but I have no idea what could save Detroit. You can send them all the federal dollars you want. Some cities are so far gone that there is no way to lure people back.
Cohousing blends environmental concerns and a 'Hi, neighbor!' vibe | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press
Cohousing blends environmental concerns and a 'Hi, neighbor!' vibe | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press: "Picture a neighborhood where doors can be left unlocked, where 20 families gather to eat in a common home twice a week, where solar panels help heat homes, where everyone relies on each other and determines the fate of the community together. Sound like an Amish farm? Actually, this is life in more than 100 cohousing communities from Massachusetts to Washington state, places to live where neighborliness and environmental sustainability trump isolationism and consumption."
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Fred Pilot sent this along. These cohousing developments are real intentional communities where people actually decided to live together, unlike condos and HOAs where the "voluntariness" is basically a legal fiction that is used to justify the authority system.
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Fred Pilot sent this along. These cohousing developments are real intentional communities where people actually decided to live together, unlike condos and HOAs where the "voluntariness" is basically a legal fiction that is used to justify the authority system.
HOA Abandoned, Homeowners Upset - House And Home News Story - KPHO Phoenix
HOA Abandoned, Homeowners Upset - House And Home News Story - KPHO Phoenix: "The company which built the homes at Annecy, Trend Homes Inc., declared bankruptcy in 2008. It reformed as a company called T2 Homes and still manages the Annecy. T2 Homes President Reed Porter said there is no money available to keep up the property. Porter said, 'Of course we feel responsible, we feel bad. We feel everything. I don't know if you're aware of what's gone on in our industry, but we've lost everything.' Porter said the company that owns the vacant lots that still remain at the Annecy also went bankrupt and has failed to pay its portion of HOA dues. He also said about a hundred homes in the development are in foreclosure. Those owners are also not paying their HOA dues."
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Fred Pilot sent this--yet another collapsed HOA where the owners who remain and try to keep things running get hammered.
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Fred Pilot sent this--yet another collapsed HOA where the owners who remain and try to keep things running get hammered.
Extent of Bankruptcy Reform Hinges on Details - washingtonpost.com
Extent of Bankruptcy Reform Hinges on Details - washingtonpost.com: "How the administration chooses to define several parts of its plan will impact whether tens of thousands of homeowners are excluded, said Henry Sommer, a past president of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. 'It could affect a lot of people or very few people, we don't know,' he said.
The details will ultimately be hammered out on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers have been wrangling with the financial services industry for years about allowing bankruptcy judges to lower the principal owed on home loans. Now, bankruptcy judges are precluded from modifying mortgages on primary residences, a practice known as cramdown. The House, where bankruptcy reform has already been approved in committee, could take up the measure as soon as next week, a Democratic aide said."
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This may turn out to be a huge issue. Of course, as usual the Democrats are winging it with the entire economy at stake, so maybe it will be small, maybe it will be big...nobody knows yet.
The way I understand the law as it exists now, bankruptcy discharges the debtors personal obligation under the home loan, so the debtors personal assets are no longer reachable. But the loan is still secured by the mortgage and the mortgagee's lien remains in force. State law may protect the owner's equity, but the bankruptcy judge can't modify the mortgage terms on a principal residence.
That is the very thing Obama wants to change, and that is a very big step to take. But he hasn't said exactly how, or for how many loans or people. The bottom line is that Obama and other Democrats want to allow judges to reduce what the bank gets on their secured loan whenever somebody goes bankrupt. They want to make life easier on the bankrupt creditor.
Given that the overriding fear has been a collapse of the financial industry, I fail to see how this is a good idea. Why would the federal government introduce yet more uncertainty and risk of loss into the home loan business? Why are we bailing them out with one hand and pulling the rug out from under their feet with the other? (Sorry about the mixed metaphor.)
My guess is that Obama and the Democrats will help out the people who got into insane mortgages in the hope of getting rich quick on home flips. They seem to view these people as victims of predatory institutions that made offers they couldn't turn down, instead of seeing them as gamblers who lost very risky bets and deserve the consequences of their own behavior.
Maybe we should have a bailout program for people who went to Vegas and lost money playing double zero on the roulette table.
The details will ultimately be hammered out on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers have been wrangling with the financial services industry for years about allowing bankruptcy judges to lower the principal owed on home loans. Now, bankruptcy judges are precluded from modifying mortgages on primary residences, a practice known as cramdown. The House, where bankruptcy reform has already been approved in committee, could take up the measure as soon as next week, a Democratic aide said."
----------------
This may turn out to be a huge issue. Of course, as usual the Democrats are winging it with the entire economy at stake, so maybe it will be small, maybe it will be big...nobody knows yet.
The way I understand the law as it exists now, bankruptcy discharges the debtors personal obligation under the home loan, so the debtors personal assets are no longer reachable. But the loan is still secured by the mortgage and the mortgagee's lien remains in force. State law may protect the owner's equity, but the bankruptcy judge can't modify the mortgage terms on a principal residence.
That is the very thing Obama wants to change, and that is a very big step to take. But he hasn't said exactly how, or for how many loans or people. The bottom line is that Obama and other Democrats want to allow judges to reduce what the bank gets on their secured loan whenever somebody goes bankrupt. They want to make life easier on the bankrupt creditor.
Given that the overriding fear has been a collapse of the financial industry, I fail to see how this is a good idea. Why would the federal government introduce yet more uncertainty and risk of loss into the home loan business? Why are we bailing them out with one hand and pulling the rug out from under their feet with the other? (Sorry about the mixed metaphor.)
My guess is that Obama and the Democrats will help out the people who got into insane mortgages in the hope of getting rich quick on home flips. They seem to view these people as victims of predatory institutions that made offers they couldn't turn down, instead of seeing them as gamblers who lost very risky bets and deserve the consequences of their own behavior.
Maybe we should have a bailout program for people who went to Vegas and lost money playing double zero on the roulette table.
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