Will Trying to Affect Change Ever Make a Difference in The Colonies Community?

Over the past two years Colonies Co-Owners have had The Coalition of Concerned Colonies Co-Owners, the four (4) petition candidates in the May 2011 election and most recently, the Pepe's trying so badly to affect change The Colonies community so badly needs.  The Colonies, a mere stone's throw from the Beltway and located within the corridor of the nation's technology corporations, is still processing monthly statements via the US Postal Service, utilizing a computer for the simplest of business processes is beyond their scope (co-owners not even have option to pre-pay portions of their monthly fee because it will mess up their 'system'; software not pre-1990 is configurable one could probably find software online that would be more user-friendly).  Which is more pathetic is the question - the lack of business processes in use by The Colonies Administration or the poor excuse for a Board that allows themselves to be run by the Administration (it should be noted one Board member, Treasurer Kathleen Kelleher, also works in The Colonies Administration Office part-time which many have expressed as a conflict of interest and has recently been filed as part of a complaint with the VA Common Interest Community Board (CICB; http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/dporweb/cic_main.cfm)?

Would imparting even an iota of truth to co-owners be that much of an inconvenience for the Administration?  The Calendar of Events published throughout the property stating the Clubhouse is closed over the span of approximately ten consecutive calendar days for a Private function when in actuality is due to the staff decorating it for the holidays is the latest example of The Colonies blatant lack of transparency.  It is so interesting the Self Defense class is still being held on at least one of the evenings but yet there is a sign at the Guardhouse stating to effect of Clubhouse Closed - No Owners or Visitors Allowed (have to ensure that instructor gets that income that none of us co-owners see as far as clubhouse rental, etc.).  Truth and Courtesy are two things The Colonies Administration are incapable of imparting to many co-owners and sadder, yet, they have numerous fan co-owners to back them who have been in the dark for far too many years.  That has been made clear based on e-mail complaints I receive.  The Administration being incapable of a basic truth as this one then what else could the Board also possibly be party to keeping us co-owners at bay about?  We have been kept at bay for many years and the Pepe's bringing to attention the numerous companies not to mention that the telephone and intercom lines are in the names of variations of different company names.  The pay telephone at the swimming pool could be a seasonal account and save The Colonies money but instead the 'revered' Administration opts to keep the pay telephone operational year round; the telephone number issued to the pay telephone ((703)821-9897) is issued to one of the companies (Colonies Swimming Pool) unearthed by the recent investigation finding numerous companies.


Many income-generating and expense-saving ideas were brought forth by many co-owners including very active members of the Coalition of Concerned Colonies Co-Owners who provided handouts outlining many ideas during the recent Budget Hearing held Wednesday, October 26, 2011.  Shall we place bets on how many of those ideas actually get implemented (too easy as the Boards has to find some way to justify increasing the condo fees next year to pay those salaries)?  It was laughable The Colonies comparing The Regency's Condo Fees to The Colonies in the Budget Hearing Notice - more like pathetic given that ELECTRICITY IS INCLUDED with the REGENCY's Monthly Condo Fee (and a bit crafty too figuring majority of co-owners will only see the figures but not bother to research the differences in amenities, etc.).


To answer the question posed (Will Trying to Affect Change Ever Make a Difference in The Colonies Community?); my wager is No as sadly this is a community not for positive change and clearly easily manipulated by the likes of chain-smoking General Manager Carole Carlton and her ever-so humble Servant Jill Smith.  Sal being gone from the helm is not going to cause any awakenings, etc.  Co-Owners had the chance to help affect change in the recent election by voting for the petition candidates and instead allowed themselves to be influenced by Sal and his tactics (the faux resignation letters and emails were a stroke of genius).  Forced change may be the only way so it will be interesting to what, if anything comes of the complaints filed against The Colonies to the VA Common Interest Community Board (CICB).  Based on my independent research, The Colonies Board is not adhering to the Virginia Condominium Act and needs to know that it supersedes The Colonies Bylaws (that is when they choose to even adhere to those statutes).  One cannot expect much from a community whose Bylaws were last amended in 1986!  The Colonies needs new ideas and one way to affect change would be to enact term limits for Board Members!