To the editor:
Martin Bekowitz is at it again, writing vehemently against Sen. Shirley Turner’s "Common Interest Community & Homeowners Act," introduced to the state Senate on Nov. 8. The bill was introduced as a result of a task force appointed by the attorney general, which found many irregularities in the then 8,000 communities.
The yearly fee to unit owners will be $4 a year, not $6 as stated in the letter, less than 36 cents a month.
Unit owners could go to the Department of Community Affairs and state their problems. An ombudsman with a nine-man committee would be appointed by the governor, the purpose being to inform boards of how to run their communities.
A yearly audit would be required as the various associations would have to forward their financial reports to the DCA. In every community, unit owners would have access to financial documents. It would eliminate the hiring of expensive Lawyers when there is a just problem.
Voting procedures could be monitored and managers would not oversee the voting. A lot is to be desired in Clearbrook in this area and too many other problems too numerous to mention. "Alternative Dispute Resolution" is available; board members would be accountable.
Mr. Berkowitz refers to Clearbrook as though it were "A Garden of Eden." Yes, it is truly a beautiful community. Currently, we have one of the most tyrannical boards in the state. My organization, Clearbrook Residents for Equity, which formed in 1999, took our board court in 2000 and 2002. Section 4 of the community also took the Clearbrook board to court because it did not adhere to its responsibility to carry out the health, welfare and safety of the community.
The Clearbrook board has absolute power. The new bylaws were passed last August 2004 34 pages that one has to be a Philadelphia lawyer to comprehend.
If the Turner bill passes, unit owners could appeal to a fair organization and not have to raise money for expensive lawyers.
I have met people residing in communities throughout New Jersey and they could relate many horror stories. I am also a member of the Common Interest Homeowners Coalition, which since 1997 has endeavored to introduce legislation to ameliorate the many problems people in condos and homeowners associations have throughout New Jersey.
I hope to Sen. Turner’s Bill will pass.
Martha Gomez
President
Clearbrook
Residents for Equity
Monroe

