The Towers Topics Online

"I share Ayham’s tears over this situation. We have a decor plan that everyone voted on. We have a redesign of the lobby plan that involved a more than 51% vote on the part of the community to move the desk to accomodate the new design. This was a historic vote, totally in compliance with our by laws. All of this took years of planning and hard work to now be derailed in such a thoughtless and careless manner. We did not elect our board to be decorators. We hired a leading architectural firm who did their job under the most difficult of conditions working with a very capable project management firm. Alot of our money and time has been invested in this project. We are watching our property values continue to decline in relation to our neighbors. The current condition of the lobby is a huge eyesore. It is time to go forward immediately and to end the partisan bickering that is every bit as shameful as what we are seeing in the Congress today." -- K. Lansdale

"At the board meeting, our general manager, Liz Cullison, reassured that the new moldings would be painted to address the shine issue. The increased size of the molding was needed to accommodate the cables for our new fire alarm and security systems, as well as the TV cables. I’m hopeful that the paint will resolve the aesthetic problems of our new moldings." -- V. Smith

"The problem will recur no matter who prepares the designs. No one on the board is willing to vote for a design they don’t personally like, regardless what the community’s decided. Since board members’ tastes are as diverse as the community’s, that means nothing will ever get done. It’s time for the board to finally put the community’s interest first. What’s needed is a decision, not more options (or expense!)." -- M. Kelly

"To our Board members and Management:

Are we now back to square one on decor designs and options???Is it true that Muse is now asking for an additional $25,000 to present other options???Why are initial community comments and observations now considered null and void???

It is now very clear to me that”design companies” (and not the architects) should have been invited to present decor options from the very beginning. Many would have done that for FREE to gain our business. Instead we wasted all this money (our money) and still haven’t moved an inch forward!

Are we EVER going to have it right???

Tears are streaming down my cheeks in frustration!" -- A. Khleif

"You captured the theatre of the absurd atmosphere perfectly, especially vis a vis the discussion of the decor options. What is the point of asking Muse for more design options when there will NEVER be agreement? The Board will run around in these useless circles forever. We need to go with what the community voted for. Period. Who cares what this small group of individuals likes or don’t like?? That’s not what it’s about." -- L. Heneson

"The "test" crown molding on the 7th floor looks awful. The shiny plastic reflects the ceiling lights, casting an unattractive glare up and down the hallways. The cheesy, heavy, stepped molding is at least twice as deep as our current unobtrusive model. Perhaps that is necessary because we'll need more conduit space. However, a more streamlined molding would be far better suited to our interior space. This molding flunks the taste test. I vehemently object to installing it." -- V. Smith

My Questions for the Board of Directors

"WHY is the architect not heading the project? Are the people currently in charge accredited architects who can handle the complexities and unexpected events that occur during construction?

"WHO decided against the architect being in charge and WHY? WHO has oversight of the project? WHO is accountable for all the work?

"WHY has the Board disregarded the Community’s vote on décor? Has the Board constituted itself into an interior decorating unit? On whose authority? Why did we spend all that money for a firm if it is cavalierly disregarded?

"WHY has complete written information regarding time lags and overruns of the projects not been given to the community?

"WHY have articles NOT appeared in the Towers Topics? Not all of us have access to blogs, but we have every right to be informed. Is the information written in the Towers Topics censored? If so, why and on whose authority?

"WHY has the information to the Board apparently been held by a privileged few and not made known to the full Board? Is this a “power grab”? Do we have to wait for the May 2010 Board elections to hopefully get some basic horse sense and transparency on the Board?" -- Ana Maria Pages, 423 West

Have a thought? Want to express an opinion? Drop us a line at towersblog@gmail.com

by Jeanne Talpers

Traveling to New York over the holidays or any other time? Consider taking one of ten bus lines reviewed in a chart in the Washington Post last August. Covered in the chart are:

• Pick up and drop off stops in Washington and New York;
• Prices;
• Booking policies;
• Amenities and detailed descriptions.

• The laundry room hours are 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.
• The patrol officers begin the opening process at 7:30 a.m., and all laundry rooms are open by 8:00 a.m.
• The patrol officers begin the closing-up process at 9:45 p.m. to assure that all laundry rooms are locked by 10:00 p.m.
• Please be considerate of the neighboring units and remove your clothing from the machines promptly upon completion of the washing or drying. Also, please have your laundry completed by 9:45 p.m., and remember to clean the filters after removing your laundry from the dryers.