Van Metre and Southernwalk Make the News!

Recent knowledge regarding Van Metre's actions in Southernwalk and culminating in the less than desirable meeting of the SWHOA Board of directors has made the news. Please visit the following article:

http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=18224555&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=506035&rfi=6

Thanks,

qzpmal

 

Re: Van Metre and Southernwalk Make the News!!!

Interesting ... who did your wife talk to ?? :genius:

BTW ... I have sent the Times Mirror a correction to the article, since they mentioned Broadlands Association as getting 'consideration' from Openband. I pointed out that it should actually say Broadlands Associates.

 

Re: Van Metre and Southernwalk Make the News!!!

Can we all at Southernwalk come together and file a law suit to get out of Openband? Is there any possibility? I feel cheated by Van Metre.

 

Re: Van Metre and Southernwalk Make the News!!!

I, for one, do not necessarily want "out" from OB. The speeds we get are fantastic!
What I want is better communication and upfront pricing comparisons so a HONEST rate can be negotiated (I am not holding my breath for this!).

It would also be nice if the VM Board members didn't have a total lack of disregard for the homeowners.

 

Re: Van Metre and Southernwalk Make the News!!!

I agree. I do not want OB out of southerwalk completely. My wife and I routinely work from home and we love the internet upload / download speed which allows us to work from home. ( It is faster than our company office network sometimes )

Our concern is what we are paying and is it comparable to what other companies are charging ? As long as Openband can clearly communicate / illustrate this, we are content with Openband.

 

I too agree on that. What I meant by law suite is, either they provide honest reasonable rates or give us the option to choose other service providers.

Secondly, is there a way that we can enforse the SWHOA to hold elections to choose the resident members rather than them hand picking whom they want? Isn't it against the ethics of having HOA board?

Another part to it is, shouldn't the SWHOA act towards residents interest rather than acting towards Openband or VM interest?

 

Don't forget that Van Metre company makes a profit based on how high the fees to Openband are. They've inserted themselves in control of the SW HOA for decades to come. It is in THEIR financial interest to disregard any attempts to lower the Openband cost.
This is in direct conflict with CASE LAW that states when Developer members sit on HOA Boards they have a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interests of the HOMEOWNERS.
The only way to rectify this, unfortunately, is legal action.

 

There you go Cliff. You said it crisp and clear. Can we go that route?

 

Yes, any of you can. But you will have to be the ones that pay for the legal services. I have given Erica the name and number of an attorney who is experienced in HOA contract law. He is willing to meet with residents to evaluate your case. There is no charge for this initial consultation.

The piece of nice irony is that he also happens to be a Southern Walk resident!

 

Let's get him on board with our tot lot case, which in some ways is related. Maybe he would be willing to help pro bono as a resident where public interests at stake.

 

I have read the post related to the tot lot and I'm little confused. How is this ( Openband ) related to Tot Lot situation ?

There is a clear agreement among residents as it relates to Openband pricing. Is there such agreement on solution as it relates to Tot Lot.

All I have read was disagreement amongst two - three interest groups who wants different resolution.

Perhaps prior to seeking counsel to represent "the community". there needs to be an agreement. My two cents.

 

I can send you details privately if you want (PM me)....got to run.

 

It's been mentioned before, and it will be mentioned again, I'm sure.

The SWHOA and BHOA have nothing to do with Tot Lot locations/installations ... these are proffers that the developers, Broadlands Associates offered to install when they got the zoning and site plans approved.

Totally different issue, and totally different case law.

 

I really don't know what all the fuss is about, especially regarding Open Band. We were all made aware of this when we bought into Southern Walk. So we went in with our eyes open. Secondly, having experienced other internet/cable/phone providers in Virginia, I am especially pleased that we have Open Band. They have been more responsive than any other similar company we've had to deal with.

I think everyone is being quite silly.

 

You have been privilaged to the contract with Openband, however I have never been given a copy of that contract. We were told at closing that we would be given a copy after we aggreed to signing the contract. Kinda hard to review what are rights are as users when you can't get a copy of the contract until after you've bought the house.

As for Openband responsivness, well lets say it's less than stellar. I had better luck with Cox and Direct TV, and with Verizon.

I don't think it's being "silly" to question the priceing models that our vendor is using to charge us for our services. Maybe you should attend a few of the SWHOA meeting to get a full perspective.


CHS

 

All I can say is is that we've had the best, most responsive service with Open Band. Better than Cox or Comcast. Haven't had Verizon and am not interested in Direct TV.

If you bought directly from Van Metre, you should have been given that contract. If it is that upsetting to you, go after them. If you bought from a private owner, they are supposed to turn over all documents relating to the home and the HOA (including Open Band) before settlement.

In either case, maybe you should have insisted upon having the documents that were due to you as a buyer.

 

I purchased a TH in Broadlands because it is a great neighborhood, the house is great, etc. Yes I went into it knowing full well about Openband. I knew before closing on the house that I would be forced to buy phone, internet, and cable from OB whether I wanted to or not, and I knew they were overpriced. Just because I knew about it doesn't mean I am willing to sit back and ignore it. Being locked in to a single, expensive multimedia provider is the one bad thing about the neighborhood. The speed I get on day-to-day typical internet usage is on par with both Comcast Internet and Verizion FIOS Internet services I have had in the past two years. Both were *significantly* cheaper than OB -- each less than $50/month. Just because OB can cache our speed tests to make them look really fast doesn't justify charging over 50% more than the competition.

 

SML,

Take a look at the disclosure documents package that Armstrong provides on behalf of Van Metre. I bought in fall 2006 and the package I received contains a budget and financial statements from 2003. It does NOT contain a copy of the "Agreement to obtain telecommunications services" between OpenBand and SWHOA. This has many important provisions that all SW homeowners are subject to. Why are the financial statements several years old? Why are some of the agreements missing? I asked our agent and the sellers agent for copies of both but neither were able to obtain them. Van Metre has an obligation to provide current financial data and copies of all relevant agreements to homeowners. Would you have walked away from the settlement table after selling your existing home because a few documents relating to cable/internet/phone service were missing? I doubt it. Van Metre has an obligation to provide all documents and they don't. I should not have to chase them down.

I have had far more tech support issues with OpenBand than I did with Adelpia previously. Just because you are happy does not mean others who are dissatisfied are acting silly.

Skins fan

 

SML - while I respect your opinions on OB.

I think it's great that you've had the "best, most responsive service" from Openband - I cant not say we've had the same level of service.

Our home was less than 90 days old when we purchased it as a re-sale in 11/04 and I can assure you that NONE of the OB or SW HOA documents were disclosed.

1. The original MLS listing of our home - only indicates the BHOA fee - I know it's a weak point - but still a fact.
2. Our realtors own several homes in Lansdowne - so they know first had about OB & VM.
3. We requested ALL HOA documents prior to our settlement, only the BHOA arrived at our home
4. On our DEED - the only HOA listed is BHOA (no mention of SW HOA)
5. As stated there are over 240 Sat dishes in SW - keep in mind there are less than 1000 homes built in SW. One can make an educated guess that each dish is "a vote of no-confidence"
6. After nearly 20 months of opening and reopening trouble tickets w/ OB - they finally rendered us a service credit of $400.
7. The SW HOA BoD - dont get me started on the world according to the dictatorship of VM.

As other folks have stated - try attending either a SW HOA or a SW Tech meeting and you might have some empathy or at the very least you'll have more facts to base your opinions on.

 

When is the next meeting? Newsletter has it as 5/3...I thought they mentioned that the next (annual) meeting is 5/31