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======== <October 2, 2004> ==========
Hi Carl:
Thank you for doing such a good job of keeping us informed about the
post-hurricane conditions at Casa Ybel. I purchased two timeshares
(September and May) at Casa Ybel and gave them to my two daughters. I
always vacation with them, so I would appreciate an update on when they
expect to get things up and running again. We did not attempt to come down
in September, as it was so soon after the damage occurred.
Also, do you know if there will be any kind of reimbursement because we were
not able to used our September week? Are we as owners covered by any kind
of insurance? Will we still be expected to pay the taxes this year? I have
been unsuccessful in reaching anyone at the office.
Thanks for your help!
Regards, Carole Vandergrift
==================
Carl
You are a busy-body. You should sell your timeshares.
Signed David and Carol Hydeman
Dear David and Carol;
You are right.
There is always an easy way out if you do not care about responsibility
towards your fellow man.
Thousands of owners voted for me to represent them in this unpaid job.
They asked me to look into matters regarding their investments on
Sanibel, and I am doing my best to fulfill this request.
Would you just run away and do nothing? Have you ever been given a responsibility?
Carl
Carl,
All your points are good. I'm in Sanibel now (leaving in an hour or so to
head back to SC), and it disturbs me that there seemed to be very little
delay in reopening Thistle Lodge, but work in the condos is still ongoing.
We were just over there about a week ago and saw the huge drying tubes into
our units. That work had to be done to almost all the top floor units where
I own a place, and it has long been accomplished and those units have been
redone down to the wall and ceiling studs. Of course, it disturbed me as
well that HGV laid off over 200 South Seas employees as well, and according
to reports from some of those folks, there is virtually no work toward
restoration going on down there either. HGV has shown that it is far more
concerned with its own profits and the parts of the properties they manage
for profit than anything they manage that is related to full or time-share
ownership. I'd like some answers pronto. We're considering selling our
piece of Casa Ybel due to the poor response of HGV.
In contrast, some folks are staying at our place who were displaced for their
regular timeshare weeks down at Shell Island Beach Club. They found out
yesterday that, although they have no pool to use and there are hardly any
amenities, along with a very damaged beach area, Shell Island is opening
buildings as they get done with restoration, and just opened 4 of them for
this weekend. According to reports, they received the same sort of damage as
Casa Ybel, but they apparently have competent management that is looking out
for its time share owners and working as quickly as possible to return their
usage to them.
Good luck on Monday!
Cathy Lanier
SC
===============
Carl I own 9 weeks at Casa Ybel.
My thoughts are:
I agree with your non smoking point but it is the least of our worries
I am absolutely dissatisfied with the absence of news from Casa Ybel it is disgraceful that apart from one letter form the board we have heard nothing about progress. This is either incompetence or disinterest.
I also agree entirely that owners’ funds should be kept entirely separate from insurance funds. We should insist on a proper accounting for our money as we are unable to use our apartments. Where is our cash? What is it being used for? By definition there can be no use of the facility.
Well-done Carl. Please quote me.
Jeremy Kane.
===============
Carl,
Thank you for keeping us informed. It appears that HGV does not agree with your information link to the owners, yet they do nothing to disseminate any type of useful information on a timely basis. I made a call to HGV and was very disappointed in the response I received. The young man was polite, but ill informed and not very helpful.
I agree with the non-smoking issue, and the importance of receiving information about our insurance contract. However, I do not feel it is necessary to bring in and pay lawyers until we find it absolutely necessary or needed.
Beth and I would like to visit Sanibel later this fall. Can you find out if we will be able to view our condo and the grounds.
Keep up the Good Work
John & Beth Ball
H-184 weeks 2 & 3
===============
i hope that you will make sure the opening date is discussed and try to get reasons why two bedroom units will miss the entire xmas time as well as our free week - or better yet, get it open earlier
thanks
judy engelberg
===============
Carl,
My biggest concern is that we have had only one letter as to the status of Casa Ybel.
as to when we MIGHT see the resort open. They have left people hanging with plane tickets, car rentals that still are hopeing to get in at there time.
I have passed along all information to people I know through the e-mail.
They could do the same.
The Watts
===============
Thank you, Carl. Regarding the nonsmoking in units: we would like to
propose approval of smoking on the screened-in porches ONLY. My husband
smokes, and he has always smoked only on the porch with the sliding glass
doors shut to the living room. This seems like a good compromise and will
keep the smoke out of the units.
===============
Thanks for the opportunity to ask questions and comments:
1 - Hilton should request email addresses from owners for timely communication.
2 - HGVC has photos from other properties on its website - why not Casa Ybel
3 - As far as replacements, will the decorating/colors/furniture be updated or just replaced?
4 - Will there be ANY compensation for lost time - as in no or lower maintainence fees?
===============
Dear Carl,
Thank you for being the one source of information on Casa Ybel. Your list
included most of my questions, but I have one more: How much will we be
billed for our weeks when the Hilton sends out it's next billing? Part of
our fees are for things like the check-in desk and the cleaning of units
every Friday. We should not be paying for something we are not receiving
this year.
Thank you,
Scott :Peterson
Unit 203 Weeks 51, 52, 1
===============
I have mailed the floor plans for the one level two-bedroom units taken from the original sales brochure.
Although our unit is in IJK Iam sending a suggestion for the FGH board to consider. It would be wonderful if the two boards could get together on the renovation plans. It would enhance the entire resort if all units were decorated uniformly with similar amenities. This would enhance the rental and sale of the units.
Geri Newman
===============
Carl. I think what you have mentioned would be good. I go along with your suggestions! They all are very good They didnt give anyone much notice did they? Are they trying to hide something, you think? I hope not. Thanks for info. Hope the imputs are put into force.
Marjorie Cast
===============
Carl, Agree with your requests of A thru D. Also would
like to know outcome of issue of weddings at the
restaurant and their intrusion on people vacationing
at the time and cost of repairs to lawn, etc. to us,
the owners.
Will there be voting on issues?
Shirley Fleming
Robert Fleming
Unit 218 Bldg G Week 15
======== <October 3, 2004> ==========
My husband and I made a trip out to Sanibel yesterday and were shocked at how terrible the Island looked. You really have to go to the beach side to see the damage at CaseYbel. The beach looks good but you can see the damage was on the front of
the units and windows , porches and roofing was blown off. No one was around to talk to but people were swimming in the pool. Tennis court fences are a mess. Sanibel cottages also have a sign up saying closed as do Tortuga and many other.
Bette & Chuck McKinley
====================
What I am propossing is to credit owners after week 33 (First week out of service) amounts not paid out for services not rendered.
That means 2005 maintenance fees be reduced with unused funds.
Carl
Hunt wrote:
Thanks, Carl. We are very upset by Hilton's lack of info (we learn more
from TV than that 'pablum' they send us by snailmail!). But it looks as
if you have everything we are concerned about. Stick to your guns and
give 'em -well, you know what!
Need some clarification: item E, "The current Bank funds should all be
transferred to owners accounts for week 33 and on, .... "
What current Bank funds are those, and do you mean reimbursing owners who
lost use of their weeks? Who determines how much does each owner receive?
Brian & Hala Hunt
====================
They should be according to unknown sources (January 7 2005 should be opening day), hope for earlier date due to high priced Christmas and New Year weeks. The owners this year has 3 bonus week week 53.
I hope we at least can have an agreement with smoking owners to at least voluntarily use the screened lanai?
Carl
JDunle@aol.com wrote:
My only response is to comment regarding issue A. Since the units are owned for designated weeks, they probably are not considered public space. I am not sure smoking can be banned on this basis. I think it would be great not to have smoking inside the units, but then where would the smokers be permitted to smoke? Where would the ban extend to? Would someone be permitted to smoke on their lanai? I do not see this as a simple issue.
Thanks for all the information that has been forwarded to me. I was in Orlando for the past 2 weeks but did not get down to Sanibel. My next time share there is the 2nd and 3rd weeks. I can only hope that they are up and running by then.
Judith Gallatin
====================
My main concern is the possibility of mold appearing in the future after signing off on repairs. I sent you an email earlier re: our experiences with Hurricane Iniki on Kauai after damage to our timeshare there. The mold didn't appear until after our insurance came up for renewal, company refused to renew, and new insurance was taken out. (The repair company had treated for mold and replaced dry wall immediately after the storm, but it still grew back.) The new company refused to pay for "preexisting condition" and after lengthy discussions and legal action, each timeshare owner was assessed minimum of $1200 each to pay for mold removal. What guarantee do Casa Ybel owners have that current insurance will pay for any future mold damage?
Linda Sykes
Owner weeks 20 and 27
====================
carl i see why every time i mention your name at a weekly metting
mangerment sees red thank god we have you to lobby for the owners because no
one elese does in regarde to the phone meeting since their are 52 owners of
each unit i think their should be a detailed report on each and every unit
sent to all 52 owners on each unit it seems strang to me that all the one
bedrooms units are up and running and no timesharing units are open i
should have started my 2 weeks oct2 ann for all i no theiris not a thing
wrong with my unit until i hear diff i will belive it is fine . carl i own
in sb/beachclub2 they have opened 2 buildings i and my 5 weeks thank you
again
matt larkin stb pa
ques./ i would like a detailed report on the 3 units i own a pice of matt
larkin
====================
I just wanted to add our support for the non-smoking policy.
Tom and Maryanne Chappell, Week 34, unit H184
Also, I wanted to let you know that the person from whom we had rented an
additional week listed on your site, has in fact, refunded our money. This was
due largely, I think, to your email stating that all owners who listed their
units for rent on your site had refunded the proceeds. Thanks.
====================
Carl: If you want to use our mail to show at the board meeting, you have our permission.
We own H182, Week 42 at Casa Ybel. We think that the suggestions that Carl has made to bring up before the board are very good and should be put into effect. Thank you. Sincerely,
Marjorie/Robert Cast
====================
Carl: Thank you for your continued work on the Casa Ybel issues and for all of your information. In response to this email:
a. Insurance
How do we know what damage has been done to 154F? Will we be responsible for any costs of repair or will the insurance pick up 100%? What are the plans to get building F back to normal?
b. Maintenance Fee
Will our maintenance fee be increased?
c. Communications
Why haven't we as owners been informed by the board about what damages occurred and what continues to be done to expedite the reestablishing of CasaY Bel to its former excellence? As original owners, we are very concerned about this lack of communication and interest from anyone other than Carl.
e. Nonsmoking
We agree with the nonsmoking provision for all all resort units.
OUR OTHER CONCERNS
We have noticed a marked difference over the past two years as we spent time at CasaY Bel in our own weeks of 29 and 30 and also as we rented in April in the one bedroom units as far as organization of the resort. We were treated better as paying renters than as owners. We noticed that the resort was disjointed as far as maintenance of the grounds, the pool, the rental of bikes etc. and nobody knew what the other persons were doing. This does not feel right anymore. Why has this happened and why are we, as owners, not being made aware of this important changes?
There has been a high emphasis on getting the rental one bedroom units up and running but our owners units and buildings aren't being readied under the same emphasis of importance. We realize that the "resort" gains the profit from these units. We are concerned that a resort, that was originally built because of the money provided by owners, has become a "hotel" with those very same owners uniformed, misinformed and seemingly at "the bottom of the ladder" as far as importance is involved.
In our original contract, it states that the units will be refurbished every five years. How will what is happening now affect that portion of the contract?
As the board representing the owners, we will appreciate being informed by you.
Tom and Barb Hillesheim
====================
I support all of your points and again wish to express my appreciation for your interest and effort. Thank you.
Bob Weber
======== <October 4, 2004> ==========
Carl:
While I applaud your tireless, and too often unappreciated efforts on
behalf of the 1000s of CasaYbel owners, I think we need to keep our eyes
on important things, and not be accusatory of those who MAY be trying
their best to help us. This is NOT to say that we shouldn't be vigilant
in getting some facts as to what repairs/replacements will be made, and
how much is being paid by our insurance carrier. Unless our agreement
with the various Management entities specifies that insurance recovery
amounts are to be payable to them, the name of the Insured entity (FGH, or
whatever) should be on any checks from the Carrier.
Since I deal with insurance companies and adjustors on a daily basis in
our water damage emergency drying/restoration business in St. Petersburg,
I find that at least 99% of property adjustors want to treat Insureds as
they would want to be treated.
I DO endorse the no-smoking idea, INCLUDING around the pool (AND
particularly the "covered shade area), since food service is provided
there.
The Board SHOULD be entitled to have a copy of the "scope" or repair
estimate done by the adjustor(s)/estimators sent by our Carrier. We need
to KNOW that everything on the scope/estimate IS completed. Perhaps we
need to hire a consulting engineer to supervise the reconstruction to see
that everything for which payment is being made by the Carrier, does get
done. This would be cheaper and more thorough than an attorney, most of
whom wouldn't have a clue as to whether we were getting our property
restored properly.
>From our experience with water damaged properties, I would urge the Board
to make CERTAIN that ALL mold was remediated in a fashion dictated by a
proper protocol prepared by an Industrial Hygienist or other indoor air
quality professional, FOLLOWED by clearance testing, to be certain that
the work was properly completed.
We should NOT rely upon ONLY replacing materials like drywall which
appeared to have been wet, since much of the moisture may have never
migrated to the surface in large enough amounts to show staining, but
could have promoted significant mold growth within wall/ceiling cavities,
behind cabinets, tub enclosures, baseboards, etc. A good Industrial
Hygienist who UNDERSTANDS Building Science, could take air samples of
numerous such cavities to determine what, if any mold contamination
exists, and write a protocol for remediation.
We could also have someone familiar with construction and the use of
infrared imaging to find moisture problems, go through the buildings
before reconstruction is begun (if it is to be "partial", not complete
reconstruction). How do we KNOW the building was dried THOROUGHLY? How
do we know they are STILL dry in "hidden" areas?
Given some advance notice, I could come down or send a qualified employee
with our thermal imaging camera, to see if there are any problem areas. I
would keep the cost to time and expenses only.
Sincerely,
G. Carl Plaskett
====================
I concur with the no smoking in the units including the screened porches. I
get asthma from cigarette smoke and on week 10 in I160 we have to keep the glass
doors closed or I get ill.
Thanks,
Joe M. Hazel, Owner
======== <October 6, 2004> ==========
We also support the no-smoking rule, especially on the porches. We have
been at Casa Ybel when the almost constant smoke from the porch on an
adjacent unit made it very difficult for us to enjoy our porch. Hope
this rule can be put into effect.
Dolph and Nancy Neubauer
Owners
================
Carl,
When we last spoke you expressed your concern about the way Randy Piatt
@ Hilton Grand Vacation Club was treating you and the claim for Casa. I
spoke with Randy and he indicated to me that he gave me a name of the
man in charge in Hollywood, CA. I wanted to know if you have had any
updates on the claims process now? I don't know if where the rebuilding
process is but I would like to. I understand that they brought in
specialists for each area of concern. But are they all working together
currently?
Please advise,
John Slazinski
================
Thanks for the information on the website. It is about the only way I
have found out anything. I am blindly assuming that the Board for the
building is on top of the repairs with the management company, but I
haven’t heard anything directly from the Board. Do you know if they have
sent or posted any information anywhere? Looks like it will be tight for
our use of our units based on the schedule.
Also, since we are not HGVC members, I assume that we are just out of
luck for this year if we can’t get in. Do you know if that is correct?
Tom Olson
======== <October 8, 2004> ==========
I asked the same question and hope the board will look into it.
Our two bedrooms were built with flat roof, I find this to be our problem. THis could be the time to ad to the roof.
Carl
-------- Original Message --------
Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 11:10:53 -0700
From: matthew larkin
To: Carl Appelberg <carl@casaybel.com>
carl is a fact that all one bedroom units up and running
and all 2 bedrooms units are out of service
were the one b/r units built to a different standards than the
the2b/room if any one has this information please inform the owners
matt larkin 5 weeks
==============
Carl,
Thanks for doing all the work throughout this mess. It is truley
appreciated. I'm glad someone is keeping us updated on what's happening
with our resort. The latest news on HGVC's website now says that Feb.
looks to be the opening. It figures, we own week #1. It sounds like
we're S.O.L..
What I haven't heard yet is wether we will have to pay our maintenence
fees (less the taxes) because of loss of use? If you have any info on
this, please let me know. I don't expect a quick response because I
know how busy you must be.
Again, thanks so much for all you've done and continue to do on behalf
of the owners. If nothing else, maybe it took a catasphropy like this
to improve relationships with all involved.
Sincerely,
Tom & Chris DeFouw
week #1, G209
==============
in ans to the hydeman email calling you a busy body i wish we had
about 3500 busy bodys than we would not be in mess we are in thank you
again
matt larkin 5 weeks
==============
Carl:
We just looked at the Hilton website and they say that the resort might
open in Feb. 2005. Casaybel has been saying Jan. 7th. Can you help
clarify? We look forward to hearing about the Oct. 4 board meeting.
Thanks for all of your help. We would be totally lost without your eyes
and ears.
Jan and Steve Schur
==============
CARL, WE OWN G211 AND RECEIVED A PHONE CALL TODAY THAT THE UNIT WILL NOT
BE READY UNTIL FEB-05. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!
Mark Jacobson
==============
Sorry, I have no e-mail either for our President
Carl
It used to listed on Board addresses, but not anymore.
Carl
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Inquiry
Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 16:19:21 -0400
From: Robert Goldrick
I apologize for sending this to all of you, but my e-mail to Linda,
using an address I found in an HGVC e-mail to the Board, was returned as
undeliverable. Can one of you forward this to her at the appropriate
address OR provide some assistance? I previously listed the units on
the casaybel website (Carl's) and am at a loss as to what to tell
others, or do myself, about our two weeks at the end of January. Thanks!
Bob Goldrick
==============
Certainly, this is the time to make any necessary changes to improve the
properties existence. If I had control, and you were losing part or all
of the roof then without question I would be trading in the old style
for the new style. And I would make it work so that no out of pocket
expenses are incurred. What I would like to do is see the by-laws and
any contracts that we have with Hilton sent to my office. That way, we
can make an assessment and provide the board with the answers that you
are looking for. If there is anything that we could do to make this work
to "our" advantage you bet I will assist. Feel free to pass my website
onto the board to get an understanding of who we are and what we are
capable of doing. I will await your package @
Best Regards,
John Slazinski======== <October 13, 2004> ==========
I went to sanibel/captiva sat oct 9th to see casaybel and found that all
the 2 bedroom units to have roof damage and water damage and they were
working on them and will take awhile. the 1 bedroom units had little or
no damage so of course they could be rented. the swimming pool was open
and the beach looked good.
I also have timeshares in stuart and jupiter beach and both where hit
twice by hurricanes and when that happens you just lost your week and
hope next year no hurricanes.
Arlene
E-Mail: Carl@CasaYbel.com
Carl Appelberg
2213 Colefax Court
Westminster C.C.
Lehigh Acres FL 33971
239-368-6354
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