SID LEVESON... TRUSTEE EDITOR
At the request of Trustee President Perri Schwartz, the Trustees have voted to appoint Arlene Schwartz as Advisor to the
Board. I introduced the motion and it was seconded by John Troy. The vote was 4 to 3.
My position is based on the following:
- Arlene Schwartz is extremely capable and experienced in her own right. As coowner of their condo unit, she could just as easily have become a Trustee and President herself.
- The previous Board of Trustees voted to have evening meetings, so people who work can run for Trustee. The residents did not object at that time. Perry Schwartz was not the only working homeowner who ran and won in May.
- Although everyone knew that Perry Schwartz is not a resident and works full time as Chief Engineer and Chief Technology Officer of an engineering business, he was elected by a wide margin. He and the other working Trustees are entitled to have the resources necessary to do the job effectively. For the same reason, the Covered Bridge Administrator (Louise) is now present at Trustee meetings, as was done in earlier years .
- Arlene is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of their engineering business, so it is natura! for her to function as an advisor in Covered Bridge matters. She will leverage his time, so he can do the job as President of the Trustees with regular phone contact when he cannot be available here. She contributes to the work of other trustees as well.
- In order to perform these functions, it is necessary to attend most meetings and be informed of the issues. Arlene will not be present at closed trustee meetings, which may deal with personnel matters, legal, contracts and situations involving individual unit owners or residents.
- She will be bound by the confidentially considerations that apply to Trustees.
- Although Arlene may comment during Trustee discussions, she will not vote,
make decisions or make policy. She is NOT an eighth trustee!
- Arlene Schwartz' role is not very different from mv role wben I was Financial
'" 01 -. -
Advisor to the Trustees for 6 months before I was elected to the Board of
Trustees 3 years ago. While not all the Trustees approved of my role then, there was no question about whether I made a significant contribution and enabled the Trustees to get more done. In fact, I even attended closed meetings at that time.
- There is no restriction against the appointment in the Bylaws.
- Perry Schwartz has demonstrated his commitment to open government, so
everyone will be able to judge how well this arrangement works.
QUOTE OF THE Iv.fONTH
"Design is not just what it looks and feels like; design is how it works."
Steve Jobs
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WORTH WAITING FOR By Sid Leveson For the Board
When you read this, the new forty-seat Monmouth County bus through Covered Bridge and along Route 9 is expected to be in service. With your Covered Bridge ID card, you will ride free under our contract with Monmouth County. Copies of the bus schedule are available in the clubhouse office.
~ The busses have 40 seats. They have high backs, and color coordinated seat belts.
~ There is room for 2 wheelchairs with a safety lock on the wheelchair lift. Because rear seats can fold up, all 40 seats will be available when no wheelchair is present, and each wheelchair in use will only eliminate 2 seats (Older busses have space for I wheelchair, and tie up the space of 6 seats even when no wheelchair is present.)
~ A low first step provides easier access.
~ The engine is in the front, so there is less noise.
~ The busses get 10-12 miles per gallon, vs. 7 for older busses. Along with the engine up front, this reduces exhaust fumes.
~ The busses are climate controlled throughout the year. Air conditioners in the front and
back provide even temperatures. ~ The windows are tinted.
~ There is space to store packages in the rear of the bus.
~ The bus undercarriage has a storage compartment for baggage.
~ There are interior and exterior intercom systems, as well as a radio. ~ The wheels have a better turning radius.
With the support of Freeholder Amy Mallett and the persistence of former Trustee President Henry Botwinick, 3 busses costing $92,000 each were purchased by First Student for its Monmouth County contract. Our bus covers the route north of Freehold, another covers the southern route, and a third provides back-up.
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TO ALL RESIDENTS OF COVERED BRIDGE
If you follow the instructions or requests in this letter, you will surely have quicker and more efficient solutions of your problems.
We, speaking for the Condo Reps of Covered Bridge, would suggest that you please advise either your condo rep, whose names you will likewise find in the Newsletter, rather than writing to the Trustees or the office.
The Reps are here strictly for the purpose of expediting your requests and things would work more quickly and efficiently and there would be speedier solutions if you follow these instructions. The Condo Reps are here to help you - help us to do that.
Elayne Schildkraut and Helen Newhook - Co-chairs of the Condo Reps
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