"Who Paid?" A micro view behind the gates of Leisure World of Md.

“Who Paid?”

Montgomery Mutual Cooperative- Leisure World of Maryland

Point Blank© by slk

Located in Leisure World of Maryland, the Montgomery Mutual Cooperative Board of Directors have adopted rules stating approval must be received for building modifications and common area landscaping changes. The applications require 3 neighbor signatures and approval by Management, Committee and the Board of Directors.

http://www.montgomerymutual.net/images2/applicationbuildingmodification.pdf

(http://www.montgomerymutual.net/images2/applicationlandscapechange.pdf

However, the casual observer perceives cronyism and favoritism pervading these rules.
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/focusareas/government_ethics/introduction/cronyism.html

The Montgomery Mutual Property Manager’s replies to requests for the relevant “change applications, and concrete and landscaping invoices included, “we do not have the Request for Building Maintenance on file”, “We only keep current year “Requests Modification” on file”, and “My file only goes back two years concerning projects which are at the member’s expense and between the member and the contractor only.”

Originally claiming “unit files are confidential”, his excuse was nullified upon being reminded, Committee and BOD authorizations take place in open meetings. The multiple requests for Montgomery Mutual Board of Directors meeting minutes, in which Board application approvals took place, have yet to be provided.

The Montgomery Mutual $8+Million annual operating budget is derived from the high monthly fees paid by 898 unit owners. Without competitive bids, the Board of Directors rubber stamps hundreds of thousands of dollars invoiced by “favored” concrete and landscaping companies. Within the Leisure World community at large, these two NO BID contractors annually cart off over $3 Million of resident-paid funds.

With the exception of one $6,045.00 * patio replacement and Xtra wide concrete walkway, the slide show photos show units belonging to current and past Montgomery Mutual BOD officers and a Leisure World of Maryland management employee.

A long-time member of the Montgomery Mutual Board of Directors, with a shrug of the shoulders timidly stated that the BOD never received, reviewed nor approved the installations pictured.

1. $2,850.00 paid by Montgomery Mutual

extended patio/steps/fence w/gate/landscaping
resident: Leisure World of Maryland Grounds Manager and Contract Manager

*2. $6,045.00 paid by Montgomery Mutual - extended xtra wide walkway and patio replacement

3. “authorization documentation not required”- landscaping including shrubs, mulching and drainage piping -

resident: President, Montgomery Mutual Board of Directors

4. “No authorization or documentation available” - extended brick walkway and landscaping

resident: sister of Treasurer, Montgomery Mutual Board of Directors

5. “No authorization or documentation available” - extended concrete walkway

resident: Past President, Montgomery Mutual Board of Directors

Likened to Orwell’s hypocritical controlling Animal Farm pigs who while providing favors and privileges to “a small elite”, proclaimed “all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”