Kelle28 12 years, 8 months ago on Water cut-off/fees battle tears apart resort project
Water cut-off/fees battle tears apart resort project
I've been an owner at Palm Bay for many years now. We pay our fees. We don't make a profit on our villa but we cover enough of our costs to make it reasonable for us. For the record, we are not related to the Francis family since that seems to be a point of contention for some owners as a way to discredit a sincere comment.
We pay our monthly fees and our indenture every year. We do it in a timely manner because let's be honest if you tried to not pay your fees in the US, you'd be cut off without so much as a warning notice and they certainly would not turn your services back on until you had paid in full.
My husband tried very hard to work with other owners to come to a consensus for productive and genuine improvements. Sometimes the owners were cooperative and other times they were deadlocked. Often, they did not even bother to log into the virtual meetings. What we consistently found was that Ron Francis was always willing to discuss the situation, he provided budgets and a variety of programs designed to meet owners needs. We also consistently found that some owners enjoyed arguing much more than working together to find a solution.
We all bought into Palm Bay because we fell in love with the property, the villas, the ambiance, and the people of Exuma. Why own somewhere you don't want to be right? We spend weeks there every off season because we like to max out rental potential in the high season. Every time we've visited, the property has been neatly maintained and our villa is always ready to welcome us... along with a cool drink at the Splash bar made by Anita or Tiny. These things have not changed.
Our property value in the US bombed when the housing market crashed... but I didn't call up my developer or my realtor and call him a fraud. All investments are risky. Don't want to take a risk... put your money in a CD.
In addition, we don't just rely on Ron and his staff to get our villa rented. We network with friends. We post the villa on home rental sites. We've given it to extended family for their use. There is much more value in the villa than just rental fees. We've never had a guest return from Exuma that did not find courteous service, a lovely villa, and a well maintained resort.
I am sure Mr. Hartnell did his research and because he is a respected journalist, I appreciate that he took the time to interview 10 owners. However, Palm Bay has more than 70 villas and their respective owners and not all of them are unhappy or feeling conned.
I appreciate that the Tribune allows for comments and public discussion so that all interested parties have a chance to share their views. Given the venom in some of the responses by unhappy owners, I hope that the tone of this comment and the consideration I have taken to be fair will be treated with the same respect that I have given to the other comments. Please only respond with productive remarks.
mynameis 12 years, 8 months ago on Water cut-off/fees battle tears apart resort project
Water cut-off/fees battle tears apart resort project
An Owners' meeting might be overdue but based on the rhetoric in this forum, I'm not sure if much will be accomplished as it appears that the two groups of homeowners would be at cross purposes - the ones on this forum who are venting appear to be persons who will not be satisfied until steel bracelets are being applied to Mr. Francis and he is frog-marched through the streets of Exuma barefoot over a bed of hot coals specially prepared for him. Sooo counter-productive...
242 12 years, 6 months ago on It's all in the name of free speech, Dr Rollins
It's all in the name of free speech, Dr Rollins
That explains why this website on ur favorites list
dacy 12 years, 6 months ago on It's all in the name of free speech, Dr Rollins
It's all in the name of free speech, Dr Rollins
wow Talrussell yet you are allow to express your insane self daily
Cc 12 years, 6 months ago on It's all in the name of free speech, Dr Rollins
It's all in the name of free speech, Dr Rollins
Ummmm....you do know that you don't HAVE to read the editorials if you don't want to, right? That's the kind of "freedom" everyone is talking about.
Arob 12 years, 6 months ago on Rollins claims to have evidence of FNM election day bribes
Rollins claims to have evidence of FNM election day bribes
Dr. Rollins,
The government is urging Bahamians to stop hiding criminals. Sir, you claim that you witnessed a crime-- Dr. Rollins report your observations--turn in your photographs etc to the police. If you cannot support your claims, shut up! If you can, be a good citizen and do your duty. Isn't a vote precious! Your colleague Mr. Bell should also follow this advice. It is a shame that a man who is a former police officer is using a criminal offense for political mileage rather than bringing the perpetrator to justice.
Gentlemen, you were elected because you claimed that you could do a better job running this county. Do your job. You are not on the campaign trail and we, the people, we will not tolerate your inmature behavior and antics for TV and newspaper coverage. We see your game. Act like legislators not clowns.
Stameko 12 years, 6 months ago on Gibson to employers: 'Justify every work permit'
Gibson to employers: 'Justify every work permit'
So he'll do a better job of vetting each application than he did for Anna Nicole? Perhaps BTC should only hire tall blondes from overseas.
On a serious note, I think the principle is good, but to my knowledge it is already enshrined in immigration requirements that companies have to justify each position.
PKMShack 12 years, 6 months ago on Gibson to employers: 'Justify every work permit'
Gibson to employers: 'Justify every work permit'
Sound good my brother Shane but what you calling for has been the process since 2002. What new are you talking about? More hot air as usual. I sure would like him to name a company that is not doing what he is speaking of. Hot air.
nationbuilder 12 years, 5 months ago on Mitchell off to Caricom
Mitchell off to Caricom
He is going to the CARICOM HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING not to represent THE BAHAMAS, but to represent THE PLP??? No commentary is even necessary for this kind of statement. This crew is sickening and an embarrassment.
moncurcool 12 years, 4 months ago on Disaster of Bahamas Airways
Disaster of Bahamas Airways
That is why i still refer to the airport as Nassau International Airport.
Observer 12 years, 2 months ago on ‘The knife that killed OJ’s wife stashed in Bahamas’
‘The knife that killed OJ’s wife stashed in Bahamas’
It is disappointing that the mighty Tribune would evenly partially reprint some trash that's published in the National Enquirer.
Concerned 11 years, 10 months ago on JUST IN: Christie charting the way forward after referendum
JUST IN: Christie charting the way forward after referendum
I thought the PM said that he brought in the South Africans to prepare for a Yes and a No vote. Why does our Prime Minister lie so much? The truth always come out, especially when you mouth off in front of TV cameras.
jackflash 11 years, 7 months ago on Protest for equality at Rawson Square
Protest for equality at Rawson Square
John,
You are wrong.
All cruise ship casions and slots are closed while in port by law, including when they are anchored or adrift one of our Bahamain island stops.
Shops are also closed by law.
Food and activities are all all open.
This is fact, ask Obie...
scarletplum 11 years, 7 months ago on Sex abuse link in boy's death
Sex abuse link in boy's death
One hates to see the face of an unhappy child and this two year old's face speaks volumes. Very, very sad.
I am with proudloudandfnm on the legal side of things. Jail is a good place to start with the so called father
TimeForChange 11 years, 7 months ago on Sex abuse link in boy's death
Sex abuse link in boy's death
I can't even begin to imagine what that poor child endured, we as parents are suppose to protect our children not harm them. Too many children have died at the hands of these monsters and there is no justice for them. Something needs to happen in this country and children need to be protected.
sunshinedays 12 years, 8 months ago on Water cut-off/fees battle tears apart resort project
Water cut-off/fees battle tears apart resort project
The Bahamas water company just supplies water to the resort from its piping under Queen's Highway; it does not provide any kind of city sewer service.
For 2012, I am paying about $60 / month for my water and sewer service, which seems quite reasonable for an island like Exuma -- it would be reasonable for a large urban city in the US or Canada. That's about $720 per year. There are some owners at Palm Bay that feel entitled to get everything for free and not be responsible for any of the expenses of owning a property in an amazing place like Exuma.
I agree the above poster that taking disputes to public forums to appeal for sympathy from the Bahamian government (i.e. playing the "i'm getting treated unfairly, BUT this means that people will hate the Bahamas when they come here!" card) is a grade school tactic.
These people could install their own water lines and their own septic tanks and hire their own garbage men if they are so unhappy, but I think they pretty much realize that the costs to do these things would be ridiculously high.