Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Less Power to the People?

On August 17, 2011, Barney Frank wrote the chairman of the Federal Reserve Board to request an extended public comment period regarding the proposed purchase of ING Direct by Capitol One.  This purchase would create the 5th largest bank in the United States. What type of impact do you think this purchase would have on consumers, communities, and the economy in general? Write to let them know your thoughts and concerns.
The Honorable Barney Frank, MA, Ranking Member
United States House of Representatives
Committee on Financial Services
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman
Federal Reserve Board
20th and Constitution Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20551

Sunday, August 21, 2011

The Same Old Song

So much for the atmosphere at this 204-unit subsidized, multifamily housing complex.  Living here can feel like your under the thumb of public and private drug cartel.  Rockland Place dba SpringGate Apartments  is often thought of as the gateway to hell.  Not much has changed with all the millions of dollars in state and federal grants, except new siding, gas conversion, and more corporate partners known for committing HUD fraud.
     Partners in crime have joined forces in the profitable facade of helping those in poverty as they aid illegal activities.  Management says 'no dogs and no drug dealers allowed', but it depends on who you are and who you know, as to whether or not any of the rules apply.  Use and sell enough drugs, and you could even be late with your rent.  Assault your neighbors; just don't mention the fraud going on. You could even live in these apartments on someone else's lease for free. Unethical corporate partners are always in breach of lease agreements while rents keep going up.
     It's a noisy, chaotic, and dysfunctional place to have to live.  However, if you're desperate enough, you can move up quickly on the waiting list and receive a Management Special. Simply mention you know one of the favored, yet non-compliant households by name.  It's the same old song ... with more and more funding, for the favorite cons.   http://www.youtube.com/lobbyistable

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Property Inspections for HUD

Rockland Place dba Spring Gate Apartments will be getting a REAC inspection by the lowest bidding contractor, Inspectors Servicing America Inc.  Hopefully, there will be no conflicts of interest so that property management will finally get those handicapped units and the appropriate resident list in honest compliance with HUD regulations and fair housing laws.   
    This outside contractor will be inspecting several other subsidized properties for HUD.  As of today's date, residents on Martha Drive and Hannah Way haven't been notified by owners or management of the upcoming REAC property inspection for Rockland Place.  It is scheduled for Wednesday, August 17, 2011.   

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Affordable Housing Not So Affordable

Along Martha Drive and Hannah Way, Rockland, Massachusetts, most residents pay 30-40% of their income to the HUD-financed landlord, to then be habitually denied peace, privacy, and security in resting, sleeping, reading, writing, etc.  Do American citizens really want more of these affordable multifamily housing complexes created where innocent, vulnerable residents are clustered amongst people who deal drugs, have criminal records, and/or who violate them?  How affordable is it to the health of a person with disabilities?
   Enriched corporate landlords and partners are so powerfully and politically connected that they're not even required to comply with lease agreements and laws. In several ways, the rights of vulnerable U.S. citizens are often violated in this type of multifamily housing.  Being treated with dignity and respect is extremely unusual in this demoralized living environment where corporate property managers contribute to the illegal chaos.
 A Special Weekend Report . . . or  . . . A Hamilton Alert
in Support of Security Cameras 
      A loud fight, involving a group of people, took place behind the buildings of 93 and 141 Martha Drive.  Isn't that where the Rockland Self-Storage facility is listed?
     The sewer cover in the middle of Martha Drive, where drug traffic frequently travels, was removed by vandals.  It was noticed missing around 3:00 a.m.  The Rockland Highway Dept. and Spring Gate Apt. maintenance were notified.
   Also this weekend, several vehicles each had two tires slashed at Rockland Place dba Spring Gate Apartments.   Two vehicles were in the guest parking area while the other two vehicles were parked along Martha Drive.
 

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

TAX HAVENS and SHELL COMPANIES

     HUD-financed housing complexes, such as Rockland Place dba Spring Gate Apts., aren't really required to be in full compliance of laws, rules, and regulations. Take the non-compliance of the handicapped units for example. It appears Rockland Housing Authority, DHCDMassHousing, and the Rockland Board of Health don't want to make waves with some powerful corporate landlords.
     Who are all the individuals behind each of the Limited Liability Partnerships, Limited Partnerships,
LLC's and Corporations at Rockland Place dba Spring Gate Apts.?  For a number of reasons, this information is vital to American consumers who really need to have the right to know.  How many ethical and unethical individuals, behind these ever-changing company names, have access to tenants' personal information, lives, and futures?  For purposes of self-protection and freedom of choice, all Americans need to have access to each individual name behind every corporate and partnership name.  This information should be readily available prior to doing business with any corporation.
     Some HUD-subsidized corporate landlords habitually put their best foot forward with attempts to discredit, retaliate, and/or harass vulnerable tenants who speak out against violations.  They pretend to provide safe, decent, affordable housing while dimming the lights and providing shared units for dealers, perverts, and felons.  It's no wonder they haven't kept their promise to install security cameras!  There's more than 'housing' going on along Martha Drive and Hannah Way.

          VIDEO CLIPS of INTEREST
  1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-fTt3cbNHo&feature=fvwrel
  2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnwM7kZMylA&NR=1
  3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQEM-2MB2v4
  4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16n1OVgB2FM&feature=related
     Administration STILL Bankrolling ACORN
ACORN employees have been nailed time and time again for fraudulently registering voters (including Mickey Mouse and the Dallas Cowboys football team) — allegedly for the purpose of sweeping Democrats into office. They were caught on tape advising undercover reporters on how to evade tax, immigration, and child prostitution laws. They were unceremoniously kicked off a U.S. Census Bureau program as a result of a Judicial Watch investigation. And ultimately, the organization was officially cut off from federal funds by Congress and President Obama.  So why is ACORN still receiving taxpayer dollars in defiance of the funding ban?
   Judicial Watch investigators recently discovered that the Obama Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued a $79,819 grant to the Affordable Housing Centers of America (AHCOA) — an offshoot of ACORN — in apparent violation of the ACORN funding ban passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama in 2009. Moreover, this grant was provided to the organization less than a year after ACORN/ACHOA was criticized by HUD’s inspector general in two separate investigations for misappropriating funds from federal grants.
http://www.youtube.com/user/JudicialWatch#p/a/f/1/eCDaOUVVXPI
           http://www.judicialwatch.org/investigation-acorn


    Monday, August 1, 2011

    Commonalities

    What do three property management companies at Rockland Place dba Spring Gate Apartments have in common besides investments and mismanagement of HUD-financed properties?   Abrams Management, Cornerstone Corp., and First Hartford Realty Corp. (FHRC) are presently all clients of Parsec Systems Inc.
        

    Wednesday, July 20, 2011

    Violence and Tragedy Emerge in Rockland

    A SMALL TOWN IN MASSACHUSETTS SUFFERS
    TWO MURDERS WITHIN TWO YEARS
         JANUARY 1, 2010 --  Stephen F. Harvey, 55, of Hanover was fatally stabbed in a rooming house at 5 Union St., Rockland, Mass. in the very early morning hours.  He was pronounced dead at South Shore Hospital in WeymouthMichael Purcell, 48, of 5 Union Street was arraigned on charges of murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in Hingham District Court.  
          JULY 8, 2011 -- Tina C. Gonsalves, 37, of 50 Concord Street, Rockland, MA was taken to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, where she died shortly after 2 p.m. from a fatal shooting inside her home.  She is the victim of an alleged drug-related home invasion.  Gonsalves is survived by her children, Todd J. Dorsett, Aaron J. Dorsett, Dasia Lynn Dorsett and Alanna Rae Silvia, all of Rockland.     *************************
         MARCH 8, 2010 -- Roberto Perez, 18, of 57 Church St., Rockland, was arraigned Monday in Hingham District Court on charges of armed assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The vicious attack left a 16-yr. old bleeding from repeated stab wounds on Church St.
         JUNE 30, 2010 -- Shane Perez, 17, and Aaron Dorsett, 18, were charged with two counts of assault and battery on a public employee and assault and battery, disorderly conduct and disturbing a school.
        JULY 21, 2010 --  Two Rockland brothers were arrested after allegedly robbing someone at gunpoint during a drug deal at Rockland Place Apartments dba Spring Gate.  Aaron J. Dorsett, 18, and Todd J. Dorsett, 20, who both live at 50 Concord St. in Rockland, were due to be arraigned at Hingham District Court.
          The tax-credited MHFA and HUD-financed Spring Gate Apartment complex is located on Martha Drive and Hannah Way.  This 204-unit housing complex is within a short walking distance of 5 Union Street and 50 Concord Street.   Purcell, the Dorsett family, and a few others who are allegedly involved in drug deals and violence lived at Rockland Place Apts., also known as SpringGate.  Some of the problems continue to frequent and/or reside at this subsidized property with management's and authorities' unspoken knowledge and selective enforcements.
         See more of Rockland's Hidden Treasures by clicking on the highlighted text within the articles above and this link.... http://www.wickedlocal.com/rockland/news/x902793615

    Sunday, July 17, 2011

    Let's Support the Live-ins

    Well, it's that time again!  July 10, 2011, residents of Rockland Place dba Spring Gate Apartments received another notice from the Spring Gate Property Mismanagement Team of a meeting scheduled with residents and MassHousing for Monday, 6:00 pm, July 25, 2011 at the Community Room
         This is a formal notice of another proposal to raise their 'affordable into perpetuity' rents.  They incorrectly list the FHRC Management office as 30 Martha Drive, Rockland, Mass This corporate affordable-housing landlord is now receiving over $1000.00 monthly for most subsidized units.  They also receive undeserved low-income housing tax credits.
         The notice lists 5 creative reasons for this request to raise rents up to $1495.00  monthly.   One item states the subsidized property is in very good condition overall, but there is a plan to replace 24 bathtubs in 2012.  Is this how they plan to clean-up the hushed-up crime in this housing complex?  Again, there's no mention of the installation of those promised security cameras; just be sure to check each of the lug nuts on each tire of your vehicle before exiting their parking lots. Click here to see other violations that continue to exist.
         SpringGate's notice fails to mention Management's silent approval of live-ins who continue to use utilities.  Here's just one suggestion to help improve the budget at Spring Gate: List all live-in's names on legally-binding lease agreements and include every resident's income.  Oh, and let's not forget those privileged tenants who remain in oversized apartments that Ms. Janet Hamilton cleverly calls, 'Affordable Penthouse Suites', reserved for residents who remain silent.
         It appears unenforced policies, including live-ins who are allowed numerous parking spaces and threatening behaviors, are just some of the benefits, exclusive for Management's privileged households.  Of course, an annual MassHousing inspection never reveals these serious, unfair, and unsafe housing issues.  Do you think Management's request to raise your rent will really be approved by MassHousing once again?  Probably so.
    ***********************************************
      In Massachusetts, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is the allocating agency for tax credits. Can you name every individual involved in the ownership of Rockland Place Apartments, unofficially doing business as Spring Gate?  Are partners and investors receiving 4 percent or 9 percent (LIHT) Low-Income Housing Tax Credits?

    Sunday, July 10, 2011

    Another Murder in Rockland

         Within walking distance of Rockland Place dba SpringGate Apartments, another person was murdered.  Fifty Concord Street is a 5+ unit, 3-story, multi-family residential building and is considered another trouble spot in Rockland, Mass.   Some residents in the neighborhood complained of drug activity and frequent police visits prior to the shooting. 
         It's troublesome when landlords claim to do background checks on all their tenants, yet continue to rent to violent people and druggies.  Some landlords may avoid putting felons on a lease by playing the ignorant game of, "But we didn't know our tenant had a live-in, so how could we possibly know to check his/her criminal history?"  These deceptive business practices and unenforced policies easily creates a nuisance neighborhood.
          Rockland police and investigators looked over paperwork at the building where Tina C. Gonsalves was fatally shot yesterday. Investigators believe a wounded man also was a victim of the shooting.  The woman was taken to South Shore Hospital for surgery after being shot in her apartment around 7:40 a.m. yesterday and died just after 2 p.m., Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz’s office said.  An unidentified man was dropped off at a different hospital, ....... (Read more by clicking here.) http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/07/09/woman_killed_man_wounded_in_rockland_shooting/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Massachusetts+news