Workshop launches FOIA Blog: Exemption 10 | Investigative Reporting Workshop

Workshop launches FOIA Blog: Exemption 10 |
 Investigative Reporting Workshop

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Sexy Japanese Quail on Cocaine

Are you an American citizen who's struggling to survive?  Let's take a realistic look at what has 'changed' since President Obama was elected to office.  http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?a=Files.Serve&File_id=b69a6ebd-7ebe-41b7-bb03-c25a5e194365

Mission Impossible?

HUD claims their mission is 'to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all'.  It's to be expected then, 'Affordable homes for all' does NOT EXCLUDE:  full-time employees of the corporate landlords who commit fraud, drug dealers, ex-cons, perverts, and practicing substance abusers.  What makes me say this? ...Because this describes some of the residents receiving affordable housing at Rockland Place dba SpringGate Apartments in Rockland, Massachusetts.  Some of the unethical or illegal acts on this property are assisted by authorities.
     HUD insists they are working to strengthen the housing market to 'bolster the economy and protect consumers'.  Huh?   Truth be told, most legitimate consumers are NOT protected in subsidized housing.  When legitimate tenants of the HUD-subsidized Rockland Place reported violations, and then, the ongoing retaliations by lobbying corporate landlords and management, HUD did not protect the innocent taxpayers, renters, or consumers.  Furthermore, the deceptive text on HUD's website misleads a consumer to believe they will be protected by HUD's rules and regulations and by state and federal law, but these are rarely enforced for consumers of subsidized housing.  Residing in this type of housing is truly a disempowering experience for legitimate consumers who, all too often, get treated with contempt and disrespect.  As one subsidized property manager explained, "We can do whatever we want."  AND   "You can lay on your back for repairs."
      I can recognize that subsidized housing bolsters and enriches those involved in certain corporate partnerships, but does it honestly bolster the economy?  The key word here is honestly.
        As far as,  'HUD utilizing housing as a platform for improving quality of life, and building inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination' ....  If you're able to imagine being wrongfully convicted and then having to pay rent to an abusive prison facility with corrupt guards in control, then you'll have a better understanding of the real 'quality of life' in subsidized housing. The type of subsidized housing, that exists on Martha Drive and Hannah Way in Rockland, has proven itself to be a nightmare, not only to the honorable American taxpayer, but to the truly needy and vulnerable tenants who become further victimized with a systematic approach to lose more American rights and freedoms through corruption, cronyism, and socialism.
        By the way, more subsidized housing is being developed in South Weymouth.   It all sounds so beautiful and wonderful and nice, especially when Americans are desperate for jobs and housing.  I have to wonder though .... Is creating larger developments really the best solution to resolve the homeless and unemployment crisis in the USA? Let's not forget, developers, corporate partnerships, and politicians have a tendency to make promises they don't keep, especially when big money is involved.  Usually, newly built, privately-owned; yet, government-financed housing complexes stay nice for 10-15 years. Then illegal drug deals and an increase in crime usually become major problems to frustrated residents who are too disempowered by large corporations, partnerships, and their powerful lobbyists.
       According to Thomas Grillo's detailed article in the Boston Business Journal:  Southfield will feature 2,855 apartments and homes and 2 million square feet of commercial and retail space. The development will also include more than 1,000 acres of parks and dedicated open space, a links style golf course, and a $20 million sports and recreation complex.  The $2.5 billion project is expected to result in 6,000 construction jobs, 4,000 permanent jobs and represents one of the biggest hubs of job growth and economic activity in the Bay State, the developer said. Governor Deval Patrick's administration has invested $45 million to construct the East-West Parkway, a regional transit improvement connecting Routes 3 and 18. Congress has pledged $8 million for other transit improvements. Southfield Highlands, the community’s first residential neighborhood near the on-site South Weymouth commuter rail station, is under development and is expected to result in 1,400 construction jobs and 80 permanent jobs.  Construction has begun on 226 units of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartment homes being developed by John M. Corcoran and Co.  Negotiations over the future of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station, which was closed in 1997 by the Pentagon, have dragged on for more than a decade. South Shore Tri-Town Development, a semi-independent agency, was formed in 1998 to oversee development of the 1,400-acre site.  In 2002, the agency selected LNR Property LLC to serve as the master developer.
     Do American citizens, at least, have the right to know every individual name affiliated to these corporate names?  And, if not, why?

Gov't Funds Used to Offend Public Morality

    Though we may read several news articles and scandals existing in subsidized housing, I'm guessing much of the unethical and illegal conduct remains silenced and unpublished.  Certainly we heard of the tenant living in a subsidized apartment to be able to afford their Satellite Dish and cocaine habit.  Have you heard the one where subsidized property employees at Rockland Place or Spring Gate Apts. tear down posted anti-drug notices provided by HUD?  And, instead of owners having to comply with lease agreements in subsidized housing, Section 8 vouchers are unethically provided a tenant who reports crime at Rockland Place.  Let's not forget the recent scandal in regard to illegal campaign contributions paid by Mr. Winn, a housing developer in Boston.  (But, of course it wasn't to influence anyone with power, silly!)
     And now we read of a harassment claim being paid with housing funds in Chelsea, Mass. “Local housing authorities are expected to notify DHCD if state funds are being used to settle any legal matters,’’ said Deborah Goddard, general counsel of the state Department of Housing and Community Development.  Read details of the Chelsea Housing Authority sex toy scandal by clicking here.

More Links in a Blink

• Government Motors require consumers pay extra for spare change. ...Reuters
• Tragedy strikes Hyannis House Apartments.  The Nguyen's from Dorchester are involved with the ownership of numerous businesses including Hyannis House LLC. 
• Who rules the roost in Massachusetts courts? - Read investigational reports in CommonWealth.

Unethical Politics in Subsidized Housing

Verrry interesting!  I just came across this well-written article by Eric Convey, the Managing Editor of the Boston Business Journal, published Oct. 28, 2011...... Real estate magnate Arthur Winn and his Winn Columbus Center Limited Partnership have agreed with federal prosecutors to plead guilty to campaign finance violations and pay fines of $1.5 million or more, U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz's office said Friday.
Winn, 72, of Chestnut Hill, was charged Friday with violating federal campaign laws by using other people to make more than $150,000 in campaign contributions in excess of those allowed by any one individual under federal law. Winn could face up to one year in prison, Ortiz's office said in a prepared statement.
Some of the money used to reimburse donors came from "publicly-subsidized housing communities," Ortiz said in a prepared statement. She added: "Using strawmen and conduits to conceal the true source of campaign funds....  (Read more details by clicking here.)
     This article reminds me of Mr. William M. Connolly, who worked with, or for, Mr. Winn at Faneuil Hall.   At a meeting with tenants at Rockland Place / Spring Gate Apts., he responded, "It's all about the politics."  
     Considering what goes on at the subsidized Rockland Place apartments, including the hushed requirement for residents to sign fraudulent documentation, perhaps a more accurate phrase would be, "It's all about the swindle."

.005% and Subsidized Corporates

First Hartford Corp. has a .005% ownership interest in and is a general partner of Rockland Place Apartments Limited Partnership (the “Partnership”) which was formed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on May 15, 2006, for the purpose of owning and operating a rental housing project financed with loans from Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) and subsidies from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  Due to higher rents, rental income from the apartment complex in Rockland, MA increased approximately $247,000 during fiscal year 2010.
      The Partnership entered into an agreement with the Rockland Housing Authority whereby the Housing Authority has the option to purchase the property after the 15-year tax credit compliance period on January 1, 2024, from the Partnership. What would this mean for residents in 2024 ?

     Tenants on Martha Drive and Hannah Way have been told to write rent checks to SpringGate Apartments instead of Rockland Place.  All of the following companies are the SUBSIDIARIES of First Hartford Corp.:
First Hartford Realty Corporation, incorporated in Delaware;  Lead Tech Inc., Connecticut; Parkade Center Inc., Texas;  Plainfield Parkade Inc., Connecticut; Putnam Parkade Inc., Connecticut; EH+N Construction Company, Delaware; Independence Park Asset Management Co LLC, Delaware; Dover Parkade LLC, Delaware; DE 150 Corp, Delaware; Brewery Parkade, Inc., Rhode Island; Cranston Parkade LLC, Rhode Island; Tri-City Plaza, Inc., New Jersey; Bangor Parkade, Inc., Maine; CP Associates LLC, Rhode Island; Trolley Barn Associates LLC, Rhode Island; Main Street NA Parkade LLC, Connecticut;  Cranston/BVT Associates Limited Partnership, Rhode Island; FHRC Management Corp., Delaware; The Shoppes at Rio Grande Valley LP, Texas; First Hartford Rio Grande Valley LP, Texas;  Triangle Center Inc., Delaware merged into First Hartford Realty Corp January 1, 2010.
     All of the following subsidiaries of First Hartford Corp. are incorporated in Massachusetts: 1150 Union Street Corp.,  Connolly + Partners LLC,  Rockland Place Apartments LLC,  Rockland Place Developers LLC,  Rockland Place Apartments LP,  EH+N U Inc., First Hartford Plumbing Inc.,  FALAH Corp.,  Clarendon Hill Somerville Limited Partnership, Clarendon Developer LLC, Clarendon Hill Somerville LLC.
      Quite a list of subsidiaries!  So, why do residents still see the name of Cornerstone Corporation at the Rockland Place Apartments along Hannah Way and Martha Drive in Rockland, MA?   For good reasons, residents and potential residents should have the right to know the name of every person having, or ever having, a vested interest in any subsidized property like Rockland Place dba SpringGate Apartments. Having this type of information could help a consumer protect themselves against those who are above-the-law.

ON THE LOOKOUT

October 18, yesterday around 5:30 p.m., Rockland Police were called to SpringGate Apts., Rockland, MA over an alleged assault to a 7-year-old girl along Martha Drive by an older black male with a teardrop tattoo under his eye and a skull tattoo on his forehead. The girl's backpack was rummaged through and tossed.  Police searched the area and questionned several residents.  They asked if anyone saw a man meeting that particular description or if the man could possibly be staying in one of the vacant apartments.

Boston to ban smoking in public housing by September 2012

Considering the illegal drugs transported and distributed throughout subsidized housing, how do authorities plan to control the smoking of legal cigarettes?  Boston to ban smoking in public housing next September - The Boston Globe

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PROPERTY ALERT UPDATE!
Corporate management at SpringGate Apartments of Rockland, Mass. claim they perform criminal background checks. However, level 3 sex offenders have resided in and visit this subsidized property.  One  adult male, found guilty of distributing child pornography while paying rent at 141 and 191 Martha Drive, has been frequenting this multifamily housing property again.  The installation of promised security cameras in common areas, and especially by the entrance area, could be helpful in providing a safe, decent living environment for all residents, including children.  As Hillary once said,  "It takes a village to raise a child."
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CONFLICTS of INTEREST or KICKBACKS?
Stockholders or shareholders are considered by some to be a subset of stakeholders, which may include anyone who has a direct or indirect interest in the business entity of real estate, etc.
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MISINFORMED by MANAGEMENT AGAIN
The most recent fire inspection notices posted by FHRC Manager for Rockland Place dba SpringGate Apartments misinformed tenants of the specific fire alarm inspection company providing services to the property.  The real name of the fire systems inspection company performing inspections most recently was Mass. Fire Prevention, Inc.