March 6, 2010 - On Monday, March 8^th, at 1:30 PM, U.S. Senator George LeMieux will convene a Town Hall meeting at the Beach Community Center (3351 NE 33^rd Avenue). In addition to meeting the man chosen by Governor Charlie Crist to fill the seat vacated by former Senator Mel Martinez, we have been afforded an opportunity to address a $multi-million sprinkler retrofit assessment facing high rise associations across the state. Although its provisions have twice been unanimously approved by the Florida House and Senate, the Governor has indicated that he might again veto a sprinkler retrofit relief bill (HB 561), threatening to push hundreds of additional Galt Mile residents into foreclosure. We will ask Senator LeMieux, a close political ally of the Governor, to express our concerns and request that Governor Crist support his constituents, not a $multi-billion stimulus package for the Sprinkler Industry and the Plumbers & Pipefitters Union - WHOLLY FUNDED BY US. Click Here for meeting info. Click Here for a brief fact sheet explaining why we should attend. To express your concerns directly to the Governor, Click Here.

February 22, 2010 - Of the costly issues currently facing Regency Tower residents, two are distinguished by a brief opportunity to defuse their threatened fiscal impact. Since 2002, we've been uncomfortably aware of an impending per unit assessment of between $8000 to $16,000 (closer to $24,000 for the larger units) for installing sprinkler heads in the foyer of each unit and in certain common areas by 2014. Last year, a bill extending the retrofit deadline was vetoed by the Governor despite its overwhelming approval by the Legislature. Last month, Statehouse Representative Ellyn Bogdanoff filed a bill that would allow high-rise associations to "opt out" of the assessment. If you help, it will survive the Governor's heavy pen. Also, a new source of revenue for the City unfortunately targets unsuspecting snowbirds unless they are made aware of the "ticket traps" at certain nearby intersections. Click Here to save a bucket of money and avoid an expensive mid-street migraine.

December 10, 2009 - The Annual Regency Tower Budget Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 16, 2009 in the Rendezvous Room. In accordance with the Board policy of alternating afternoon and evening meeting times, the Budget Meeting, at which the Board votes to pass the final budget reviewed at the November Budget Presentation, will be held at 3 PM. Association Treasurer Bill Tennenbaum performed a comprehensive diagnosis of the upcoming Budget during the annual Budget Presentation Meeting in November. At that meeting, Banker Kathy Lenz asked Bill the tough questions on behalf of those of us without the fiscal expertise to fathom the intricacies of a $million budget. Bill and Manager Dott Nicholson-Brown answered each of her questions directly and in depth. Since then, copies of the prospective 2010 Association Budget were sent to every association member for review. The Finance Committee did a marvelous job composing a budget that effectively bridges this challenging economic environment. See you there!

October 2, 2009 - FINAL PAINT PROJECT BULLETIN!!!: The Regency Tower paint project has been completed. The job is done. Our home enjoys a new - desperately needed - protective coating. The tricky stack eleven obstacle was successfully circumvented. Contractor Gary Hricko pulled a rabbit from his hat, beating his projected 6-month completion deadline by a half month - despite uncooperative weather and a few confused shutter owners! As soon as the project crews departed, our Beautification Committee rolled up their sleeves, installing a canopy over the garage entry while using in-house resources to coat our streetfront signage and the receiving room in colors that better complement the building! Click Here for a truckload of additional info!

September 19, 2009 - The Galt Mile Reading Center is facing imminent closure by the Broward County Commission. Our Broward Commissioner - Vice Mayor Ken Keechl - has organized a strategy to help save this irreplaceable local resource. On Tuesday, September 22^th, a free bus will transport Galt Mile residents to and from the final Broward Budget Meeting at the Governmental Center. After boarding residents near their respective buildings, "Save the Library" tee shirts and buttons will be distributed and worn during the meeting (optional). Click Here to learn how you can help!

September 10, 2009 - FIRE SAFETY BULLETIN!!!: The Regency Tower Annual Fire Alarm test is scheduled for Monday, September 14^th and Tuesday, September 15^th between 9 am and 4:30 PM. Although the tests are irritating and noisy, they are compliant with the NFPA-72 safety code and required by law. These tests will insure that our system continues to effectively protect our lives and property. Click Here for the whole update!

August 22, 2009 - PAINT PROJECT BULLETIN!!!: The beat goes on. Since moving the north side aspect of the paint project to the westernmost part of our home, the crews have been working their way east. After turning the northwest corner, stacks 7 and 8 were addressed in short order. By August 21^st, one crew was working on Stack 9 and the north side center section. If afforded reasonably dry weather, they expect to complete this “three quarter mark” by August 29^th. Stack 10 preparations were started on Saturday, August 22^nd, and include the Stack 11 master bedroom drop. On Monday, August 24^th, full blown Stack 11 preparations begin. Click Here for the whole update!

July 26, 2009 - PAINT PROJECT BULLETIN!!!: On Friday, July 24^th, the Paint Project personnel wrapped up business on the south side of Regency Tower, completing the south-facing wall of the 6 stack. Another crew proceeded with work on the the west-facing front of the building. A third crew started to power wash the 11 stack in preparation for addressing the north side of the building. Suddenly, Playa del Mar management personnel notified the building office that paint chips were raining down on the Playa del Mar swimming pool! To avoid prospective delays to the project, the contractor moved the crew preparing the north side to the 7 stack - far from the PDM pool. Click Here to learn what happened!

July 12, 2009 - PAINT & POOL PROJECTS BULLETIN!!!: On Monday, July 13^th, the Paint Project personnel will officially turn the Southeast corner of our home in preparation for power washing the front entrance and the drive-through's protective Portico. Accordingly, the Front Entrance doors will temporarily be OFF LIMITS and LOCKED! Alternative entry and egress will be available via the north and south lobby doors, as well as through the garage. After the crews finish the final touches on stacks 5 and 6, the project will jump to the north side. The contractor will repeat the strategy deployed on the south side, moving east to west. Stack 11 residents should therefore clear their balconies since shutter removal and power washing will start on Thursday, July 16^th. Click Here for the full update!

Pool Rehab Underway

June 12, 2009 - PAINT & POOL PROJECTS BULLETIN!!!: The pool interior has been resurfaced with Diamond Brite and a host of pool elements are being rehabilitated. The pool is currently being refilled and should be available for use by the end of next week - after the perimeter copings are coated with a non-skid stain. As for the Paint Project, Stack 1 is finished and looks terrific. Stack 2 will be finished on Monday June 15^th, when the last few untiled balcony floors are waterproofed. Stack 3 is half done. After sealing some defects on Monday, the Stack 4 shutter removal team will move to Stack 5 next week, when Stacks 5 and 6 will undergo pressure cleaning. PLEASE - DO NOT USE PLAYA DEL MAR BEACH FURNISHINGS! Click Here for the full update! ATTENTION!!!: Click Here to learn how Governor Crist's veto of the Association "Glitch" Bill (SB 714) will impact us!

May 30, 2009 - PAINT PROJECT BULLETIN!!!: On May 30^th, shutter removal begins for Stacks 3 and 4. The contractor will also pressure clean the two stacks in preparation for sealing and priming. All Stack 3 and 4 unit owners must remove items from their balconies and close windows prior to pressure cleaning (the pressure cleaning process simulates a moderate rainfall). Residents wishing to retain their shutters must verify that they are fully operational. If not, they will be removed at the unit owner's expense. Click Here for the full update! ATTENTION!!!: Click Here to learn what to do if you have any emergency!

May 23, 2009 - PAINT PROJECT BULLETIN!!!: We are pleased to announce that the environmentally vulnerable eastern face of the building is finished! Thanks to President Dee Lanzillo, we are finally starting to "get ahead" of the potentially expensive shutter-related delays. However, the unusually severe winds and intermittent rainfalls continue to plague our timetable. Despite these obstacles, the contractor has completed all of the Stack 1 balconies and is focusing on the windows. Contractor Gary Hricko has also removed all of the Stack 2 shutters as pre-arranged with unit owners. Click Here for the full scoop! LEGISLATIVE ALERT!!!: For those of you concerned the upcoming $multi-million statutory sprinkler retrofit assessment, Click Here to learn what you can do about it.

May 7, 2009 - On Monday, May 11^th, the paint project will move to stack number 2. The first step will be to power wash the stack wall (comparable to a moderate rainfall) - so bring in any delicate balcony furnishings ASAP and close your windows. However, since the primer, patching and paint applications will immediately follow, stack 2 residents should also start bringing in the balance of their balcony furnishings (the only way to guarantee their safety). Hurricane Shutter Owners: It is critically important to check that your shutters are fully operational!!! Click Here to learn why - as well as other important project details!

April 23, 2009 - BULLETIN!!!: We regret interrupting this article with a Paint Project Bulletin! The pool will be closed starting Monday, April 27^th to help keep our precious residents and guests safe! However, alternative arrangements have been made to accommodate pool and beach enthusiasts. Click Here to grab all the details! Now - back to the article. Seven years ago, the Florida Legislature passed a clandestine bill requiring Florida Associations 75 feet above grade to retrofit full sprinkler systems by 2014 or install an “Engineered Life Safety System” with sprinklered common areas and unit foyers. Thousands of outraged associations characterized the new law as a $multi-billion payday for certain vested interests instead of effective fire protection. Following the 2004 and 2005 serial hurricanes, Florida Associations were forced to pay $millions for code compliant upgrades required by windstorm carriers, additional $millions for deductibles, uninsured losses and suddenly trebled insurance premiums. When the housing market collapsed last year, the recessionary impact on community associations was catastrophic. Many associations financed the crushing expenses to help keep significant numbers of mostly elderly fixed income residents in their homes. Statehouse Representative Ellyn Bogdanoff filed a bill, HB 419, that extends the retrofit deadline until 2025, affording unit owners an opportunity to amortize their association’s bloated debt service before paying another sizable assessment. If you perceive a benefit to delaying this huge expense, Click Here to learn what your alternatives are.

April 8, 2009 - On Monday morning, April 13^th, the Regency Tower Paint Project will commence. The project will start on the east side of the building, extending around the southeast corner to encompass the entire number one stack. The first order of business will be to remove the shutters from those units in the number one stack whose owners made the appropriate pre-construction arrangements with the contractor. After removing the shutters and patching any resulting holes or cracks, H&H Painting will power wash the east side of the building (facing the ocean), continuing around the southeast corner all the way to the upper patio deck. While an area under the "one" stack will be cordoned off to protect our residents, the south side of the pool deck and the pool will be available for lounging, sun and fun. Click Here to read about the steps that stack one unit owners must take in preparation for the upcoming project.

March 28, 2009 - Heads Up! There will be a Special Meeting convened on March 30, 2009 at 10:30 AM in the Rendezvous Room. As was stated in the last Board Meeting, despite the hundreds of foreclosures along the Galt Mile, Regency Tower - with ZERO foreclosed units - has thus far dodged the bullet. Foreclosed units quickly translate into increased expenses for every association member. Given the fiscal pressures afflicting South Florida residents as a result of our current economic downturn, they are sometimes unable to pay obligations on time. In hopes of avoiding future foreclosures, we are seeking to allow the Board some flexibility in responding to threatened delinquencies. Click Here to understand the steps to follow if you anticipate being delinquent in paying Quarterly & Special Assessments.

March 20, 2009 - To make the Paint Project color selection process as fully inclusive as possible, a letter was sent to every member of the Regency Tower Association containing two computer enhanced graphics of Regency Tower simulating the general appearance when painted with each of the two color combinations. Upon receipt, please return your choice ASAP! Click Here to read the letter. Click Here to see the two computer enhanced graphics.

March 18, 2009 - The people have spoken. On Thursday, March 12, 2009, the Regency Tower Annual Meeting was convened at 7 PM in the Rendezvous Room. Since the indefatigable Election Committee was still counting votes at 7:30 PM, the Annual meeting was temporarily recessed and the Regular Meeting was convened. Amid reading of the Committee Reports, Election Committee Chair Ofelia Alleguez announced that the count had been completed, triggering reconvention of the Annual Meeting. Pertinacious yet exhausted, Ofelia requested that Secretary Fern McBride read the election results. Votes were cast as follows for the five candidates running for the four open seats on the association Board: Iris Anastasi (66 votes), Eileen Bendis (49 votes), Dott Nicholson Brown (89 votes), Maria “Dee” Lanzillo (86 votes) and Robert Nagle (88 votes). Click Here to learn what happened at both meetings. Click Here to see the slate of officers elected by the Board during the Regular Meeting. To read about the upcoming Paint Project, the beautiful newly equipped Exercise Room, our Insurance status, the search for a building manager, Security, Maintenance, Beautification, We Care, Web Site, Landscaping and other critical aspects of our home, Click Here to review the Committee Reports. Click Here for money, aggravation and time-saving Notices & Reminders. For President Dott Nicholson-Brown's annual "snapshot" of association affairs, Click Here to her "State of the Association" report. Well - DIG IN!

March 10, 2009 - On Thursday, March 12, 2009, the Regency Tower Annual Meeting will be convened at 7 PM in the Rendezvous Room. For those still unaware, Carlos Pereira has returned to assume control of association security. The popular former Security Chief is compiling a comprehensive "Regency Tower Security Training Manual" that will better standardize procedures for existing staff and clarify response expectations for new hires. Click Here for Carlos' greeting to residents!

March 1, 2009 - As you have probably heard, at the Governor's February 18^th Town Hall Meeting at the Beach Community Center, Charlie Crist administered a healthy dose of relief and pride to the residents of the Galt Mile neighborhood. After familiarizing himself with the issues surrounding the planned "Calypso Project", he rose to the challenge and announced that "Its Gone," eliciting a 10 minute standing ovation from the audience of 300 local residents and their public officials. To learn what happened that afternoon, Click Here. By the way - your emails, letters and the two hundred and forty seven signatures by Regency Tower residents, visitors and employees on the "No Calypso!" petition played a significant part in the Governor's decision! For those of you "plagued" by "NIMBY" issues, GET OVER IT!

February 15, 2009 - On Wednesday, February 18^th, Governor Charlie Crist will hold a Town Hall Meeting for Galt Mile residents at the Beach Community Center (3351 NE 33^rd Avenue). The meeting will convene at 11:30 AM and Regency Tower residents can meet and pose questions to the "People's Governor" during the event. Arrive early since seating is limited. Free on site parking will be available. For additional information, contact Pio Ieraci, President, Galt Mile Community Association at 954-489-9430 or Click Here. You can also contact Eric Berkowitz or Fern McBride with questions!

Notice: Scrolling above are important Notices and Updates that affect Regency Tower residents and mirrors the information that scrolls across your House Channel 95. When scrolling text is underlined, click on the text to get an expanded version of the underlined update. Non-dynamic (still) versions of the content are presented on the site’s Special Updates or Notices & Reminder pages. These pages are accessible from the upper left side menu on every page of the Web Site. Click Here to access the Weather section of the Special Updates page. It includes current National Hurricane Advisories and Storm Tracks. Click Here to get Comcast’s basic and digital Cable Channel Lineups.

The key feature that renders The Regency Tower unique is its residents. An exciting blend of young and old, they hail from all points of the globe. Our active Social Committee is constantly organizing an extensive roster of activities. Planned outings to the Theater, the racetrack, a variety of interesting restaurants, Art Galleries, and “Dinner Theater” are available to everyone. For “homebodies” there are barbecues, talent shows, “hobby nights”, weekly bingo, “theme” parties, and exercising with our "State of the Art" equipment. All residents benefit from the attentions of a group of sensitive caring individuals who comprise the “WE CARE” Committee.

The Regency Tower, along with the rest of the Galt Ocean Mile, is undergoing a rebirth. We’ve built a new roof, refurbished all of our balconies, renovated the hallway and elevator lobby on every floor, freshly painted and waterproofed the building, modernized and redecorated our elevators, redecorated the lobby, added a separate pedestrian entrance adjacent to a new garage door, installed a new main entry, built a new Exercise Room with quality equipment and secured the premises with new fences. Pool, Ping-Pong and Poker tables dominate the new Game Room featuring a Bar and a DVD-ready Big-Screen Television. Resurfaced with high quality pavers, the newly waterproofed parking deck is illuminated by modern new high intensity lamps. All building planters were rebuilt and imbued with an automatically timed irrigation and electrical network. New heat pumps efficiently warm our recently recoated pool while an invisible new wind barrier shelters poolside sunbathers. A system of French Drains in our lower driveway feed a recently excavated well to guarantee a dry garage in all weather conditions. New code-compliant fire safety and keyless security systems bring personal safety and security into the 21^st century. New landscaping bathes the “reinvented” Regency Tower in lush greenery and striking tropical color!

Regency Tower is also one of the two most “hurricane-resistant” residential hi-rise structures in the Galt Ocean Mile neighborhood. As found in all new coastal construction, every glazed opening in the entire building is fitted with impact rated glass – windows and doors. Since first retrofitted, not one impact rated window or door has been penetrated by hurricane winds or debris. Also, windstorm damage to any window (individual unit or common area) is covered by a dedicated zero-deductible insurance policy. Installed in 2003, the “Millennium Roof” is rated to withstand Category 5 weather events and has never been infiltrated. Since every unit and common area is fully mitigated, Regency Tower homeowners enjoy the financial advantages of continued eligibility for commercial windstorm insurance.

As a result of these efforts, our residents have seen a substantial increase in the value of their homes. We anticipate that this trend will continue. Conversely, the highly efficient structural, plumbing, electrical and administrative upgrades have served to offset normal upward pressure on maintenance costs. Whether you prefer glorious private beach bound seclusion or an interesting balance of well-befriended activities, The Regency Tower is a wonderful place to live!