RESOURCE CENTER
COLONNADE NEWS ARCHIVES: READERS CAN SCROLL DOWN TO DEC 23, 2009 BREAKING NEWS FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE COLLAPSE OF THE COLONNADE TENANTS ASSOCIATION
JAN 6, 2010: In the spirit of unity and community organizing, I am actively seeking and recruiting tenants wishing to REACTIVATE the Colonnade Tenants Association. This will be done without Talibah Sun. It is possible that some tenants leaders will come forward knowing that Talibah need not be offered a seat on the Executive Board. The organization isn't fully dead because this website remains up and running as a resource, and I have the email lists of interested tenants. I can be reached at ericmartindale@optonline.net or 973-820-8881.
For the record, Talibah is very upset that I have directly followed the advise which she gave in her email of December 23, 2009, as follows:
"IF YOU WISH TO SEE THE CTA REACTIVATED THEN I SUGGEST YOUR ORGANIZATION MEET WITH THE RESIDENTS OF THE COLONNADES TO ASCERTAIN THEIR INTEREST AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WILLINGNESS TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE...AT THE (THIS) VENTURE YOU CAN BEST SERVE CTA BY ACTIVELY RECRUITING AND ENCOURAGING TENANTS TO ORGANIZE"
My best advise to Talibah is the old saying: "Be careful what you wish for, you might get it". Was it Ben Franklin who quoted that, unsure ?
JAN 5, 2010: Eric and Talibah met tonite with two mutual friends to attempt a consultation to address differences. Eric came to the table wanting to talk about the issues, but Talibah had another agenda. In the 2-hour meeting, she made no statement about wanting to continue organizing tenants at The Colonnade.
JAN 1, 2010: The Colonnade Tenants Association has lost steam since November, and there has been a lack of communication both to myself and to some interested tenants in the building. Disunity has occured, see Talibah's own quotes in the December 23, 2009 Breaking News. It is important to scroll down and read this, for perspective on why this posting was made.
It's a new year, time for a new initiative. At this point, concerned tenants are encouraged to take the initiative to formally establish the organization by adopting bylaws and forming an Executive Board. This can be done by any residents with or without the consent of Talibah Sun. However, any residents forming an Executive Board should advise her of the initiative and offer her a seat. Her viewpoint is valuable and her Bahai-inspired ideas on how community organizing should proceed has my full support. The problem is that she doesn't want the organization to move forward unless it does so with the proper attitude.
However, I believe that an imperfect tenants association is far better than NONE.
However, at this point, waiting to Talibah to initiate it means that it won't be done. Right now the organization is an idea in the making, without bylaws and without an Executive Board. Nobody has "ownership" of the organization that technically doesn't exist.
Any tenant wishing to see sample by-laws can click here sample bylaws The Colonnade Tenants Association has web space here and this is dependant on me, not Talibah Sun.
In the unlikely event that the organization decides it does not wish to be part of Newark Tenants United or to have this page online, it can do the following: adopt bylaws, form an Executive Board, and send a written request signed by a majority of Executive Board members. Let this point be clear: My role is as a resource, and I take direction from The Colonnade Tenants Association. But until such time that the organization actually exists, this page will not be altered by any request from Talibah Sun.
Dec 30, 2009: Later yesterday, Regina Barrier sends another email to Talibah and everyone else correctly making the following observation:
"and technically, none of us are members of a tenants association because none has been established as yet so perhaps you should change the distribution list name to "Fellow Collonnade Residents." Attending a couple intro meetings is not the same as signing on as a member of a non-existant organization. Your meetings were intended to address issues as a concerned member of the Colonnade community and then eventually use that as a stepping stone to establishing an association which includes dues, by-laws, etc. that members must agree to by vote".
Dec 29, 2009: Regina Barrier sends an email to the CTA email complaining that the CTA email is set up in a RESPOND ALL mode, meaning that emails seemingly sent only to Talibah are actually being distributed to the entire email list of the Tenants Association. It's like a blind CC to everyone.
This is the first time that Newark Tenants United and many other members actually became aware that this is the source of email spam. By creating this system, Talibah has contributed greatly to disunity as residents' emails are clogged with so many messages that people stop reading ANY messages from CTA, or maybe even block out the sender. Also, as residents learn of the problem, they become unwilling to use the email because they don't want to be the source of "spam" to their fellow residents. The result has been non-communication within the organization.
Note that there is one advantage to the system, which is that Talibah personal email is not overwhelmed with Colonnade tenant business. That is the reason it was set up this way.
The RESPOND ALL mode is also the source of Talibah's complaint that Eric Martindale has emailed everyone repeatedly about the Water Shutoff Crisis, when actually the emails were sent only to Talibah. Talibah herself didn't realize the importance of that issue until she found out that a close personal friend in her Bahai organization was affected by the water shutoff.
DEC 23, 2009: Talibah Sun sends out an email to everyone in The Colonnade saying that the organization "fizzled out", "we have not met for months", and that she will "not participate in a disunified entity". More importantly, she is encouraging Eric Martindale of Newark Tenants United as follows:
"If you wish to see the CTA reactivated then I suggest your organization meet with the residents of the Colonnades to ascertain their interest and most importantly, willingness to actively participate...At the (this) venture you can best serve CTA by actively recruiting and encouraging tenants to organize".
Talibah's email is too lengthy to print in it's entirety, but here's a few more important points.
"Please be advised that currently the Colonnade Tenants Association is loosely organized virtually (via emails); we have yet to organize as a bona fide association. We had a great start, then, it fizzled out due to disagreements regarding methodology and disillusions. We have not met for months, have not increased membership, elected officers, or created bylaws. A survey was created and circulated to guage tenants interest with very few surveys returned. There is currently disagreement as to the purpose of the CTA. The most vocal input is contentious. We have not agreed as a body as to the need, mission and strategies of the CTA".
"As an administrator, I idealistically try to make a pro-active, win-win approach.....What I, personally, will not participate in a disunified entity whose efforts are to polarize or politicize." --- Talibah Sun 12/23/2009
NOV 21, 2009: Talibah Sun emails the membership to take care not to spread false rumors. Specifically the rumor that businesses based in the Colonade are being forced out
OCT 31, 2009: Harvest Festival at The Colonnade is a big success. Many photos taken
OCT 25, 2009: Tenants Association meets, discusses survey and other matters
OCT 24, 2009: Survey re-emailed, Talibah hopes to have more completed for tomorrow's meeting
OCT 10, 2009: Talibah has tentatively set the next group meeting for October 25th. She also emails a list from Sean Penn detailing the status of projects in the building.
Current Projects
1.) Rooftop Vent/Fan Repair and Replacement Project (This is going to help improve the airflow of the common area hallways and the exhaust for kitchen and bathrooms)
2.) Tree Trimming Project (4 rounds of trimming very successful, last round to occur on October 9th, 2009 – parking spaces affected have been notified and an additional courtesy notice will be sent out at least a day before as a reminder)
3.) Boiler Systems Inspected, parts ordered as necessary in preparation for upcoming winter season.
4.) Basement Redevelopment in initial stages of planning and construction.
5.) Laundry Room – replacement of the remaining washers and dryers to be switched out October 12th, 2009.
6.) Fall Exterior Window Cleaning program to start October 8th, 2009.
7.) Loading Dock Gate Replaced
8.) Kitchen/Bathroom Ducts to be vacuumed within the next 60 days. (This will increase the air flow after the fans are fixed on the roof for optimal exhaust)
SEPT 26, 2009: More contact information has been added for the Colonnade, see right column.
BREAKING NEWS - SEPT 19, 2009: Here is the ownership information for The Colonnade. It was purchased from The Pavillion corporation (c/o Gould & Ratner, 222 N. LaSalle St., Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60601) on Nov 19, 2003 for only 2.3 million. Shocking. The owner is now Colonnade Apartments, LTD, which is registered in the District of Columbia. The home office is registered as c/o Wilshire Investments Corporation, 12100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1400, Los Angeles, CA 90025. The document was signed by David M. Rubin, VP and Secretary. Note also that the same person was the seller, and he signed the transaction on behalf of The Pavillion. This indicates that this was a paper transaction, and that the sale corporate family still controls both buildings.
Another signee on the mortgage was Ahron Kirzner, President. Glass Tower Management Corp, a New Jersey Corporation, its General Partner. A document referencing "County of Morris" appears to indicate the residence of Ahron Kirzner.
A rider on the Mortgage, signed by Kirzner, allows for transfer to be permitted to or among the following
- Glass Tower Associates, LP
- Glass Tower Management Corp;
- Ahron Kirzner;
- WIllshire Investment Corporation;
- Deane Earl Ross
- persons or entities majority owned and controlled by the entities in 1-5 above or the same principals therein.
The surveyor for the transaction was Kenneth J. Stigner, and the title company was Chicago Title Insurance Company.
Another document indicates a relationship between the Colonnade Apartments, LTC and Garden State Equities, PO Box 2517, East Orange, NJ 07019.
The mortgage information is as follows: Instru# 918822. Carole A. Graves, Essex County Register. Recorded/Filed RL 2 11/24/2003 09:02:3 bk 9390 Pg 536 #pgs 16 co.
The mortage company was New York Community Bank. 615 Merrick Ave, Westbury, NY 11590. 516-683-4550. Loan No. 17-055374-3, File No. Multi 142
Tax Map Reference: Per NJSA 46:15-2.1. City of Newark, Block No. 456, Lot 1. The formal address is 23-59 Clifton Ave, Newark, NJ .
There appears to be Federal Liens on the property. Recorded at Essex County Register's Office, Hall of Records, Rm 130. 465 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Newark NJ 07102. Instrument Number 8016342, recorded on Feb 21, 2008. book 12118, Page 8975. It references the Internal Revenue Service, Attn: Dorothy Pardol. PO Box 145595, Cincinnati, OH 45250-5595. First Party is Colonnade Apartments LTD, Second Party is listed as 420411808. I think this is a social security number 420-41-1808, and probably belongs to Ahron Kirzner. The lien is only $6000, for the year 1998. Identifying Number is 22-2359127. It was assessed on 10/09/2006. It references ACS 800-829-3903 and 22-00-0008. An attached page references litigation filed by Wacchovia Bank against The Colonnade Corporation and other parties (Stonepine, Inc., Colonnade Towers Associates, LP, United States of America, State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee; Titilayo Sodeke infant by G/A/L; Linda Pope; F & A Distributing Company, State of New Jersey. It's about a tax sale certificate 984356 assessed to The Colonnade. Book 7228; page 810. Attorney for Plaintiff was Donald E. Williams. Instr # 716092 Recorded/Filed RL 25 01/17/2003 bk 47; page 281.
Special thanks to Maxwell Conton for researching this and providing to the webmaster.
BREAKING NEWS - SEPT 11, 2009: CTA representatives, including Talibah Sun and 5 others, met with Property Manager Sean Pena and Tim English, President of Alpha. We discussed a multitude of issues, and the attendees agreed that improving communication should be a priority focus. Changes coming soon include laundry room upgrades, new flooring and cosmetic improvements to the rear entrances, moving and modernizing the store, creating a new community room, a Quarterly newsletter, a Colonnade website, improvements to the work order system, and community events.
We discussed issues with the timeliness of repair requests being completed, management/tenant relations in general, various issues associated with the Greening of the building, and the upcoming 50th anniversary of The Colonnade.
BREAKING NEWS - SEPT 10, 2009: It is absolutely false that there is a plan in place to encourage Baxter Terrace residents to move to The Colonnade. Note also that The Colonnade does not accept Section 8, and all residents must be income qualified.
BREAKING NEWS - SEPT 4, 2009: CTA to be meeting with Sean Pena, the first formal meeting.
BREAKING NEWS - AUG 25, 2009: CTA is gearing up for the Diversity Picnic to be held on Sunday at 3:00 PM in their rear playground area.
BREAKING NEWS - AUG 24, 2009: Sean Pena is still refusing to meet with representatives of the CTA.
BREAKING NEWS - AUG 18, 2009: The city elevator inspector was here along with a rep from the elevator vendor, Jersey Elevator. The rep blames tenants for breaking the elevators and says they are otherwise working fine.
BREAKING NEWS - AUG 16, 2009: An incident occured in which a visitor accessed the building without permission and was allegedly banging on doors looking for relative's apartments. She was physically escorted off the premises by security. Her relatives sent out strongly worded emails to management and the Tenants Association, denying that she was intoxicated and creating a problem.
Tenants are upset that doorbells and intercomms are not working in the Colonnade D Building, which contributed to the above incident.
BREAKING NEWS - AUG 13, 2009: Property Manager Sean Pena has decided to begin communicating directly with the new Tenants Association. In an email today, he explained the situation regarding Jerome A Robison, a security guard was was indicted for sex trafficking. He said that your security is management #1 concern, and he forwarded a statement from Force One, the security guard company explaining their screening process. Robison was terminated.
BREAKING NEWS - AUG 9, 2009: Tenants demand that Security Guard Jerome A. Robison be fired.
BREAKING NEWS - AUG 8, 2009: A flurry of furious emails regarding a news article in which 8 people were indicted for a sex-trafficking ring. One of the 8 people is Jerome A Robison, a Force One employee who works as a Security Guard at The Colonnade. According the article, the group allegedly lured scores of women into a life of prostitution, first confiscating their cell phones and any form of personal identification, and then forced them to turn tricks until they made a nightly quota of up to $1,000.
BREAKING NEWS - AUG 4, 2009: Tenant leaders are very upset that Sean Pena is telling various tenants that they don't have "permission" to organize a tenants association, or to hold a meeting.
BREAKING NEWS - AUG 3, 2009: Our Convener, Talibah, sends an email to Sean Pena advising him to "cease and desist your arrogant pronunciations that we need permission. In addition, you are hereby informed that you cannot question, harass, or retaliate against any Colonnade Tenant Association member".
BREAKING NEWS - AUG 2, 2009: The Colonnade's first response to being submitted a list of issues to address was to inquire as to what tenant, what unit #, generated this list.
BREAKING NEWS - JULY 30, 2009: Eric Martindale of the 380-402 Tenants Association met with Charles Auffant of the Rutgers Community Law Clinic. Auffant represented their Tenants Association in the rent strike of 2007-2008. Auffant stands ready to represent Newark Tenants United, including The Colonnade, in a joint action rent strike, if the decision is made to launch.
BREAKING NEWS - JULY 29, 2009: The Colonnade webpage is launched onto the Newark Tenants United website
BREAKING NEWS - JULY 28, 2009: The Tenants Association votes at its first Steering Committee meeting to join Newark Tenants United.
BREAKING NEWS - JULY 24, 2009: The Colonnade has its second general meeting, about 30 attended
BREAKING NEWS - JUNE 28, 2009: The Colonnade Tenants Association has its first general meeting. About 45 persons attended. The meeting was orderly and after the regular business, many people stated that they were eager to join the Steering Committee.
For more info, see www..newarktenantsunited.org Home Page
