June 30, 2010
The following letter was received late yesterday afternoon from a concerned St. Augustine Shores Resident that asked that we please not publish her name.
Dear Editor:
I am only recently aware of this website after a neighbor brought it to my attention. It is good to know that people try to look out for us older folks. Many of us are getting up in age and no longer go to any of the meetings or gatherings in the community. Over the last months the Shores papers have been talking about a parade in the Shores honoring our soldiers and I just found out yesterday that it was canceled.
In the Sunday paper (St. Augustine Record) was a story mentioning that on July 3 we intend to offer free food and drinks to everyone in the County at a fun day at the Riverview Club. Is this true? Does this replace the parade?
The article mentioned that the Shores was collecting care packages for the military and that the fun day was to celebrate the new Shores President, Gus Kouremetis. Is Mr. Kouremetis a veteran?
My concern is that the Shores is paying to feed people all over the county when we have residents right in the Shores hungry and having financial troubles. Who is collecting the care packages and why have we not done this for people living here?
I don't have problems with helping the military, my husband and brother served during WWII. My concern is that we forget about our own community that also need our help.
People are hungry in the Shores and a lot of people have lost jobs and are losing their homes because of it. What is the Shores and Mr. Kouremetis doing to assist them?
-Name Withheld-
The story referenced can be found via the following link; Walk For Our Troops
Click the above image to listen in
MAJOR GENERAL DOUGLAS BURNETT RETIRES AFTER 47 YEARS
June 26, 2010Earlier today, in a Change of Command Ceremony held at Camp Blanding, located near Starke, Florida, Major General Douglas Burnett made it official.
Major General Douglas Burnett, longtime leader of the Florida National Guard and father of local attorney, Douglas Burnett, Managing Partner of the St. John's Law Group, has retired after 47 years of continuous military service to our Country.
Burnett's most recent duty was as The Adjutant General of Florida and Commander of the Florida National Guard, a position held for nearly nine years, at which time he was the leader of over 12,000 troops.
As Adjutant General, Burnett served as the Governor's senior military advisor and Director of the Florida Department of Military Affairs and was responsible for the training and operations of the Florida National Guard.
"A military command pilot and a commercial airline pilot for over 22 years, Burnett has accumulated over 20,000 flying hours in the T-33, F-102, F-106, C-26, C-130H, C-131, C-54, Boeing 727, and McDonnell-Douglas DC-10. A graduate of the Command and General Staff College and the Air War College, his awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Florida Cross", are some of the accomplishments published recently in a press release issued by the Florida Governor's Office.
Another major accomplishment, confirmed by Air Force Officials, is that Burnett currently holds the record as the longest serving Air Force officer.
Burnett grew up in Jacksonville and enlisted in the Florida Air National Guard after high school. He spent six years as a Cold War-era aircraft radio repairman who worked on equipment and aircraft that state military officials said can now probably only be seen in military museums.
He received his commission in 1969 when he completed a business degree at the University of Southern Mississippi. His civilian jobs included working as a commercial pilot for Pan American World Airways and United Airlines.
At the end of today's retirement ceremony, Major General Emmett "Buddy" Titshaw assumed the command, previously held by Burnett.
Editor's Note: Major General Burnett, I am personally grateful for your commitment to our State throughout the years and your long term service to our Country. For that... I salute you!
Written by: Keith Goldstein, Contributing Writer
SHORES' EMPLOYEES ATTEMPT "NEW ARREST" OF GOLDSTEIN
June 25, 2010At a Special Service Corporation Board of Director's meeting held late yesterday afternoon at the Riverview Club, another attempt was made by the employees of the Corporation to remove St. Augustine Shores resident, Keith Goldstein from the property and subject him to arrest.
Two (2) St. John's County Sheriff's Deputies were called to the scene almost immediately after Mr. Goldstein showed up at the meeting, accompanied by the Editor in Chief of the St. Augustine Shores local paper, The St. Augustine Shores Civic Advocate, also a resident of the Shores.
It has been reported that Service Corporation Board member, Beatrice Racicot, alerted some of the office employees that Goldstein was in the building and St. John's County deputies were on the scene within 15 minutes.
The deputies vacated the property without making contact with Goldstein and there was no further incident. It was confirmed earlier today, through a spokesperson with the St. John's County Sheriff's Department, that all trespass warnings and "holds" regarding Goldstein had been lifted, and that the situation was deemed to be a civil matter.
When asked about the incident, Goldstein's only response was, "They are probably going to continue the harassment until either they go or I go and I don't plan on going anywhere, any time soon."
A RESPONSE TO THE SHORES' PRESIDENT'S "STATE OF COMMUNITY MESSAGE"
June 23, 2010
Attention Concerned Shores' Homeowners:
Please take the time to read President Gus Kouremetis' "State of Community Message. Click Here. A "Factual" response will be posted in this section later today. After that, draw your own conclusion.
MR. GOLDSTEIN HAS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING RESPONSE:
"After consulting with my legal team, it has been determined that using this forum to try and specifically address the issues raised by Mr. Kouremetis would be inappropriate. After a complete investigation into statements made by Mr. Kouremetis, the issues referenced by Mr. Kouremetis, and at the legally appropriate time, a formal, more informational response will be made to the General Membership of the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation.
At this time, I can provide the following information:
It 'was not' the investigations conducted by or on behalf of any of the individuals named in Mr. Kouremetis' letter that caused the General Membership of the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation to incur any expenses.
Any incurred costs, if such exist, would be directly related to the Service Corporation Board of Directors' 'subsequent handling' of the issues and investigations presented.
The homeowners of the St. Augustine Shores are granted the use of 'ALL' common elements, including the Riverview Club and adjacent swimming pool through the various Deed Restrictions and other governing documents, which have been filed with the State of Florida and County of St. John's, on behalf of the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation.
The various Unit Declarations of Restriction, recorded on behalf of the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation, allow for the collection of association fee assessments. The Various Deed Restrictions of the Corporation "Clearly State" what amount of "Fees" can be collected for use by the Service Corporation.
There is nothing filed as a governing document of the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation that allows for the collection of any additional use fees to be assessed against members of the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation for access to common elements of the subdivision.
The only 2 elements that would "Possibly" overrule the homeowner's unequivocal right to the common elements of the St. Augustine Shores, including the Riverview Club and the Pool, is if such language was contained in the governing documents of the Corporation, as officially recorded, or if the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation were to sue itself and under that action file for an emergency injunction, preventing the homeowners from using the common elements of the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation.
Petitioning the Court for such an injunction does not guarantee that the request would be granted by the Court. Granting a favorable ruling under such conditions would be highly unlikely. (limited case law exists on the subject) If successful in having the injunction granted, it would most likely trigger an immediate appeal under various Florida Statutes.
Such an action would easily cost the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation hundreds of thousands of dollars. Florida Statute 720.30(1) is very definitive in regards to such a suit. The following language contained within the referenced Statute is worth posting here;
"Before commencing litigation against any party in the name of the association involving amounts in controversy in excess of $100,000, the association must obtain the affirmative approval of a majority of the voting interests at a meeting of the membership at which a quorum has been attained."
Nothing I have stated above is based on personal opinion. These are the facts, as clear as can be stated at this time, based on numerous Florida Statutes and various areas of prevailing Case Law."
Respectfully Stated,
Keith Goldstein
Attention Concerned Shores' Homeowners:
Please take the time to read President Gus Kouremetis' "State of Community Message. Click Here. A "Factual" response will be posted in this section later today. After that, draw your own conclusion.
MR. GOLDSTEIN HAS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING RESPONSE:
"After consulting with my legal team, it has been determined that using this forum to try and specifically address the issues raised by Mr. Kouremetis would be inappropriate. After a complete investigation into statements made by Mr. Kouremetis, the issues referenced by Mr. Kouremetis, and at the legally appropriate time, a formal, more informational response will be made to the General Membership of the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation.
At this time, I can provide the following information:
It 'was not' the investigations conducted by or on behalf of any of the individuals named in Mr. Kouremetis' letter that caused the General Membership of the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation to incur any expenses.
Any incurred costs, if such exist, would be directly related to the Service Corporation Board of Directors' 'subsequent handling' of the issues and investigations presented.
The homeowners of the St. Augustine Shores are granted the use of 'ALL' common elements, including the Riverview Club and adjacent swimming pool through the various Deed Restrictions and other governing documents, which have been filed with the State of Florida and County of St. John's, on behalf of the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation.
The various Unit Declarations of Restriction, recorded on behalf of the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation, allow for the collection of association fee assessments. The Various Deed Restrictions of the Corporation "Clearly State" what amount of "Fees" can be collected for use by the Service Corporation.
There is nothing filed as a governing document of the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation that allows for the collection of any additional use fees to be assessed against members of the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation for access to common elements of the subdivision.
The only 2 elements that would "Possibly" overrule the homeowner's unequivocal right to the common elements of the St. Augustine Shores, including the Riverview Club and the Pool, is if such language was contained in the governing documents of the Corporation, as officially recorded, or if the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation were to sue itself and under that action file for an emergency injunction, preventing the homeowners from using the common elements of the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation.
Petitioning the Court for such an injunction does not guarantee that the request would be granted by the Court. Granting a favorable ruling under such conditions would be highly unlikely. (limited case law exists on the subject) If successful in having the injunction granted, it would most likely trigger an immediate appeal under various Florida Statutes.
Such an action would easily cost the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation hundreds of thousands of dollars. Florida Statute 720.30(1) is very definitive in regards to such a suit. The following language contained within the referenced Statute is worth posting here;
"Before commencing litigation against any party in the name of the association involving amounts in controversy in excess of $100,000, the association must obtain the affirmative approval of a majority of the voting interests at a meeting of the membership at which a quorum has been attained."
Nothing I have stated above is based on personal opinion. These are the facts, as clear as can be stated at this time, based on numerous Florida Statutes and various areas of prevailing Case Law."
Respectfully Stated,
Keith Goldstein
AN OPEN LETTER TO SERVICE CORP PRESIDENT, GUS KOUREMETIS
What kind of community do we live in?
June 22, 2010
Gus:
Attached to this correspondence is a letter (click on the letter to view) that was received by me in today's mail. It was in a large manila envelope. My guess is that it was sent by one of "YOUR" employees, but after fingerprint analysis, I will know for sure. Did "WE" pay for the envelope and mailing fees?
Please advise your staff that they represent a multi-million dollar corporation and should conduct themselves as such.
It is malicious and childlike behavior such as this that is costing this community thousands of dollars. Such behavior will no longer be tolerated by me or others.
I expect a prompt response from you and assistance in identifying the spineless coward(s) responsible for the mailing. Remember your fiduciary duties of loyalty and care. I will be awaiting a response.
Keith Goldstein
GOLDSTEIN CLEARED OF ALL CRIMINAL CHARGES
June 22, 2010After four (4) months of reviewing the events and affidavits contained in the arrest report of Shores Resident, Keith Goldstein, for allegedly stalking five (5) employees of the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation, the State of Florida declined prosecution of Goldstein's case on Monday, June 21, 2010. (Click image in left hand corner)
Prominent St. Augustine area Attorney, James Werter, Mr. Goldstein's lead attorney in this case issued the following statement when asked about the events leading up to the arrest and results.
"My client was arrested for (5) counts of stalking. The State Prosecutor had four (4) months to review this case. If you review each individual affidavit of the complainants, you will find that it does not meet the prima facie case for Stalking under F.S. 784.048. These charges were preferred by the homeowner’s association of the development that Mr. Goldstein lives in. Very plainly, the Defendant (Goldstein) was dealing with a fiefdom mentality which is not uncommon to HOA boards."
Mr. Goldstein offered the following statement;
" I have been subjected to malicious acts at the hands of the Service Corp Board of Directors, their law firm and employees for over a year. The Board asserts that they are not responsible for the actions of their employees but they are wrong. The Board is basically powerless. The employees and Russ Klemm (Corporate Counsel for the St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation, employed with the firm of Clayton & McCulloh) run the show. The State made the correct decision in not bringing forth this case for trial. We had prepared witness testimony and information in case of trial and were ready. I stated all along that I was innocent and was prepared to defend that innocence.
Later this week, the Board of Directors will be served with a notice that we intend to sue for malicious prosecution and the violation of my Constitutional rights by initiating two (2) trespass warnings against me and this arrest. The only thing that will save the Shores community from the cost of a long drawn out and expensive trial is if the five (5) employees are terminated immediately.
I will be meeting with my legal team later this week. We are absolutely suing the employees for their actions. Whether the Service Corporation and the law firm is named in the action directly depends on how the Board of Directors chooses to handle the situation. If they choose to spend homeowner's money to defend these individuals it would be a travesty and injustice to every homeowner in the Shores. The best thing that can happen for the homeowners, who have no dog in this fight, is for the Board to sever ties with the employees and let them go it alone!"
