SOME EXCITING NEWS FROM THE RESIDENTS PURCHASING COMMITTEE
COMCAST FOR INTERNET SERVICES
I am sending this email out ASAP because many of you who have Comcast for the Internet might be getting an increase in your internet bills, once your contract expires, which for most people, will be very soon.
In order not to be in conflict with the HOA, the HOA basically only deals with Comcast for cable TV. The price they obtained for internet services last year was around $33 but it wasn't an HOA contract. It was just a price they said they were able to get. Recently it had come to the attention of members of the Purchasing Committee that the $33 price was going up and it would be close to $44.
In dealing with Comcast on a personal level I was able to obtain a price of $24.99 for a one year contract. This price sounds good since some of you will start paying around $44 shortly. However, the deal I got was NOT for the slower speeds that all of you have. The deal is for Comcast's highest speed which is called BLAST 16 and that also includes MANY enhancements besides speed. Take for example, free McAfee (I just paid $44 for renewing McAfee for this year). Some of you who have Norton might feel that McAfee will do the same thing so there would be no need to reorder Norton. Again, this is your decision. To some of the "techs" Norton might be better then McAfee or vice versa.
Here's what BLAST 16 is all about:
http://www.comcast.com/Shop/Buyflow/Default.ashx
According to the Internet, this connection would have been $52+ but I was quoted $24.99 under F5 Code CHSI BLAST 16. Supposedly they are coming next Wednesday to install it for me. I currently have Verizon DSL which I was paying about $30/month for a much slower speed connection. The contract runs for one year.
Here's the joke. You call Comcast and ask for the best promotional deal they have on the BLAST 16. They would quote you $40+. Then you tell them that others in your community have gotten a price of $24.99 and they then say, "oh yes, we are giving that promotion out. Two other residents have called and that's the way Comcast works. Now, one other thing. Will they give that price to people who already have Comcast Internet? Maybe the promotion is for customers who have some other type of connection to the internet. Don't let them use this as an excuse! Existing customers should receive the same deal.
WESTMINSTER SECURITY
As you probably know already, Westminster Security sold all of its accounts to ADT. So, my contract was to expire in August and ADT's price was nowhere near the $8.99 price of Alarm Relay, which is the company selected by your Purchasing Group.
I called ADT and I didn't have to wait until my contract expired in August, I cancelled the contract (30 days from now) and will convert to Alarm Relay. So those of you who want to save a few $$$ you can cancel now and not have to wait until your Westminster contract expires.
DRIVEWAYS
The commitee has again approved the contract for driveways. The price will be $45 (went up $5) and the vendor is the same company we have used last year and the year before. You will be receiving an email as to whether or not you want to be included in this year's driveway sealing. It will take place late June, early July.
LANDSCAPING
The committee spent a long time deliberating and discussing the different vendors and what they have to offer. So, we have given ABOVE THE MARK (732-521-5700) our recommended vendor status since they offer an annual program, which includes Spring and Fall clean up, pruning, fertilization, insect and disease control for shrubs and trees. The annual price would be $380. They come several times a year unlike two other landscapers who basically come 3 times a year.
David's Landscaping (732-521-2599) - $90/HR and Award Winning Landscaping (732-598-0338) $70/HR, do not offer a flat price. They have an hourly charge and they don't specify how many workers they provide to do the necessary work.
Since many residents are currently using one of the above and if they are happy with the vendor our committee recognizes this and we have stated that the decision is yours to make. There will never be any contract that would require any resident to abide by. We are just here to try to get the best pricing for items or services that residents mutually need.
HVAC
This was another difficult item to deal with. It was hard comparing apples to apples but our committee gave it's recommendation to McDonald HVAC CONTRACTING. (732-370-0363) His price for preventive maintenance will be $49.95 for one system. The committee will find out what it would be if you have two zone heating and AC.
POWERWASHING OF HOMES
The committee discussed powerwashing and the members of the Powerwashing subcommittee will ask the vendors certain questions prior to recommending an award. We will probably have an answer within 30 days and this will be relayed to Regency residents
RECOMMENDED VENDORS
The committee approved the following individuals to be included on our list of approved vendors.
TONY WALKER WINDOW WASHING - 609-877-3016
(NOTE: WILL USE LONG POLE TO WASH AND CLEAN WINDOWS ON A SECOND LEVEL)
KURI'S CUSTOM TAILORS - KURI FEDADOV
REGENCY RESIDENT - 16 TAMARACK
732-605- 1631
Again, I would like to recognize those members of YOUR Resident Purchasing Group who have done an outstanding job in getting some real good prices and services. Each person on the committee has spent numerous hours working on your behalf and I personally would like to thank each of them. Here are the members of the committee:
GOODIE MOLLEN - CHAIRMAN
RON POST
SEMOUR HYDEN
MARK KLEIN
JERRY LIEBERMAN
FRAN DEUTCHMAN
MARILYN JACLIN
RICH LANS
AL ROSS
STEVE KARTEN
We could always use more volunteers, so if you are willing to help out give Goodie or me a call or an email.
TEXAS HOLD'EM TOURNAMENT CORRECTION
Please take Jerry Stollar off the list of the person to call if you want to join this tournment. You can contact Rich Lans if you want to enter this EXCITING tournament. Remember, men and women are invited to join.
NEW TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
The new telephone directory file has been sent to me. For those of you who want the Excel file, let me know (you can get it sorted by name or street or both). For those of you who don't have Excel but just want to print extra copies, I can send it to you in a PDF printable format sorted by name and/or street.
Each time a new directory is published I will be receiving the Excel file. Some of you would like to shrink the file to make it smaller to fit in the glove compartment of your car or into a ladies pocketbook. You can only do this if you use the Excel file (not the PDF). You would need Excel on your computer.
The February update sheet isn't included in this file but will be included upon the next revision. Okay, I know somebody is going to ask me if I could send them the update sheet, so YES, I will scan the sheet and put it into a PDF file and you can add it to your telephone directory. If you want this file just ask for the update sheet for the new telephone directory.
Each home, I believe, is entitled to one telephone directory plus update sheet. This can be obtained from the Concierge at the Clubhouse.
FLYERS FROM GAIL
OIL PAINTING CLASSES
CLICK ON LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.adrive.com/public/3d0f484f074afa7314bb422ec1d8264528f35b5f3ada5bd1f17179b66757cbe6.html
WATERCOLOR CLASSES
CLICK ON LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.adrive.com/public/55a0a5e9876fcef12080efed01f9f1a87b71b93fa969eccf04229d287301c4f2.html
STAINED GLASS ART CLASSES
CLICK ON LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.adrive.com/public/21a1c50b349d6699ed9a438d959a4f900b5d0285fe425f1ed46644fd4a480f33.html
TOWNSHIP PAPER SHREDDING
Monroe Recycling Center has scheduled a paper shredder event for Friday, April 18 from 9-1pm at Thompson Park (down near the lake area). The town will have a truck to receive any papers you want shredded (you don't have to remove staples). If you have questions, call the town at 732-656-4575. This is a great way to do away with all those papers we save, but don't really need to keep!
Hope this is helpful to all......Kathy Nicita
(THANK YOU KATHY. WHAT TIMING! BEFORE RECEIVING THIS NOTE FROM KATHY I EMPTIED OUT ALL OF MY FILES AND MADE 10 HUGE BAGS OF GARBAGE. I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THESE PAPERS BECAUSE IT HAD SOME INFORMATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE SHREDDING)
A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR OF THE REGENCY REPORTER
The new Regency Reporter had some pages missing from just some of the newspapers. If your is one that is missing some pages, the Concierge desk will have some extra copies available.
A WONDERFUL CONCERT - APRIL 13TH
I would like to alert everyone to a wonderful concert that will take place on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 6:30pm at Temple Beth Or, 200 Van Zile Rd, Bricktown, NJ. The title is "A Song Goes Round the World" and is performed by Cantor Bill Walton of Temple Israel of Union, NJ. Cantor Walton has a vast resume, including appearances on public television, including opera, oratorio, and recital. He has sung with, amongst others, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, was featured on WQXR radio's "The Listening Room", and has performed on Kol Yisrael, the national radio of Israel.
"A Song Goes Round the World" is a musical journey through some of the great cities of the world. From rural America when life was simpler, Cantor Walton travels across the Atlantic to the Savoy Theatre of London, where Gilbert and Sullivan was the rage. After a stop at a "Hotel" in Paris and a glimpse into the cafe' life, you will be lured east by the Viennese waltz. The journey continues to the Russian countryside for a taste of Yiddish folksong and then on to the Holy Land for a stirring tribute to Jerusalem. As we make our way back to America, a stop on the sunny shores of Italy for a Neapolitan song. Finally, home on Broadway with the operetta strains of Romberg and the show tunes of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Bill will sing in six languages and entertain you with a wide variety of beautiful melodies.
It should be a fun evening with sumptuous dessert following the concert. I have tickets, which are $15 each.
Steve Gelwarg
732 605-9774
MY BLOG AND WHAT YOU ARE SEEING
A resident mentioned that he was away a few weeks and when he came home he got 4 emails from me saying to go to my BLOG where a new email was added. Keep in mind, if you get 4 messages, there are 4 separate emails. The latest email is always on the first page of the BLOG. If you want to see the previous 3 emails, at the bottom of the page you will see PREVIOUS, click on this and the next to last email will appear, you click PREVIOUS again and another email will appear, etc. etc. Remember, when you are vacationing, Ron is emailing and you need to catch up by reading those emails that were sent out while you were away. Some emails, like this one, is important since you might be able to save a few dollars.
THAT'S IT FOR NOW
THIS CERTAINLY HAS BEEN A BUSY WEEK WITH LOTS OF EMAILS
RON
COMCAST FOR INTERNET SERVICES
I am sending this email out ASAP because many of you who have Comcast for the Internet might be getting an increase in your internet bills, once your contract expires, which for most people, will be very soon.
In order not to be in conflict with the HOA, the HOA basically only deals with Comcast for cable TV. The price they obtained for internet services last year was around $33 but it wasn't an HOA contract. It was just a price they said they were able to get. Recently it had come to the attention of members of the Purchasing Committee that the $33 price was going up and it would be close to $44.
In dealing with Comcast on a personal level I was able to obtain a price of $24.99 for a one year contract. This price sounds good since some of you will start paying around $44 shortly. However, the deal I got was NOT for the slower speeds that all of you have. The deal is for Comcast's highest speed which is called BLAST 16 and that also includes MANY enhancements besides speed. Take for example, free McAfee (I just paid $44 for renewing McAfee for this year). Some of you who have Norton might feel that McAfee will do the same thing so there would be no need to reorder Norton. Again, this is your decision. To some of the "techs" Norton might be better then McAfee or vice versa.
Here's what BLAST 16 is all about:
http://www.comcast.com/Shop/Buyflow/Default.ashx
According to the Internet, this connection would have been $52+ but I was quoted $24.99 under F5 Code CHSI BLAST 16. Supposedly they are coming next Wednesday to install it for me. I currently have Verizon DSL which I was paying about $30/month for a much slower speed connection. The contract runs for one year.
Here's the joke. You call Comcast and ask for the best promotional deal they have on the BLAST 16. They would quote you $40+. Then you tell them that others in your community have gotten a price of $24.99 and they then say, "oh yes, we are giving that promotion out. Two other residents have called and that's the way Comcast works. Now, one other thing. Will they give that price to people who already have Comcast Internet? Maybe the promotion is for customers who have some other type of connection to the internet. Don't let them use this as an excuse! Existing customers should receive the same deal.
WESTMINSTER SECURITY
As you probably know already, Westminster Security sold all of its accounts to ADT. So, my contract was to expire in August and ADT's price was nowhere near the $8.99 price of Alarm Relay, which is the company selected by your Purchasing Group.
I called ADT and I didn't have to wait until my contract expired in August, I cancelled the contract (30 days from now) and will convert to Alarm Relay. So those of you who want to save a few $$$ you can cancel now and not have to wait until your Westminster contract expires.
DRIVEWAYS
The commitee has again approved the contract for driveways. The price will be $45 (went up $5) and the vendor is the same company we have used last year and the year before. You will be receiving an email as to whether or not you want to be included in this year's driveway sealing. It will take place late June, early July.
LANDSCAPING
The committee spent a long time deliberating and discussing the different vendors and what they have to offer. So, we have given ABOVE THE MARK (732-521-5700) our recommended vendor status since they offer an annual program, which includes Spring and Fall clean up, pruning, fertilization, insect and disease control for shrubs and trees. The annual price would be $380. They come several times a year unlike two other landscapers who basically come 3 times a year.
David's Landscaping (732-521-2599) - $90/HR and Award Winning Landscaping (732-598-0338) $70/HR, do not offer a flat price. They have an hourly charge and they don't specify how many workers they provide to do the necessary work.
Since many residents are currently using one of the above and if they are happy with the vendor our committee recognizes this and we have stated that the decision is yours to make. There will never be any contract that would require any resident to abide by. We are just here to try to get the best pricing for items or services that residents mutually need.
HVAC
This was another difficult item to deal with. It was hard comparing apples to apples but our committee gave it's recommendation to McDonald HVAC CONTRACTING. (732-370-0363) His price for preventive maintenance will be $49.95 for one system. The committee will find out what it would be if you have two zone heating and AC.
POWERWASHING OF HOMES
The committee discussed powerwashing and the members of the Powerwashing subcommittee will ask the vendors certain questions prior to recommending an award. We will probably have an answer within 30 days and this will be relayed to Regency residents
RECOMMENDED VENDORS
The committee approved the following individuals to be included on our list of approved vendors.
TONY WALKER WINDOW WASHING - 609-877-3016
(NOTE: WILL USE LONG POLE TO WASH AND CLEAN WINDOWS ON A SECOND LEVEL)
KURI'S CUSTOM TAILORS - KURI FEDADOV
REGENCY RESIDENT - 16 TAMARACK
732-605- 1631
Again, I would like to recognize those members of YOUR Resident Purchasing Group who have done an outstanding job in getting some real good prices and services. Each person on the committee has spent numerous hours working on your behalf and I personally would like to thank each of them. Here are the members of the committee:
GOODIE MOLLEN - CHAIRMAN
RON POST
SEMOUR HYDEN
MARK KLEIN
JERRY LIEBERMAN
FRAN DEUTCHMAN
MARILYN JACLIN
RICH LANS
AL ROSS
STEVE KARTEN
We could always use more volunteers, so if you are willing to help out give Goodie or me a call or an email.
TEXAS HOLD'EM TOURNAMENT CORRECTION
Please take Jerry Stollar off the list of the person to call if you want to join this tournment. You can contact Rich Lans if you want to enter this EXCITING tournament. Remember, men and women are invited to join.
NEW TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
The new telephone directory file has been sent to me. For those of you who want the Excel file, let me know (you can get it sorted by name or street or both). For those of you who don't have Excel but just want to print extra copies, I can send it to you in a PDF printable format sorted by name and/or street.
Each time a new directory is published I will be receiving the Excel file. Some of you would like to shrink the file to make it smaller to fit in the glove compartment of your car or into a ladies pocketbook. You can only do this if you use the Excel file (not the PDF). You would need Excel on your computer.
The February update sheet isn't included in this file but will be included upon the next revision. Okay, I know somebody is going to ask me if I could send them the update sheet, so YES, I will scan the sheet and put it into a PDF file and you can add it to your telephone directory. If you want this file just ask for the update sheet for the new telephone directory.
Each home, I believe, is entitled to one telephone directory plus update sheet. This can be obtained from the Concierge at the Clubhouse.
FLYERS FROM GAIL
OIL PAINTING CLASSES
CLICK ON LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.adrive.com/public/3d0f484f074afa7314bb422ec1d8264528f35b5f3ada5bd1f17179b66757cbe6.html
WATERCOLOR CLASSES
CLICK ON LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.adrive.com/public/55a0a5e9876fcef12080efed01f9f1a87b71b93fa969eccf04229d287301c4f2.html
STAINED GLASS ART CLASSES
CLICK ON LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.adrive.com/public/21a1c50b349d6699ed9a438d959a4f900b5d0285fe425f1ed46644fd4a480f33.html
TOWNSHIP PAPER SHREDDING
Monroe Recycling Center has scheduled a paper shredder event for Friday, April 18 from 9-1pm at Thompson Park (down near the lake area). The town will have a truck to receive any papers you want shredded (you don't have to remove staples). If you have questions, call the town at 732-656-4575. This is a great way to do away with all those papers we save, but don't really need to keep!
Hope this is helpful to all......Kathy Nicita
(THANK YOU KATHY. WHAT TIMING! BEFORE RECEIVING THIS NOTE FROM KATHY I EMPTIED OUT ALL OF MY FILES AND MADE 10 HUGE BAGS OF GARBAGE. I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THESE PAPERS BECAUSE IT HAD SOME INFORMATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE SHREDDING)
A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR OF THE REGENCY REPORTER
The new Regency Reporter had some pages missing from just some of the newspapers. If your is one that is missing some pages, the Concierge desk will have some extra copies available.
A WONDERFUL CONCERT - APRIL 13TH
I would like to alert everyone to a wonderful concert that will take place on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 6:30pm at Temple Beth Or, 200 Van Zile Rd, Bricktown, NJ. The title is "A Song Goes Round the World" and is performed by Cantor Bill Walton of Temple Israel of Union, NJ. Cantor Walton has a vast resume, including appearances on public television, including opera, oratorio, and recital. He has sung with, amongst others, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, was featured on WQXR radio's "The Listening Room", and has performed on Kol Yisrael, the national radio of Israel.
"A Song Goes Round the World" is a musical journey through some of the great cities of the world. From rural America when life was simpler, Cantor Walton travels across the Atlantic to the Savoy Theatre of London, where Gilbert and Sullivan was the rage. After a stop at a "Hotel" in Paris and a glimpse into the cafe' life, you will be lured east by the Viennese waltz. The journey continues to the Russian countryside for a taste of Yiddish folksong and then on to the Holy Land for a stirring tribute to Jerusalem. As we make our way back to America, a stop on the sunny shores of Italy for a Neapolitan song. Finally, home on Broadway with the operetta strains of Romberg and the show tunes of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Bill will sing in six languages and entertain you with a wide variety of beautiful melodies.
It should be a fun evening with sumptuous dessert following the concert. I have tickets, which are $15 each.
Steve Gelwarg
732 605-9774
MY BLOG AND WHAT YOU ARE SEEING
A resident mentioned that he was away a few weeks and when he came home he got 4 emails from me saying to go to my BLOG where a new email was added. Keep in mind, if you get 4 messages, there are 4 separate emails. The latest email is always on the first page of the BLOG. If you want to see the previous 3 emails, at the bottom of the page you will see PREVIOUS, click on this and the next to last email will appear, you click PREVIOUS again and another email will appear, etc. etc. Remember, when you are vacationing, Ron is emailing and you need to catch up by reading those emails that were sent out while you were away. Some emails, like this one, is important since you might be able to save a few dollars.
THAT'S IT FOR NOW
THIS CERTAINLY HAS BEEN A BUSY WEEK WITH LOTS OF EMAILS
RON
