Westland is a very pro-active city, no matter what the economic climate is, during any given calendar year. Our city is ambitious and positive, and we constantly plan for the future, rather than being content with how good things are for our citizenry right now.

President Obama’s proposed stimulus plan has given our city officials the incentive to put together a plan which would request that the White House send each city’s share directly to the city, rather than to each State Government, according to an article in the Observer which was written by Darrell Clem, recently.

Many of the mayors from cities all across this country are making a strong “push” to have any stimulus funds that might come to their state be given directly to the local city governments. This way, many new projects could be implemented with some immediacy, and jobs would be created in a timelier manner.

Westland’s Mayor feels that these funds, if allocated directly to each city municipality, would help to counter the unemployment problems that a number of people are facing. His administration understands that the President’s Stimulus Plan focuses on strengthening city infrastructures. Therefore, they have identified and listed the kinds of projects which will improve city roads, sewer systems, and drainage issues; along with project which will refurbish local historical sites, city services and computer systems for the police and fire departments, along with hiring more personnel.

The Mayor and the heads of each city department work well to take a positive approach for keeping this vital community moving forward. With a balanced budget and many programs already in place sustain and improve our currently excellent life style for all of the citizenry. This administration is already looking at:

1. Finding better ways to cut back on energy and fuel usage
2. Implementing a larger and more efficient recycling program for all citizens
3. Generating new concepts to sustain the businesses we already have and help them excel against competition
4. Begin putting in place a 5, 10 and even a 20 year plan to keep fiscally sound and provide capital improvements.

It is encouraging to note that should congress and the President put this stimulus package, which is estimated to be about $41.6 million dollars, together to fund nation-wide projects that improve our cities and employ more people; Westland is ready to receive its fair share of these funds, and implement specific and quick-starting programs that would indeed strengthen our infrastructure, and negate some of the effects of these challenging economic times. However, thanks to the forward thinking of our Mayor and City Administration, we will continue to be prepared for a bright future, even if this stimulus package of federal funds is not forthcoming.

A Property Manager is responsible for “EVERYTHING” pertaining to the efficient day-to-day management and operation of the Co-op. The duties of the Property Manager are to be performed, so as not to violate or usurp any written policy and guidelines as set forth by the volunteer Holliday Park Board of Directors, and by various state and governmental agencies.

Because of the amount of knowledge that a Property Manager must have, as the Job Description clearly says — “EVERYTHING,” most Co-ops and Condo Associations usually hire a Management Company to fulfill this responsible position.

Here at Holliday Park, we started using Management Companies, but soon discovered that one day a week did not provide sufficient time to carefully handle our Co-op, as they represent many other Associations. Therefore, the Board decided to hire a Property Manager to report directly to the duly elected, volunteer Holliday Park Board of Directors.

The Board decided that any competent Property Manager must have “hands on” knowledge of the maintenance aspects which comprise most of the problems of any cooperative. Maintenance expenses make up most of the Annual Budget of our Co-op. The Board discovered such a unique personality in one of our maintenance staff.

The first thing the Board did was to promote an intelligent, energetic maintenance worker to the role of Maintenance Property Manager. At the same time, we hired a temporary Administrative Property Manager for the Office. The Maintenance Property Manager not only developed his maintenance supervision skills, but also his administrative skills; thus, qualifying him for promotion to full Property Manager, a job which he has held for 27 years.

Our Property Manager:
1. Develops the software for the Holliday Park computer system. Realizing the importance of having the detail and history on each of the 694 units in Holliday Park, in the maintenance area, he is responsible to keep a detailed database current.

2. On any given day, our Property Manager can produce for the Board of Directors, all data on individual appliances, water heaters, furnaces, roofs, garbage disposals, plumbing, kitchen cabinets, etc., detailing the age, the type, and other any pertinent information on maintenance; besides the normal administrative data.

3. Oversees the accounting, the maintenance, the purchasing, and the contracted services; as well as special projects, the resale of units, the pool, and informational technology that is always changing with the times.

4. Analyzes Financial Reserves necessary for our aging Co-op. His expertise enables Holliday Park to avoid special assessments for future needed projects.

5. Researches all governmental housing laws that are forever changing, such as the Boca Code and Legal Opinions; and composes Policies as directed by the Holliday Park Board of Directors, for the Board’s review and approval.

6. Is self motivating, and upgrades his skills by taking new courses in various matters needed for the efficient operation of our Co-op. His courses led him to become a Certified Property Manager.

7. Writes specs for major contracts when going out for bids on major projects, rather than having an engineering service do this for a fee. Among the latest projects, was the new energy efficient, vinyl siding contract that was completed in 2008. He is now planning for the new energy efficient, furnace replacement program for 2009.

8. Knows the ins and outs of all aspects of Holliday Park, to include the infrastructure of the Holliday Park underground plumbing, water, and electric.

9. He is responsible to hire and manage all other employees of Holliday Park; while the Property Manager, himself, works for the Board of Directors. In this regard, he is the “front man” for enforcing all Board Policies, which can sometimes put him in an unpopular position, even though he is just enforcing Board Policy.

10. Our Property Manager is a private person, who possesses an inner confidence which is needed for this position. He rightfully takes great pride in his work and his accomplishments.

Holliday Park is very, very fortunate to have such an able-bodied, unique, and knowledgeable Property Manager. He has been a great asset in the success of Holliday Park. We know of no Management Company that would spend the time, have the interest, and provide the personal service as our Property Manager does for its Board of Directors, and in the best interest of the membership.

Come and join us as a member of Holliday Park; and you will get to know and appreciate the qualifications and loyalty of our Property Manager.