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September 26, 2005
Something Light for a Monday
GoldenPalace.com Buys White House Deed - Proceeds to go to New Orleans Flood Victims
Monty Kerr of GoldenPalace.com has purchased the White House deed from an auction on ebid.tv. GoldenPalace is the casino famous for buying the items like the Popemobile and a grilled cheese sandwich with an image of the Virgin Mary on it from auction for $28,000. Kerr's first move will be to turn the Oval Office into a high stakes Poker Room.
The story began two weeks ago when Canadian author David Jenneson posted the White House Deed for sale on eBay. While doing research for his novel, Night of the Realtors, (about a Canadian realtor who sells the White House), Jenneson discovered the U.S. Government does not hold the deed for the White House. He acquired a Quit Claim deed for 1600 Pennsylvania and placed it up for auction on eBay.com, with a starting value of $10.00. The international media picked up the story. In less than 24 hours the bidding had gone up past $15,000.00 with a $20,000.00 reserve.
Jenneson contacted the White House for comment. A White House Official promised a response by the end of the day, but within hours the deed was removed from eBay without explanation.
Jenneson then contacted eBid.tv, an international auction site that was happy to host the auction. However, due to Hurricane Katrina there was little room for media coverage so potential bidders were unaware of the new auction. Moments before the auction was to close GoldenPalace swooped in and scored the bargain of the century.
“It's a real shame eBay zapped the auction at $15,000,” said Jenneson. “I'm convinced the Bush Administration used their influence to kill the auction. If they'd been a little bigger about this I would have donated $15,000 or more to the New Orleans disaster victims. The real solution to their ownership problems would be for President Bush to produce the original deed, on national television, and end the controversy. As it stands, I definitely plan to donate the purchase price and more to the victims of hurricane Katrina.”
Jenneson, who cites DC Property Codes as legal support, says as far as he is concerned, GoldenPalace.com is the new owner of the White House until proven otherwise. “I hope that they turn the East Room into a video and slots room." The author explains, "In my novel, Night of the Realtors, the actual sale of the White House takes place in the East Room, in front of the President, on national television, using the same letter posted on the website.
In the novel, the new owner decides to turn the East Room into a video arcade. When fiction turns into reality, it's all that any writer can ask. This White House deed story has resulted huge international media coverage, much praise for the book (especially among Canadians) and there is already film interest. ”
Posted by joewest at 11:28 AM
September 12, 2005
Dealing with the "Anonymous" owner(s)
How do you deal with the stealth attack? That's the flyer that pops up alleging all sorts of shenanigans on the part of the board and/or manager. It's rarely signed, but you have some suspects in mind. You find yourself accused of mismanagement, hiding conflicts of interest, paying people too much, spending like Congress, and worst of all - keeping the assessments higher than neighboring associations. The attacks are often defamatory and sometimes libelous. And everybody in the association got a copy.
People not mentioned in the communication generally recommend taking the "high road" and ignoring it, while those directly attacked are looking for ways to include use of a guillotine in the enforcement section of the documents. You can be sure that the legal expense line item in the budget is going to get a workout, which can add to the problem. But it has to be dealt with - unfounded rumors, left unchecked, are like crabgrass. They have a life of their own, and get harder and harder to get rid of unless taken care of immediately.
The best way to deal with it is with facts, related calmly, and leaving the attackers with little to attack. This probably won't stop them immediately, but it will make sure that the majority of the owners will look at future flyers from them with a slightly more jaundiced eye, or decide to ignore tham all together.
Accused of financial mismanagement - show the auditors report and let the owners know that the finances are independently check every year. Paying too much for staff or management - show the bids or a salary survey for the position. If you're on the high side of either, then take the time to explain why. Higher assessments - there's almost always a legitimate reason, i.e. level of reserve funding, amenities, different utility payment structure or something. I've never seen an association that keeps assessments high just for the heck of it.
How you respond depends on how the association is reacting to the attack flyer. Using the unproven, but oft-quoted formula that 10% or the owners love you, 10% hate you and 80% don't know they're living in an association, you will want to sound out that large group in the center. If they're ignoring it, then you can simply put the responses into the next newsletter in the form of a general information article. If they're starting to talk about it, then it may need a more direct response. Here, you may want to talk with someone who knows how to communicate thoughts and ideas well. This is basic public relations. Bad writing can cause more problems than it solves. Keep it simple, use visual aids and don't mention the attackers directly. You're simply responding to some unfounded rumors by providing accurate, factual information.
And remember, in the future, that rumors start in the absence of solid information.
Posted by joewest at 10:37 PM