Fort Myers, FL
Stoneybrook Board member Joe Mikulka responded to our Friday story regarding the Bucar Stoneybrook case. And while he did not leave his contact information so I could send additional questions, he did leave his name which is more than most "anonymous" letters we get. I leave all letters on the site with the understanding that I believe everyone has some side of an axe to grind.
Below is the portion of the letter from Mr. Mikulka. Inserted in red are quotes or questions I would have asked him if he left his contact information. Perhaps he can respond to those publicly on the Gazette. I did remove the portion of his letter regarding the Fila hot tub. Quite frankly, I've grown bored with that issue. You can read it in the comments section under the Bucar story if you wish.
Joe Mikulka said...
"Thanks Ed for spelling my name correctly! it often gets mangled. They drop a "k" add an "l".
Dale Carnegie always told me that the most important word to a person is his/her name. I'm not a great speller, but I can ask someone for help when I need it.
"Unfortunately the accuracy of the article deteriorated quickly from there".
Do Tell.
"As for the Ms Bucar case WM did not skip merrily down any road, they lost! While Ms Bucar's petition was dismissed on a technicality the identical petition filed by Gateway Services prevailed on all the significant issues".
Dismissed is dismissed. They did not win anything. I read it as a way for Gateway to save face and stop wasting money on Pires. WM went along because Gateway was asking them to do things they were going to do anyway. Along the way, the attorney's won, with more money. G.S.D. attorney Tony Pires worked out a deal with W.M. saying, in essence, we'll leave you alone if you promise not to sue us (the G.S.D.). I'm guessing WM saw an easier target in two individuals, Bucar and Fish. Gateway residents just lucked out on that one.
Ms. Bucar did not refile because the issues were already resolved.
Or she realized Pires was gone and the G.S.D. money train for her defense had left the station. My opinion is the only resolution she and Fish wanted was no transfer station, but we can disagree on that one.
WM was pissed and chose to send in the slimy attorneys to file a punitive suit against Ms. Bucar for rocking the boat.
An attorney is an attorney. Would you consider Pires slimy because he went after WM for you guys? Why is it OK for Bucar and Fish to go after WM with Gateway's deep pockets but not the other way around. You see no issue with that? This is where the nerve of some people rubs me the wrong way.
That case has already been thrown out by one judge. WM has chosen to file again in a higher court. This is similar to what was done in the old days. They just do not use goons anymore.
Goons? You lost me. If I placed a $1,000 bet on a Blackjack table, told the dealer to hit me and my cards show 25, how foolish would I look if I said to the dealer: I was just kidding I meant to say I stay. I made a bet, I lost, I have to hit the ATM machine if I want to play in their system. WM is playing within the system until a judge says otherwise.
Not a penny of SB money has been spent on this.
Agreed. Not Yet. Are you willing to go on the record to guarantee this will NEVER happen? You also glaze over the fact that she wants to her $30,000 back. Why do you not address this? That IS the issue. She over stepped her boundaries as board president because she wanted to stop the progress of Waste Management. The rest of the board was either in the dark or rolled over. Where is the document giving her this power? There is none. It's a gross use of power.
The only possible gain to Bucar was a better quality of life in SB. Is this self serving?
This is a transfer station Joe not a landfill. I've been to a transfer station. I know how it operates. Have you seen the quality of life in Haiti? Have you seen the quality of life in Afghanistan? How about nearly every MLK Boulevard in America? Get some perspective man, you live in a gated community with white picket fences and polished corvettes.
WM owns the property Joe, it's their right. One person does not get the right to dictate how everyone else lives because they are an H.O.A. president. They do have a right to file a lawsuit though and suffer the consequences if they lose.
Is holding the DEP to its obligation of reviewing the permits unfair?
I loved that one. I have from the beginning. You are insinuating that all the permitting agencies along the way were willing to give WM a pass on permits. As I reported all along the way, Bucar, Fish and the G.S.D. inserted themselves before certain permits even came up for review. It was an attempt to stop the transfer station from being built. I've read the transcripts. It's revising history to say Bucar and Fish succeeded at anything here.
Accompanying Documents:
PAGE 4 Bucar, regarding water running off recyclables into Gateway's water system: "I guess I can't answer that without talking to an expert".
Page 7 Question: How will the facility affect your health? "...dust, noise, stress of having it there".
Stress of having it there. WHAT? Stress is residents having to sit through any H.O.A. meeting and listen to these people tell me my mulch is one inch too low. But I digress...
Their main concern, from the deposition, seemed to be storm water running off into Gateway's water system. They had no expert proof and, quite frankly, provided humorous testimony. If you read it you will see they were in over their heads and were using G.S.D. attorney Tony Pires to defend them. It's nothing more than "not in my backyard."
Bucar has no intention of suing SB.
Uhhhh. Have you seen this document? Don't try to fool the residents Joe. When you sue the management company, it's the same thing. She wants someone else to pay her legal fees. She was an individual (with Fish) going after a company with deep pockets. A gullible G.S.D. board got dragged along into their mess. In May of last year, we paid $12,000 to defend Bucar and Fish. There are more invoices for Pires on this. Enough is enough already. Ease off on believing elected officials have all the answers. Regular people are smart. We don't need government interference at every leve of our lives.
Will you report that?
Of course I will. You're being silly now.
Will we read how this turns out? We'll see when that time comes. Joe Mikulka
Joe:
I have a few questions for you:
- Are you in favor of the H.O.A., Stoneybrook residents or your management company insurance paying Sheri Bucar's legal bills?
- Do you believe she filed suit acting as an individual or as the Stoneybrook H.O.A. board president?
- Are you willing to help organize a "candidates night" in the Stoneybrook clubhouse so all SB residents can hear from the candidates?
Thank you for submitting your letter. While I disagree with your position, I believe the debate is healthy for Stoneybrook residents and I appreciate you responding.
Ed
