Disney Files - ARDA-ROC PAC - WHAT THE HECK???

[TLSnell1981]

I would not have been opposed to this donation request, if not for the last Disney Files issue that came out. In that issue, it had several negative political innuendos (towards republicans). I don't think any politics belong in our wonderful world of Disney, whether it's right or left. Walt's dream was for us to forget about the real world while enjoying all things Disney. I hope they respect Walt's wishes.

Hmmm...maybe I should read DF a little more often and a little more closely?

 

[Peepster]

Before you all flame me, know that I agree I was disappointed to see Jim's entire column devoted to this topic. It's of little interest to most of us and I'd rather hear what's happening in the world of DVC.

But because I do work for an Association I've come to learn and appreciate the good Associatons can do both directly and indirectly depending on your point of view. ARDA does impact us whether we realize it or not.

Jim's appointment as the volunteer Chair to this organization is an honor among his peers and I'm sure it will not interfere with his paid duties at DVC.
Raising money for the Association is usually one of a Chair's duties although not having a return stamp is a little tacky.

I'm not a huge fan of Jim's decisions lately and I'm not necessarily defending his topic this month but I do think there is another side to take a look at.

Thanks for letting me voice my opinion.

 

[DVC_Corrys]

But it is a publication dealing with DVC, not just Disney, and the ARDA does have some impact on DVC and its membership.

I disagree.... I would see differently if past issues had "timeshare ownership" themed articles or news bites.

The magazine shows us stuff going on at Disney, new properties, and other vacation related items.

I have never seen any articles geared towards timeshare industry news.

Again, if Jim sent out a letter separate I would have no problem with that.

I also didn't see any political slant towards Republicans OR Democrats in the magazine.

 

[tomandrobin]

This is what happens when timeshare owners have no voice....easy tax targets. Also note who is helping the fight to repeal the increase taxes that are specifically targeted at timeshares. This is for the Westin Resort on Maui.

Dear Owner:

Your Board of Directors and the Starwood Management Team would like to update you on two important issues. As many of you may remember, your Board included a short note with the 2009 maintenance fee statements explaining the effect of increased utility expenses and Hawaii taxes on our maintenance fees.

Despite our efforts and arguments to the contrary, Maui County has determined it will begin to assess the vacation units at the resort separately using residential condominium valuations. As a result of this change, the 2009/2010 real property taxes for our resort will increase by approximately $4,124,162 (from 2008/2009 real property taxes of $2,261,819 to 2009/2010 real property taxes of $6,385,981). Your Board has authorized the expenditure of funds necessary for the Starwood Management Team to appeal both the valuation methodology and millage rate of this proposed assessment increase. Your Board and Management Team are fully engaged in the effort to mitigate the effect of this proposed increase and have submitted tax protests to Maui County. In addition, the Starwood Management Team is working with the American Resort Development Association, Resort Owners Coalition (ARDA-ROC) toward a coordinated Owner response, as Maui County's actions will impact other resorts. We plan to communicate with you in the near future on specific actions you can take to ensure Maui County representatives understand the negative consequences their decisions will have on individual Owners, such as yourself. During the course of the tax appeal, the tax assessments we remit to Maui County will remain in a claims litigation account which neither the association nor Maui County may access until the conflict is resolved. Unfortunately, this will require the Board to consider securing a loan, levying a special assessment and/or increasing the 2010 assessments to cover these tax payments.

To illustrate the impact of the unanticipated tax changes, the below chart details estimated increases in your Vacation Owners Association's 2010 assessments to cover the higher tax amounts. These amounts are broken down by unit type and whether ownership is on an annual or bi-annual basis. The first group of figures represents the funds necessary to cover the unanticipated increase in the real property taxes due in 2009. In addition to covering the 2009 shortfall, the second group of figures represents the funds
necessary to cover that portion of the 2010 taxes which exceeds what was budgeted for in 2009. As you can see, the unanticipated increase for 2009 is less than the increase for 2010. This is because the tax year for Maui County commences on July 1, and thus the increase only impacts half of 2009.

Ocean Resort Villas Vacation Owners Association - Real Property Tax
Estimated Amount to Recover in 2010 for 2009 Real Property Tax Shortfall:

Annual
2-Bedroom Lockoff - $125.28
2-Bedroom Lockoff Deluxe - $172.63
1-Bedroom - $105.70

Bi-Annual
2-Bedroom Lockoff - $62.64
2-Bedroom Lockoff Deluxe - $86.31
1-Bedroom - $52.85

Estimated 2010 Real Property Tax Increase Over 2009 Budget:

Annual
2-Bedroom Lockoff - $263.57
2-Bedroom Lockoff Deluxe - $363.18
1-Bedroom - $222.38

Bi-Annual
2-Bedroom Lockoff - $131.78
2-Bedroom Lockoff Deluxe - $181.59
1-Bedroom - $111.19

We thank you for the opportunity to serve and will update you as these events continue to unfold. Should you have any questions, our Association Management team is available to assist you at 800-XXX-XXXX.

Sincerely,

Ocean Resort Master Association Board of Directors

 

[5forDiz]

After all the time Jim Lewis devotes to DVC I'm amazed he's got any left to be ARDA's chairman

 

[tjkraz]

When I first read the comments here Lewis' article sounded a bit inappropriate to me. But after seeing Disney Files for myself, I didn't see anything that particularly irked me about the ADRA mention. A separate mailer would have been a tad bit more appropriate, but then DvC is spending even more money to accomplish the same goal.

I think all DVC members would benefit from hearing MORE (not less) about issues which directly impact our timeshare ownership. One individual suggested posting periodic legislative updates to DVCMember.com and I think that's a great idea (if anyone from DVC is reading.)

I'm sure the ADRA receives funding from timeshare developers and will represent their interests as well. But that doesn't seem like a valid reason for dismissing the organization's value. IMHO, that's comparable to bemoaning cancer research because labs or pharmaceutical companies stand to profit from a cure. Does motivation really matter when all parties benefit from the end result?

 

[aDVCguy]

...just voicing my opinion...

Don't all who've invested in a Fla. timeshare give
to said state monies (through taxes and such) that
help out the economy there? Perhaps, if we all pulled
out our hard earned cash there,
would any mention of raising "taxes" retreat?

There's only so much blood one can give.

 

[DenLo]

At the Dec 2008 Annual Member meeting, there was a presentation by ARDA about what it does and how it supposedly benefits timeshare owners by fighting for their rights (such as no taxation). It was also mentioned that DVD had joined ARDA and that Jim Lewis would be the next rotating chairman.

Since many timeshare companies are members of ARDA and also invite their members to contribute, I have no problem with this.

This statement is not true. ARDA just recently was able to have legilation defeated in Florida that would have added a "transient stay" tax to timeshares. This would include DVC stays. This tax would have been charged to owners for every night they stayed in their DVC unit.

There was another detailed post regarding the increase in taxes in Maui that ARDA is fighting. I can see why the DVD and the DVC should be interested in ARDA. And therefore I cannot see any problem with the letter supporting ARDA and the envelope. It's a strictly optional donation.

As most have posted, just throw out the letter if you don't want to donate. Returning an empty envelope without a stamp could be a federal offense as well as a waste of post office time.

 

[rentayenta]

Bad taste, Jim, bad taste.

MTE!

 

[littlestar]

I'm given the option to contribute when I get my Marriott dues statement/bill. I don't see what the big deal is, guys. This is pretty normal.

Frankly, I'm tickled to death that ARDA works on behalf of owners and developers. And I DON'T WANT TO PAY transient taxes on something I'm already paying property taxes on. If I trade into someone else's resort, they've already paid property taxes on that ownership and I've already paid it on mine.

Local governments are HUNGRY for more taxes. I'm glad there is someone that fights heavy taxes on timeshare owners.

I know Maui has transient occupancy taxes per day, but I can't remember how much it is per day.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

In the context that other timeshares automatically add this contribution to the maintence fee bill, I don't really have a problem with DVC soliciting voluntary contributions. The one thing that does make we wonder, though, is the way they did the mailing. I can't remember -- is the magazine always in a plastic bag? Or was the bag just because of the enclosed letter and envelope this time? If so, I wonder how that impacted the cost of the mailing.

(Off topic...)

I'd personally opt out of the hardcopy magazine if there was a way to do this. (Sort of like the way I've turned off all my paper utility bills.) By the time the magazine arrives, I've already read most it online anyway. It sits on the table for a week, without really getting touched, then finds it's way into the bin.

I know there are a lot of people who love the hardcopy magazine. Please, no flames. I'm not suggesting getting rid of it. I'd just like to see a way for members to indicate electronic only, electronic/hardcopy, hardcopy only as delivery methods.

 

[Deb & Bill]

In the context that other timeshares automatically add this contribution to the maintence fee bill, I don't really have a problem with DVC soliciting voluntary contributions. The one thing that does make we wonder, though, is the way they did the mailing. I can't remember -- is the magazine always in a plastic bag? Or was the bag just because of the enclosed letter and envelope this time? If so, I wonder how that impacted the cost of the mailing.

(Off topic...)

I'd personally opt out of the hardcopy magazine if there was a way to do this. (Sort of like the way I've turned off all my paper utility bills.) By the time the magazine arrives, I've already read most it online anyway. It sits on the table for a week, without really getting touched, then finds it's way into the bin.

I know there are a lot of people who love the hardcopy magazine. Please, no flames. I'm not suggesting getting rid of it. I'd just like to see a way for members to indicate electronic only, electronic/hardcopy, hardcopy only as delivery methods.

It comes in a paper envelope, a really big paper envelope.

 

[Sammie]

DVC has been around since 91 and this is the first time members have been made aware of this organization.

I am not saying the organization does not benefit in some way the membership, but I am sorry I find it suspect that now that JL is the chairman it is something of vital interest enough to warrant the enclosure with the magazine.

I say the man has an agenda and it is more about him and his move up the ladder than the membership.

 

[KevGuy]

Sorry I don't contribute to developers welfare programs...

 

[dis-happy]

No opinion on the donation envelope. But that guy he's shaking hands with? My dh recognized him...he was a guest at our wedding!!!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I don't like it either. I like Disney because it gets me away from all that formal, real world stuff. I don't want to see the sausage being made as I read my DVC magazine.
Taxes?? The way I read the article it only affects us if we exchange. We don't, so that wouldn't affect us.

I agree... Bad form.

MG

 

[Chuck S]

I don't like it either. I like Disney because it gets me away from all that formal, real world stuff. I don't want to see the sausage being made as I read my DVC magazine.
Taxes?? The way I read the article it only affects us if we exchange. We don't, so that wouldn't affect us.

I agree... Bad form.

MG

It would depend upon how the law defined exchange. RCI isn't the only type of "exchange"...legally even staying at a different DVC resort than the one where the points are owned could be an exchange for taxation purposes. For instance, if you own at multiple resorts, and are short a few points to complete your stay, so you use a few points from VB to complete a stay at AKV, the state could consider that an exchange. And imagine the increased accounting costs just to track that...so it would affect everyone's dues.

 

[tomandrobin]

I don't like it either. I like Disney because it gets me away from all that formal, real world stuff. I don't want to see the sausage being made as I read my DVC magazine.
Taxes?? The way I read the article it only affects us if we exchange. We don't, so that wouldn't affect us.

By definition, any reservation made after the 7 month mark would qualify as an exchange. Home resort reservations are made 11-7 months, after 7 months all points are considered non-home resort reservations. At 7 months, you lose your home resort preference.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

It would depend upon how the law defined exchange. RCI isn't the only type of "exchange"...legally even staying at a different DVC resort than the one where the points are owned could be an exchange for taxation purposes. For instance, if you own at multiple resorts, and are short a few points to complete your stay, so you use a few points from VB to complete a stay at AKV, the state could consider that an exchange. And imagine the increased accounting costs just to track that...so it would affect everyone's dues.

By definition, any reservation made after the 7 month mark would qualify as an exchange. Home resort reservations are made 11-7 months, after 7 months all points are considered non-home resort reservations. At 7 months, you lose your home resort preference.

While these factors certainly make it more difficult, I actually still would be okay. I have yet to make a ressie inside the 7 month window.
That said, I think that's a tough arguement to make that they wouldn't be home resort points. Afterall, I've got paperwork on file with the county showing as such. I don't recall any paperwork stating that my leasehold interest in VWL changes resorts at 7 months.

Chuck's scenerio seems more plausible IMO, although I'm covered on that as well so far.
Of course it may not always work out that way in the future.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I should also say that I believe ARDA may perform a valid service, but I don't think DF is the proper venue to promote it.

MG