Closing aquariusuno.com II

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

Closing aquariusuno.com II

The present Board of Aquarius has hired a lawyer to close aquariusuno.com

I have consulted with several legal experts regarding the Board’s intention to effectively close AquariusUno.com. Their consensus is clear: this action lacks a legal foundation and runs counter to the principles of a healthy community.

Arkady Chase has compiled a thorough analysis that details these expert opinions, which I encourage you to review.

This situation raises a fundamental question: Shouldn’t the Board’s priority be to increase transparency and information sharing, rather than to suppress it?

Here is the work of Arkady Chase

Arkady Chase
Jan 12, 2026, 12:02 PM (4 days ago)
to me

Good morning,  Cecilio,

Are you here, or away.  I was unable to reach you by phone.

Please call me if you can.   Can you publish my letters?

Regards, Arkady 

On Sun, Jan 11, 2026, 22:21 <arkady.chase@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Cecilio,

I recently became aware that you received a letter from the Aquarius Association’s legal counsel threatening legal action if you do not remove your AquariusUno blog.

I conducted some research online, and the information I found indicates the following:

  1. Florida Law Strongly Protects an Owner’s Right to Speak

A condominium association cannot prohibit an owner from:

  • Sharing factual information
  • Discussing association operations
  • Criticizing board decisions
  • Posting meeting summaries
  • Sharing public records
  • Commenting on community issues

These rights are supported by:

 First Amendment principles While a condominium is private property, the association functions as a corporate body and cannot silence lawful speech.

 Florida Statutes, Chapter 718 Nothing in Chapter 718 authorizes a board to censor owners or restrict their communications.

 Anti‑retaliation protections (Section 718.1224, Florida Statutes) Florida law prohibits retaliation against owners who:

  • Complain about association operations
  • Report violations
  • Participate in investigations
  • Exercise their statutory rights

A threat of legal action intended to silence an owner may itself constitute prohibited retaliation.

  1. When a Board Cannot Sue

A board generally has no legal basis to sue an owner for:

  • Posting opinions
  • Sharing public information
  • Sharing official association records
  • Criticizing board members
  • Reporting misconduct
  • Discussing community issues
  • Sharing meeting minutes or budgets (which are accessible records under Section 718.111)

Boards often object to scrutiny, but personal discomfort is not a legal cause of action.

  1. When a BoardCould Sue (Rare and Limited)

A board’s legal claim would typically be limited to:

  1. DefamationOnly if the owner publishes statements that are:
  • False,
  • Presented as fact, and
  • Harmful to someone’s reputation.

Truth is a complete defense.

  1. Disclosure of confidential informationExamples include:
  • Attorney‑client privileged documents,
  • Personal identifying information,
  • Certain personnel records.

Most condominium records are not confidential.

  1. Harassment or threatsOnly if the content includes targeted harassment, threats, or doxxing. Informational blogs rarely fall into this category.
  2. Why Boards Make These Threats

Boards sometimes threaten legal action because they:

  • Want to suppress criticism
  • Misunderstand their authority
  • Fear exposure of mismanagement
  • Attempt to intimidate owners
  • Misuse the term “defamation” to mean “speech they dislike”

Such threats are often unfounded.

  1. How to Respond Strategically

A prudent, low‑risk approach includes:

Step 1 — Keep everything in writing If the threat was verbal, request written confirmation.

Step 2 — Ask for specifics A calm, appropriate response is:

“Please identify the specific statements you believe are false and the legal basis for your claim.”

This requires the board to articulate its position.

Step 3 — Continue posting factual, well‑documented information Focus on:

  • Facts
  • Official records
  • Meeting summaries
  • Statutory references
  • Opinions clearly identified as opinions

Step 4 — Document the threat This may be relevant if retaliation becomes an issue.

Step 5 — Consider a DBPR complaint if the threats continue Attempts to silence an owner may constitute:

  • Retaliation (prohibited under Section 718.1224)
  • Abuse of authority
  • Failure to maintain a civil environment

The DBPR has jurisdiction to review such conduct.

Best regards,

Arkady Chase

.o0o.

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Ned Taljic submitted an inquiry to the Aquarius Board

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen


NedTaljic has formally submitted an inquiry to the Aquarius Board

In response of the note from the Board of Directors of Aquarius Ned Taljic made several observations and documentation requests that have not been answerd to so far. This post presents Ned’s note

On Fri, Jan 9, 2026 at 6:39 PM FirstService Residential <Communications@mc.fsresidential.com> wrote: Friday, January 9, 2026  
Dear Aquarius Residents,
The Board would like to provide an update on the inaccurate information that is spreading regarding the building financials as well as budgeting processes. Our goal always has been full… …. transparency …. (If you did not receive this note from the Board of Directors of  Aquarius the Management Office will be able to provide with one.)

 

Subject: Request for Clarification and Documentation Regarding Financial Statements and Board Communications

Dear Members of the Board of Directors,

I am writing to address several concerns regarding the recent email communication and ongoing financial transparency matters. The tone of the recent correspondence was unnecessarily confrontational and personal, which does not serve the constructive dialogue needed to address the legitimate questions raised by owners. My inquiries are solely focused on ensuring clarity, accuracy, and accountability in our financial reporting.

To facilitate a productive discussion, I kindly request the following documentation and clarifications:

  1. Financial Statements Presentation
    Please provide detailed financial statements that are accessible and understandable to all owners, regardless of their financial background.

  2. Outstanding Email Responses
    In your response, please include copies of the emails I previously sent that have gone unanswered. The recent correspondence has raised additional questions about topics such as bad debt, contracts, and salary discrepancies, which remain unresolved.

  3. Finance Committee Participation
    I declined to join the finance committee mid-term because I believe meaningful oversight requires involvement from the outset, not after key decisions have already been made.

  4. Specific Financial Queries

    • Accruals and Expenses: For the amount of $111,746.57 accrued and expensed in 2024 but paid in 2025, please provide the December reversal journal with GL details for January, along with evidence of how this was offset by the posted invoice. If the invoice was not paid in January, please show how the accrual was maintained until payment was made.

    • Invoice Verification: For the $88,254.69 in invoices received in 2024 but allocated to 2025 work, please provide copies of the invoices, along with supporting documentation such as receipts, proof of services rendered, or signed work orders.

    • Assessment Reconciliations: Please share the reconciliation of all assessments, including details of assessed amounts, loans, payments received, outstanding balances, and expected collections from owners on payment plans.

    • Bad Debt Explanation: The explanation for bad debt in the 2026 budget contradicts earlier statements referencing Florida Statute. Please clarify the condominium practices followed and provide the list of delinquent accounts, as required under Florida Statute for owner inspection.

    • Contract Review: The contracts on the FSD website appear outdated, with missing addenda and expired certificates of insurance (e.g., Connection Elevator LLC’s COI expired on June 27, 2023). Please confirm the status of these contracts and provide updated documentation.

    • Credit Card Charges: Explain why credit card charges are not allocated directly to expense accounts and clarify the discrepancies in monthly charges (e.g., $138 in June and $0 in August).

    • Legal and Miscellaneous Expenses: Provide itemized details for legal and miscellaneous expenses, including the specific cases or matters assigned to attorneys.

  5. 2026 Budget Concerns

    • Justify the decision to hire a new maintenance person without corresponding cost reductions.

    • Explain the lack of projected energy cost increases despite ongoing construction activities.

    • Clarify the rationale for lower parking revenue projections when the restaurant, which was closed for three months in 2025, will be operational for the entire year in 2026.

    • Provide the SIRS and Non-SIRS reports that were reportedly shared with owners as part of the budget package.

  6. Communication Transparency
    Finally, I request an explanation for why board emails are distributed to all owners, while owner responses are restricted to the manager’s office. Transparency should allow for open dialogue, as demonstrated by platforms like Cecilio’s portal, where owners can freely exchange opinions.

Given the unresolved nature of these issues and the lack of constructive engagement, I believe this will be my final email on this matter. It is my hope that owners will have the opportunity to elect a new board that prioritizes transparency and accountability, and that we can all respect and abide by the will of the majority.

I wish everyone the best moving forward.

Sincerely,

Ned Taljic,  302N  ntaljic@gmail.com

.o0o.

 

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Mark Zeltser – Aquarius Condo Candidate part 2

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

Mark Zeltser – Aquarius Condo Candidate – part 2

Second part of Mark’s ideas on improving Aquarius Condominium

 

Low Cost / High Impact Ideas

 

♦ Broken Windows Policy – have small items fixed immediately. Keep Aquarius beautiful. 

♦ Contract Improvements – Secure most favorable terms available to obtain most value for association 

♦ Kids Play Nook – create an indoor area specifically for young children where parents can take them securely on the property.

♦ Honor Quiet Hours – There are constant deliveries outside quiet hours/days by the restaurant and others. Restrict late night and weekend deliveries to respect our neighbors.

♦ Lobby Update – Lobby has been neglected. Needs modernizing. Too old and filthy. Bad first impression for visiting family, possible new buyers/renters, and for ourselves. We should have more pride in our property. No large assessment, we can try to find money in operating budget. In any case I would seek a vote before proceeding with all facts and figures at that time available to all owners. 

♦ Respect Our Quiet Hours – Deliveries are occurring at all hours. This means the office is allowing it, or worse, not taking an elevator deposit to protect the association from damages caused. Everyone sees the condition of service elevators. Who is paying for the damages? Us? Also, why is housekeeping allowed to use the regular elevators with their carts? Things are getting damaged and us owners are again left with the bill.  

♦ Business Lounge – meeting room with wifi. First come first serve. 1 hour limit if someone is waiting, renew time at 45 minute mark (15 minutes left)

♦ Long term Secure Package Storage – locate and use storage locker(s) for out of town owners still not arrived. Currently left unattended in north tower storage room blocking owners storage units. 

♦ EV charging station(s) – secure beneficial contract for association. Place in West Lot. 

♦ Plumbing/AC contract – Inquire in regards to a building wide contract with professional plumbing?AC company (i.e. Total Plumbing and Repairs, etc.), Convenience, group savings, and problem prevention.

♦ Reduce Utility Waste – Lights are on and off not at optimal times. Same story with our sprinklers.  

♦ Recycling/ E-Waste Dump Days – twice a year dumpster for owners to conveniently dump their trash items. Schedule accordingly to maximize owners on-site availability to take advantage of this amenity. (November&April/May). 

♦ Emergency Preparedness –  Help the residents and employees go over several important security items such as local evacuation plans/routes and important locations (AED, etc.) Help our owners, especially elderly, be prepared.

♦ Monthly Morning Coffee – 2 hours among neighbors; Lobby area once a month.

♦ Serve Our Association – Quality service. Owner surveys and votes. Better office hours. 

♦  Secure/Monetize West Lot – Install an attractive fencing around the West Lot. Prevent trespassing. Secure our vehicles. Fob or biometric entry. Only our owners and their dogs allowed inside, not the entire block to use. Organize sections through color coding the parking space lines with art deco pastel colors (employees park in the purple section, contractors park in yellow section),train employees to ensure rules are being followed. No more free parking for a few people from neighboring buildings abusing our lax security situation and accessing our lot. I have identified at least 13 spaces that can be rented out monthly, which can bring in 25-30k yearly. Keep the southern half as-is, with only owners parking their vehicles. Use section(s) for rentals. Possibly use a section to create an on-property outdoor recreation area? 

♦ Preventative Measures – Identify and correct small items before becoming larger ones, mitigating large special assessments as we have dealt with several in the recent past. 

Those are just a few of the items that I feel can benefit the owners of this association. I have avoided running for the board of directors for years. I am an introverted individual who does not enjoy large crowds or public speaking. I am no politician. My preference has always been to keep to myself and mind my business. However, my concern for our association outweighs that at this time.

The current board of directors have been running the matters of the association for several years now as constituted. I fear there is no longer enough of a checks and balances situation, and returning the same members to the board will be a disservice to us all. There needs to be some new faces mixed in. They have done a decent job in many areas and I thank them for volunteering their time. Yet I do feel changing a few members would be beneficial for a fresh perspective in the room when decisions about your home are being made.

This current board has signed construction contracts with companies that have no caps on time or change orders. Upon learning of that, I was very disappointed. We are paying the price for that now with an overly lengthy construction project as we all are aware and have been living with. As well as a possible additional final bill that the current board cannot project the amount because they signed a contract with no cap to change orders. I personally have had a very bad financial experience with this exact type of situation. Why did our current board sign this type of contract and put us all at risk? Did the other companies they took bids on offer these protections? Why did they choose this one, what was their reasoning?  It is not too late to ask! 

Now they have their eyes set on the west lot across the street. To give it away to a developer. What will us owners benefit from this? Loss of views and property values. Years of construction at our front door. More people and traffic on our block, turning into city life on this quieter and beautiful strip of A1A. If you have an intracoastal view, it will be gone if the current board is allowed to proceed. Ask them questions! Why do we need this? Why give away our land? We owned the land our neighbor Trump building is on, do you have any benefit now? Any possible benefit will be short lived and we will be stuck with the results forever. Do not allow them to give away our assets for peanuts.

Lastly, during our meet the candidates I mentioned that we should strive to be more like the Trump building and others of that ilk, instead of the older buildings that line the area as well. That remains true. I was told that they are essentially better than us so forget it. But if we are not striving to keep a beautiful modern and clean building then we are falling closer to the lower end buildings on the beach. Being closer to Trump than to the lower end buildings does not require astronomical changes, as was insinuated by that person in the crowd, just some thoughtful changes. For the record, I am against any large expenditure that would require a special assessment. I seek to do everything within budget constraints. I seek to optimize efficiency in order to lower our bills.  I just want that to be clear. It does not require major changes to keep the common areas clean and smelling nice, with a fresh coat of paint and such. To keep our front desk from looking like a warehouse. To ask housekeeping to not use the elevators other than the service elevator. To not leave garbage laying around. To instruct the office to be friendly or we find a new management company, security company, housekeeping, etc. if they cannot comply with our standards. Because the standards have fallen here at Aquarius. I would like to raise them back up. Not with expensive ideas or solutions, but with practical and thoughtful ones. I want our owners to visit the office with expectations of simple solutions, not dreading the experience. I have learned our secretary was recently removed. All the contacts to the office went to her work email, and are now gone. This occurs every time a secretary or property manager leaves, which has been 2 years at most for the past 10 years. With them goes our information and emails. The association needs it’s own email, controlled by us and not the management company. That employees can work from but cannot take with them when they leave. So we can have continuity, instead of plausible deniability from whoever takes over. I have suggested this to the office for years and was not heard so another reason I say you need a seat at the table to ensure things get done. I am not campaigning, nor will my day be ruined if I lose. I am a candidate because of my conscience from what I have witnessed over the years. So I ask for one of your 5 votes and if we have a different vision then no hard feelings. 

 Mark Zeltser 

Leon, Howard, Ned, Philippe and Mark are candidates that send their ideas to the aquariusuno.com site. The other candidates did not sent their presentations. As all know at aquariusuno.com all ideas are welcome if not uncivil or illegal.

Leon Behar    https://aquariusuno.com/2025/12/16/leon-behar-experienced-doctor-seeks-board-membership/

Howard Benson:     https://aquariusuno.com/2025/12/12/a-vision-for-aquarius-howard-benson-for-board/

Ned Taljic:      https://aquariusuno.com/2025/12/08/ned-taljic-is-running-for-the-board-check-out-what-he-has-to-say/

Philippe Cooper:  https://aquariusuno.com/2026/01/08/candidate-to-the-board-of-aquarius-philippe-cooper

.o0o.

 

 

 

 

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Mark Zeltser is Running to the Board of Aquarius

Posted on January 11, 2026 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

Mark Zeltser is Running to the Board of Aquarius

Greetings Fellow Owners!                                                                                                   December 2025

My name is Mark Zeltser and I am running for a seat on your 2026 Board of Directors here at Aquarius Condominium.  I believe I can be an asset to the association and I am asking for one of your five votes this upcoming election. I have been an owner here for approximately 10 years, with a unit in each tower, so I am very familiar with this place. I hold business degrees and have started my own companies. I also have a background in property management and an eye for numbers.

I know all the employees and all the employees know me. As a board member, I welcome and enjoy collaboration with all. We have a beautiful property here at Aquarius. Nestled cozily between the ocean and intracoastal waterway. I think we need to do more to upkeep our home. There are several areas I hope to address as a member of your board on that front. Too many small eyesores all around our common areas, aside from the obvious construction work at the moment, that are very unpleasant to me as an owner who likes to entertain guests and has pride in his home. This is a luxury property and it is not being upkept as such. Some items that I would like to address as a member of your board:

♦ Repair unsightly damages to walls on Lobby level, both in the main lobby area and also leading to the elevators. These are high traffic areas that take a good amount of abuse from foot traffic and should be taken care of more often to keep our building looking beautiful.

♦ Organization at the Front Desk area needs much improvement, looks more like a shipping warehouse than a concierge and security desk at a luxury building on the beach.

♦ Organize the valet area for better efficiency and comfort of owners. Too often it is jammed up when it does not have to be.

♦ End the beach door saga. It has been in disrepair and unsightly for too long.

♦ Secure, Organize, and Monetize the West Lot across the street. I brought a plan to the current board members 3-4 years ago now to do this, when they first came on the board. It was not done, costing the association 100k+ from lack of implementation. To get the changes you want, you need a seat at the table. Our West Lot, which is not an overflow lot as if it is an afterthought, enables our vehicles a place to go that cannot park in the garage for whatever reason. Many people have second cars and there are larger vehicles that would not fit in the garage, which is fine because this is your home, and you need somewhere to securely park at your home. Owners should have somewhere to park an oversized vehicle. I don’t seek to restrict owners when I can accommodate them. The West Lot offers us owners this benefit and should not be neglected or sold off.  Currently, It is trespassed daily by nearby people with their dogs to use the toilet, has become a locals fishing hole, and is generally unwatched by the building security. They walk back there, take a few photos but check nothing. They are in and out in 2 minutes. No organization, as contractors are allowed to park their large work vehicles right alongside owners personal vehicles. Owners are forced to park across the street while employees park in the garage. There needs to be an area there for valet, another for employees, and another for contractors, without molesting the owners cars on the other side. Also, build a fence and monetize some spaces. I am also against allowing an outside entity to take over the west lot property. It will be years of construction with no benefit to us owners. We owned the land that our neighbor Trump building is on and sold it. Do you have any benefits now besides loss of water view and unit value less than could have been? Same will be for every west facing unit with intracoastal views if we allow it.

I Created an email where owners can reach out to discuss anything with me personally. Mark.Aquarius2751@gmail.com. I have more to add but I am out of space here, contact me at that email if you would like to discuss anything.

Thank You,

Mark Zeltser, 301N

Additional points approached by Mark are published in another post.

Candidates to the Board of Directors of Aquarius Condominium Association:

Leon, Howard, Ned, Philippe and Mark are candidates that send their ideas to the aquariusuno.com site. The other candidates did not sent their presentations. As all know at aquariusuno.com all ideas are welcome if not uncivil or illegal.

Leon Behar    https://aquariusuno.com/2025/12/16/leon-behar-experienced-doctor-seeks-board-membership/

Howard Benson:     https://aquariusuno.com/2025/12/12/a-vision-for-aquarius-howard-benson-for-board/

Ned Taljic:      https://aquariusuno.com/2025/12/08/ned-taljic-is-running-for-the-board-check-out-what-he-has-to-say/

Philippe Cooper:  https://aquariusuno.com/2026/01/08/candidate-to-the-board-of-aquarius-philippe-cooper

Mark Zeltser:   https://aquariusuno.com/2026/01/11/mark-zeltser-is-running-to-the-board-of-aquarius/

.o0o.

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Buck Comments on the Aquarius Candidates’ Night

Posted on January 11, 2026 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

 Buck Comments on the Aquarius Candidates’ Night

 

 

The point I made the meeting as to at what point the current Board members will start accountability for their performance and not continue to point out what they have inherited. The candidates running for Aquarius should know that they are running for a complex built in 1973 and not a newly built building. Face the facts.

The presentation at the monthly board meetings are totally useless for all unit owners attending the meeting. We can hardly see any information being presented on the screen. There is no advance information given to unit owners to review and prepare themselves to ask any questions. Minutes of meetings are never read or presented to unit owners for any follow up questions or comments. 

Bhagwan Buck Gupta, 804S

.o0o.

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A response to Nathan Weinstein open letter

Posted on January 10, 2026 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

A response to Nathan Weinstein open letter

Mr. Benson, candidate to the Board, was kind enough to share this response to be posted in aquariusuno.com

Howard Benson         January 8, 2026

We would like to respond to Mr. Weinstein’s opinion letter. He has made many incorrect assumptions. No one has doubted that the 50-year recertification project was needed.  When speaking to many residents they question why are there only skeletal crews working on days when there are no weather constraints. Increasing the manpower could speed up the project.

Aquarius Lobby Main Entrance 2014

 Mr. Weinstein seems to want to blame many of our communities’ problems on the previous board of directors without giving them credit for what they have accomplished.  The Aquarius was on the verge of collapse with the pool deck being held up with temporary supports. Many of the balconies were in dangerous condition and the building had concrete breaking down and falling to the ground. We were very close to being a Surfside type disaster.
 That board of directors took over from previous boards that did not want to spend money on the proper preventive maintenance of the building or developing a reserve fund to avoid large assessments. Some residents do not want to give them credit for their contribution as unpaid volunteers to save this building and significantly increasing the value of our property.

 The current BOD has used  licensed engineers and other professional to complete the project and meet the codes of the state of Florida as they should.
 Mr. Weinstein seems to be implying that the previous BOD did not go through the same steps of using professional consultants and passing proper inspections. They had open meetings with the contractors and engineers that anyone in the community could attend. At that time, residents were complaining about the size of the assessment causing significant hardship. It was decided to delay some of the renovations to be completed at a later time as a cost saving. Were mistakes made?  Of course there were. Could things have been done better? Of course they could. Anyone involved in any type of extensive renovations knows not everything goes as planned.  I am not trying to protect the previous BOD. But Mr. Weinstein is it fair to be comparing far more extensive project years later to a project that is not yet complete? Your consistent criticism without acknowledging any of the accomplishments of a BOD that was in office over 4 years ago is extremely mean spirited and borders on slander of your neighbors that did their best to improve our community.

 We would like to address transparency. When developing a budget to be discussed for approval, which most people do not deal with routinely, shouldn’t it be emailed to the community at least a week before the meeting? It can then be properly reviewed by others. Showing it on a screen at a meeting that no one can read is not being transparent. Ned who is very familiar with financial statements had major questions about discrepancies unanswered. You take a lot of pride that the board reduced maintenance fees. You quote the Sun Sentinel that maintenance fees have gone up on average $500 per month across Florida. Most properties are not on the beach, which have much harsher conditions. First Service’s website says maintenance fees should rise with inflation on a yearly basis to avoid severe increases or large assessments. Our making good financial decisions should be based on reasonable clear budgets or are we repeating mistakes of the past? Forcing us to deal with constant money shortages.

 Lobby and pool furniture are chosen without input of residents. In other communities’ different options are presented so the community can have input on the choices. That is how to avoid getting plastic lounge chairs at the pool that older people can’t get into or out.
 We admit that according to the Bylaws of the community only 48 hours are need to call for a board meeting but just because it is legal does not mean more notice should be given so more people can attend. Why is the management office closed for such a large portion of the day? Why do so many residents feel management is not meeting their needs or treating them with respect. Are they understaffed?

 Why is the building always looking shabby?  The fountain repairs are taking forever You go to the west pool and there are piles of broken lounge chairs.   Light fixtures are broken exposing the wires to the elements. We will be needing to replace the wiring as well as the light fixture if not repaired in a timely manner. We have rusted tables around the pool deck and incomplete cement tables outside the gym. These things have been going on for months. It does not take much effort to address these issues. Call 1-800-Junk and get the junk cleared out. Have a maintenance program that fixes minor problems before they get worse.

 We appreciate the work this board has done over the past 4 years. These are voluntary positions that are unpaid. There are seasons for everything. It is time for the building to make some changes in the direction and start to improve the quality of life. These are extraordinary buildings and we should make the Aquarius great again.  Let’s make it the paradise it once was. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results We think it is time to have new ideas for the BOD with a fresh perspective. We would like for you to consider voting for us for the BOD

Sincerely

Howard Benson
Leon Behar
Philippe Cooper
Ned Taljic

 

.o0o.

 

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Candidate to the Board of Aquarius: Philippe Cooper

Posted on January 10, 2026 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

Philippe J. Cooper, MD — Candidate, Aquarius Condominium Board of Directors

A Committed Neighbor & Proven Steward

My wife Klara and I have been proud members of the Aquarius community since 2017, enjoying our home both full- and part-time. As a recently retired physician and anesthesiologist, I now have the time, energy, and professional expertise to dedicate to serving our community effectively and with unwavering commitment.

My prior board service (July 2022 – July 2023) was cut short when I felt compelled to resign over board decisions that, in my professional judgment, compromised our foundational safety and security. That experience underscored the critical need for diligent, principled leadership—a standard I pledge to uphold.

Professional Qualifications for the Task

Throughout my career, I held significant leadership roles, including Operating Room Medical Director and Chief of Anesthesia, where I managed complex departments, multimillion-dollar budgets, and critical safety protocols within major hospital systems. I understand operational efficiency, fiduciary responsibility, and timely execution. Additionally, my hands-on experience managing commercial real estate provides practical insight into property maintenance and vendor relations.

My Pledge to the Community: A Platform for Action

1. Safety & Security: Our Non-Negotiable Foundation
The structural integrity of our buildings and the reliability of our life-safety systems (fire protection, alarms) are paramount. Recent tragedies in Florida condominiums are a stark reminder. I will always prioritize and defer to expert engineering and inspection advice. Furthermore, our security contract requires rigorous oversight; I believe our current vendor’s performance needs immediate review and measurable improvement to ensure our peace of mind.

2. Proactive Maintenance: Prevent Costly Crises
For years, we have deferred essential maintenance, leading to visible decline and looming special assessments. The corroding stairwell door frames (a potential $200,000+ future liability), the deteriorating pool access door, and issues in the lobby and parking lots are symptomatic of a reactive approach. My philosophy is simple: invest wisely now to preserve our property, enhance daily living, and prevent exorbitant costs later. Preventative maintenance is an investment in our quality of life and our financial future.

3. Professional Management: Expertise We Deserve
Our community’s scale and challenges demand professional, day-to-day management. The prolonged, poorly communicated delays in our 50-year construction project exemplify the current board’s operational overreach. Board members are volunteer stewards, not full-time managers. I will advocate for hiring a professional management company to ensure projects are completed on time and on budget, and to restore essential front-office support and resident access to management.

4. Transparency & Communication: Rebuilding Trust
Residents deserve clear, frequent communication and financial transparency. I support:

  • More regular board meetings and timely updates.

  • Clearer financial reporting and long-term planning.

  • The candid, issue-focused approach exemplified by fellow candidate Ned Taljic.

A Final, Straightforward Commitment

Implementing a proactive, professionally managed strategy requires an upfront investment. However, the current cycle of neglect leading to emergency special assessments is already more costly—both financially and in our quality of life.

If you believe, as I do, that Aquarius should be a securely maintained, professionally run, and transparently governed community, I ask for your support for myself and the slate of new candidates. We have no hidden agenda—only the clearly stated goal of safeguarding our investment and restoring the enjoyment of our unique and beautiful oceanfront home.

Let’s work together for a better Aquarius.

Philippe J. Cooper, 1603N

…..

 

Candidates to the Board of Directors of Aquarius Condominium Association:

Leon, Howard, Ned, Philippe and Mark are candidates that send their ideas to the aquariusuno.com site. The other candidates did not sent their presentations. As all know at aquariusuno.com all ideas are welcome if not uncivil or illegal.

Leon Behar    https://aquariusuno.com/2025/12/16/leon-behar-experienced-doctor-seeks-board-membership/

Howard Benson:     https://aquariusuno.com/2025/12/12/a-vision-for-aquarius-howard-benson-for-board/

Ned Taljic:      https://aquariusuno.com/2025/12/08/ned-taljic-is-running-for-the-board-check-out-what-he-has-to-say/

Philippe Cooper:  https://aquariusuno.com/2026/01/08/candidate-to-the-board-of-aquarius-philippe-cooper

Mark Zeltser:   https://aquariusuno.com/2026/01/11/mark-zeltser-is-running-to-the-board-of-aquarius/

.o0o.

Quick break. It helps one to think.

How many friends do you have? 20, 30, 80? I wish you have all of them.

The Joshua had dinner last night. All his years came to the table.

Is the sound on?

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Eugenia Volcheck likes the Aquarius Board of Directors

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

Eugenia Volcheck likes the Aquarius Board of Directors

Eugenia asked to publish this letter:

Dear Aquarius unit owners,

This year, as opposed to prior year when the Board of Directors (BOD) was re-elected
without an election, we have five additional candidates who wish to run side by side with
the current Board members. Now we, as voting owners, have a serious task to elect five
Board members from 10 running candidates.

The current Board has been elected in year 2022 and for the last four years have
demonstrated successful management of serious work on time, managed our funds
without getting additional loans or credit lines, and kept the assessment for 50-years
work and roof project to a minimum compared to the assessments in prior years. The
largest project of replacing roofs of two buildings was completed with minimal change
orders. The current BOD consists of young highly educated dedicated professionals
who know the business, can select proper contractors, know finances and can save
money.

For example, we are very fortunate to have Elizabeth Khalevich as our Treasurer. She is
a Licensed CPA (New York), FINRA Series 27 Register Principal and has 20 years of
experience at TD Bank where she is a finance executive.

These days, a lot of time and effort are required from the BOD to prepare our
condominium for 50-years recertification. The current functional contracting company
tries to properly redo the ineffective structural work done by previous Board (balconies
repair, garage columns fixing, building’s walls repair, etc.). We are pleased to see that
our Board works as a dedicated team, in unison, without any conflicts and problems.
Please read Nathan Weinstein’s letter where he, as a member of Engineering and
Grievance Committee who worked closely with our BOD, professionally described the
serious, time-consuming, intelligent work performed by the current Board.
I would like in this letter to give a little overview of the new running candidates.

Leon Behar has served on this Board previously. Leon sometimes did not conduct
himself as a team member by having conflicts with other Board members and arguing
with owners when they spoke up at Board meetings. He tried to run again in prior years
but was not elected. For the 2025 election, he chose not to run because he knew that
the 50-year certification would be a large project. But now with the 50-year project winding down he sees the opportunity to have an easier job as a Board member and decided to run. Leon, as an elderly person with some health problems, spends a lot of time with his family off Florida. Besides that, his medical experience would not be applicable in constant construction work in restoration and renovation of our condominium

Philippe J. Cooper, MD, a recently retired Medical Doctor and Anesthesiologist, also
runs for the Board again. He replaced a resigned Board member in July of year 2022. In
July of 2023, when he decided to move to another state, he resigned and moved
without any second thought and any dedication and desire to complete the BOD
service. Now in his resume he listed some safety &amp; security, maintenance,
management, and transparency issues which needed improvement. I am just wondering
how he would handle these issues, having only medical background, being six months
in another state, and possibly resign from the Board whenever he wants.

Howard Benson, a retired prosthodontist, who spends eight months in Virginia, is also
a new candidate. He would like to address unreliable elevators, pool heaters, and
hallway climate control. All these issues we have inherited from bad repairs done by the
previous Board. Mr. Benson obviously does not understand that these problems cannot
be properly fixed without equipment replacement with additional serious financing. On
the other hand, considering his short time being here and his absence of engineering
background will he be able to supervise these projects?

Nedzad  -Ned- Taljic is a new running candidate previously being an Accountant and
an Auditor, sounds like good financial help for the Board. He listed in his resume some
issues with financial practices and the 2026 Budget. If he is genuinely concerned about
these issues, why did he not bring them to our Treasurer Elizabeth Khalevich and
resolve them prior to the annual budget meeting. Please remember that the Board
conducted a budget review meeting well in advance of mailing out the budget packet,
which would have given him ample time to raise any concerns. Ned was also invited by
Board to join Finance committee, but he refused to join showing no interest in serving
community. He has owned his unit for 11 years already, so he has been through enormous money overspending by the previous Board when the original assessment of 15 million became 22 million. Why, having the experience described by Accountant and Auditor, did he not ask funds spending questions, check the budget, and instead paid silently all the huge expenses we had to pay at that time of the 40-year certification?

Mark Zeltser is also a new running candidate with only minimum sufficient information
about himself. We only know that he has lived in Aquarius for about 10 years, has a
business degree and has started his own companies. We also know that he has four
kids. I don’t think his resume without his picture and any detail personal information
about his profession, education, and experience sounds very convincing. But he
expressed a lot of ideas about improving and beatify our property for “entertaining his
guests”. I don’t think that we should seriously consider this candidate.

Being a Board member requires professional experience and proper education including
knowing Florida Condominium Statute, Aquarius Declaration of Condominium, Aquarius
Buy-Law, Aquarius Condominium Rules.

Therefore, it is preferable to elect for service on the BOD young professionals who learn
fast, live here permanently, have good health and a lot of energy. This is not an easy
job, and the current board dedicates many hours day in and day out to do this job.
Please consider these requirements when you place your vote.
Another thing to consider is &quot; Don&#39;t change horses midstream&quot;. The meaning of CHANGE HORSES IN MIDSTREAM is to choose a different leader or policy during a time when serious problems are being dealt with. The current Board effectively prepares our condominium for 50-years inspection and recertification. Therefore, give them a chance to successfully accomplish this task.

Please vote for the following current Board candidates:
Kiet Ngo,
Elzbieta Jankowska Fishman,
Elizabeth Khalevich,
Rami Zureick,
Aleksandr Brodskiy.

Respectfully,
Eugenia Volchek, unit owner.

Comments are welcome and will be published in this site.

.o0o.

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Nathan Weinstein Voices His Support for the Board of Aquarius

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

 Nathan Weinstein Voices His Support for the Board of Aquarius

 

It is the policy of this blog to publish a wide range of opinions, provided contributors maintain civility. Authors are solely responsible for the content of their posts. We invite comments to help build a comprehensive resource of information, perspectives, and suggestions for the Aquarius community. As it is very well known this site is independent and not supported by the ACA.

Nathan Weistein letter:

Dear Fellow Neighbors,

 

Please take a moment to review my thoughts regarding the fast-approaching board election.

 

In my conversations with many owners, I found that opinions differ on the current state of our condominium affairs. In those same conversations, I also noticed a lack of accurate information.

Some owners were clearly expressing ideas and incorrect data influenced by outside sources. I decided to provide this overview because, through my work on committees and my involvement in Aquarius life, I have a better understanding of the current state of our condominium’s business.

 

Last year, the board was re-elected without an election, demonstrating full trust in its conduct. We also saved money by avoiding a voting campaign. The successful completion of roof project without drastic cost increase kept most residents happy and satisfied.

 

This year, we are going through the 50-year recertification project, and many people are understandably tired. This project is mandated by the state and must be completed regardless of residents’ opinions. If the condominium were to refuse to perform the required work, the state would step in, designate a contractor, and bill the association without negotiation or competitive bidding. In such a case, the state or contractor could also require residents to vacate the building or certain units during construction. This approach would be extremely costly for all owners.

 

The 50-year recertification project has been delayed for several reasons, including bad weather, additional work beyond the original contract scope, and more extensive balcony repairs than initially expected. These delays do not necessarily mean additional costs, except for owner-requested and board-approved additional work backed by change orders. Given the board’s fiscal prudence and cost conscious approach, we should not anticipate another assessment to cover the completion of this project. For comparison, the 40-year recertification project exceeded its original $15 million assessment by more than $7 million, almost 48%. It should be noted that one of the unexpected and time-consuming repairs, identified by the engineers when the 50-year project began, was the repair of many structural cracks on the exterior walls and the East side staircases for both South and North Towers. That is much unexpected taking into consideration that Board just closed permits for 40 years cert project in 2022 which included structural repairs of the entire envelope for both buildings. The current Board asked our engineer why we have so much damage so soon after the 40 years recertification project completion. The engineer reviewed the 40 years cert as-builts and found out that staircases and structural cracks were not addressed during the 40-year work.

We should understand the decision made by current engineer and BOD was to properly repair all issues we have. Yes, this will take an extra time but it’s absolutely necessary for building structural integrity and safety.

Compare that to the roof replacement project. During the roof replacement project, the current board wisely decided to include substantial structural and electrical work on roof that would be required to pass the 50-year certification. Had that not been done, we would be dealing with those issues now and paying to fix any resulting damage to the roof. The total roof replacement contract was $2.5 million with only a slight increase of $166,200 through properly executed change orders (install structural and electrical work) which is 6.5% increase compared to 48% overrun of the 40-year project.

 

The 40-year project was managed by Atlantic Pacific, our former management company. They were given full authority, by the board at that time, to manage the project as needed. In my opinion, it was handled with an “open checkbook” approach, with much of the work paid without proper change orders. In contrast, our current board has been financially vigilant, carefully scrutinizing every change order on the 50-year project.

In my opinion, the 40-year project was financially disastrous for Aquarius and was not truly completed, as required since the roof and west wing columns were addressed only after a new board was elected. We were told the project was completed and signed off by the city—how that signature was obtained remains unclear. It is important to understand that compromised roofs and columns could pose serious safety risks.

In preparing and conducting the 50-year recertification project, the current board has skillfully and professionally managed an enormous scope of work, including the selection of an engineer, solicitation and evaluation of contractors, competitive bidding, contractor interviews, contract negotiation, and daily professional oversight of the work. There are, of course, some unhappy owners with various opinions and ideas on how construction should be handled. However, it is important to remember that the scope of work was defined by the state law requirements, while the design and specifications were developed by licensed engineers. To note also that the current board are extremely knowledgeable in engineering and building maintenance matters. This BOD also demonstrates the proper questioning of vendors to ensure that Aquarius is not taken advantage of financially. Upon completion, all work will be verified by the engineer, signed off, and submitted to the city building department for approval.

Any deficiencies identified by the board or owners will be documented on a punch list and corrected. Currently all installations are periodically verified by visiting city inspectors. “No cutting corners” so to say. We should reserve our judgments until construction is completed.

 

I hope my fellow owners understand that only this board can ensure the proper completion of the 50-year recertification project. They initiated this important 50-year project and have been involved in every detail—technical, contractual, and operational. Bringing in a new board at this stage to deal with the completion could be disastrous in many ways, especially since some new candidates propose relying heavily on our management company, FSR. We remember the outcome of the 40-year project done under principles of relying on management company.

Some candidates have also suggested increasing office and maintenance staffing. I understand the board is already in the process of hiring an additional maintenance professional, which would bring the total staff to four.

The current board is also working diligently to manage aging elevators and AHUs (roof-mounted air-handling units that serve the corridors), attempting to extend their useful life. These systems are approximately seven years old and have an average life expectancy of 15 years for AHU’s and 20-25 years for elevators. Unfortunately, the elevator vendor that was chosen by the prior board went out of business and all warranties are null and void. Also, replacing equipment could potentially damage our new roof if not managed and planned properly. Not sure if replacing new equipment without proper understanding is best financial decision for community. Some new  candidates believe they should be replaced due to ongoing issues. While replacement is always an option, it is also very costly.

 

As reported in the Sun Sentinel, condominiums across South Florida are raising maintenance fees by as much as $500 per month on average. Despite this trend, our board has managed to reduce condo fees through fiscally responsible decision-making. While new candidates promise “more transparency,” transparency is not a slogan—it is a practice. From my perspective, we already have a full transparency. Our current Board implemented President reports which include Treasurers report, status of most current projects and plans, and important maintenance issues and contracts changes. All is discussed during Board meetings and distributed to all unit owners.

Residents are heard by the Board and can ask as many questions as they have during the meetings. They have also implemented advisory committees where unit owners have opportunity to be involved in daily operations from maintenance, engineering, finance, legal, social and technology. The Board designed and implemented a community website where we can find all our contracts, monthly financials, create work orders and track them. Our manager is also sending periodic reports regarding completed and in-progress maintenance tasks and projects. These detailed updates and community involvement via committees did not occur previously and are explicit proof of our current Board’s transparency.

 

I hope all owners will vote based on a clear understanding of Aquarius’ current rejuvenated condition and the tangible results achieved by the current board, that has admirably dealt with our battered buildings that were previously neglected by past practices. A full re-election of the existing board would show our full support and recognition of their sacrifice in devoting substantial personal time and effort by each BOD director for our community and would send a strong message of our appreciation and support.

 

Happy voting to all. Soon we will find out whether we choose proven results over wishful thinking and unrealistic promises. Our clear and unbiased understanding of the current Aquarius standing and possible future impact on our personal wallet should be a good judge in helping to make this important decision.

 

Respectfully,

 

Nathan Weinstein  806S

Member in Engineering and Grievance Committees

Owner at Aquarius since 2017

 

.o0o.

Candidates top the Board that offered their views to be published  in Aquariusuno:

Leon Behar    https://aquariusuno.com/2025/12/16/leon-behar-experienced-doctor-seeks-board-membership/

Howard Benson:     https://aquariusuno.com/2025/12/12/a-vision-for-aquarius-howard-benson-for-board/

Ned Taljic:      https://aquariusuno.com/2025/12/08/ned-taljic-is-running-for-the-board-check-out-what-he-has-to-say/

 

.o0o.

 

 

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Feliz Navidad Prospero Ano y Felicidad

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Cecilio Augusto Berndsen

Feliz Navidad Próspero Año y Felicidad

I wanna wish you a merry ChristmasFrom the bottom of my heart

.o0o.

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