Edgewater Isle
A community forum for discussion
Association accused Kelly McGuirk of interference with Association's duties, Board imposed $50 fine
September 6, 2024 — The Edgewater Isle North board of directors accused Kelly McGuirk of "interfering with [the North Association's] ability to perform its duties" in 2023. McGuirk was not a board member at the time.
In a series of three letters sent to McGuirk from January - March 2023, the Association said it had received [communication] from four vendors that McGuirk had [contacted] them, that McGuirk was not a party to the contracts with the vendors, and that McGuirk was "interfering with [the Association's] ability to perform its duties." The Association said it would obtain a court order prohibiting her from contacting these vendors (an injunction) should she continue.
The Association held a meeting with McGuirk, and after its conclusion, fined McGuirk $50 with a warning that future fines would be higher.
Canche again appeals for mental health diversion
June 25, 2024 — After again delaying the trial date set for February 2, 2024, Alejandro Canche yesterday filed his second motion to be released for mental health diversion. The latest delay in the nearly five-year old case comes from Canche's new attorney, Marsanne Weese, who has appealed to Judge Lisa Novak for Canche's second attempt at mental health diversion. In 2021, Canche also applied for mental health diversion, which was granted and later revoked.
The motion, about 286 pages long, contains a chronology of the events in this case, along a description of the victims' injuries, which Weese minimizes and omits that one victim was stabbed at least six times:
"[two victims] suffered small, superficial puncture wounds to their necks" and "[last victim] suffered several superficial cuts to his hands and face and shoulder and three more serious cuts to his neck...and kept overnight in the hospital for observation and then released." (emphasis added)
In the motion, Weese states that Canche did not remember the attacks against the three victims and a number of other events. Weese further alleges that Canche did not remember receiving a restraining order; and that his first lawyer (a public defender), his case manager, his probation officer, his mother, his cousin, his cousin's boyfriend, and the court all failed to tell Canche that he had an active restraining order against him, despite Canche having signed it and acknowledged in in court. Not included in this list is the active attorney of record at the time, Canche's former legal counsel Steve Teich. Canche's violation of the restraining order was the catalyst for revoking his release for mental health diversion.
This latest motion for mental health diversion cites People vs Brown (2024) as new law as justification for filing a second motion for mental health diversion.
A hearing on the matter is scheduled for July 22, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. The new trial date is now set for September 13, 2024, nearly five years after the attacks on October 28, 2019.
UPDATE: Mental health diversion was denied.
A new trial date set
October 12, 2023 — Today in a Redwood City courtroom, the latest in a series of trial dates was set for defendant Alejandro Canche, accused of multiple attempted murders at Edgewater Isle and B.J.'s Restaurant in San Mateo.
The new trial date is now set for Friday, February 2, 2024, over four years after the attacks on October 28, 2019.
A new trial date set
September 29, 2023 — Today in a Redwood City courtroom, the latest in a series of trial dates was set for defendant Alejandro Canche, accused of multiple attempted murders at Edgewater Isle and B.J.'s Restaurant in San Mateo.
The new trial date is now set for Thursday, October 12, 2023, almost exactly four years after the attacks on October 28, 2019.
Assault on Via Laguna
August 10, 2023 — Yesterday at 2:27 p.m., an assault was reported on Via Vista. More information to come.
A new trial date set
May 31, 2023 — Yesterday in a Redwood City courtroom, the latest in a series of trial dates was set for defendant Alejandro Canche, accused of multiple attempted murders at Edgewater Isle and B.J.'s Restaurant in San Mateo.
The new trial date is now set for Friday, September 29, 2023, nearly four years after the attacks.
Canche trial delayed again.
May 19, 2023 — The assault and attempted murder trial for Alejandro Canche, scheduled to begin today in Redwood City, has been delayed again.
Kelly McGuirk announces candidacy for North board. Again.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.
May 11, 2023 — A reader provided a flyer they received regarding Kelly McGuirk running in the upcoming Edgewater Isle North Homeowners Association board of directors election.
For the new readers, Kelly McGuirk has quite a documented criminal history. If that's not enough, this same Kelly McGuirk was previously removed from the board of directors by a vote of homeowners.
Edgewater Isle Senior Apartments sued by tenant
January 10, 2023 — The Edgewater Isle Senior Apartments have been sued in small claims court by a former tenant for alleged failure to return a security deposit. The Edgewater Isle Senior Apartments have filed a counter claim against the plaintiff for alleged damages to the plaintiff's former apartment.
New trial date set in attempted murders case
December 1, 2022 — Today in a Redwood City courtroom, defendant Alejandro Canche received another new trial date for his attempted murders trial: May 19, 2023, is the date now set with the newly-assigned public defender for the beginning of the trial.
Read more about the ongoing case.
New defense attorney appointed
November 17, 2022 — Today in a Redwood City courtroom, defense attorney Steve Teich's motion to withdraw as defense counsel was granted. The court appointed a new private defense attorney (commonly known as a public defender) for defendant Alejandro Canche, accused of three attempted murders in 2019.
Defense attorney plays last card
November 9, 2022 — The attorney for Alejandro Canche, accused of two attempted murders at Edgewater Isle, has now filed a "Motion to Withdraw from Representation of Defendant Alejandro Canche."
Only three weeks ago, defense attorney Steve Teich filed a motion to postpone the trial scheduled to begin on October 14. The motion was granted, and a new date to set a trial was scheduled for November 17. But now, Teich has filed a new motion requesting to be removed as counsel citing his own medical condition as cause. This medical condition was not mentioned in the two recent motions for delaying the trial.
Fire alarm: smoke detector activated
November 6, 2022 — Fire department called to Senior Center Apartments, 1500 Marina Vista, at 10:09 p.m. tonight for an activated smoke detector alarm.
Attempted murders trial postponed, again
October 14, 2022 — This morning in a Redwood City courtroom, the defense's motion for continuance in the Alejandro Canche attempted murders trial was heard. The motion for continuance, just filed on Wednesday, was granted, postponing the trial for a second time.
Canche trial likely to be postponed
October 12, 2022 — Two days after losing a previous court motion, the defense for accused attempted murder defendant Alejandro Canche today filed another request for a continuance of the attempted murder trial scheduled to begin Friday.
In today's motion, the defense attorney claims:
"personal reasons compel me to be available to provide support to my family during an acute medical crisis...."
A crisis that apparently began exactly two days — the minimum number of days required to file a motion for continuance under California law — before trial was to begin.
North on notice over smoking violations
October 12, 2022 — The Edgewater Isle North Association, along with residents of 1485 Via Laguna, have been put on formal notice that the ongoing pot smoking is not permissible under San Mateo's no smoking ordinance.
Letters sent to both the residents and the Edgewater Isle North Homeowners Association provide information on the "no smoking" ordinance and all enforcement mechanisms available.
Attempted murders trial: over 200 pieces of evidence
October 10, 2022 — In a hearing held in Redwood City today, the court heard oral arguments from a motion to compel that defendant Alejandro Canche had filed against the prosecution. Specifically, defense attorney Steve Teich argued that the prosecution has not provided to him a specific list of which witnesses listed or pieces of evidence inventoried will be used in the prosecution's case that is scheduled to go to trial on October 14.
Fire damages condo 🔥
Electrical malfunction caused arcing
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 15, 2022
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED
September 8, 2022 — On Saturday, September 3, at 6:20 p.m., a fire was reported at 2081 Vista Del Mar. A "full assignment response" was dispatched, and they quickly put out the fire without any apparent damage to neighboring condos.
Fire Departments from both Foster City and San Mateo responded. When first responder arrived on scene, they found fire alarm strobes activated, smoke and fire coming from the second-story balcony, and an exterior fire involving the building's wooden clapboard siding below the front window next to the front door.
Fire responders broke the front door to search the residence for occupants: no one was home at the time of the fire.
The fire department concluded the source of the fire was electrical arcing from an electrical malfunction.
A listing photo from when this condo last sold in December 2020:
Edgewater Isle resident stinks up the place with their pot smoke
AUGUST 30, 2022 — Readers write in to let us know of a smelly problem around the area of 1485 Via Vista. Specifically, someone is frequently outside "smoking pot almost daily" and the smoke and smell "fills the air by the garages, the sidewalk by the parking spaces, and the garbage enclosure."
The City of San Mateo has a "no smoking" ordinance, which includes e-cigarettes and marijuana. It reads:
7.40.050 PROHIBITION OF SMOKING IN MULTI-UNIT RESIDENCES.
(a) Smoking is prohibited inside any multi-unit residence and within 40 feet of a multi-unit residence.
(b) Smoking is prohibited within any enclosed and un-enclosed multi-unit residence common area.
The ordinance lists the San Mateo Police department phone number (650) 522-7700 as the contact for enforcement of this ordinance.
Contacting the management company in this case, and many cases, is useless.
While smoking weed may be legal, it's not legal to do in San Mateo in a multi-unit housing complex like Edgewater Isle.
Master Association moves to foreclose on two units
August 7, 2022 — The Edgewater Isle Master Association has started foreclosure proceedings against 2 units: The first is 1628 Vista Del Sol, a one-bedroom condo in the North Association, for unpaid dues and junk fees totaling $11,413.90 as of April 19, 2022.
Master Association's agent, Platinum Resolution Services, lists their sales on this website. According to the Notice, no sale date may be set until approximately 90 days after the date of recordation, which was April 22, 2022.
The second unit also facing foreclosure
A second unit, 1664 Vista Del Sol, also faces foreclosure from the Master Association. This unit was previously the subject of a small claims case for unpaid dues.
Drunk man attempts break-in at Edgewater Isle
Police detain but do not arrest suspect
July 31, 2022 — On July 16, an Edgewater Isle resident reported an apparently intoxicated man to the San Mateo Police Department and captured the event on ring.com video. The resident reported that the man had attempted to break in to the residence three times. San Mateo Police reported to the site and appear to arrest the suspect, but ultimately released him.
Another resident has reported concerns about the Association's focus being "parking patrol" and not on-site security. "Parking patrol" is a lucrative business for the towing companies, and those towing companies are not interested in performing on-site security patrol.
A L E R T
July 25, 2022
On July 7, 2022, Bellwether Election Solutions sent a letter to Edgewater Isle Master Association members indicating that convicted felon Kelly McGuirk is again running for election to a board of directors at Edgewater Isle. This time, McGuirk has submitted her candidacy for the Master Association in an election to be held on August 8, 2022. In 2016, McGuirk was removed from the Edgewater Isle North Association board of directors by a vote of owners.
Kelly McGuirk has been convicted of multiple felonies for theft. Previously while on the Edgewater Isle North board of directors, she "Swindled a Free Lawn from a Patsy Board of Directors" and bought herself some Starbucks coffee and called it "office supplies." Further, McGuirk promoted her husband's business to the association while she also requested a restraining order against him.
McGuirk has at least 8 criminal convictions, including at least two she committed while living at Edgewater Isle. McGuirk has petitioned the court for dismissal of these convictions after conviction but the records remain. Those convictions are discussed here.
The candidate statement McGuirk submitted for this election is here.
Human trafficking suspected in North Association rental unit
July 12, 2022 — The owner of 1908 Vista Cay (Edgewater Isle North Homeowners Association) called the San Mateo Police to report she suspects human trafficking at her condo.
The owner does not live on the property, but neighbors have told her seeing mattresses "all over the floor" and "seeing men coming and going at all hours of the night, staying for about 30 minutes and then leaving."
The owner reported that the renter originally rented to is not the actual person staying at the condo.
Public records show the owner of this condo lives out of state, on the east coast.
It was alert neighbors who noticed this change in circumstances and reported it to the owner. Thanks to alert neighbors.
From the mailbag: South Association board meeting
July 8, 2022 — Below is mail received from a homeowner regarding the South Association's board meeting.
Thu, Jul 7 at 9:34 PM
To Whom it may concern,
I recently attended a virtual board meeting and was taken aback that every board member along with the property manager did not put themselves on camera for the live feed. I was the only one who bothered to turn on my Camera. It seems like these board members really want to hide who they are. They furthermore don’t make themselves accessible to the homeowners and homeowners must go through the property management to reach them. It seems like the board does not want any accountability or transparency. This is very troubling, one has to wonder what else are they hiding. Lastly, the homeowners are the stakeholders and the board answers to us, but the board members behave as if homeowners answer to them. I ask my fellow homeowners to not let this board intimate you, do not let them cover up for the management company, remind them that they answer the homeowners and nobody else.
A Concerned Homeowner
Anyone and everyone is welcome to send their comments to the website.
An editorial comment
July 5, 2022 — An editorial comment regarding the mass murder at the 4th of July parade in Illinois yesterday: let's just leave this right here:
JUST IN: Authorities describe prior contacts with Highland Park shooting suspect, including a 2019 incident in which a family member reported he said he was going to "kill everyone"; authorities removed knives, a dagger and a sword from his home, police said. pic.twitter.com/iMvoGnpKBj
— ABC News (@ABC) July 5, 2022
Think of that when you think of this.
Canche trial delayed until October
May 23, 2022 — Today in a Redwood City courtroom, a motion from defendant Alejandro Canche, a.k.a. Alex Canche, was heard to move the attempted murders trial scheduled to begin on July 1. The People (The State of California, the district attorney's office) did not have an objection. The trial is now scheduled for October 14, nearly 3 years after the assaults occurred.
Defendant Canche moves to postpone July criminal trial
Defense counsel was so “shocked” that mental health diversion was revoked, he neglected to advise judge of “prior obligation”
May 17, 2022 — Alejandro Canche, the defendant in the 2019 attempted murders case, filed a court motion last week to postpone the criminal trial that is scheduled for July 1. Defense attorney Steve Teich made the filing, and Teich states he has "good cause" for requesting the continuance (postponement).
Fire hazard in North Association
May 16, 2022 — Wildfires have been an increasing problem throughout the western United States. A fire wiped out entire suburban neighborhoods in Santa Rosa, about 75 miles north of Edgewater Isle in 2017. As a result of this and other fires, the State of California has passed several laws to fight the increasing threat that fire poses. Specifically, the California Fire Code has been updated in a way that directly affects multi-unit housing.
“The California Fire Code of 2016 restricted the use of BBQ grills in 2018, and the new 2019 edition impacts apartment dwellers in 2020”
The California Fire Code 2019 update contains changes that now include "apartment buildings, including condominiums and townhouses," such as Edgewater Isle, and shows that many or most BBQs homeowners favor are no longer permitted with this update in the Fire Code. The only type of outside barbecue apparently allowed on balconies and patios is the small, camping-size portable grill that uses a small (no greater than 2.5 pound) propane tank.
Owner is violating fire code at Edgewater Isle North
An owner on Via Vista is apparently not aware of the updated Fire Code. Residents here use this barbecue, which is clearly within the restricted area defined in the Fire Code.
Residents have written to the Edgewater Isle North management company regarding this issue.
Senior Apartments employee continues to smoke on premises
Homeowners send letter to HIP Housing and County
April 7, 2022 —
Homeowners at Edgewater Isle have sent a letter to HIP Housing, the owner of the Edgewater Isle Senior Apartments, and to the Housing Authority of San Mateo County about the HIP Housing employee who smokes on premises, in clear violation of San Mateo City Ordinance. The letter was copied to the Edgewater Isle North and Edgewater Isle Master associations, whose responsibility it should be for following up on the violation and for working with HIP Housing to resolve this problem.
This employee was photographed last summer smoking on premises. In a story posted on edgewaterisle.com last August, witnesses said that the man flicked lit cigarette butts in the area.
The City of San Mateo has a No Smoking ordinance, 7.40.050, which reads in part:
PROHIBITION OF SMOKING IN MULTI-UNIT RESIDENCES.
(a) Smoking is prohibited inside any multi-unit residence and within 40 feet of a multi-unit residence.
(b) Smoking is prohibited within any enclosed and un-enclosed multi-unit residence common area.
You can read the full ordinance on the City's website.
New charges added as Canche returns to court
Trial likely to be held this summer
March 22, 2022 —
Today in a Redwood City courtroom, defendant Alejandro Canche appeared for a hearing in the attempted murders case ongoing from 2019.
Canche has also been charged with disobeying a court order, or restraining order, that was issued in 2019 ordering him to not to have contact with any of the victims in the stabbings case. These new charges have been added as a new case, one that will "trail" the attempted murders case.
Plea offer made to defendant
On the record today, The People of California made a plea offer (a "plea deal" in lieu of going to trial) to Alejandro Canche, which Canche neither accepted nor rejected.
Trial date set for July
The next hearing is scheduled for July 1, which is the official beginning of the trial. A source said that the date is likely to be pushed out because of the number of witnesses and victims in this case.
Edgewater Isle South allegedly 3 months late paying roofer's invoice
January 27, 2022
All Seasons Roofing and Waterproofing, an Edgewater Isle South vendor, thought they were contacting the association's management company on January 19, 2022, to ask why an invoice for $17,268 —allegedly over 3 months past due — had not been paid.
We sent an email inquiry to the Edgewater Isle South Association through their representative Manor Association asking for their comments, but Manor Association failed to reply.
In 2019, the Edgewater Isle North Association also had a similar allegation made about unpaid landscaping invoices.
Board member sells
January 19, 2022
An owner who had served as an Edgewater Isle South board member has sold her place. The listing shows the condo was listed for $949,000 and sold for $940,000 yesterday.
The now-former owner, former Edgewater Isle South board member Jane Fraser, wrote a Candidate Statement that is still so uninspiring years later.
Car burglary reported on Via Laguna
December 1, 2021
A resident on Via Laguna reported a break-in to their car on November 28, 2021. The resident reported the car had been pried open.
Canche criminal proceedings to resume
November 18, 2021
Alejandro Canche appeared in a Redwood City courtroom today for part two of the evidentiary hearing to determine whether his mental health diversion would be revoked in the attempted murders case against him. At the end of the hearing, Canche was determined to have violated a protective order issued against him at the outset of this case.
Criminal proceedings in this case will resume. A pretrial conference was set for March 22, 2022, and a trial readiness conference for July 1, 2022.
Full story to come.
Canche evidentiary hearing held, in part
November 12, 2021
UPDATED: November 16, 2021
On Friday, November 12, in a Redwood City courtroom, multiple attempted murders defendant Alejandro Canche (Alex Canche) appeared in a flannel shirt for an evidentiary hearing to determine if his release for mental health diversion will be revoked. The hearing unfolded over 3 hours, and both the prosecution and defense called multiple witnesses.
Before any witnesses were called, the court took judicial notice of the restraining order (protective order) that had been issued against the defendant in a hearing on October 30, 2019 against all victims and a witness (Witness 1 below) and is set to expire on October 30, 2022. The document shows that it was personally handed to Alejandro Canche during the proceedings. (See checked box #3 below.)
>> Continue reading this story
Canche moves to postpone evidentiary hearing
October 21, 2021
Yesterday at the Redwood City courthouse, multiple attempted murder defendant Alejandro Canche's defense attorney filed to postpone the hearing scheduled for tomorrow. Defense attorney Steve Teich alleged "the failure of the prosecution to provide the Court ordered [sic] discovery of the police report and statement of the complaining witnesses as well as the video recordings from the door of the subject premises."
Teich continues, "Defense counsel has dutifully reminded the district attorney of the order however the district attorney has not been able to provide defense counsel with the reports or video recordings." Teich requests a continuance of the hearing to obtain the evidence.
Also filed in this case yesterday is a "Complete Psychological Evaluation of Defendant Oct. 9. 2020 by Dr. Jeffrey Kline," which was initially mentioned by Teich over 18 months ago.
The hearing remains on the court calendar for tomorrow at 1:30 p.m
Burglary on Vista Del Mar
October 10, 2021
On October 9 at 7:27 a.m., a burglary/attempted break in was reported in the 2100 block of Vista Del Mar to a house being remodeled. No arrests were made.
“You're on notice that he's been violating”
Alejandro Canche's mother "doesn't give a fuck" about the restraining order
October 1, 2021
Today in a Redwood City courtroom, defendant Alejandro Canche personally appeared (in civilian clothing for the first time during these proceedings) for what was to have been his first progress report hearing in his mental health diversion for the three October 2019 attempted murders in San Mateo. But this turned out to be not a routine hearing.
The Deputy District Attorney (DDA) told the court that Alejandro Canche has violated the restraining orders (protective orders) of a victim and a witness in this case on at least 4 occasions. As recently as September 24, Alejandro Canche and his mother appeared at the home of a victim and witness in this case (the victim who was stabbed at BJ's Restaurant parking lot and the witness to that attack, Canche's cousin). The home appears to be the home of their (Canche and witness cousin's) grandfather. Canche and his mother were told that there is a protective order against Canche coming in close proximity to the victim and witness, to which the mother replied "I don't give a fuck about a piece of paper. I will continue bringing him here. He has a right to be here." The DDA said that the protected persons captured Canche's visit to the house on a ring.com doorbell video camera.
The DDA added that she will be looking at filing additional charges against Canche, violations of California Penal Code §166, Violating a Court Order. She closed with: "Our request is to set this for a hearing for termination. In the interest of the victims, you’re now on notice that he’s been violating."
Judge Lisa Nowak said to Canche's defense attorney Steve Teich: "My inclination is to set a hearing whether Mr Canche should be terminated. I am not going to abide by any violations where someone’s safety or their sense of safety is put at risk for these individuals who are on mental health diversion. Somebody in your client’s position needs to abide by every word."
Steve Teich said that Mr Canche’s grandfather died, and his mother brought Mr Canche over to the grandfather's house "for the ceremony and get-together. Apparently there are some very bad feelings between the mother and her sister — there’s a lot of bad feelings after the death of their father. There seems to have been all sorts of problems. And we can settle that, but it has nothing to do with Mr Canche. Mr Canche was brought over to the grandfather’s house."
Judge Lisa Novak replied: "Where he's prohibited from being?"
EDITORIAL COMMENT: Here is a violent defendant who was released to the custody of his mother who "doesn't give a fuck about a piece of paper" and has "all sorts of problems."
Defense attorney Steve Teich's assertion that "we can settle that, but it has nothing to do with Mr Canche," is just WRONG: It has everything to do with Mr. Canche.
The community should not be subjected to the release of a violent offender who is incapable of adhering to
the restraining order — which are part of the terms of his release — and whose mother disregards the terms of that release. (Maybe the sister isn't fond of Canche's mother breaking the protective order against her daughter by the man who stabbed that daughter's boyfriend. Just a thought.)
THE COMMUNITY DESERVES BETTER THAN THIS.
A full evidentiary hearing is set for Friday, October 22, where both sides will be allowed to call testimony of witnesses and present whatever video evidence is available, including police body camera video, if available. Canche's mental health diversion release could be terminated at this hearing. If the mental health diversion is terminated, the criminal prosecution resumes.
Senior Center employee smoking in violation of ordinance
August 31, 2021
A reader tell us of an employee of the senior apartments who is smoking throught out the Edgewater Isle Senior Apartments. This employee has been asked to not smoke in the area, but he continues to smoke and throws lit butts in the area.
The City of San Mateo has a smoking ordinance. It specifically says that "Inside Multi-unit Residences, including balconies, common areas, and within 40 feet of the building" (emphasis added).
It seems this worker is violating it. HIP Housing should take responsibility for this.
Judge Lisa Novak releases Alejandro Canche, says “it's a close call”
Canche to be released to his home, not allowed access to sharp objects
August 27, 2021
Today in a Redwood City Courtroom, defendant Alejandro Canche made his latest appearance in the ongoing criminal attempted murders case against him. His lawyer had submitted an "application for mental health diversion," and the hearing on that matter was heard today.
Read the complete story.
“Complete psychological evaluation” submitted for Alejandro Canche
Defendant in stabbings case
August 20, 2021
Yesterday, two filings were submitted to the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, branch in the case of Alejandro Canche, the defendant accused of multiple stabbings in San Mateo almost two years ago.
One document submitted is the “Complete Psychological Evaluation in support of Application for Intensive Mental Health diversion.” This appears to be the defense's argument for why Alejandro Canche should be removed from the criminal proceedings and granted psychological treatment in lieu of criminal proceedings and punishment.
The other filing is “People's Opposition to Defendant's motion for Mental Health Diversion.” This is the prosecution's objection to a diversion (which could effectively dismiss all charges).
The “Mental Health Diversion suitability Hearing” is scheduled for Friday, August 27, 2021. Alejandro Canche remains in custody at the San Mateo County jail.
Burglary on Vista Del Sol
July 2, 2021
UPDATED: July 6, 2021
San Mateo Police assigned 5 officers to a burglary reported in the 1500 block of Vista Del Sol at 4:52 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. The resident reported that a suspect had forced open the garage door and stole tools and a bicycle.
The police obtained a description of the suspect and of the suspect's vehicle. Police closed the call at 7:48 a.m. No arrests have been made.
Canche “mental health suitability” hearing held. Trial date vacated.
June 25, 2021
Today in a Redwood City courtroom, defendant Alejandro Canche appeared for a "mental health suitability" hearing. Canche appeared via audio/video. A licensed clinical social worker for San Mateo County also appeared at the hearing: her Linked In profile shows her title as "Mental Health Program Specialist, Pathways Mental Health Court Supervisor." (The San Mateo County Court website has an outdated and limited page discussing Pathways.)
In keeping with the established pattern in this case, another hearing has been set for August 27, 2021.
The trial date set (as well as all other pre-trial conferences) for October 15, 2021, has been vacated (cancelled) without a new date being set.
Judge grants mental health diversion suitability hearing to Canche
June 10, 2021
Alejandro Canche appeared via video conference today in a Redwood City courtroom for a mental health diversion eligibility hearing. The District Attorney's office appeared at the hearing, but did not make an argument against the motion seeking the mental health diversion.
Judge Susan Greenberg granted the request, deeming Canche "eligible" for a full hearing to see if Canche is "suitable" for such a diversion. The next hearing was scheduled for June 25 at 10:30 a.m. with Judge Lisa Novak.
Both defense attorney Steve Teich and Judge Susan Greenberg did not know or understand the next steps because, as Teich said, "this is a new program." Teich also wanted to determine that the June 25 hearing was not the final hearing, to which Judge Greenberg replied that it is not. Judge Novak will determine the next hearings on suitability, and the June 25 hearing is an initial hearing and not the full hearing.
The Los Angeles Times had an insightful editorial on AB1810, which was the bill that became Penal Code §1001.35, which became effective on June 27, 2018.
Defense attorney requests “mental health diversion”
June 1, 2021
UPDATED: June 2, 2021
The defense is now asking the court to release the defendant Alejandro Canche to a mental health treatment program in lieu of being sentenced in a criminal court for the attempted murder of three people in San Mateo.
On May 24, Alejandro Canche's defense attorney filed in San Mateo County Superior Court a "Motion for prima facie finding of eligibility for intense mental health diversion Welfare & Institutions Code §4361 and Penal Code §1001.35 and Penal Code §1001.36."
A hearing on this matter is scheduled for June 10.
UPDATE: Sources say that this hearing is part of a two-part process. The June 10 hearing will determine eligibility for the program (i.e., does the defendant have a doctor's report?) and are the legal applications, or motions, made.
Then it will go to a full hearing where another judge, in this case Judge Lisa Novak, to determine the defendant's suitability (i.e., how would defendant's release affect the community?) for release. If this hearing becomes contested (the district attorney's office is contesting the defense's motions) and depending upon the number of motions filed, witnesses called, etc., it could delay the start of the defendant's trial, currently scheduled for October 15.
Sacramento County Superior Court has a full explanation of their process, which may slightly differ in San Mateo County.
Another car towed at Edgewater Isle
May 29, 2021
A resident tweets that his car was towed at Edgewater Isle. Resident was not given any warning. Resident did not know how to get his car back.
@edgewater_isle My car was towed after 3 days in visitors. No warning just towed. I need to get to work, can you please tell me@the number for the security so that I may find out where my car is? Thank you
— Javier Alas (@JavierAlas1) May 26, 2021
Lucrative business for towing companies
Edgewater Isle has a long history of towing cars. All residents should read the "Parking Rules" which is supposed to be provided to every buyer as part of the disclosures and to every renter from their landlord. Edgewater Isle Master Association contracts with a towing company, and it is easy money for the towing companies to come out in the middle of the night and tow your car.
Towing from a homeowners association is a lucrative business for the towing companies because too many people don't know the rules. Don't be an easy mark for them.
If required for legal purposes, readers are advised to obtain the document from the management company.
Alejandro Canche trial date set
May 21, 2021
Nearly two years after the attempted murder assaults at Edgewater Isle, the trial of defendant Alejandro Canche has been set for Friday, October 15, 2021.
Canche is accused of two separate charges of attempted murder at Edgewater Isle (and an additional attempted murder at BJ's Restaurant in San Mateo) on the night of October 28, 2019.
Kelly McGuirk is granted a 2-year restraining order
May 12, 2021
In January 2021, San Mateo Police received a number of calls originating from Via Laguna for domestic violence. Today in a Redwood City courtroom, Kelly McGuirk, the removed former Edgewater Isle board member, personally appeared to ask the court to grant a domestic violence restraining order against Mark Tilds, the owner of the business she promoted for years, free of charge, in the association newsletter.
McGuirk stated in her application for a restraining order that Tilds had thrown a vacuum cleaner at her, and said that he would "fuck you up" and "make [McGuirk] miserable like he is." Mark Tilds did not appear in court, but the court found that he had been given proper service of the court proceedings by Edgewater Isle neighbor Ruth Hages (currently vice president of Edgewater Isle North).
The judge asked McGuirk if she (McGuirk) would like to add anything, to which McGuirk told the court that not having Tilds in the home since January has been "a feeling of safety, a true blessing. The chaos and the scary part of not knowing what each day was going to be like has been wonderful."
Restraining order issued against Mark Tilds
The domestic violence restraining order McGuirk requested was granted for two years. The order will expire on May 11, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.
McGuirk asked if she could request that the restraining order not be made a public record. The judge replied no, that if a CLETS order is filed in a court system, it is a matter of public record — it is not sealed. McGuirk asked if it could be, and the judge replied "no, because it needs to be accessed by the police department."
McGuirk asked "What about individuals? There is an individual that has created a web site and is posting all of my information up there, and it is a true sense of harassment."
The judge replied, "I can't give you legal advice, but there are avenues if you need to file something against them."
“Avenues”
The judge here, while not giving legal advice, mentioned "avenues" available to McGuirk. Let's explore those avenues.
1. The San Mateo Police aren't interested in this
Five years ago, "a woman who lives on Via Laguna" complained to the San Mateo Police about a "website." Nothing came from it. See the police record here:
Harassment
February 18, 2016 08:46 1602180038
A woman who lives on Via Laguna went to the front lobby of the San Mateo Police on February 18 at 8:42 a.m., and said she knows someone "who put her info on a criminal background website." Disposition: completed.
Again, in 2020, Kelly McGuirk contacted the San Mateo Police Department about the same thing. Nothing came from it.
2. Another resident has already tried characterizing the content here as "harassment"
In 2012, another resident at Edgewater Isle tried alleging that content on this website is "harassment." That resident filed a restraining order and lost. That resident was ordered to pay attorney's fees. Here is what that San Mateo County judge wrote in his decision about that:
3. One thing that has not been tried
One avenue not explored: corrections, clarifications, or comments can always be sent in using the "contact" page and send an email. This avenue has been available for 18 years now, since 2004. Responsible discussions are always considered.
An example of what is NOT an responsible discussion is shown here. This approach was a complete failure (as seen in #2 above).
Resident requests that pools be reopened
April 28, 2021
After a year-long shutdown of activities because of COVID-19 concerns, an owner sent us an e-mail to ask that the pool be reopened.
Subject: Swimming pools
From: REDACTED NAME <redacted@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, April 25, 2021 10:14 am
To: "redact@edgewaterisle.com" <redact@edgewaterisle.com>
Hey, do you mind if you can open back up the swimming pools this summer? It’s been a year and I believe COVID cases are going down. It could liven up the neighborhood a bit.
While we have no control over the pools, it seems like a very legitimate request since owners are the ones who pay for the pools. This e-mail was forwarded to the management companies for their attention to this matter.
Two charges against Alejandro Canche are dismissed
March 23, 2021
UPDATED: April 28, 2021
The latest hearing in the Alejandro Canche attempted murders case was held in a Redwood City courtroom yesterday. Defendant Alejandro Canche appeared via video. His defense attorney Steve Teich appeared personally, asking the judge where he was supposed to stand. Judge Susan Greenberg told him to stand "by a microphone."
At the outset, Judge Susan Greenberg said she was concerned about "enhancements": the judge was concerned about some of the charges against the defendant that specifically pertain to the two victims who were stabbed along the bike path.
The prosecutor stated that the defendant used the same method on all three victims: attack by ambush. Defendant took a series of actions to attack the first victim along the bike path: Canche stepped in front of the bike rider and made decision to force victim off of his bike and jump on top of him. Canche is accused of stabbing the bike rider 23+ times, all while the victim was wearing a helmet, protecting from greater level of injury. The defendant is then accused of drawing in a passer-by, stabbing him in the neck.
“If you're going to kill someone, you don't use a box cutter.”
—Defense attorney
Defense attorney Teich argued that there was no premeditation to kill. Teich also argued that the weapon used, a box cutter, is "a work tool." "If you're going to kill someone, you don't use a box cutter."
The prosecutor countered by saying that many stab wounds to the head, neck, and face, is not consistent with arguing that Canche was not trying to kill.
Judge Susan Greenberg dismissed the "premeditation" part of the attempted murder charges in regards to victims 2 and 3 (the victims along the bike path at Edgewater Isle) and left it standing for victim 1, the first victim at the San Mateo parking lot of BJ's Restaurant.
UPDATE: A pretrial conference has been rescheduled from April 5 to May 10.
Shooting at Residence Inn
March 21, 2021
In the early morning hours, San Mateo Police responded to a shooting in the parking lot of Residence Inn at 2000 Winward Way. Two people were reported injured in the shooting: one victim suffered critical injuries while the second victim suffered minor injuries. Both were reported to be in stable condition.
The police emphasized that the shooting was not a random attack and those involved were from outside San Mateo County. No arrests were made immediately, and the incident is currently under investigation.
Editorial comment: hotel guests are usually from outside the county.
New resident towed. Common Interest Management Services not replying.
March 8, 2021
A new resident at Edgewater Isle writes, new to the age-old problem of the lack of parking at Edgewater Isle. Instead of the welcome wagon, this resident was greeted to the community with the management company's lack of responses to the new resident's inquiries, and having their car towed.
The new resident asks what we can do to help with the Common Interest Management Services' failure to respond to questions about parking.
The resident writes:
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: New Resident Parking Issue
From: redacted@redacted.com
Date: Mon, March 08, 2021 2:24 pm
To: redact@edgewaterisle.com
Hey there!
Sorry to bother, especially since you run a forum for the Edgewater Isle and are not the property management company. However, I'm at a complete loss and have not heard back from anyone so I'm seeking out advice from you.
I recently just moved within this past week to Edgewater Isle and have been desperately trying to contact the property management company, HOA, and Debbie in regards to purchasing a reserved parking spot. No one has replied back to me and my car was towed this Sunday morning at 1:30 AM because I have nowhere else to park besides the visitor spot because no one is replying back to me and helping me out with this situation!
Do you have any advice for us to help solve this issue?
Thanks,
An extremely worried new resident
To answer the worried resident's question: we suggest putting your questions in writing to the management company and copy the president of Common Interest: Dan Nelson at DNelson@CommonInterest.com.
An alarming number of calls to police from Via Laguna
February 22, 2021
Last month, at least 7 calls for assistance were made to the San Mateo Police Department from (a) resident(s) on Via Laguna. This cluster of calls follows a high number of other calls for assistance coming from Via Laguna.
These calls below are all after the January 13 arrest of Mark Anthony Tilds of Via Laguna, accused of domestic violence.
| DATE | TYPE OF CALL | TIME OF CALL | TIME CLOSED |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/18/2021 | Public Disturbance | 12:16 p.m. | 12:40 p.m. |
| 1/19/2021 | Assist: Other incidents | 10:22 a.m. | 10:59 a.m. |
| 1/20/2021 | Assist: Other incidents | 2:54 p.m. | 4:36 p.m. |
| 1/22/2021 | Civil Problem | 11:35 a.m. | 12:02 p.m. |
| 1/22/2021 | Assist: Other incidents | 5:05 p.m. | 5:42 p.m. |
| 1/23/2021 | Restraining order violation | 8:42 a.m. | 9:02 a.m. |
| 1/27/2021 | Restraining order violation | 11:35 a.m. | 12:46 p.m. |
More trees down
January 27, 2021
The large tree that toppled on Vista Del Mar last week has been removed, and the only sign left of its existence is the sawed-off stump. The remnants show that this tree was not deep-rooted, and its tipping over was just a matter of time.
A second tree that had been standing is now gone — resulting in a big hole in the ground. The tree, which had been at the corner of Miramar and Via Luna, is now marked by helpful "no parking" signs to prevent parking on the lawn.
Penthouse? At Edgewater Isle?
January 23, 2021
A new listing at Edgewater Isle describes a second-floor condo as a “top floor penthouse unit.”
This is the first known effort to make a condo seem like something it is not: with this logic, maybe half of the condos at Edgewater Isle are also “penthouses.” The original sales brochure did not describe any condos as “penthouses” — “cathedral ceilings” is as close as it comes to describing a second-floor condo.
Another tree falls in Edgewater Isle
January 19, 2021
A tree on Marina Vista/Vista Del Sol in Edgewater Isle was knocked over by heavy winds overnight. This is at least the second very large tree that has toppled over at Edgewater Isle in about a year.
Is Edgewater Isle maintaining its trees?
Trial date closer for suspect in attempted murders at Edgewater Isle
January 8, 2021
Today in a Redwood City courtroom, attempted murders defendant Alejandro Canche appeared via video for a hearing. The defendant waived arraignment on the charges and the right to a speedy trial (normally 60 days after arraignment). A pre-trial conference was set for April 5, 2021, and a trial readiness conference was set for July 9, 2021.
Canche held to answer for stabbings
November 30, 2020
In a Redwood City courtroom on November 13, a preliminary hearing was held for Alejandro ("Alex") Canche who is accused of multiple stabbings in San Mateo in 2019. The prosecutor called two police officers to the stand to testify about the aftermath of what they witnessed and experienced the night of October 28, 2019, along the bike path at Edgewater Isle.
One San Mateo Police officer testified that one of the victims of the assault had endured more than 20 stabbings, some hitting the victim's bicycle helmet, and enduring multiple wounds requiring a stay at Stanford Hospital.
Defense makes incredible statements
The defense attorney Steve Teich argued to the court that these assaults should not be considered "premeditated attempted murder" because the defendant did not know the victims, the defendant could not have planned the attacks because he did not know the victims, and that the "manner of attack" (stabbing with a box cutter) should not be considered for premeditated murder because Teich alleged that "Nobody uses a box cutter for premeditated, deliberated murder."
Steve Teich ignores 9/11 hijackings
Remember when planes were hijacked by men with boxcutters? Teich argued "The statistics show that the use of knives is not usually something that is used for premeditated murder," while failing to provide any evidence or source for those alleged statistics.
He further argued that yeah, well, it may have been 23 cuts inflicted by Canche, but, ya know, a lot of them were superficial.
The judge was clearly not having it though:
MR. TEICH (defense attorney): I don't think there's any evidence he intended to kill him. Certainly, no premeditation ahead of time.
THE COURT (Judge Michael Wendler): The Court respectfully disagrees. When you stab somebody 23 times in the neck and head area, that you are trying to kill them.
Canche was held to answer (this is going to trial). The next hearing is December 3.
One year ago tonight: multiple stabbings along bike path
October 28, 2020
One year ago tonight, Alejandro Canche allegedly stabbed a man in the parking lot of a restaurant at Bridgepointe Shopping Center, then fled to Edgewater Isle where he allegedly stabbed at random another two men who were just out along the bike path.
In the year since these terrible events, Canche has been held on bail of $10,000,000 at the San Mateo County Jail where he awaits trial. After multiple hearings and multiple delays, only on October 7 was a preliminary hearing date set, where a judge will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to a trial.
The upcoming preliminary hearing on November 13 is estimated to take four hours, and the defense indicated they will call one witness.
HOAs not eligible for FEMA assistance with debris removal
October 14, 2020
Homeowners may not realize that after a storm, privately-owned roads (like those in Edgewater Isle) are not eligible for FEMA disaster relief:
Unfortunately, #communityassociations that own their roads are NOT eligible for #FEMA disaster recovery funding for debris removal.
— CAI Advocacy (@CAIadvocacy) October 14, 2020
Please use this guide & support the passage of the Disaster Assistance Equity Act #HR5337>> https://t.co/Y3J47835tY@CAIsocial @HOAresources pic.twitter.com/4BY3uFoF9u
Preliminary hearing date set for Alejandro Canche
October 7, 2020
In a Redwood City courtroom this morning, Alejandro Canche appeared via video conference at a hearing to set the date for the preliminary hearing in the attempted murders case and the two other cases pending against him.
Defense counsel Steve Teich said that a long-awaited report medical report from Dr Jeffrey Kline is still not in.
After multiple continuances, the preliminary hearing date was finally set for Friday, November 13 at 9:00 a.m. The defense intends to call one witness.
The preliminary hearing is estimated to take 4 hours.
Canche attorney apologizes: doctor is “very busy” and going on vacation.
September 1, 2020
Alejandro Canche's defense attorney Steve Teich appeared in a Redwood City courtroom today in the ongoing attempted murders case at Edgewater Isle. Canche appeared via Zoom video conferencing.
Teich explained that he has been waiting for a doctor's report. (Previous court records show the doctor as Dr Jeffrey Kline.) Just yesterday, Teich received word from that doctor that the report is not done. Teich explained that he had been assured by this doctor that the report would be completed by this date. But after Teich emailed the doctor "a number of times," the doctor finally replied yesterday that he (the doctor) has not completed the report because "he's very busy." And that the doctor "is going on vacation until late September."
Teich continued "I regretfully I have to ask the court to continue until early October, and I apologize to the court, counsel, and Mr Canche, but this report is critical as to how we're going to proceed. I've been assured that the report will be done by then." The People objected: "this has been put over a number of times for this very reason," but that objection appeared to be more for the court record than a bona fide objection.
Back on June 11, Teich said to the court:
"Dr Kline apparently now believes he can now conduct a psychiatric examination of the defendant during the week of June 15"
And back on August 7, Teich said to the court:
"...so we will have all the information in that time ...."
Teich did not say that the report *may not be ready* by September 1, but said that they would have "all of the information" they needed to proceed.
The matter was put over again, this time until October 7 at 9:00 a.m.
Board member using garage for storage
August 9, 2020
A reader sends in a photo of a garage belonging to a board member of the Edgewater Isle South association. The garage is being used for storage, not for parking a car. The storage of "stuff" is prohibited in the "rules" that are distributed every now and then to all owners.
Not that most people care, but it's another example of a board member who is in charge of enforcing so-called rules not holding herself to the same standard she would hold others too.
A “suspicious person” responds to the “Karen” who called police
Resident discusses the uncontrolled goose poop, the racist who called the police, the petty board of directors, and living while Black at Edgewater Isle
July 11, 2020
A resident at Edgewater Isle writes to respond to the story reported here on May 29 about a "Suspicious person reported by pond."
The "suspicious person" is Lea, a resident at Edgewater Isle, and she has some serious things to say about neighbors who call the police on other neighbors. Lea was cleaning up her sidewalk but a resident at Edgewater Isle called the police and said she was "spraying poison."
Subject: "Suspicious person" (aka racial profiling) reported by pond
From: xxxxx xxxxx@gmail.com
Date: Sat, July 11, 2020 4:07 am
To: xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.com
This report below is a prime example of the ongoing issue of racial profiling while living at Edgewater Isle - SMH.
First off I live here - I am not "suspicious". My name is Lea.
Secondly, I am not "spraying poison" - it is water. I am not trying to "kill" any bird nor animal, and this fine display of over-catrophising [sic] is exactly how being criminalized while Black occurs (thank you for giving me another example to tuck away as one of many incidents since the shutdown started, which I will continue to compile as one nice racially motivated harassment file).
What I am doing - which I would've gladly told anyone had they bothered to treat me like a human being and ask instead of racially profile and criminalize me - is adhering to the US Humane Society and US Fish and Wildlife's protocol for managing an overpopulation issue with Canada Geese.
Had you and your fellow residents who are scared of Black people bothered to also read and actually learn about Canada Geese, and how they are negatively impacting the ecology of our community (of which San Mateo City Council is aware and looking into solutions), you would have learned that it's actually strongly encouraged to *scare* (NOT harm or "try to kill"!) the geese away so that they do not get comfortable in areas like the front of my house. For when they do, they will no longer migrate and remain all year around.
A few years ago there were only 10-15 geese tops around my home. This year there's between 27 - 40 trying to crowd into southern areas of the complex weekly. Usually after a good 3 weeks of not being able to settle in, a goose clan will fly away for good to another area that's easier to graze and remain. These geese poop every 12 minutes, and each adult poops up to 2 pounds of feces a day - the growing fledglings poop up to 1 pound of feces per day. People's dogs don't even poop that much.
Likewise, my motivation to start scaring them off stemmed from elders and children getting hissed at by these geese last Fall; canes and walkers of elders covered in goose poop; elders and neighbors complaining about the geese being a nuisance that completely destroys our grass areas - disallowing children and babies to play on the grass, and keeps many residents from being able to walk their dogs down certain paths because of all the feces droppings.
Per it being clear that the above ongoing resident complaints stay being ignored by the board, let's move on to Edgewater Isle's continued deflection with the myth that geese feces are "harmless." Perhaps a new hobby beyond cowardly policing what few Black people live here (it's clear y'all don't want many to reside here), would be to study the toxicology issues connected to Canada Geese feces, while noting that Canada Geese molting season starts at the end of July into August. Once they molt, they cannot fly anywhere and will remain where they are into late Fall.
It only takes 1 goose on a 1-acre pond to imbalance the pond's ecology, which reflects why it's pretty easy to find case precedents and research reflecting how geese contribute to water toxicology issues. E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, fungal spores causing Histoplasmosis, Coccidiosis in dogs from eating geese feces, and Giardia have all been documented to occur in response to exposure to high amounts of geese feces - which you'll get if you multiply 2 lbs of feces by 27 geese a day. And if we all continue to play the game that there's no issue here at all but the "suspicious" "criminal" Black lady writing this, then next year they'll be double the amount of geese around here to be dealt with. *The algae bloom issues in the lagoon are also in part connected to an ongoing increase in geese feces.
So until Edgewater Isle decides to start cleaning sidewalks by the pond and in front of my house weekly in response to the geese, like many of our neighboring complexes do, I'll continue to abide by the US Humane Society and US Fish and Wildlife's protocol, simply because no one deserves to be surrounded by goose crap while on a statewide shutdown, so children have grass to play on, and elders have clean sidewalks to walk on - just like in 2020 no one deserves to be racially profiled while walking in her own neighborhood deterring the geese from making the south area their permanent home.
I remember how petty the folks who live here have always been when my own Mother served as a member of the board. She would suck it up and come home crying after board meetings. I assure you I am not my Mother, and if anyone has any additional racially driven accusations you or they'd like to direct towards me, I can be reached directly at xxx-xxx-xxxx. Please note everything is being documented and recorded.
*And please do continue to call the police in response to Black fear - many departments are finally doing something about this type of racial hate/harassment and fining the Karens and Chads calling 911.
Pathetic.
Photo courtesy of Scott DuBose. Used with permission.
Seniors get deliveries of restaurant meals
June 18, 2020
Edgewater Isle Senior Apartments residents got a special delivery of a restaurant-quality meal delivered to them during shelter-in-place. Local restaurant Stamp Bistro Bar & Grill in San Carlos has delivered 66 meals, and they have plans to deliver 200 more.
Highest priced condo back on market
June 1, 2020
The most expensively priced townhouse at Edgewater Isle was listed for $1,399,000 back in February, nearly $200,000 higher than the highest recorded sales price at Edgewater Isle. It was withdrawn from the market in March.
It has just been relisted for $1,268,000 and HOA dues of $674 per month. Redfin.com shows that the 3-bedroom townhouse at 2116 Vista Del Mar was "temporarily withdrawn from market" but is now back 2½ months later with a new asking price that is still $67,000 higher than the highest recorded selling price within Edgewater Isle, yet $131,000 lower than its initial asking price.
Active sales and prior sales listings of Edgewater Isle are available here.
HOA industry fights a moratorium on dues collections during COVID-19
May 11, 2020
The HOA lobby group, Community Associations Institute (CAI), is campaigning to remove HOA debt collections from a list of prohibited activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. CAI has created a website with a form letter for their members to email to their federal representatives. Edgewater Isle homeowners may not know this, but they pay for Mai's lobbying efforts through membership in ECHO. In other words, homeowners are paying for lobbying that is against their best interest.
In typical fashion, the HOA industry puts itself above the actual, real-life interest of homeowners. While it is an owner's interest to have their association maintained, it is not in an owner's interest to deal with HOA collections, and potentially foreclosure (which Edgewater Isle has done), while unemployed, on furlough, or seeing income drastically reduced. It is arrogant and self-important that CAI and homeowners associations think that they should be exempt from the same financial difficulties everyone else is facing.
The form letter on their website [archive] allows for a user to customize the text:
I am writing to strongly oppose legislation like H.R. 6423 and S. 3565 that impose a national moratorium on debt collection during the COVID-19 national emergency.
This legislation is too broad and will harm the financial interests of households in homeowners associations, condominium associations, and housing cooperatives (collectively, community associations).
Community associations rely on homeowner assessments to fund essential services that were previously provided by local municipalities; like trash removal, critical infrastructure maintenance, and utilities, including electricity, water, wastewater, and heating and cooling.
Essential services must not be halted, particularly not in an emergency where residents are required to be home and association expenses have risen due to increased sanitation and other measures to limit the spread of the novel corona-virus.
When one homeowner is unable to pay assessments, these costs are passed to other homeowners in the community. This increases housing costs, spreading financial distress to other community households.
Community associations are working with homeowners suffering from the economic impact of the COVID-19 national emergency. A recent survey by Community Associations Institute indicated a 20 percent increase in requests for forbearance or payment plans by homeowners who are unable to pay assessments. Beyond this goodwill, community associations are subject to state laws that require payment plans for delinquent assessments.
I ask that you oppose extreme legislation like H.R. 6423 and S. 3563. Thank you for considering my views and I look forward to your reply.
Mulch where a tree was
February 24, 2020
In December, a tree in the North Association uprooted and tipped over during winds. Now, two months later, the Edgewater Isle North Association has covered the spot with mulch, ripped out some of the ivy, and called it a day. No replacement tree, not even a shrub. This is part of an established pattern of failing to replace trees at Edgewater Isle.
The (missing) tree today:
The tree before tipping over:
Record-high asking price at Edgewater Isle
UPDATED MARCH 22, 2020
This unit was withdrawn from the market and listing removed on March 17, 2020. (archive link)
February 22, 2020
A 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhouse has just come on the market, along with a record-high asking price of $1,399,000. The just-listed 2116 Vista Del Mar (South association) asking price is more than 16% over the last highest sales price at Edgewater Isle. 1652 Via Laguna (North association), also a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhouse, sold last August for $1,200,880.
Described as:
"tastefully updated end unit townhome in desirable Edgewater Isle South! Ready for the fussiest buyer to enjoy this immaculate home and resort style community."
Reader writes about Nick Pargett
January 11, 2020
A reader wrote us about the former Edgewater Isle Master Association vendor Pargett Association Management's owner, Nick Pargett.
The reader said:
“Thought you'd like to know Nick Pargett works at the Lowe's in Redding CA, where he makes life hell for co-workers and customers alike.”
Which is really interesting, because when Pargett was at Edgewater Isle, he spread the same brand of magic here, too. And also over at Galway HOA. Oh, and this one over on Yelp. Until one day when Nick Pargett quit the association management business.
So, if any Edgewater Isle homeowners are up in Redding, stop by the Lowe's up there and say “hello” from Edgewater Isle to Nick.
First billion dollar listing at Edgewater Isle
October 4, 2019
Property values must have increased astronomically overnight, because here we have our first billion-dollar listing at Edgewater Isle. The asking price went from $1,095,000 to $1,049,333,000. No typo.
In what was apparently an effort to lower the asking price on this townhouse, realtor Kimberly Birdsall of BBI Real Estate made it a billion-dollar listing.
UPDATE: The asking price was changed again 3 hours later. This time to $1,049,000.
