Below is the letter to the editor of the Island Packet written by Bob Arundell, Woodlake Property Owners Association Treasurer, in response to a misleading article published by The Packet on October 20th about Woodlake’s hurricane recovery efforts. Mr. Arundell’s letter was published on October 26, 2016.
To the Editor:
Imagine my surprise when I read your article about Woodlake and found my name. More surprising is that no one actually spoke to me nor did anyone speak to the President of the Woodlake Owners Association, regime manager, on-site superintendent, or office manager – any one of which could have given you accurate and verifiable information about Woodlake’s recovery efforts. (In fairness, the Packet did leave a message at the manager’s office but he was out of the office organizing recovery efforts.)
Also surprising is that none of the residents quoted bothered to contact any of the people listed above nor read the notices posted to their doors nor give the office contact information once they left the property.
In truth, Woodlake had workers on-site beginning tree removal to unblock all roadways on Sunday, the day after the storm! On Monday, arrangements were being made with several flood recovery firms. Management contacted FEMA seeking assistance. Shortly thereafter, bottled water and food were being dropped off throughout the property. Maintenance staff began clean up on the 11th. On the 12th, staff went door-to-door to inspect each and every unit for damage. Water extraction and carpet/pad removal crews began work on the 13th. By the 14th, Belfor Property Restoration was on-site beginning work on the most damaged units. By Saturday, Caldwell Tree Care was on-site cutting down trees and limbs that posed safety risks. Through all of this, notices were posted on all doors almost daily, and the entire staff was all working overtime. Does this sound like there is a “lack of an organized recovery effort”?
As one of those “30 displaced neighbors” whose unit was one of the hardest hit, I commend the Woodlake management and staff for their immediate response to the storm and the speed with which the recovery efforts have begun.
Bob Arundell,
Treasurer, Woodlake Property Owners Association (and Displaced Resident)
