SEPT 27, 2011:  Residents announce that the Children's Classes will be starting up again on October 8th. There will be organizing sessions on Oct 1 and 2nd. This program is not affiliated with the Tenants Association.  Those interested in this program can call 862-234-9313.

SEPT 17, 2011: This webmaster emailed Maria Hernandez of Rent Control all the information on the sale and ownership of The Colonnade which is posted in the Breaking News of Sept 19, 2009. Scroll down to see it.

Despite what Sean Pena testified the other day, we don't believe that the buildings sold in 2009. If they did, Maxwell Conton was unable to find the information when he did his research.

SEPT 15, 2011: The popular Children's Classes are re-starting.  For information, contact 862-234-9313.

SEPT 13, 2011:  300 residents attended the hearing of the Rent Control Board to oppose a proposed rent increase affecting 3 properties, including The Colonnade. Sean Pena was there representing all 3 properties. The application was heard in its entirely, but the decision was adjourned by the board after devastating testimony from residents of The Colonnade against the application.

AUG 21, 2011:  The picnic for 1:00 PM today is canceled 3 hours before the event because the forecast is for severe thunderstorms. It will be rescheduled for Labor Day weekend.

AUG 15, 2011:  Colonnade residents, in association with the Bahai community, will be holding an outdoor picnic at The Colonnade on Sunday Aug 21st.

AUG 4, 2011: The observation has been made that The Colonnades is a much cleaner, safer, and nicer place to live than two years ago. This is partly due to the millions spent to upgrade the lower level, and partly because of changes in the neighborhood. There is a flurry of construction to the south of Norfolk Ave, along with the elimination of the Baxter Terrace projects and the former Westinghouse Factory. There is no part of Newark improving more than the vicinity of Orange Street, along the entire length of Orange Street.

JULY 31, 2011:  Minor edits are made to the archives to reflect complaints that opinions are posted.  Person's names will remain, and the archives will continue to reflect a historical record of tenant activism and community-building.

JULY 29, 2011:  Members of the Bahai community will be organizing some community events for the Colonnade residents in August. These will include a hike/swim to the Delaware Water Gap as well as an outdoor picnic/bbq at The Colonnade.

The Children's Classes will also be reactivated either later in August or in September.

JULY 27, 2011:  Colonnade resident Marisol Peters is interested in talking with tenants who have concerns or who wish to reorganize the Colonnade Tenants Association.  She is especially interested in addressing the issue of bedbug control.  Marisol can be reached at 973-432-6251 or marisolpeters@yahoo.com

JULY 23, 2011:  Today it was 108 degrees, the all-time record high temperature for Newark, any day, any year.  Our affiliates at 380 & 402 Mt. Prospect Ave secured ABC news coverage.  Click on the above bar for 380-402 and in the upper right corner of that page you'll see the video link.  380 & 402 Mt. Prospect were sold, and the new owners have pledged millions to upgrade the complex and resolve problems.

Some tenants in The Colonnade also complained about insufficient air conditioning.

APRIL 22, 2011:  Property Manager Sean Pena explains in an email that relocating the mailboxes to the lower level is more convenient for most tenants, and that most tenants are happy with the change. With so many new and renovated services in the lower level, it makes sense to have the mailboxes there.  Notices were sent by the postmaster to every tenant's mailbox, and other notices were posted in common areas.

Unit occupancy rate has increased from 77% when he took over to 96% currently, says Pena.  The goal of the owners is to continue to upgrade the complex, and to "renew the prestige these communities had when they were first built while providing residential service to our tenants."

Substantial sums of money are being spent to upgrade the lobbies, including reinforcements to the windows and new conceirge desks.

APRIL 20, 2011:  A tenant complains that the mailboxes were moved from the lobby to the lower level.

JANUARY 28, 2011:  With over 100 weather stations reporting yesterday's snow totals in NJ, the winner was Newark Airport with 18.9".  No, we didn't get that much here.

JANUARY 27, 2011:  In an email to management and a concerned tenant has detailed Colonnade property concerns that need to be addressed:

1. issues with heat working sporadically and not consistently
2. The door on the stairwell side of the 6th floor D building is missing a doorknob and cannot be opened in the event of an emergency
3. Between the 4th and 5th floors of the D building, the stairwell railing is broken for four months

Newark is slammed with another major snowstorm last night. About 15" accumulated in only a few hours.  Whiteout conditions and lightning flashes accompanied the storm.

JANUARY 22, 2011:  The Colonnade suffered its worst pipe burst in years.  Unit C-1214 has been complaining about the heater pipe for some time, but nothing was done.  Early this morning, the pipe burst and blasted a hole in the wall with steaming hot water shooting out.  It flooded out the 12th floor apartment, ruining children's toys, everything in a filing cabinet, and it damaged the walls and ceilings.  The unit had no carpeting. Also hit was every "14" unit at least down to the 5th floor. The boiler company responded promptly this morning, and said it was a 2" riser pipe that burst, and that it was "the worst burst in years".  At least one tenant hit is reportedly packing their stuff and moving out.

JANUARY 11, 2011:  Management has backed off their plans to increase parking, after multiple tenants contacted the Rent Control Board and Management to contest the issue.   Maria Hernandez of Rent Control made a phone call to Sean at the Colonnade Management office, and advised that parking can increase no more than 4% unless there are "substantial improvements".  Ms. Hernandez reported back to Colonnade tenants that Sean will send everyone a letter in the mail reversing the parking increase.

Note that The Colonnade would have to file for a hearing at the Rent Control Board for a Capital Improvement Surcharge, and then their decision can still be appealed to the mayor and council.

JANUARY 8, 2011:  A tenant contacts us to inquire if management has the right to increase parking fees from $45 to $75 a month.  Unsure what your leases say, this question may be referred to the city Rent Control Board.

DECEMBER 27, 2010:  The Colonnade was hit with the 2nd Blizzard of 2010.  29" of snow fell.  Two days later there was no snow in the entire front of the buildings, it all blew to the rear

MARCH 17, 2010:  There has been a flurry of activity at The Colonnade.  An attempt among interested parties will be made to resurrect the Colonnade Tenants Association. 

MARCH 16, 2010:  Former Chair Talibah Sun has again announced her intention to move overseas and "pioneer" for a religious cause.  Let us pray that God looks favorably upon this plan, and to assist her to make this transition.  This may happen in 2010 or 2011.

JAN 6, 2010:  In the spirit of unity and community organizing, I am actively seeking and recruiting tenants wishing to REACTIVATE the Colonnade Tenants Association. This website remains up and running as a resource, and many tenants have the email lists of all interested tenants.  

We intend to directly followed the advise which Talibah Sun gave in her email of December 23, 2009, as follows:

"IF YOU WISH TO SEE THE CTA REACTIVATED THEN I SUGGEST YOUR ORGANIZATION MEET WITH THE RESIDENTS OF THE COLONNADES TO ASCERTAIN THEIR INTEREST AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WILLINGNESS TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE...AT THE (THIS) VENTURE YOU CAN BEST SERVE CTA BY ACTIVELY RECRUITING AND ENCOURAGING TENANTS TO ORGANIZE"

JAN 1, 2010:  The Colonnade Tenants Association has lost steam since November, and there has been a lack of communication.

It's a new year, time for a new initiative.  At this point, concerned tenants are encouraged to take the initiative to formally establish the organization by adopting bylaws and forming an Executive Board. This can be done by any residents. 

There are many who believe that an imperfect tenants association is far better than NONE. 

Right now the organization is an idea in the making, without bylaws and without an Executive Board. Nobody has "ownership" of an organization that technically doesn't exist. 
Any tenant wishing to see sample by-laws can click here sample bylaws    

If the organization decides it does not wish to be part of Newark Tenants United, it can adopt bylaws, form an Executive Board, and send a written request signed by a majority of Executive Board members.  My role is as a resource, and I take direction from The Colonnade Tenants Association. 

Dec 30, 2009:  Later yesterday, Regina Barrier sends another email to the former Chair and everyone else making the following observation:

"and technically, none of us are members of a tenants association because none has been established as yet so perhaps you should change the distribution list name to "Fellow Collonnade Residents." Attending a couple intro meetings is not the same as signing on as a member of a non-existant organization.  Your meetings were intended to address issues as a concerned member of the Colonnade community and then eventually use that as a stepping stone to establishing an association which includes dues, by-laws, etc. that members must agree to by vote". - Regina Barrier

Dec 29, 2009:  Regina Barrier sends an email to the CTA email complaining that the CTA email is set up in a RESPOND ALL mode, meaning that emails seemingly sent only to Talibah are actually being distributed to the entire email list of the Tenants Association.  It's like a blind CC to everyone.

This is the first time that Newark Tenants United and many other members actually became aware that this is the source of what some people called "email spam."  By setting it up this way, residents' emails became clogged with so many messages that many people stopped reading ANY messages from CTA.  Also, as residents learn of the problem, they become unwilling to use the email because they don't want to be the source of "spam" to their fellow residents.  The result has been disunity and non-communication within the organization. 

The RESPOND ALL mode is also the source of Talibah's complaint that Eric Martindale has emailed everyone repeatedly about the Water Shutoff Crisis, when actually the emails were sent only to the Chair. 

DEC 23, 2009:  Talibah Sun sends out an email to everyone in The Colonnade saying that the organization "fizzled out" and that she will "not participate in a disunified entity".  This is a letter of resignation. More importantly, she is encouraging Newark Tenants United as follows:

"If you wish to see the CTA reactivated then I suggest your organization meet with the residents of the Colonnades to ascertain their interest and most importantly, willingness to actively participate...At the (this) venture you can best serve CTA by actively recruiting and encouraging tenants to organize". - Talibah Sun

Talibah's email is too lengthy to print in it's entirety, but here's a few more important points.

"Please be advised that currently the Colonnade Tenants Association is loosely organized virtually (via emails); we have yet to organize as a bona fide association. We had a great start, then, it fizzled out due to disagreements regarding methodology and disillusions.   We have not met for months, have not increased membership, elected officers, or created bylaws. A survey was created and circulated to guage tenants interest with very few surveys returned.  There is currently disagreement as to the purpose of the CTA. The most vocal input is contentious.  We have not agreed as a body as to the need, mission and strategies of the CTA".

"As an administrator, I idealistically try to make a pro-active, win-win approach.....What I, personally, will not participate in a disunified entity whose efforts are to polarize or politicize."  --- Talibah Sun 12/23/2009

NOV 21, 2009:  Talibah Sun emails the membership to take care not to spread false rumors.  Specifically the rumor that  businesses based in the Colonade are being forced out

OCT 31, 2009:  Harvest Festival at The Colonnade is a big success. Many photos taken

OCT 25, 2009:  Tenants Association meets, discusses survey and other matters. The meeting was contentious.

OCT 24, 2009:  Survey re-emailed, Talibah Sun hopes to have more completed for tomorrow's meeting

OCT 10, 2009:  Talibah Sun has tentatively set the next group meeting for October 25th.  She also emails a list from Sean Penn detailing the status of projects in the building. 

Current Projects
1.)     Rooftop Vent/Fan Repair and Replacement Project (This is going to help improve the airflow of the common area hallways and the exhaust for kitchen and bathrooms)
2.)     Tree Trimming Project (4 rounds of trimming very successful, last round to occur on October 9th, 2009 – parking spaces affected have been notified and an additional courtesy notice will be sent out at least a day before as a reminder)
3.)     Boiler Systems Inspected, parts ordered as necessary in preparation for upcoming winter season.
4.)     Basement Redevelopment in initial stages of planning and construction.
5.)     Laundry Room – replacement of the remaining washers and dryers to be switched out October 12th, 2009.
6.)     Fall Exterior Window Cleaning program to start October 8th, 2009.
7.)     Loading Dock Gate Replaced
8.)     Kitchen/Bathroom Ducts to be vacuumed within the next 60 days. (This will increase the air flow after the fans are fixed on the roof for optimal exhaust)

SEPT 26, 2009:  More contact information has been added for the Colonnade, see right column.

BREAKING NEWS - SEPT 19, 2009:   Here is the ownership information for The Colonnade.  It was purchased from The Pavillion corporation (c/o Gould & Ratner, 222 N. LaSalle St., Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60601) on Nov 19, 2003 for only 2.3 million.  Shocking.  The owner is now Colonnade Apartments, LTD, which is registered in the District of Columbia.  The home office is registered as c/o Wilshire Investments Corporation, 12100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1400, Los Angeles, CA 90025.  The document was signed by David M. Rubin, VP and Secretary. Note also that the same person was the seller, and he signed the transaction on behalf of The Pavillion.  This indicates that this was a paper transaction, and that the sale corporate family still controls both buildings. 

Another signee on the mortgage was Ahron Kirzner, President.  Glass Tower Management Corp, a New Jersey Corporation, its General Partner.  A document referencing "County of Morris" appears to indicate the residence of Ahron Kirzner.

A rider on the Mortgage, signed by Kirzner,  allows for transfer to be permitted to or among the following
- Glass Tower Associates, LP
- Glass Tower Management Corp;
- Ahron Kirzner;
- WIllshire Investment Corporation;
- Deane Earl Ross
- persons or entities majority owned and controlled by the entities in 1-5 above or the same principals therein.

The surveyor for the transaction was Kenneth J. Stigner, and the title company was Chicago Title Insurance Company. 

Another document indicates a relationship between the Colonnade Apartments, LTC and Garden State Equities, PO Box 2517, East Orange, NJ 07019.

The mortgage information is as follows:  Instru# 918822.  Carole A. Graves, Essex County Register. Recorded/Filed RL 2 11/24/2003  09:02:3  bk 9390 Pg 536 #pgs 16  co.

The mortage company was New York Community Bank.  615 Merrick Ave, Westbury, NY 11590.  516-683-4550. Loan No. 17-055374-3, File No. Multi 142

Tax Map Reference:  Per NJSA 46:15-2.1.  City of Newark, Block No. 456, Lot 1.  The formal address is 23-59 Clifton Ave, Newark, NJ . 

There appears to be Federal Liens on the property.  Recorded at Essex County Register's Office, Hall of Records, Rm 130.  465 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Newark NJ 07102.  Instrument Number 8016342, recorded on Feb 21, 2008.  book 12118, Page 8975.  It references the Internal Revenue Service, Attn: Dorothy Pardol.  PO Box 145595, Cincinnati, OH 45250-5595.  First Party is Colonnade Apartments LTD, Second Party is listed as 420411808.  I think this is a social security number 420-41-1808, and probably belongs to Ahron Kirzner.  The lien is only $6000, for the year 1998.  Identifying Number is 22-2359127. It was assessed on 10/09/2006.  It references ACS 800-829-3903 and 22-00-0008.  An attached page references litigation filed by Wacchovia Bank against The Colonnade Corporation and other parties (Stonepine, Inc., Colonnade Towers Associates, LP, United States of America, State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee; Titilayo Sodeke infant by G/A/L; Linda Pope; F & A Distributing Company, State of New Jersey.  It's about a tax sale certificate 984356 assessed to The Colonnade.  Book 7228; page 810.  Attorney for Plaintiff was Donald E. Williams.  Instr # 716092 Recorded/Filed RL 25 01/17/2003  bk 47; page 281.

Special thanks to Maxwell Conton for researching this and providing to the webmaster.

BREAKING NEWS - SEPT 11, 2009:  CTA representatives, including Talibah Sun and 5 others, met with Property Manager Sean Pena and Tim English, President of Alpha.  We discussed a multitude of issues, and the attendees agreed that improving communication should be a priority focus.  Changes coming soon include laundry room upgrades, new flooring and cosmetic improvements to the rear entrances, moving and modernizing the store, creating a new community room, a Quarterly newsletter, a Colonnade website, improvements to the work order system, and community events. 

We discussed issues with the timeliness of repair requests being completed, management/tenant relations in general, various issues associated with the Greening of the building, and the upcoming 50th anniversary of The Colonnade.

BREAKING NEWS - SEPT 10, 2009:  It is absolutely false that there is a plan in place to encourage Baxter Terrace residents to move to The Colonnade.  Note also that The Colonnade does not accept Section 8, and all residents must be income qualified.

BREAKING NEWS - SEPT 4, 2009:  CTA to be meeting with Sean Pena, the first formal meeting.

BREAKING NEWS - AUG 25, 2009:  CTA is gearing up for the Diversity Picnic to be held on Sunday at 3:00 PM in their rear playground area.

BREAKING NEWS - AUG 24, 2009:  Sean Pena is still refusing to meet with representatives of the CTA.

BREAKING NEWS - AUG 18, 2009:  The city elevator inspector was here along with a rep from the elevator vendor, Jersey Elevator.  The rep blames tenants for breaking the elevators and says they are otherwise working fine.

BREAKING NEWS - AUG 16, 2009:  An incident occured in which a visitor accessed the building without permission and was allegedly banging on doors looking for relative's apartments.  She was physically escorted off the premises by security.  Her relatives sent out strongly worded emails to management and the Tenants Association, denying that she was intoxicated and creating a problem.

Tenants are upset that doorbells and intercomms are not working in the Colonnade D Building, which contributed to the above incident.

BREAKING NEWS - AUG 13, 2009:  Property Manager Sean Pena has decided to begin communicating directly with the new Tenants Association.  In an email today, he explained the situation regarding Jerome A Robison, a security guard was was indicted for sex trafficking.  He said that your security is management #1 concern, and he forwarded a statement from Force One, the security guard company explaining their screening process.  Robison was terminated.

BREAKING NEWS - AUG 9, 2009:  Tenants demand that Security Guard Jerome A. Robison be fired.

BREAKING NEWS - AUG 8, 2009:  A flurry of furious emails regarding a news article in which 8 people were indicted for a sex-trafficking ring.  One of the 8 people is Jerome A Robison, a Force One employee who works as a Security Guard at The Colonnade. According the article, the group allegedly lured scores of women into a life of prostitution, first confiscating their cell phones and any form of personal identification, and then forced them to turn tricks until they made a nightly quota of up to $1,000.

BREAKING NEWS - AUG 4, 2009:  Tenant leaders are very upset that Sean Pena is telling various tenants that they don't have "permission" to organize a tenants association, or to hold a meeting.

BREAKING NEWS - AUG 3, 2009:  Our Convener, Talibah Sun, sends an email to Sean Pena advising him to "cease and desist your arrogant pronunciations that we need permission.  In addition, you are hereby informed that you cannot question, harass, or retaliate against any Colonnade Tenant Association member".

BREAKING NEWS - AUG 2, 2009:  The Colonnade's first response to being submitted a list of issues to address was to inquire as to what tenant, what unit #, generated this list.

BREAKING NEWS - JULY 30, 2009:  Eric Martindale of the 380-402 Tenants Association met with Charles Auffant of the Rutgers Community Law Clinic.  Auffant represented their Tenants Association in the rent strike of 2007-2008.  Auffant stands ready to represent Newark Tenants United, including The Colonnade, in a joint action rent strike, if the decision is made to launch.

BREAKING NEWS - JULY 29, 2009:  The Colonnade webpage is launched onto the Newark Tenants United website

BREAKING NEWS - JULY 28, 2009:  The Tenants Association votes at its first Steering Committee meeting to join Newark Tenants United.

BREAKING NEWS - JULY 24, 2009:  The Colonnade has its second general meeting, about 30 attended. The meeting was convened by Talibah Sun.

BREAKING NEWS - JUNE 28, 2009:  The Colonnade Tenants Association has its first general meeting. About 45 persons attended. The meeting was orderly and after the regular business, many people stated that they were eager to join the Steering Committee.  

 For more info, see www..newarktenantsunited.org  Home Page