Original Message:
New Statement from Florida Timeshare Owners Group and NTOA Opposing Florida Bill (by Jeffrey W.):
To All Selected Timeshare Industry Leaders, Attached below is a copy of today's FTOG E-Newsletter, as sent to our membership, FYI. Frank Debar, Chairman Florida Timeshare Owners Group
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To FTOG Members,
I am forwarding to each FTOG member a copy of today's NTOA's Newsletter, which has further information dealing with the current proposals to change the Florida Timeshare Act. I sincerely hope that every member takes this information very seriously, as it will definitely, and negatively affect your ownership rights, as well as your overall costs associated with ownership, if passed, and approved by Gov. Rick Scott. Please notice the contact information for emailing Gov. Scott. You are now being asked, by me, to indicate to the Governor that you strongly oppose passage of this bill, and then give him your reasons. (Note the reasons provided within this newsletter). Can you do this within the next few days? Time is now of major importance. You may also indicate that you are a member of the Florida Timeshare Owners Group, which has recently gone on public record in opposition to the passage of these changes in our current Florida statutes, which currently regulate the timeshare industry. These proposed changes are clearly an attempt to remove the current consumer protections that are now afforded to all owners of Florida timeshares. I truly hope that each and every FTOG member will participate in this effort to protect not only your own individual timeshare property ownership, but also the protections afforded to all Florida timeshare owners, wherever they currently reside.
You may also consider copying me on your emails, as they are sent to Gov. Scott. Thank you! Frank Debar, Chairman Florida Timeshare Owners Group (941) 351-1384 Website: www.tsownersgroup.com
Here is the NTOA Newsletter: -------------------------------------------------- National Timeshare Owners Association April 2015 Newsletter #16 -------------------------------------------------- Calling All Timeshare Owners!!
A Call to Action:
About two months ago, the NTOA was advised that amendments to the Florida Timeshare Act had been filed by Florida Representative Eric Eisenaugle. According to the bills sponsor, the legislation was drafted to modernize the law to accommodate new timeshare programs and protect consumers. We reached out to ARDA-ROC who shared with us that they too, felt these amendments would be good for timeshare owners. Upon first read and review, we knew there was a problem and began asking more questions to various industry representatives, including the leadership of ARDA and ARDA-ROC as to why no information was published about these changes in advance. With no response, we then requested an independent analysis and were alarmed at its findings. (See Analysis)
The NTOA in its mission to protect and preserve the vacation ownership interests of all timeshare owners met with elected officials and testified about the damaging affects the new revisions could have on consumer protection in Florida as well as anyone purchasing a timeshare in that state. As a result, the media began to cover HB453/SB932 closer and the Orlando Sentinel published several articles regarding the timeshare bill (See Links or go to Google News: "Timeshare", for more information)
Your Help is Needed: Today the NTOA is participating in a coalition of timeshare owner groups from around the nation who have banded together to publicly oppose amendments to the Florida Timeshare Act as it is written. Our goal is to create dialogue, where there is currently none, slow down the process of implementing provisions which may have negative "unintended consequences" and ensure proper and fair changes are made with consumer input. (See press release 4/20/15)
We want our member/owners to understand that this legislation has national implications and can not be allowed to be implemented. We encourage you to go to our website under the legislation page and listen to a podcast conducted by TimeSharing Today Magazine as well as read the bill and articles that explain the issues in much more clear detail. Finally, if you agree that these changes are detrimental to your ownership rights, we ask that you write to Gov. Rick Scott and express that he VETO the timeshare bill.
More to come!
Gregory Crist Chairman and CEO
Executive Office of Governor Rick Scott 400 S Monroe St Tallahassee, FL 32399 (850) 488-7146 Email the Gov. - CLICK HERE
Listen to the PODCAST - CLICK HERE
Below are links to the bill and articles helping to bring awareness to these actions.
1. FLORIDA BILL HB453 / SB932
2. Florida bill to loosen cap on timeshare fees draws critics
3. Florida bill aims to weaken timeshare protections