When I was first told that a condo board waited six (6) business days to hold the recall meeting required by law [FS 718.112(2)(j)]: The board of administration shall duly notice and hold a meeting of the board within 5 full business days after receipt of the agreement in writing.] I actually thought it was a joke – until I saw it in writing in the arbitration filing.

Believe it or not: The reasoning of the attorney for the association: One of the “business” days in question was actually a holiday. And it even gets better: He named Jefferson Davis’ birthday (June 3) as the reason for having that holiday. Just in case you are not familiar with American history: Jefferson Davis was the President of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War (1861–1865).

Let’s face it: Only winners make for holidays. As you can imagine, the recall was certified by the arbitrator [See FINAL SUMMARY ORDER] – no matter how many affidavits the association attorney filed, affidavits claiming that Jefferson Davis' birthday really is an official holiday.

Actually, I’m still laughing! That was one of the funniest “excuses” I have seen over the years in recall arbitration filings. I’m still not quite sure if the attorney wasn’t kidding. In all reality: The affidavits actually got the CAM in hot water. Obviously the CAM and the association attorney forgot to read a recent Florida Supreme Court ruling.

The Final Summary Order contained another very interesting sentence – especially aimed at the board members who claim they know it all and file the ridiculous “I-Know-It-All” affidavit instead of taking a few hours of their time to visit one of the many Board Certification Seminars offered for free all over Florida.

On the other hand I think the attorney should have known better and should have stated some other excuses in the original arbitration filing – excuses that are not so ridiculous.

For future references: Not every birthday of a well-known historical figure is a holiday – no matter how people feel about that person. Imagine the outcry if Germany would make April 20 a national holiday?

So, the good guys won and can now work on making the Aquarius a nice condo with beach view again, not a place that looks like a war zone. In case you have seen the news report: “Is this the condo from hell?” you know why owners recalled part of the board.