HARPERS FOREST APARTMENTS WILL NEVER CHANGE SHOPPERS!

IF COMMENTS LIKE THE ONES BELOW WERE BEING POSTED BY TENANTS IN AUGUST OF 2005 WITH LIVING CONDITIONS AND PUBLIC OPINION HAVING ONLY GOTTEN WORSE IN 2009 - LET'S JUST FACE IT APARTMENT SHOPPERS - HARPERS FOREST APARTMENTS WILL NEVER CHANGE - FOR THE BETTER!

Looking for roommate & apartment in area between b-more & DC

14 posts - Last post: Aug 23, 2005

well i looked in the columbia area just for 1 bedroom apartments, ... do not live in harper's forest apartments. everyone in that complex is ... www.buzzlife.com

08/11/2006 Too many roaches, unprofessional management
07/02/2006 this place sucks
06/20/2006 Once a dump, always a dump
09/17/2005 too many roaches
05/02/2005 Look Elsewhere
04/07/2005 I can only speak for myself
03/15/2005 Rats, Mice,....Hell No!!!
02/11/2005 I would not suggest this complex to anyone
12/01/2004 Don't live here

ALL OF THESE COMMENTS ARE WELL DOCUMENTED AT

http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/MD-Columbia-Harpers-Forest-Apartments.html

THE SCURRILOUS OWNERS OF HARPERS FOREST APARTMENTS ARE FAILURES AS BUSINESSMEN - BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THEY'RE FAILURES AS HUMAN BEINGS!

I THINK IT'S HIGH TIME WE MAKE ROOM IN OUR PRISONS FOR CRIMINALS, LIKE DEMOCRATIC PARTY FUNDRAISER AND SLUMLORD OWNER OF HARPERS FOREST APARTMENTS PHILIP E. RATCLIFFE, AS WELL AS HIS HOWARD COUNTY GOVERNMENT ENABLERS - KEN ULMAN, MARY KAY SIGATY, DOUGLAS GANSLER AND THE EQUALLY IMPOTENT HOWARD COUNTY HOUSING OFFICE!

UNFORTUNATELY FOR US, HOWARD COUNTY CITIZEN, THOSE WE DEPEND ON TO ENFORCE THE LAW ARE IN BED WITH THOSE WHO ARE BREAKING THE LAW! OUR ONLY LEGAL RECOURSE, FOR HAVING A LEGITIMATE COUNTY GOVERNMENT IN THE SHORT TERM, IS A RECALL OR IMPEACHMENT OF OUR DISGRACEFUL ELECTED OFFICIALS OR A RESOUNDING ELECTORAL DEFEAT ON ELECTION DAY.

AS FAR AS COLUMBIA'S PREMIER GHETTO COMPLEX, HARPERS FOREST APARTMENTS, THEY'RE ABOUT TO BITE THE DUST ANYWAY - THANKS TO THE ABUSED TENANTS, LIKE YOU AND ME, WHO INSIST ON TELLING THE WORLD ABOUT THE MOST INEPT AND INCOMPETENT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT EVER TO SET FOOT IN HOWARD COUNTY MARYLAND.

HATS OFF TO YOU - ABUSED AND ANGRY TENANTS!

IF YOU LIKE THE VILLAGE OF HARPERS CHOICE AS MUCH AS I DO , THEN CONSIDER FENLAND FIELD APTS!

If you like the VILLAGE OF HARPERS CHOICE in Columbia as much as I do and want an alternative to the dreadfully mismanaged SLUMS AT HARPERS FOREST APARTMENTS, you'd be doing yourself a great disservice if you don't at least take a look at FENLAND FIELD APARTMENTS. the few dollars extra it cost will be returned to you ten fold in very practical benefits such as:

1. Washers and dryers in your apartment. Wow! What a convenience this has turned out to be! No more trying to rush to the pay washers before somebody else fills up the machines. I can do my laundry at 3am if I want and I don't have to make a run to the bank for rolls of quarters to feed the machines. Of course it depends on the season of the year, but for my laundry alone I'm putting that $20.00 of quarters in my pocket now that I'm at FENLAND FIELD APARTMENTS CHING! and that's the beginning, but it's only the beginning apartment shoppers.

2.You have much more window space to let the light in and refreshingly provides a sense of spaciousness and openness. Also the windows are on opposite sides of your apt allowing for cross ventilation, which for me is a blessing because I don't like the heat of summer and considering the still spiraling energy cost by BGE it will certainly result in immediate savings on your energy bill by delaying the need for air conditioning. For those of you who have lived at the crumbling HARPERS FOREST APARTMENTS you know that the couple of windows available are all on the same side of your apt and there is NO cross ventilation and multiple fans only minimally relieve the stuffiness and stale air in those apts. You may find, as I have, that you have more money in your pocket when you rent at FENLAND FIELD APARTMENTS! CHING! CHING!

3. Depending on exactly which building you are in you may have a COLUMBIA transit green and blue bus line literally across the street from your front door. The green and blue bus line travels down Harpers Farm Road just before heading up to it's major transfer points at the MALL IN COLUMBIA. Who needs a car with this convenience! It's more money in your pocket and in this economy there's nothing wrong with that! CHING! CHING! CHING!

4. At FENLAND FIELD APARTMENTS you don't even need a car for the basics because, again depending which building you're in at this sprawling apartment community, you are most likely 1 to 3 blocks from the HARPERS CHOICE VILLAGE CENTER and full service SAFEWAY and pharmacy. Like much of COLUMBIA, there is plenty of sidewalk and is very 'walker' friendly. A bucket of CHING CHING! Boy - I might need to open a SWISS bank account!

5. FENLAND FIELD advertises balconies and in fact has balconies, unlike the deteriorating and discredited HARPERS FOREST APARTMENTS who advertise balconies but don't have a single one in the complex. What BRAZEN FALSE ADVERTISING! Whats more important though is that at FENLAND FIELD APARTMENTS you can observe the wonder of nature as the seasons unfold and change from the comfort of your own bright and 'window-y' home as well as from your own balcony where some of the beautiful trees are almost close enough to touch! I know you nature lovers appreciate that!

6. I generally have much more closet space including a very generous walk in closet in my bedroom.

7. My FENLAND FIELD APARTMENT, whether it's due to superior building materials or just the very cozy layout, has a sense of better soundproofing unlike the HARPERS FOREST GHETTO where you can hear every step the upstairs occupants make-YES-EVERY STEP AND MORE! NUFF SAID!

8. In the leasing office FENLAND FIELD has a COMPUTER ROOM available for FREE USE BY THEIR TENANTS which is a godsend for those times when your computer crashes and you immediately need a back up computer for basic but important tasks like e-mail and bill paying.

9. The furnace runs so quietly at FENLAND FIELD APARTMENTS you hardly know it's running, unlike the HARPERS FOREST APARTMENTS two-bit heating system which SOUNDS LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN coming down the tracks and if you're watching television or listening to music, as I usually am, you'll need to constantly adjust the volume so you can hear over the racket, which means that due to the paper thin walls at HARPERS FOREST you are unfortunately and most likely disturbing your neighbors as well.

Granted folks, these are just my first impressions of living in FENLAND FIELD APARTMENTS and sometimes first impressions fade with time, but as far as first impressions go - FENLAND FIELD is a winner in my book! Whether that opinion gets better or worse you're going to hear about it right here at the HOWARD COUNTY APARTMENT SHOPPER website. BEFORE YOU SIGN A LEASE AT THAT DREADFULLY MISMANAGED GHETTO CALLED HARPERS FOREST APARTMENTS - CHECK OUT THE MUCH MORE PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED FENLAND FIELD APARTMENTS at 5351 Harpers Farm Road in Columbia or contact the rental office at 410-730-2953.

THE DAMNING EVIDENCE THAT PROVES NOT ONLY ARE THOSE IDENTIFIED FAILURES IN BUSINESS BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY-FAILURES AS HUMAN BEINGS!

THE BILL I RECEIVED, WHICH LOOKED LIKE A CRUMPLED PIECE OF PAPER IN THE STAIRWAY AND FOR WHICH HARPERS FOREST DENIED, AND DENIED AND DENIED, EVER GIVING ME. IT'S PRECISELY BECAUSE I VERY RESPECTFULLY DECLINED TO PAY FOR THESE, SINCE THE ONES THEY REPLACED WERE IN PRISTINE AND NEW CONDITION, AND BECAUSE THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS THE COLOR. HARPERS FOREST APARTMENTS-YOU CAN PUT DIFFERENT COLOR BLINDS EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK. YOU CAN PUT PEA SOUP GREEN BLINDS ON MONDAY AND HOT PINK CHECKERBOARD ON WEDNESDAY IF YOU WANT-BUT TENANTS ARE NOT GOING TO PAY FOR IT. YOU'LL TAKE A CUT IN SALARY BEFORE WE ABSORB THE COST OF YOUR RECKLESS MANAGEMENT!

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY-HOWARD COUNTY- SLUMLORD SCANDEL

IS DOUGLAS GANSLER QUALIFIED TO BE THE STATES ATTORNEY FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND? I USED TO THINK SO, NOW I'M RECONSIDERING. YOU MAY REMEMBER REMEMBER THAT DURING THE PRIMARY CAMPAIGN A JUDGE WAS ASKED TO LOOK INTO WHETHER OR NOT GANSLER MET THE MINIMAL 10 YEAR REQUIREMENT, OF PRACTICING LAW IN MARYLAND, NECESSARY TO HAVE HIS NAME PLACED ON THE BALLOT. THE JUDGE RULED THAT HE DID. IS IT POSSIBLE THE JUDGE ERRED IN THAT DECISION?

GANSLERS OWN WEBSITE SAYS THE FOLLOWING - LANDLORD RETALIATION AGAINST TENANTS
Q. Julie and two other tenants in her apartment complex circulated a petition to form a tenants' group to deal with the landlord's failure to make repairs. The landlord's nephew, who is also a tenant in the complex, reported this activity to the landlord. Julie was notified by the landlord that her rent would increase by $100 a month. Does Julie have to pay the higher rent or face eviction?
A. No.
A landlord cannot evict you, increase your rent, or fail to provide services because you organize or join a tenant's organization. Nor could the landlord take any of these actions if you had complained to him, filed a complaint against him with the housing inspection department or other agency, or filed a lawsuit. However, you would have to prove that retaliation was the only reason for the landlord's action.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2006/10/gansler_gets_perez_treatment_1.html

GANSLERS OWN WEBSITE STATES THAT TENANTS CAN'T BE EVICTED SIMPLY FOR FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT. NOT ONLY THAT BUT RECENTLY THE SUPREME CHIMED IN TO SAY( 'CRAWFORD V METRO' )
AN EMPLOYER IS NOT ALLOWED TO TERMINATE AN EMPLOYEE BECAUSE THE EMPLOYEE FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE EMPLOYER.

Ulman and Gansler support evicting tenants who.......

...file complaints against slumlords when they are also major Democratic Party fundraisers like Philip Ratcliffe! Rather odd, wouldn't you say, since Maryland States Attorney Douglas Ganslers own website says such actions are illegal. Even the Supreme Court chimed in on a similiar matter in 'Crawford v Metro.' If Mr. Gansler doesn't obey his own laws why should we?

For the sake of harvesting votes from those in the mental health community, smirking Howard County Executive Ken Ulman wants you to believe he cares about you and your life circumstances in 'progressive' Columbia Maryland, but don't you believe it! Ken Ulman for at least this past year has solidly backed slumlord and wealthy Democratic Party fundraiser Philip Ratcliffe in evicting both lower income and disabled tenants for filing complaints against Harpers Forest Apts for sub-standard and inferior maintenance standards, rodent infestations and violation after violation of minimal legal requirements and minimal moral standards of common decency. It's illegal, but that's another part of the problem. Maryland States Attorney Doug Gansler, also siding with slumlord Ratcliffe, refuses to enforce his own laws. Looks like the County Executive and States Attorney believes, as does owner of Harpers Forest Apts., that lower income and disabled folks are so stupid and desperate that they will take any crumbs they throw our way! Let's show Mr. Ulman and Mr. Gansler how stupid we are not - fire them on election day! Tell them we will not accept 'crumbs' like Ulman and Gansler to represent us in this disgraceful Howard County Maryland. We can do better. Much, much better!

INVESTIGATE KEN ULMANS UNHOLY ALLIANCE WITH HARPERS FOREST APARTMENTS AND THE PRESS

IS HOWARD COUNTY EXECUTIVE KEN ULMAN MANIPULATING JOURNALIST TO GAIN FAVORABLE NEWS COVERAGE FOR HARPERS FOREST OWNER, SLUMLORD AND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTOR PHILIP E. RATCLIFFE?

I am addressing this matter to investigative journalist at the Baltimore Sun and Washington Post newspapers. There's been a developing story in Columbia Maryland for about the last year which started out as a rather simple matter between a largely lower income and disabled apartment community and some rather inept property management. It could have been resolved swiftly and thoroughly with competent management but sadly, County Executive Ken Ulmans campaign fundraiser and owner of Harpers Forest Apartments, Philip E. Ratcliffe chose a different route to the dismay of the tenants who live here and of which I am one.

There's no shortage of detailed accounts from tenants at Harpers Forest Apartments, many with photo's and documentation of violation after violation of sub-standard maintenance conditions, health and safety hazards and the repeated attempts by some tenants to have their grievances addressed by Maryland Management who has refused. Appeals by tenants have been taken to almost the entire Howard County Government including local HUD office and three Democratic elected officials - Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, County Councilman Mary Kay Sigaty and perhaps to a lesser extent Maryland States Attorney Douglas Gansler. All of these officials refused to return a single telephone call or e-mail sent to them by their constituents who have lived in unsafe and unsanitary conditions and received abusive treatment by management at Harpers Forest Apartments. The mistreatment ranges from one tenant, Charles, who was blackmailed by staff when he was told he had to foot the $3000.00 to have his kitchen damages repaired which were the result of a crumbling infrastructure and maintenance staff who, by their own admission, repaired plumbing leaks with duct tape, to a similar situation which happened to me when Harpers Forest Management refused to repair damages in my kitchen which resulted from a reckless management who refused for more than three days to respond to repeated emergency calls reporting continuous water leaking and increasing property damage. All of the elected officials were contacted and every one of them refused to respond. When all normal channels of registering grievances were exhausted and as a last resort I posted this information online and was told Harpers Forest Apartments was not renewing my lease, even though I've had an excellent landlord-tenant relationship for over five years. Let me clarify - they approved me for lease renewal before they disapproved me. They sent me a letter offering to renew then after a few days later I was told I had to vacate. Just one more example of the ineptitude that permeates everything that is Harpers Forest Apartments.When there are rodent and insect infestations Harpers Management refuses to address the problem always saying that that tenant is the only one who ever complains, which might be believable by some til you have a dozen tenants who were told the exact same thing. In the case of the bed bug infestation tenants are told there will be no treatment of the property and that they need to destroy their own furniture and buy new items. With the introduction of a local journalist who approached me about doing a story, this matter has now morphed into a much larger issue that questions whether or not the supposedly independent press is being manipulated by Ken Ulmans office to benefit a campaign supporter and to and cover up his own negligence in addressing tenants complaints. I always thought the role of the press was to, among other things, report on activities of government representatives, present that information objectively to the public so that we may better know what our government 'of the people' is doing in the name of it's citizens.

Based on an experience I've had recently with one Howard County Journalist this principle may have been compromised. Ken Ulmans office may be trying to manipulate news coverage of his campaign supporters business operations and his own actions to help cover up those misdeeds. The journalist, let's just call her Mona, contacted me to ask if I'd speak with her because she might consider doing a story about the landlord-tenant issues. I responded right away indicating that I'd like to speak with her and would contact her after the weekend to arrange a meeting. I intended to call on Monday, but this being the first journalist expressing interest I wanted to run the idea around in my head a bit before meeting with Mona, but she took the initiative contacting me on Wednesday of that week saying that she was being pressed by Ken Ulmans office to hurry up and speak with me and return to the County Executives representatives to file her report. File what report? I thought journalist write news stories and present them to the public. Mona 'the journalist' wasn't. Mona was rushing around to present her report to the Howard County Executive and she noticeably jumped when Ulman snapped his fingers telling her to move faster. Is Mona 'the journalist' on the Howard County payroll? If she is how is it possible she could have enough objectivity to write an article about the slum operation at Harpers Forest Apartments which both Ulman and Gansler refuse to address? Is Mona going to be able to point the finger, any of them, at Ken and Doug when they sign her paycheck? IT IS A SILLY QUESTION - ISN'T IT? Of course she can't! This is why some of us see some possible improprieties between this journalist, her (FREE) paper and County Executive Ken Ulman. It appears her allegiance is not to the public and objective journalism but to a partisan Democratic elected official and his financial backers. If by prearrangement Mona had already agreed to report to the county executive, then by the time she contacted me claiming she wanted to write an article, and I ASSUMED she meant OBJECTIVE article - there I go again ASSUMING - she was already being dishonest. Just what we need - dishonest journalist in bed with dishonest Howard County officials! Is it possible that these private and cozy arrangements between elected officials and journalist is just a holdover from the Bush administrations practice of paying commentators, as they did with Armstrong Williams, to write favorable articles supporting their governmental policies? Is it possible that all this talk by President Obama about a change from eight years of destructive Republican rule is just more political smoke and mirrors and all politicians are really alike? Is it possible that there is no difference between Republicans and Democrats? Is it possible that Mona's professional obligation is to partisan elected officials like County Executive Ken Ulman to the detriment of private American citizens who aren't wealthy and usually can't access these officials and therefore have very little real political power? Is it possible Mona and Kens allegiance is to wealthy slumlords and high ranking Democratic Party financiers who can buy any and everything they will ever need including, apparently, political favors? Is it possible? Your damn right it is! Not only is it possible that's exactly what's going on with Ken's backroom orgy of the Howard County Government, Maryland State's Attorney's office, wealthy Democratic Party fundraisers and owner of the slums at Harpers Forest Philip E. Ratcliffe and now the FREE press! SCURRILOUS IS AS SCURRILOUS DOES. REMEMBER THAT ON ELECTION DAY! FIRE THE MOST SCURRILOUS BUNCH OF MARYLAND POLITICIONS SINCE SPIRO 'WHO?' AGNEW! FIRE HOWARD COUNTY EXECUTIVE KEN ULMAM, MARYLAND STATE'S ATTORNEY DOUGLAS GANSLER AND FIRE ANY SPINELESS DEMOCRAT WHO STILL TREMBLES AT THE MERE MENTION OF WEALTHY FUNDRAISER AND SLUMLORD PHILIP E. RATCLIFFE, HIS ODIOUS AND SHAMEFUL MARYLAND MANAGEMENT COMPANY AND HIS SLUMS AT HARPERS FOREST APARTMENTS!!!