Article Courtesy of The Miami Herald

By TIM HENDERSON

Published September 4, 2007 

An Aventura man was arrested after an argument over a condo assessment turned violent Sunday afternoon, a police report shows.

Richard Lee Meuret, 71, was released on $5,000 bail Monday on a felony charge of battery on an elderly person, according to court records.

May Frank, 79, was hit in the head during the argument about 5 p.m. Sunday, police said.

Meuret was passing out election fliers on the 18th floor at the Coronado condominium, 20379 W. Country Club Dr., when Frank asked him not to place a flier under her door, police said.

''There was some exchange of words, and then all of a sudden he hit her with a fist to her head. He knocked her down,'' said George Silverglad, who said he witnessed the fight.

Meuret told police Frank had spit on him during the argument, and he was only trying to push her away, police said. Meuret is a member of the condo board, Silverglad said.

Meuret did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Frank denied spitting on him.

''It's impossible,'' Frank said. ''I have dentures that are loose. It's very difficult to spit with loose dentures.'' The building has been split by an argument over assessments, mostly for damage from Hurricane Wilma. Ballots are due Wednesday on a plan to finance $15 million in repairs over 15 years, with interest estimated at another $10 million.

After the fight, however, a new $10 million assessment plan was floated, according to Frank.

Resident Barbara Brighton said she wants Meuret removed from the board.

''This is an action that should not be permitted anywhere,'' Brighton said.

Condo president Henry Flood said he won't move to oust Meuret while the case is still under investigation.

''I see no reason to act,'' Flood said. ``A charge is not a conviction. People are entitled to their office and their vote until such time as the legal process says you're guilty.''

A compromise plan to spend $10 million for repairs and interest, which Flood called a bare minimum, is scheduled for discussion at a board meeting Thursday. A notice of the plan went out after the arrest, but Flood said that had nothing to do with it.

''In case the unit owners turn down the assessment, it's my responsibility to prepare the board to be ready with an alternative and this is that alternative,'' Flood said.

Silverglad and Frank, who was board secretary before leaving in March 2006, said they're not happy with the way the current board's handling finances.

''Everybody's fighting and arguing,'' Silverglad said. ``My blood pressure went to 190-90 and my blood sugar went to 300 since this happened. I got a call in to my doctor to see what I should do.''