guest blog by Nila Ridings
The Manor at Forest Park Homeowners Association orders Mathew Goodson to remove his security door even though he has proof it stopped a break-in at his home.
Amelia Nolder of the architectural department says, “Nothing can be changed, the door must be removed, it can not and will not be approved.” Wow! Those sound like orders from a judge. But they haven’t even been to court yet.
Mathew Goodson is getting lots of support from those familiar with his situation and he’s contemplating getting an attorney and going to court. Okay. That sounds like about a forty thousand dollar legal bill. Is having the door worth that? He says the door saved his life based on the attempted break-in and the fact the burglars were stopped because of it.
Goodson knows doors. He’s a retired firefighter which means he’s broken through a lot of them. It appears his retirement years are going to be interrupted with fighting an HOA battle that is guaranteed to get as heated as a four alarm fire!
Should the HOA board be thinking about the depreciation of property values when break-ins, armed robberies, and maybe rapes could be happening in the community? Or should they focus on the appearance of the doors?
Perhaps somebody should introduce this HOA to the JambBrace? www.jambBrace.com
(click here for MyFoxAtlanta story)
I think this HOA needs to have their heads examined by a medical professional! We actually encourage security doors in my community. I wonder what the liability to the HOA will be if someone breaks into Goodson’s home and assaults someone…or worse….you know, after they forced him to “remove his security door.” Maybe this HOA should “focus” on some commonsense!