Once again, this website has passed the 50,000 mark for people visiting us during the previous month. That kind of growth doesn’t come from me or my guest bloggers, although I love them dearly. It’s because YOU are spreading the word about the scam known as the American Homeowners Association Movement. And people are paying attention.
Some family members just got back from Spring Break week in Florida with stories about yet another family member who’s gotten his back up over a minor HOA dispute. An unmowed lawn, a too-high hedge, and the wrong kind of lamp in the window. He plans to fight the HOA. I plan to plead with him to pay all the fines, shut up and carefully plot his escape.
You just never know what to expect when you start writing about the outrages of HOA Amerika. But I suppose I could have predicted this one.
It happened in Venice, Florida. The owners of a brand new Chevy Volt discovered one of their neighbors was cutting the cord of their plug-in vehicle.
Now I’m no fan of the Volt. I actually think it’s a little stupid-looking and wouldn’t hold the boxes from any of my recent trips to Costco. But not in a million years would I think of intentionally damaging someone else’s plug-in car. Let them live in peace. It saves more carbon-based gasoline for me.
(The oft repeated rhetoric) is that further regulation of HOAs would amount to increased “government control.” In fact, the purpose and goal of smart regulation of HOAs is to protect owners’ rights by way of limiting the power of HOA corporate Board governance through a proven system of CHECKS AND BALANCES. The goals of regulation must not be to control community choice in HOAs, but rather to provide a favorable environment where the rights of owners are balanced against the rights of the Association, to allow for all members to have a voice in self-governance, and to promote harmony rather than division in communities.
Yet another Homeowners Association is taking aim at a homeowner who’s flying a patriotic flag. Floridians who fly the American flag have been taken to the cleaners over the years by their HOA for flying Old Glory. Then, Governor Jeb Bush stepped in and signed a bill forcing HOAs to allow flag flying. Reluctantly, the HOAs gave in.
But keep in mind that an HOA management company isn’t making money unless it’s fining homeowners, towing away their cars, liening and suing them for one minor violation or another. Trust me, when HOA management companies have their morning meetings, employees are told, “Now GET out there and write some tickets!!! FIND me some violations!!!
Jan Bergemann has given me permission to re-publish one of his columns on the ongoing HOA debacle in Florida. It’s fascinating reading and makes me wonder how much of this goes on elsewhere in the country.
THE BANKRUPT GOLF COURSE OWNER RELIEF ACT
An Opinion By Jan Bergemann President, Cyber Citizens For Justice, Inc.
Published September 10, 2010
Let’s take a closer look at the RELIEF ACT FOR BANKRUPT GOLF COURSE OWNERS. Remember there is something good for everybody in S 1196 — except for associations and owners.
