Category Archives: Animals

Vistana’s Continuing HOA ‘Crime’ Wave

People in Nevada know the name, “Vistana.” The Vistana Homeowners Association was ground zero for the massive FBI investigation of HOA corruption, rigged elections, racketeering, bribery, extortion, and maybe even a murder or two. Actually, they’re officially classified as suicides, but one of the lawyers who committed ‘suicide’ had his knees bashed in by ‘persons unknown’ inside his gated community. The kneecapping happened just a few months before his ‘suicide’. Ah, I forgot to add, this profoundly disabled lawyer was able to hang himself from the rafters of a barn. Suspicious? Hmmmm.

With the HOA scandal occupying all the headlines you’d think the current board and management of Vistana would be especially sensitive about obeying the letter of the law. But remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Yes, it seems the Vistana board needed to tow about 70 cars because of a paving project. Nevada has strict laws governing the towing of cars. But did the board follow the laws? Any of them? I’ll let KTNV reporter Darcy Spears answer that question in her HOA Hall Of Shame, linked below.

(link to HOA Hall of Shame)

Followup!

The State of Nevada has actually filed criminal charges against those responsible for the Vistana towing atrocity. Strange to think of a Nevada crime prosecuting body actually doing some prosecuting!

(link to HOA Hall of Shame followup story)

 

 

 

Sod vs Mint

guest blog by Nila Ridings

This might be breaking news: California is having a terrible drought! And Fran Paxton is trying to do her part to reduce water consumption for outdoor use.

Using her ingenuity, Ms. Paxton created landscaping using mint that requires little water. It even earned her a rebate on her landscaping from the local water district.

But the Twin Creeks HOA board in San Ramon demands she replace it with sod! Until she does they are fining her $50 per month.

In steps attorney, Micheal Mau who says the HOA could be violating the California law. He’s going to help Ms. Paxton settle this mess.

It’s no surprise that Twin Creeks board of directors says this case should not be settled on television. Heck no! It’s so much easier to bully the elderly out of the spotlight of television cameras. Good for Fran for calling out the investigative reporter!

(link to CBS San Francisco)

 

Important Scam Warning, But Not HOA Related

Here are some crooks who desperately need to be shut down, so spread the word on this scam to everyone you know.

I just had the most incredible scam caller on my private phone line. By his accent, the guy was obviously from India. He said he was from Windows and that my computer and my website were constantly mailing out error messages to the Windows company. I played along and acted dumb as long as I could. The caller eventually hung up, but he was a very gifted scammer. I searched online to see if others had received a similar phone call and I pulled up the following article:

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/10/i-am-calling-you-from-windows-a-tech-support-scammer-dials-ars-technica/

My experience was identical to that of the author of this article. This is apparently a huge world wide scam, and it’s quite convincing so avoid it like the plague.

BTW, if you don’t want to click on the link (which is obviously wise) here’s the following search string I ran on Google:     strange call windows event viewer

It will pull up the same article I’ve linked above.

Feel free to send anyone you know the link to tonight’s post on the Neighbors At War site. Heck, it might even generate some new readers for our regular fare.

-Ward

 

Just To Make You Laugh!

Since we seem to have tens of thousands of people who log in here regularly, I try to keep a running chart of adjectives and descriptive words that embattled homeowners use for abusive HOA board members and managers. A frequent one that comes up is ‘rattlesnake’, as in “my board president is as dangerous as a rattlesnake.”

Really, that word comes up a lot in your emails and in news stories about out-of-control HOAs.

So I YouTubed the word and came across a funny video that’s been viral several times over the past few years. As you watch this, just remember that sometimes the Good Guy wins!

(link to rabbit vs. rattlesnake)

 

 

Cypress Woods in Palm Beach County Is Going Wild Over Wilbur

guest blog by Nila Ridings
 
“Lawyers representing the HOA and Banyan Property Management said in a statement that they are trying to verify the medical conditions of the Halpern children as well as to verify whether Wilbur qualifies as a service or emotional support animal.”
 
This comment really disturbs me.  Why is it okay for the HOA and property manager’s attorneys to delve into the medical conditions of these children? That’s what we have pediatricians for!!!  And what happened to privacy policies regarding medical records?  Exactly where is the stopping point for HOAs when it comes to invading your life and privacy?
 
One child has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and both have ADHD.  Wilbur is part of their therapy.  He calms them.  But he sure does not calm the board at Cypress Woods!  They want the family’s pet pot-bellied pig out!
 
It’s been many years now since pot-bellied pigs first became family pets. I remember calling on some clients who had two of them.  Those pigs were so smart and did the funniest things! I certainly learned from that experience they can be entertaining and loving animals and just as trainable as a dog.  
 
Do these HOAs really think they only have cats and dogs living inside their communities? Are they ignorant enough to think people don’t have snakes, reptiles, and birds…and who knows what other living creatures inside the four walls of their homes?  I would much prefer a pot-bellied pig next door than to have a snake get out of it’s cage and crawl up into our adjoined attic!  And I’d be fine with some chickens as long as there are no roosters… especially if the neighbors shared some eggs once in awhile.  
 
Nobody has stated how Wilbur is disturbing the neighbors.  Or is he disturbing anybody other than the board members?  Has he chewed up the HOA’s flower beds?  Does he go wild when the neighbors are frying their breakfast bacon?  What exactly is he doing that is causing such a ruckus?  Or is it just a matter of the HOA having rules that don’t exclude pot-bellied pigs?  Mrs. Halpern was trying so hard not to break the rules.  I guess she just hasn’t learned yet that she can be fined for wearing the wrong color eye-shadow to the HOA meeting if the board decides to fine her!  HOAs have literally become about that ridiculous!
 
I wish the Halpern’s the best in their battle to save Wilbur, so I signed the petition in hopes it will help.  Their boys love Wilbur and he’s well-cared for so that should be all that matters!

(link to WPTV story on Wilbur)

(link to pet pig petition)