Well, other headline writers got to it first so I just have to settle once again for being a copycat.
But in the town of Peculiar, Missouri there’s a really bizarre thing happening. Actually, it’s quite scary if you consider all the implications.
A homeowner is trying to get a permit for an above ground swimming pool. City officials say such a pool would violate the rules of her Homeowners Association so they won’t grant such a permit. The crazy thing is that there ISN’T a Homeowners Association there.
One was planned by the original developer, but he went bankrupt before an HOA ever came about. So here is a government institution enforcing a ‘rule’ that was never actually imposed by a non-governmental non-existing institution.
Reason finally prevailed once the homeowner hired a lawyer. But it’s hard to find any reasonableness in the city officials quoted in the story linked below.
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!
Homeowners have long known that if a judge makes a horrible decision in a civil case they can appeal, but they can’t sue the judge. It makes sense. That is, until you consider the facts in an ongoing divorce and child support case in Detroit.
Judge Wade McCree is somewhat famous there because of the nude ‘selfies’ he takes of himself to send out to female admirers. The Michigan Supreme Court removed him from the bench. But a current civil case against the former judge is raising eyebrows.
News reports indicate that the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that judge McCree is immune from a civil suit filed by the husband in a divorce case. Seems the judge was not only ‘sexting’ with the husband’s ex-wife, he was also having an affair with her. Ah yes, and at the same time levying heavy child support payments against the husband. This judge is one busy fellow.
As I’ve said before, the biggest avalanche begins with a tiny grain of ice slipping down the hillside. Well, beginning next week we’ll witness another chunk of ice becoming unstable. And the beneficiaries will be homeowners in Idaho.
The Gem State has a new law that will begin to reign in some of HOA abuses of homeowners. No longer can a single board member slam his or her weight around a neighborhood bullying people over minor violations. From now on each violation and fine can’t be levied unless a majority of the board approves.
Also, homeowners must have 30 days notice that the board is going to take such a vote.
Finally, and I love this part, you can’t fine a homeowner who’s making a good faith effort to correct a violation.
CAI hates this new law with a passion.
Of course they do. And it gives the lie to claims of CAI members that their organization represents homeowners.
A California Homeowners Association, The Lake of the Pines HOA, is up in arms because an old war veteran uses his garage to build furniture for military families who can’t afford to buy their own.
He’s been building and donating the furniture for a decade. He makes no profit at all. But his HOA says he’s not allowed to use any part of his property to cut wood, sand, paint, or screw. (Yes, I know I’m overlooking a fun comment about that last line, but I’m resisting the urge).
But Vietnam war veteran Dennis Kocher is facing fines of 100 to 500 bucks if he doesn’t click his boot heels together and salute these lawn Nazis. Thugs, is what they are. And I’ve got so little patience for thugs.
