Category Archives: Patriotism

Portland Porch Painter

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guest blog by Nila Ridings

One the the greatest things about this Neighbors At War website is it brings people together in a very unusual way. Most women meet for coffee, a museum tour, book club, or quilting retreat to enhance their social lives. Men meet for a beer, golf outing, or a fishing trip to Alaska. But regardless of our “outside” interests we all “meet” every day or a few times per week on this website. Are we just compelled to read about the sickness that prevails in America’s HOAs? Or are we hoping for an outside chance of some humor to be found here?

This story was sent to me by a friend who finds herself reading the fascinating entertainment of Neighbors At War has become part of her daily routine. She sends me emails that only say: “OMG!” or “CRAZY!” or “NO WAY!” And on a rare occasion she sends “LOL!” With each passing day she is more and more thankful she does not live in an HOA! Today, she sent this story from Portland. I see a good deal of humor in it, so I’m sharing.

Thank you, MG for emailing the link! (I’m using initials to protect identity since her home is surrounded by HOAs. I don’t want her to end up on the area’s HOA radar screen and become their newest target)

This gal lives in Portland and tells her story of the challenging and tiring efforts she made to paint her front porch. She shares the pictures and it’s obvious she likes her house to look cheerful and welcoming. She shares her back story of what a painted porch meant in her growing up days. It certainly would not hold that meaning in the HOAs of America. It could be the catalyst to having her house foreclosed on by the HOA but she was brave…and now…she awaits the arrival of the Porch Paint Nazis.

I hope this story will make you smile, too!

 
http://thepaintfactorypdx.com/

Finally, An Organization I Can Believe In!

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I’ve never been a big fan of the ACLU. Oh, I’ve interviewed ACLU officials a number of times in my career. They’re rarely the ones who say, “No comment!” And some of their battles I’ve certainly supported. Sadly, there are too many cases which I firmly believe that the ACLU won’t touch.

It’s a completely different story where the Institute for Justice (IJ.org) is concerned. They, too, are a civil rights organization but they seem to be more focused on housing, minority rights, and seeking out the kinds of justice that would help all of us, not just small minority interests.

Guest blogger Deborah Goonan sends this link to us:

http://ij.org/wa-lawyer-free-speech-release-2-20-15

Institute for Justice has a number of other great videos at:

IJ.org

You could and should spend an entire afternoon watching their videos and studying their interests. And then, as I’m doing now, write them a check. They’re doing some excellent work.

Another Crude One from Comcast

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Being a customer of Comcast is mandated in Homeowners Associations across America. HOA boards and managers make backroom deals to allow only one company to service customers. Setting up a monopoly with utiltities supposedly saves money for homeowners. But money isn’t as big a problem as the quality of service.

Obviously, not all customers are satisfied with Comcast customer service. But for the second time in two weeks we hear of the ‘special’ way some customers are treated by the company’s billing department.

(link to story on mary super-b1tch bauer)

 

Movies About Homeowners Associations

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I know of at least four HOA movies in various stages of production. Movies are extraordinarily expensive to do, and to do right. One of the older ones that appears to have stalled had a wonderfully clever trailer….worth watching.

If anyone has an update on this production, please let me know.

 

Update: Osceola delegation denies HOA residents’ third request to make Poinciana a city

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guest blog by Deborah Goonan

A few months ago I blogged about a very large Florida HOA with over 45,000 residents, and the fact that a homeowner’s group (PINCHOS) has been trying for three years to incorporate as a city. In all, Poinciana has nearly 60,000 residents. Under the latest proposal, roughly 47,000 live within boundaries that were to create a new municipality.

News reports indicate that Osceola County Legislative Delegation vote was split 2-2, along party lines on the matter, with two representatives not present at the time the vote was taken. A Department of Revenue report, based on a feasibility study, has concluded that Poinciana meets the financial requirements of a city, and stands to take in millions in revenue if it incorporates as a municipality.

At the hearing conducted last month, the delegation reportedly heard from residents both in favor of the proposal and opposed. Those opposed fear that becoming a city would lead to a tax increase, despite a feasibility study’s conclusion to the contrary.  Debate on the finer points has been put on hold for yet another year.

One of the reasons PINCHOS is in favor of municipal incorporation: typical of large HOAs, Poinciana is divided into 9 Villages, and the President of each Village Board serves on the Master HOA. Property owners elect the Master Board, but many of those owners are not actually residents of Poinciana. Meanwhile tenants have no voting rights to elect their leaders. That’s equivalent to taxation without representation! Predictably, the HOA Developer and the Board spoke against Poinciana becoming a city at the Delegation meeting.

According to another recent television news report, Poinciana has been struggling with crime and vandalism. Because they don’t have City status, they cannot have their own police department. Therefore the HOA has decided to spend $100,000 on increasing security staff and adding security cameras.

Keith Laytham, spokesperson for the owners’ group in favor of municipal incorporation says his group will continue to work with State Rep. John Cortes to put Poinciana on the map as a city in its own right.

(Bay News 9 article on controversy) 

(Orlando Sentinel article on Poinciana)

(Letter to Ledger.com from a Keith Laytham)

(WFTV video, Poinciana HOA to spend $100,000 on increased security)

(Previous blog about Poinciana, and why many residents want to create their own city)