07/13/2007
“But you signed a document promising to pay your fees on time” story. Isn’t it time to take away the power to foreclose from association attorneys? Allowing this to continue is a lot like handing a three year old a loaded gun to play with. As this report illustrates, the power to foreclose has nothing to do with ensuring that associations are adequately financed but everything to do with creating more billable hours for association attorneys. – Shu
(CBS4) PEMBROKE PINES
Carey Codd Reporting
Denise Wunders nearly lost her homes four months ago when she forgot to pay her $106-a-year maintenance fee. After racking up some late fees, the homeowner’s association’s lawyers got involved and her bill went into the thousands of dollars.“It was one of those where I said it’s tight, ‘I’m gonna put it aside,’” said Wunders. However, attorneys who represent homeowners associations say buyers sign paper work telling them of these consequences, and once their lawyers get involved, the bills start stacking up. Wunders faced a $4,000 legal fee.“The board of directors has a fiduciary duty to collect these assessments,” said Eric Glazer. “They have a duty by statute and they have a duty to enforce the terms of the document.” Read Whole Story
07/10/2007
This is yet another amazing story of the abuse of power. But if the police can admit they have made a mistake and take steps to remedy the situation, why can’t HOA’s? – Shu
From KSL TV – Salt Lake City Sam Penrod Reporting
Friday, July 6 2007
A widow and grandma spent the morning in jail, arrested for refusing to give a policeman her name when he tried writing her a ticket for failing to water her yard. The woman hasn’t watered her lawn in more than a year, and the condition of her yard violates an Orem zoning ordinance. Read the Whole Story
07/07/2007
Free tax money can be quite intoxicating. Here is an example of what happens when the town center gets turned over to the private sector and “Billy the Bobby” is in charge of enforcing the rules adopted by , in this case, the developer. – Shu
From the Washington Post:
By Marc Fisher
Thursday, June 21, 2007; B01
In just seven years, the new downtown Silver Spring has become a bustling restaurant scene, a business center and a public gathering spot popular with all ages.Except maybe we should reconsider the “public” part.Chip Py, a longtime resident of Silver Spring, recently returned to an old interest in photography. While wandering through downtown after eating lunch there last week, he took out his camera and started to take shots of the contrast between the tops of the office buildings and the sparkling blue sky.
Within seconds, a private security guard was at Py’s side, informing him that picture-taking is not permitted, no explanation given.
“I am on a city street, in a public place,” Py replied. “Taking pictures is a right that I have, protected by the First Amendment.”
The guard sent Py to the management office of the Peterson Cos., the developer that built the new downtown. There, marketing official Stacy Horan told Py that although Ellsworth Drive — where many of the downtown’s shops and eateries are located — may look like a public street, it is actually treated as private property, controlled by Peterson. Read the whole story