“Déjà vieu all over again!” Back in 2009, I established a blog for the
same reason as this new blog. In 2009 communication between the HOA officers
and members were basically nonexistent, just as they are today. Board meeting minutes, if any meetings take
place, are not communicated to the members.
Financial conditions, i.e., income and expense reports are nonexistent. No activity is communicated to the members,
nothing! In many respect today’s
condition are worse than 2009. Do any of
you know how many members have not paid their annual dues? Do any of you know how many of these
delinquent owners have liens against their property? Are any fines being levied for ACC
violations? As cooperative members
shouldn’t we know that? I happen to
think so.
There is one basic concept that the current officers have
yet to realize, or understand. An HOA,
such as ours, is a classic cooperative.
By definition, all members have an equal stake in the endeavor. Ours is not a corporate entity where you have
major and minor shareholders, with the major shareholders have most of the
power and decision making clout. In our
cooperative endeavor, the president and board members all have one vote, the
same as you and me. And since we are all
equal shareholders, we should all share the same information, financial and
otherwise. It’s not happening, so we should
demand it.
The HOA officers are serving at the members’ discretion. I don’t think they fully understand. As an equal shareholder, I am appalled at the
way business is conducted, or perhaps I should rephrase, at the way that no
business is conducted.
We’ll have plenty of time to discuss all of the issues in
detail as this blog gains momentum.
Please forward the blog site to neighbors that have the same concerns as
you and me. Many property owners are not
interested in getting involved, so consequently this blog will not appeal to
them. And that’s OK. For those of us who see our stake in this
subdivision has a substantial investment, then let bind together and affect
change. Please post your comments as
frequently as you identify issues.
You can access this blog by typing www.olddutchtown.blogspot.com
in your browser. Save the address in
your favorites to have it readily available. To post a comment, please scan the bottom of the page for "Posted by Old Dutchtown at (time). Immediately to the right click "no comment," or "comment (#)" to open a new page where you can post your comments.
Thanks for reading. I
hope to hear from you soon.
Dan
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete08/19/2013
ReplyDeleteFollowing is a list of items some of us feel should be more effectively addressed. Some are concerns of Neighborhood Watch; some are mine as a homeowner and other homeowners as well. The list was composed from concerns expressed directly to me online and telephone. There are non compliances posted on the Message Board and the Request Manager Tickets list has other non compliances. More can be found by driving the neighborhood. I hope you accept this as constructive criticism as it is intended to be.
The door leading to Club House bathroom and fitness area are not locking properly.
The Clubhouse gate fails to auto close.
Unauthorized use of the pool: some climbing fences and others walking thru the unlocked gate. Underage children have been using the pool without adult supervision.
Repairs to damaged playground equipment are not done as expediently as expected.
Pool is often dirty and lights burned out.
Front gardens need to be cleaned up at the abandoned house 13326 W. Mill Grove Dr.
Grass & weeds are allowed to grow in the joint where the cement curb and the asphalt street join; could eventually cause cracks in both.
Failure to respond timely to Request Manager Tickets.
We no longer get Board Monthly Meeting Minutes, Expenses and notice of any items costing more than $500.
Will the following information be made available to us?
Responsibilities of management firm, how will they carry out their management responsibilities and measure the results? I.e. Site visits & act on violations do follow ups to measure results, etc.
Will they more effective in addressing the above listed issues?
Will they keep us posted?
Or can you arrange a meeting with me and the management firm so that I can gather the information myself?
Summary:
Lack of timely fixing equipment problems in the common areas such as the Clubhouse has not set a good example for homeowners to follow. Homeowners should be motivated to voluntary comply with the Convents & Restrictions by setting good examples and defined expectations. The continued lack of corrective actions for C & R violations as they occur are examples of low expectations and further promotes non compliance. An attempt should be made to eliminate the need for these actions by getting the neighborhood involved and promoting team work; these actions must begin with the HOA.
Having a means to report violations is necessary but they should not be totally relied on to catch all.
Further, I suggest this tip line should be totally anonymous.
These conditions if allowed to get worse could eventually cause a decrease in home values. Home values are determined by the value of surrounding homes, appearance is most important; this is often referred to as “Neighborhood Depreciation thru Neglect”. Let’s don’t go there.
Finally, we have an expensive message box and an online website that should be used to its fullest to promote compliance and keep residents aware of the business of the HOA, such as cameras have been installed at the clubhouse and other pertinent business.
08/21/2013
Here are some examples of driving thru the neighborhood can turn up, some are frequent, and some are ongoing:
Trash cans are left in full view, garbage strewn about the pickup area.
There are some front gardens and yards in need of care.
Mail boxes with doors or numbers missing.
A Rental Inflatable’s business is being operated from home and the equipment is being cleaned and dried on front lawn.
Wrecked truck parked in driveway for weeks.
Grass clippings are left in the street and/or blown into the drains.
Trailers and boats in driveways for long periods of time.
Vehicle parked on the streets longer than one day and night.
Parking on the grass servitudes in front of homes.
Parking on the common area grass and fishing in the pond.
Garbage can at clubhouse is often overfilled with full trash bags along side of it.
Cut branches are being placed in the gutter (street drain) for trash pickup.
Frank, that just about sums it up.
DeleteLet's give Frank a hand. You are doing a wonderful job. The HOA(what HOA). Do we have an HOA? All they seem to want is have a title with NO responsibility. They need to be FIRED IMMEDIATELY.
ReplyDeleteHats off to Frank for all the responsibility he has assumed for the good of the neighborhood. He has been responsive to any complaint or concern that I have voiced.
DeleteI stopped attending meetings long ago when I realized that it appears that decisions are made in advance of the meetings and there is no voice if you are not in the "ingroup". So sad!!!!
I've noticed a number of solicitors in our neighborhood. while I have no problem supporting our neighborhood youth in fundraiser activities I do have a problem with others knocking on my door for sales or leaving flyers on my door for advertisement. I'm sure if there's anything the HOA can help with this. Heather Roeder
ReplyDeleteHeather,
ReplyDeleteI believe solicitors, outside of the neighborhood kids, should have a permit from the parish government. If that's correct, then we should ask to see their permit when you open the door. Funny you should mention this; only this morning I was working on my car in the driveway when a lady along with two children walked up to me and asked if I want to pray with them! I can help but be rude with someone that is so inconsiderate of my privacy. She had a Jamaican accent.
The HOA has not provided the homeowner's with minutes to the meetings since March. We have not had a list of expenses either.
ReplyDeleteWe were not notified of security cameras being installed at the pool area of the clubhouse. How much did that cost???
Also about two weeks ago vandals broke the porch railing at the clubhouse. No message had been put out to the homeowner's informing us of the damage. As a matter of fact, Frank has been trying to get information as to an approximate date that the damage occurred. I don;t believe the HOA even filed a police report.
Several months have passed and the HOA has not provided an outline of what to expect from RSS. RSS so far has not shown me that they are worth the money we are paying them. WE still have many covenant and restriction violations.
We are being shortchanged by RSS and the HOA
Peddlers’ permits are required for outside solicitors’ and anyone can get one for about $100 and it is good for one year.
ReplyDeleteShould someone ring your door bell that looks suspicious or you feel threatened in anyway ask them to leave, if they don’t call the Sheriff’s Department immediately 621-8300 Option 1.
We have had this problem in the past and the Sheriff’s Department helped us get rid of it.
As in the past we should continue to support our neighborhood youth in their fundraising activities.
Frank, thanks for sharing that information.
ReplyDelete