Oops ... Did Not See the Camera

Started by JanetB2 • 20 replies • 1813 views

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JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219

Posted:

And some thought they had it bad in their HOA. This HOA's site is funny be sure to read the picture captions and side notes on the different pages.

OMG … too funny … BOD member caught on video tape being sneaky.

http://cedarmesaranches.org/lifeinthecommunity.html

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062

Posted:

Janet,

I'm not sure how true the story is. In the first part of the story it mentions that the community is in Colorado and in the last half of the story it appears that the community is in Maryland.

Is it funny. In some parts yes in others no. The most unfortunate thing is that many, many homeowners believe that this type of behavior is true for all Associations vs. just the bad ones.

Tim

JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219

Posted:

Hi Tim ... it is in Colorado.

I believe the Maryland reference comes from: Andrews, a Maryland attorney who lives part-time at Cedar Mesa
as noted in this article: http://www.fourcornersfreepress.com/news/2005/010504.htm

This info came up when I was researching other information and I could not believe how petty this one had reduced itself to behaving. I have heard of a few bad ones, but I think this one takes the cake. Thankfully they are far and few between. Some of the humor in it did make me smile for the day, at least someone in the HOA is at least keeping good humor with regards to their petty differences.

ValerieS2 (Michigan)
Posts: 244

Posted:

That is truly bizarre - and another black-eye for HOA PR!

JonD1
Posts: 2,350

Posted:

So Janet and Valerie just to get this straight you both think this represents the HOA badly????

And funny????

The first site complaning about the Board uses the photo of Hitler and the German Nazis in depicting the Board.
That puts the author of this site in a good light??? And the Board is somehow out of control due to the content of that site alone????

Appears to me to be just the opposite.

The second article describes the actions of a resident lawyer. Who has sued his Board, then sued his neighbors when they were not in agreement with him. And as perhaps a few lawyers tend to do seems to be using his profession to punish those who are not in agreement with him. Bury them in lawsuits. From the article sounds like the lawyer is more of a problem than the HOA or Board. Sometimes lawyers believe their law degree increases the size of their brain and justifies their actions.
I tend to disagree.

But I guess if you look hard enough you can find what you are looking for even when it doesn't seem to exist. If this IS an example of bad PR for HOAs and this is the one you plan to hang your hat on as an example of HOA abuses IMO this does not serve that purpsoe in any way,shape or form.

There are good HOAs, bad ones and some that fall in the middle. I had thought this was something we all could have learned some time ago. When you involve people and their issues what should have been simple sometimes suffers from complications due to personalities and an inability to get out from under your own limitations. To suggest this single case located in the rural areas of Colorado demonstrates anything meaningful about all HOAs or most HOAs is IMO quite a stretch.

I'm just grateful I don't have lawyer Andrews or someone like him living on my property. Or a property owner who feels comfortable using pictures of Nazis to depict not only the members of the Board but their neighbors. Speaks more to me about them.............

JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219

Posted:

Actually Jon … the part that struck me as funny was the wildlife descriptions on their Ranch Facts page. However, the rest of it did make me feel better that even though mine at times has issues … thankfully I do not live in this one.

The idea here is those who have issues will hopefully feel better and work harder within their own HOA’s to minimize making mountains out of mole hills and realize they may not have it so bad after all … but if you think you can read my mind and make assumptions as you do in other posts … go ahead. After all everyone is entitled to their opinions, but you should not twist other opinions around to suit your assumptions.

JonD1
Posts: 2,350

Posted:

Janet:

I don't need to read your mind I can read your words. You thought the site was FUNNY. A site set up by one disgruntled property owner without of course giving their name. As a general rule I don't put much stock in anonoymous sites or opinions.

Using photos of Nazis to make some point about the volunteer Board. For mmany people that's not really humorus...The whole Nazi thing.

Guess our sense of humor might differ.

Then you spoke about some bad ones in regards to HOAs. Does this situation serve as proof they do exist? Hardly.

If you Google the name of the property you could find the Board's notice to the property owners givng their version of the events. Just a little different from those provided in the article you cited. I tend to understand there might be another side to most stories.

And while I never claiomed to have the ability to read minds I CAN determine on my own reality from perception. Many people come here with issues and tilt the information they provide to suit their views. Rather than accept their version of reality blindly I like to find out for myself if possible.

And as a Board member I understand how far some people will go to suggest the Board is the problem when in fact it just might be them and their behavior.

But funny to you might be sad to me that the Board and the property were forced to defend themsleves from the actions of some legally trained zealot who MIGHT be using the legal system to serve his agenda. And what's worse is that some use this to find fault with HOA style property ownership. But then again that's just my opinion..

ValerieS2 (Michigan)
Posts: 244

Posted:

Jon - you seem have taken this a little too personally. My comment on the article was nothing more than a wry reflection on how it reinforces the negative stereotypoes that are out there. I said it was "bizarre" not "funny". Frankly I found your response a little bizarre too...

JonD1
Posts: 2,350

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By ValerieS2 on 01/26/2011 6:17 AM
That is truly bizarre - and another black-eye for HOA PR!

So Valerie to wrap this up you read the sites given and concluded it was "another black-eye for HOA PR! YOUR WORDS.

I just wonder how you could make that determination understanding you have no knowledge as to the facts, the source of the information provided or anything other than two obviously biased sources.

And having such limited information YOU conclude this gives HOAs "ANOTHER" (just wondering in your opinion what are the other black-eyes you have found) "black -eye".

And MY response you find "bizarre"......really?????????

What I find bizarre is your decision to comment on what this episode represents.

ValerieS2 (Michigan)
Posts: 244

Posted:

Jon,

When HOA's make the news, as this one did, it is usually because of something untoward. Many, in fact I would go out on a limb and say the majority, of people have negative connotations realted to HOA's. And yes I do stand behind my statement that the bad publicity is not good for HOA public relations. I am still scratching my head as to why you are offended by that.

Valerie

JonD1
Posts: 2,350

Posted:

Valerie:

"A positive place for community association leaders to share ideas and learn."

Head up to the top of this page and read for yourself the purpose of this site as determined by those operating this site.

"positive" just what part of your comments were positive about HOAs? ANY?

"to share ideas and learn" just what did we learn or could we learn from your comments? That in your opinion one site and one situation reflects badly on HOAs?

If you wish to read or post comments finding fault or more "black-eyes" for HOAs there are plenty of sites out there with that purpose. IMO this is not such a site.

You seem to come to the table with the belief HOAs are somehow bad. Shown by your willingness to accept the details provided in this case as some level of proof to support your beliefs.

My question why come to this site???

And if you come to this site and post comments or opinions then understand that leaves you open to hear the opinions of others. That's how it works. As bizarre as they may seem to you.

I'm sure you can find many more cases where one digruntled property owner finds fault, files suit, costs thier own property defending their own suit and throw that up as proof positive HOA boards are evil. When in fact that proves nothing.

ValerieS2 (Michigan)
Posts: 244

Posted:

John,

You are WAY out of line. In both your tone and your gross misinterpretation of my comment. If you police your HOA the way you are trying to police this very public message board - I pity those who have to deal with you.

I simply stated that stories like this that get published are not good public relations for HOA's. No logical person would disgree with that. Nothing more, nothing less. I found the events of the story to be bizarre. Nothing more, nothing less.

I would ask you to please back up your preposterous statement that I believe HOA's are bad/evil or stop spewing lies. You have made a ridiculous assumption - I challenge youto support that inflammatory, false statement.
(I won't hold my breath).

It is very bizarre that you would ask me not to come to this site. I will come to this site as often as I like - probably more so now.

A final word of advice. On a PUBLIC MESSAGE BOARD, you are going to get a variety of opinions and viewpoints. Please come to terms with that.

JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219

Posted:

It is called making mountains out of mole hills. He is being petty Valerie ... so just ignore him or he will continue.

ValerieS2 (Michigan)
Posts: 244

Posted:

Your right Janet, I will.

AnnaD2 (Florida)
Posts: 960

Posted:

Valerie.....you are the type of person that we are trying to eliminate from this site. Jon is trying to point out to YOU that we are not a "bitch-fest". This site has been around a LOT longer than YOU and your posts and comments are NOT what this site is about.

Just hang in here a little longer....you and your comments WILL be elimated from HOATalk.

Those of us who are POSITIVE about Association living and work to ENHANCE our lives are not going to be dragged down by people like you. There are plenty of sites for people like you to bitch and complain.

We tried to help you...but it's obvious you're not a
"pro-HOA" person...hence you have no place here. Thanks for playing...and good-bye.

HOATAlk will be informed of you and you will be "blocked" from posting here.

JonD1
Posts: 2,350

Posted:

I would ask you to please back up your preposterous statement that I believe HOA's are bad/evil or stop spewing lies. You have made a ridiculous assumption - I challenge youto support that inflammatory, false statement.
(I won't hold my breath).

How's this Valerie????

"Many, in fact I would go out on a limb and say the majority, of people have negative connotations realted to HOA's."

And in your mind this would put HOAs in a good light???? Are you kidding???

And you would base this on???? Anything?????

Or this one site you visited?????

Or is this just your idea of being positive?????? And offering some information to share with others.

Stories like this and web sites put together by people involved in lawsuits need to be judged in reality NOT taken blindly as gospel. What's amazing is that you can determine from the content provided this gives HOAs a bad image.

IMO it gives this lawyer quite the black-eye.

And as to your comments about the property on which I serve. Well I have held a seat now for 25 years. Served as Board President for the last 7 of those years. That means for some strange or bizarre reason the other 8 Board members think I should hold that position. Last election myself and two other Board members seeking re-election won with more than 80% of the vote of those property owners YOU have decided need YOUR pity. But you talk about ME making assumptions.......... Boy that was a Whopper.........

Or was that just your attempt to make things personal?????

Just wondering how long have you held a position on your Board?
And what position is that??
Did you get 80% of the vote when you ran?
Did you run against anyone?
(Oh,and I won't hold my breath either....)

I never asked you NOT to come to this web site. What I asked was WHY would you come if you are looking to be less than positive. There is a difference.
So you can twist my words to suit your views or is it comprehension that's the problem?

Just offering my opinion and viewpoint..................as this is a PUBLIC MESSAGE BOARD AND ALL..............THANKS FOR SHARING THAT WITH ME

hoatalk (California)
Posts: 603

Posted:

Hi Everyone,

First, Thank you to everyone trying to keep HOATalk discussions on track and positive.

After a review of all 17 of her posts on multiple topics, I believe this is a misunderstanding of Valerie's intent.

ValerieS2: There is increased sensitivity here due to a recent increase in people joining for non-productive HOA bashing. So if people seem a bit on edge, that's why. We had some people join recently that were posting non-productive rants. I don't think your comments fall into that category.

To everyone else on this thread:
I have reviewed all of Valerie's posts on this topic and others. I don't see them as breaking our rules. Her posts on other topics were asking questions with 'thank you' type responses.

Her post on this topic was "That is truly bizarre - and another black-eye for HOA PR!". Now I can see where some of you were thinking that statement might be followed up by a rant similar to some recently departed members. However, it wasn't, so in light of her other posts, I believe she was just making a 'wry' comment as she said. We can all agree that the 'PR' and media stories on HOAs don't tend to be positive. As in other news topics, the positive story would not raise readership so we don't see them often.

I see on her prior posts that Valerie is in the process of having to form a HOA in her community so let's give her the benefit of the doubt here, try to help and maybe she will end up as a well educated Board member of her new HOA.

Again I think this is just a misunderstanding.
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TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By hoatalk on 01/26/2011 5:44 PM

maybe she will end up as a well educated Board member of her new HOA.

Valarie,

I already believe you are a well educated person and would be perfect to serve on a board or committee. You have demonstrated the ability to see things from another persons point of view and even see when humor is being used to make a point.

It doesn't matter if others agree with the humor or not. It is far more important that it is seen and the point is taken. Once that is done, work can begin to address the issue that the point is being made about.

Tim

ValerieS2 (Michigan)
Posts: 244

Posted:

Tim,

Thank you! You are an unusually brilliant and lovely person I can tell...

FionaC (California)
Posts: 212

Posted:

Some of this post was funny. Others not so much.( the pictures of the lady leaving a live rat.. omg. ) I am of German heritage. I have lost many past family members due to WW2 although non jewish have suffered in "camps
I find some depiction of the Nazi army in poor taste but to each his own.

CoralF (Iowa)
Posts: 4

Posted:

I'm agreeing with Fiona! Some of this is funny some is pretty serious. I think it was taken a little too far...

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