Owner out of control

Started by AdrianaS • 5 replies • 1542 views

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AdrianaS (California)
Posts: 48

Posted:

We have an owner that uses the bulleting board to slander, acuse, persecute, harras who she pleases, sometimes signs them, the Board President told us there is nothing they can do legally, he placed a notice, asking the members to please only use the board for property related issues, not personal attacks, if so he would remove the board. Is that all that can be done I ask? She accuses people with lies and has a buddy that backs up all her stories, we all leave in fear of the two individual. Any advice please?

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

lies are protected speech under the first amendment, to a point. However, slander is tortable, if you can prove damages.

I would suspect copies of the slanderous posting along with a cease/desist letter and lawsuit claim from a lawyer would probably work.

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

If the purpose of the bulletin board is being abused then:

1) enclose it with a glass cover/door.

2) remove it

GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491

Posted:

Have the Board come up with posting rules for the BB (many HOA's have them)then enforce them. Now depending on how much you leave?? in fear, you could petition the Board to put the BB under 24hr video surveillance or an armed guard. Or you could grow up and not let petty things like this get to you. If you and your neighbors rush out and rip down her diatribes you are giving her exactly what she wants. Instead leave them laugh at them and bring others over to read them, when she doesn't get a negative reaction but gets laughed at for them she'll stop.

I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.
George Bernard Shaw

Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

We kept our documents in a locked display case. I would suggest Plexi-glass. It was just for HOA business ONLY. Only I had the key. They can provide an unsecured bulletin board for members to post. This should keep the person happy they can still post their "Freedom of speech" and yet protect the business portion.

Now if there are signs of vandalism, then simply call the police. This is no longer an HOA issue but a public safety one. There is a line between HOA and Personal. Shouldn't be afraid to address with the appropriate authorities. By the way, this may include the Postal service if any announcements without stamps on them are put into mailboxes. If it isn't mail, it can't be in a mailbox. It's FEDERAL offense. The postal service has their own investigational department that is SEPARATE from your Local police. Just a tip to keep in mind...

Former HOA President

FredB4 (Ohio)
Posts: 375

Posted:

It constantly amazes me how aware owners are of what other people are doing.You think no one is paying any attention but they are and they know the trouble makers. You needen't live in fear because most owners will have already picked up on what kind of individuals these two people are.
We have rules regarding what and who can post on our notice board and threats of good old fines but I would say the idea of an enclosed notice board might help but they will probably just stick it to the walls. We still get some who are determined.

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