Snakes

MaryZ2 (Texas)
Posts: 7

Posted:

I have lived blissfully happy and problem free in my wonderful condo neighborhood since 2006. Last year there was a change in the HOA president who changed the lawn services to once every two weeks and to friends of his. The grass grew tall and unkept and we began to have a copperhead snake problem. I had 5 in my yard/porch. My neighbor to the right killed 8. My neighbor to the left of me killed 3. People take garden hoes with them to the mailboxes because they are in the common drive. Last week there was a copperhead in my house. We are far from the countryside and securely in the concrete jungle that is the city. I never have ever complained about anything but I did mention to the HOA's wife we had a snake (the HOA president was in earshot...he doesn't like me) and she told me the snakes were "harmless" and all I had to do was to go to the Home Improvement store and "get something". I am not a herpetologist but I have had a country house and a farm and I KNOW what a copperhead snake is (and so do the other residents). The HOA president has post numerous "warnings" about snakes and no one feels comfortable maintaining our flowerpots, etc or sitting on our porches without great fear and dread of snakes. The wife of Mr HOA says we are all "over reacting" and they can't afford to and not required to "do anything" since this is a problem for each resident. Mr HOA is a former cop/Marine and he doesn't seem to care about the snakes saying we are "sissy". He had his wife post a poster of non venomous snakes (none pictured are copperheads, of course) and that is to "ease our minds". I am afraid to call the local Animal Control to come out and assess the situation because of the president being so intimidating. He refused to treat the grounds for ants because he said some residents are behind in dues and until everyone catches up on their dues he is not going to do any "improvements". He is otherwise nitpicky and a bully when it comes to such things for us to remove our trashcans IMMEDIATELY after the trash people are gone....in fact he hates our city issued trashcans and wishes we would just put our bags out on the ground. Our trash collectors have to get out of their truck with the bags and they stay in the truck and it is more efficient for them if we used our city issued cans. I can deal with the cans but not the snakes. I appreciate any help from the members of the forum with this snake issue. I don't care if they consider these vipers "friendly" none of the residents do not and we are fed up. Thank you!

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,061

Posted:

Mary,

Sorry to hear of your problems. It appears that someone, perhaps you, are going to have to gather support and either recall the President or, simply not reelect the individual to the Board. However, that also means that people need to be willing to volunteer to do that job.

Once on the Board, the issue of common area maintenance can be addressed. Hopefully, that will fix the snake issue.

Another option is to put pressure on the other board members to, at the very least, remove that individual from the position of President. He would still be a Board member, but he wouldn't be the face of the Association. This means that one of the other Board members will need to be willing to do the President's job. If no-one is willing, then that may be a slim option.

Bullies will continue to bully until they are stood up to.

One other thing you should do is review the finances of the Association. Since the Board is trying to save money by changing the lawn service and threatening deferring maintenance until assessments are paid, there may be a reason behind those decisions. If there are a lot of delinquencies, it is possible that the funds simply are not available. If the membership is against raising assessments, it's possible that the Board is simply trying to minimize expenses.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,061

Posted:

As for the snakes, the following link may prove useful:

Snakes In and Around the House from the National Pesticide Information Center

MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 556

Posted:

The President isn't the boss, he serves at the pleasure of the elected board. You and the other owners can make a change

FredS7 (Arizona)
Posts: 927

Posted:

> I am afraid to call the local Animal Control to come out and assess the situation because of the president being so intimidating.

Really? Last time I checked it was a free country.

I had a snake in my back courtyard shortly after buying. Called the fire department, they came out immediately and cheerfully removed it. And told me it was a harmless one.

JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,001

Posted:

O-M-G

snakes

... and in Texas, yet

If the grass is being maintained under 12" the international property management code (to which Texas subscribes) has been met.

If over 12" y'all need to contact code enforcement.

MaryZ2 (Texas)
Posts: 7

Posted:

In these early hours of this gorgeous day here in my 'hood, I have talked to my kind and wonderful immediate neighbors who have certainly enlightened me to problems of the HOA president and snakes, although quite prominent on my short list, seem to be the tip of the angst iceberg. I am not easily intimidated...nor I believe the other residents are...but it's obvious the HOA president (who is retired from the military/ police force, has no kids, does no community or church volunteer work) is taking his "job" too seriously and too stridently for the needs of our calm, quiet neighborhood. Whether or not the copious snakes here are venomous or non venomous, they certainly put a damper on the enjoyment of our homes and surroundings. A short chat with the Treasurer assures me the coffers are healthy should the HOA want to hire someone to take care of the situation. There are a couple of delinquent owners behind in their dues (nothing that is seriously affecting the ability for adequate upkeep for plenty of years ahead. Mr. HOA President takes the stance since there are these 2 residents who have not "caught up" (due to serious, unforeseen issues), he is not obligated to "do anything" in the means of pest control for "everyone" until these 2 homeowners come up to financial speed. This past autumn, some sort of ants were found to be annoying a resident and the HOA president wanted to exterminate all homes on the outside but said he wouldn't do anything like this until everyone was in financial compliance making the homeowners who were behind in their dues the "real problem" (in his eyes)...therefore, we have the ants and the snakes. (On the brightside, no spiders!! YET!lol!)

Another thing that is annoying is this HOA president sits in his car for hours at various points along our private drive watching the residents go about their daily life..this would be fine if we were in need of "monitoring" but we don't. When any of us have a guest or a group of guests, he makes a big show of getting in his "muscle car" and driving to our homes and getting out his clipboard and taking down license plates and other info about our guests. When asked by a resident why he did that, he replied "Gotta keep the riff-raff out"....which is, to me, the pot calling the kettle black!

As per voting him out of office, he has sufficiently charmed enough of the board members where they think he is some sort of Messiah and best friend. No amount of complaining, tears,etc. seem to sway their opinions of what a "great guy" he is in their point of view.

I will call the local Animal Control and let them know of the situation.... I think that would be a great first step in case, God Forbid, someone or some pet is bitten and suffers as a result...at least there will be some local record about the snakes....

Thanks for all the feedback and the encouragement. I appreciate the perspectives and reminders!

MaryZ2 (Texas)
Posts: 7

Posted:

In these early hours of this gorgeous day here in my 'hood, I have talked to my kind and wonderful immediate neighbors who have certainly enlightened me to problems of the HOA president and snakes, although quite prominent on my short list, seem to be the tip of the angst iceberg. I am not easily intimidated...nor I believe the other residents are...but it's obvious the HOA president (who is retired from the military/ police force, has no kids, does no community or church volunteer work) is taking his "job" too seriously and too stridently for the needs of our calm, quiet neighborhood. Whether or not the copious snakes here are venomous or non venomous, they certainly put a damper on the enjoyment of our homes and surroundings. A short chat with the Treasurer assures me the coffers are healthy should the HOA want to hire someone to take care of the situation. There are a couple of delinquent owners behind in their dues (nothing that is seriously affecting the ability for adequate upkeep for plenty of years ahead. Mr. HOA President takes the stance since there are these 2 residents who have not "caught up" (due to serious, unforeseen issues), he is not obligated to "do anything" in the means of pest control for "everyone" until these 2 homeowners come up to financial speed. This past autumn, some sort of ants were found to be annoying a resident and the HOA president wanted to exterminate all homes on the outside but said he wouldn't do anything like this until everyone was in financial compliance making the homeowners who were behind in their dues the "real problem" (in his eyes)...therefore, we have the ants and the snakes. (On the brightside, no spiders!! YET!lol!)

Another thing that is annoying is this HOA president sits in his car for hours at various points along our private drive watching the residents go about their daily life..this would be fine if we were in need of "monitoring" but we don't. When any of us have a guest or a group of guests, he makes a big show of getting in his "muscle car" and driving to our homes and getting out his clipboard and taking down license plates and other info about our guests. When asked by a resident why he did that, he replied "Gotta keep the riff-raff out"....which is, to me, the pot calling the kettle black!

As per voting him out of office, he has sufficiently charmed enough of the board members where they think he is some sort of Messiah and best friend. No amount of complaining, tears,etc. seem to sway their opinions of what a "great guy" he is in their point of view.

I will call the local Animal Control and let them know of the situation.... I think that would be a great first step in case, God Forbid, someone or some pet is bitten and suffers as a result...at least there will be some local record about the snakes....

Thanks for all the feedback and the encouragement. I appreciate the perspectives and reminders!

MaryZ2 (Texas)
Posts: 7

Posted:

In these early hours of this gorgeous day here in my 'hood, I have talked to my kind and wonderful immediate neighbors who have certainly enlightened me to problems of the HOA president and snakes, although quite prominent on my short list, seem to be the tip of the angst iceberg. I am not easily intimidated...nor I believe the other residents are...but it's obvious the HOA president (who is retired from the military/ police force, has no kids, does no community or church volunteer work) is taking his "job" too seriously and too stridently for the needs of our calm, quiet neighborhood. Whether or not the copious snakes here are venomous or non venomous, they certainly put a damper on the enjoyment of our homes and surroundings. A short chat with the Treasurer assures me the coffers are healthy should the HOA want to hire someone to take care of the situation. There are a couple of delinquent owners behind in their dues (nothing that is seriously affecting the ability for adequate upkeep for plenty of years ahead. Mr. HOA President takes the stance since there are these 2 residents who have not "caught up" (due to serious, unforeseen issues), he is not obligated to "do anything" in the means of pest control for "everyone" until these 2 homeowners come up to financial speed. This past autumn, some sort of ants were found to be annoying a resident and the HOA president wanted to exterminate all homes on the outside but said he wouldn't do anything like this until everyone was in financial compliance making the homeowners who were behind in their dues the "real problem" (in his eyes)...therefore, we have the ants and the snakes. (On the brightside, no spiders!! YET!lol!)

Another thing that is annoying is this HOA president sits in his car for hours at various points along our private drive watching the residents go about their daily life..this would be fine if we were in need of "monitoring" but we don't. When any of us have a guest or a group of guests, he makes a big show of getting in his "muscle car" and driving to our homes and getting out his clipboard and taking down license plates and other info about our guests. When asked by a resident why he did that, he replied "Gotta keep the riff-raff out"....which is, to me, the pot calling the kettle black!

As per voting him out of office, he has sufficiently charmed enough of the board members where they think he is some sort of Messiah and best friend. No amount of complaining, tears,etc. seem to sway their opinions of what a "great guy" he is in their point of view.

I will call the local Animal Control and let them know of the situation.... I think that would be a great first step in case, God Forbid, someone or some pet is bitten and suffers as a result...at least there will be some local record about the snakes....

Thanks for all the feedback and the encouragement. I appreciate the perspectives and reminders!

MaryZ2 (Texas)
Posts: 7

Posted:

In these early hours of this gorgeous day here in my 'hood, I have talked to my kind and wonderful immediate neighbors who have certainly enlightened me to problems of the HOA president and snakes, although quite prominent on my short list, seem to be the tip of the angst iceberg. I am not easily intimidated...nor I believe the other residents are...but it's obvious the HOA president (who is retired from the military/ police force, has no kids, does no community or church volunteer work) is taking his "job" too seriously and too stridently for the needs of our calm, quiet neighborhood. Whether or not the copious snakes here are venomous or non venomous, they certainly put a damper on the enjoyment of our homes and surroundings. A short chat with the Treasurer assures me the coffers are healthy should the HOA want to hire someone to take care of the situation. There are a couple of delinquent owners behind in their dues (nothing that is seriously affecting the ability for adequate upkeep for plenty of years ahead. Mr. HOA President takes the stance since there are these 2 residents who have not "caught up" (due to serious, unforeseen issues), he is not obligated to "do anything" in the means of pest control for "everyone" until these 2 homeowners come up to financial speed. This past autumn, some sort of ants were found to be annoying a resident and the HOA president wanted to exterminate all homes on the outside but said he wouldn't do anything like this until everyone was in financial compliance making the homeowners who were behind in their dues the "real problem" (in his eyes)...therefore, we have the ants and the snakes. (On the brightside, no spiders!! YET!lol!)

Another thing that is annoying is this HOA president sits in his car for hours at various points along our private drive watching the residents go about their daily life..this would be fine if we were in need of "monitoring" but we don't. When any of us have a guest or a group of guests, he makes a big show of getting in his "muscle car" and driving to our homes and getting out his clipboard and taking down license plates and other info about our guests. When asked by a resident why he did that, he replied "Gotta keep the riff-raff out"....which is, to me, the pot calling the kettle black!

As per voting him out of office, he has sufficiently charmed enough of the board members where they think he is some sort of Messiah and best friend. No amount of complaining, tears,etc. seem to sway their opinions of what a "great guy" he is in their point of view.

I will call the local Animal Control and let them know of the situation.... I think that would be a great first step in case, God Forbid, someone or some pet is bitten and suffers as a result...at least there will be some local record about the snakes....

Thanks for all the feedback and the encouragement. I appreciate the perspectives and reminders!

MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 556

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MaryZ2 on 03/31/2015 8:04 AM
In these early hours of this gorgeous day here in my 'hood, I have talked to my kind and wonderful immediate neighbors who have certainly enlightened me to problems of the HOA president and snakes, although quite prominent on my short list, seem to be the tip of the angst iceberg. I am not easily intimidated...nor I believe the other residents are...but it's obvious the HOA president (who is retired from the military/ police force, has no kids, does no community or church volunteer work) is taking his "job" too seriously and too stridently for the needs of our calm, quiet neighborhood. Whether or not the copious snakes here are venomous or non venomous, they certainly put a damper on the enjoyment of our homes and surroundings. A short chat with the Treasurer assures me the coffers are healthy should the HOA want to hire someone to take care of the situation. There are a couple of delinquent owners behind in their dues (nothing that is seriously affecting the ability for adequate upkeep for plenty of years ahead. Mr. HOA President takes the stance since there are these 2 residents who have not "caught up" (due to serious, unforeseen issues), he is not obligated to "do anything" in the means of pest control for "everyone" until these 2 homeowners come up to financial speed. This past autumn, some sort of ants were found to be annoying a resident and the HOA president wanted to exterminate all homes on the outside but said he wouldn't do anything like this until everyone was in financial compliance making the homeowners who were behind in their dues the "real problem" (in his eyes)...therefore, we have the ants and the snakes. (On the brightside, no spiders!! YET!lol!)

Another thing that is annoying is this HOA president sits in his car for hours at various points along our private drive watching the residents go about their daily life..this would be fine if we were in need of "monitoring" but we don't. When any of us have a guest or a group of guests, he makes a big show of getting in his "muscle car" and driving to our homes and getting out his clipboard and taking down license plates and other info about our guests. When asked by a resident why he did that, he replied "Gotta keep the riff-raff out"....which is, to me, the pot calling the kettle black!

As per voting him out of office, he has sufficiently charmed enough of the board members where they think he is some sort of Messiah and best friend. No amount of complaining, tears,etc. seem to sway their opinions of what a "great guy" he is in their point of view.

I will call the local Animal Control and let them know of the situation.... I think that would be a great first step in case, God Forbid, someone or some pet is bitten and suffers as a result...at least there will be some local record about the snakes....

Thanks for all the feedback and the encouragement. I appreciate the perspectives and reminders!

That was worth posting four times!