HOA member with drinking problem

How should we handle an owner who drinks and verbally attacks board members on the street and at meetings? We are used to him making wild accusations and have just ignored them. Even his "happy hour e-mails", which are way over the line, are ignored. But his verbal attacks on the street and at meetings are witnessed by members, turning folks off and discouraging participation on the Board and committees.

His allegations are off the charts and baseless. When he comes up with a new one, the PM provides a professional response. Then the garbage comes. We are now at risk of having no quorum on the board, which could trigger a receiver. We can't afford this, nor is this in the best interest of the community for other reasons. It's hard enough to get folks willing to serve. Being publicly attacked when going to your mailbox is too much for people to deal with.

Shelia,
As true as it may be, I would caution you proclaiming a neighbor is acting irresponsible because he is drunk. I also would suggest you make a record of his action and disruptions.

It does pose a delicate situation for the board and I am sure they are not enjoying the conduct. Is this man part of a family group, maybe you can do something there. If this situation has become so severe anyone feels threaten by him, that person is obligated to contact authorities and file a complaint. When a person is afraid to walk the street, some action must be taken.

Of course your question seems to be what does the Board do? At the Board meeting it is not unheard of to hire security personal to insure decorum. Usually off duty police officers will do this. At the meeting anyone steps over the line the Chair draws, the chair can order them removed from the building, provided the meeting has be called in order and a qurom is present. Cut and dried as far as I know.

Outside the meeting the Board members are fair game really, unless actively conducting Board Business and I can't see the Board business to provide protection from unhappy (drunk or sober) home owners. However, I believe if the Board should hold a meeting to announce a formal resolution that the Board will take legal action on the part of the association if any member fears threatened by any other member at any time, the association is obligated to pursue this action.

All this is just my logical approach and I certinly would run this by a legal authority first, and maybe a local police station would be a good place to start for opinion. Most local police have access to paid (by the taxpayer) attorneys.

Karen, this is very common in sunny Florida or so I hear. File a police report/complaint. An officer will be dispatched to the "happy hour" guy home to warn him that he can be arrested for disturbing the "peace" within
the community.

We had the same issue - except this individual was making phone calls. I filed police reports and eventually had to file a anti-harrassment order with the courts. This individual also voliated that order by contacting me and our association attorney and leaving very vile messages. This person is now facing a court date and possible time in jail and/or a fine.

It's never fun to be verbally attacked - good luck!

I have actually covertly pulled out my cell phone at a meeting when he was attacking the PM, but then he quieted down when I told him that he would have to leave if he was unable to express himelf in a professional manner. Now he has flared up again and has recently verbally attacked another Board member on the street. We meet at a public library, so I don't want to do anything to have us kicked out by calling the cops.

I plan to take the easy way out- not run for re-election. Initially I told the board that I would run again if no one but this guy ran. I've asked seven owners to run and sent out an e-mail newsletter asking people to consider running. The sad thing is that two board members have called and said that they would probably resign if he was elected. The one who was verbally attacked, a senior citizen, said that she was concerned for her safety. This would leave us with a board of two and subject to the appointment of a receiver. We already have one vacant position that no one will take.

Between this moron and a family that recently came to my door and screamed out the most filthy language in front of passers by.... the final straw was when the BF of the one with the filthy mouth shot a bird at my child when he passed by (the guy who knocked our security camera down and continued to park up against the light pole, in the grass at the park, at a stopsign/fire hydrant). I can put on my big girl pants and deal with it, but when it devolves into this, it's time to go!

It's all well and good to receive props from owners about the great work being done by the Board, but when the guns are aimed at one person and no one, not even the Board, speaks out about it publicly BC they don't like conflict (neither do I , BTW), then it's time to leave.

So I think I will chair the meeting and let the drunk guy have at it. Maybe the other owners will come forth to nominated themselves from the floor when they realize that this guy is the alternative. As for me, I will bring the boxes of documents and signs to the meeting- freeing up much space in my home and just pay my assessments and get a life!

Any organization that perceives that it has this much riding on one person (me) is unhealthy. We've built up committess hoping to groom leaders, but everyone is too comfortable. Until it afffects them personally, things won't change.

I really appreciate the input and advice I have received, not just on this thread, but on the forum in general. HOAtalk is a lifeline to many. Thanks guys!

Patti,
I also am sad to hear you feel you have to leave, but, we must do what we must do and no one is irreplacable.

I do strongly suspect your apron strings are going to be tougher to cut than you imagine and we will hear from you in the near future.

That is one of the unknown facts of this damn associations stuff. The cost of homeowners being involved (doing business) has a heavy price, and to walk away under duress, is sometimes unbearable.

Kirk,
Most of what you suggest I endorse and from the posts nearly all if not all recognize this as the serious problem it is. A civil complaint is a selection but somehow I expect the real interest here might be: Does the fact you are an elected officer of the association involved it the Owners mandate of providing a safe and secure environment and other Board functions of rule enforcement and business operations; does "the Association" offer any protection.
I don't know if the insurance offered to Members of the Board might provide them with legal coverage in the performance of the duties. Does anyone have the answer? It might be worth looking into.
Barring that, can't the association retain legal support for any member of the Board suffering from this kind of affront.