parking issues and threat of retaliation

I've written before about my dysfunctional association, but this weekend
another issue came up. We've got six units, each of which has one deeded parking space. We've had serious parking issues in the past, especially with two unit owners that have two cars and with one unit that had multiple student renters. Street parking is quite tight in our area. I've been especially affected. Because I don't own a car, my neighbors think it is ok to use my spot without asking, although I've made the point repeatedly that I want my spot open for my visitors, tradespeople, grocery delivery, etc. I've told them if they want to use my spot, they must get my agreement.

Anyway, after much discussion, we finally have established fines for unit owners who park in other people's spaces and have a towing service on call if "outsiders" park in our spots. Both Friday evening and Saturday morning, my spot was occuppied without my permission. I still have no idea whose car it was and frankly I don't care, because I did have it towed. When news of this got a round, one unit owner (who rents his unit out) weighed in by calling me unreasonable, unneighborly, and stating that "the day of reckoning was coming." I have no idea what he means, but I think all of this is just out of line. Do board members just have to put up with this kind of verbal abuse?

My favorite line has always been "Well, I appreciate that" and walk away. I seriously doubt that anything will come from it but you can bet there might be some screaming and hollering on any little violation that might happen with your unit.

You might want to keep a little log that has the time and date along with what was said. If it gets to the point that the other owner starts a harassment campaign or something having a good written record will help when you report it to the police and they ask when it all started. It'll also help demonstrate that it's become a pattern of behavior and not just an isolated incident. At this point it's just an isolated incident and I wouldn't worry much other than to put it in my little black book

Dennis gives good and sound advise. Document EVERYTHING. You never know when you may need that information. I keep a calendar and write on it every day----if need be. I've kept those calendars for the past eight years...I never throw them away from year to year. Junky? Yeah. But needed down the road.

I'd even mark the "date" that the comment was made to you....

By the way--I think you did the RIGHT thing by having that car TOWED!