Courtesy Notice of Busybodiness
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2012
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From: US
Vehicle: 2010/Hyundia/Genesis Coupe 2.0T Track
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_T._Barfoot A MOH awardee
Them fined him all kinds of money, and it wasn't until national media atteniton they withdrew.
Unfortunatly, you signed the contract to live in a HOA area. It sucks...but I am afraid you will lose.
In December 2009, the homeowners' association (HOA) of the Sussex Square, where Barfoot lived in Henrico County, Virginia, ordered him to remove the flagpole from which he flew the US flag. This news story first became public when Barfoot's son-in-law reported the story on local talk radio show, Elliot in the Morning. Fox News and several other national news networks picked up the story. The HOA retained Coates & Davenport to help enforce their order.[9] The association's bylaws do not forbid flagpoles, but the HOA ruled Barfoot, then aged 90, would not be allowed to use it "for aesthetic reasons." Barfoot contested the order,[10][11] and received support from politicians, including Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb, and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.[12] The association dropped its request on December 8, 2009, ending the controversy.[13][14]
Them fined him all kinds of money, and it wasn't until national media atteniton they withdrew.
Unfortunatly, you signed the contract to live in a HOA area. It sucks...but I am afraid you will lose.
But it's not addressed within the Bylaws that he signed. Unless they can say it's covered by something else, I think there's a fighting chance. My HOA is a little more harsh, saying it can't be visible from the road.
Thread Starter
Super Moderator


Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,795
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From: Pflugerville, TX
Vehicle: 2000 Elantra
For once, I'm going to have to drag my ass down to the clubhouse to the annual meeting, to see if I can complain for the record.
Irony: the meeting is scheduled for the night of April Fool's Day
Irony: the meeting is scheduled for the night of April Fool's Day
Thread Starter
Super Moderator


Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,795
Likes: 5
From: Pflugerville, TX
Vehicle: 2000 Elantra
Now they're getting the long letter with pictures, registered mail. They sent us another nastygram with a threat of a $100 fine. I'm also going to complain to the po-lice because F those guys
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,881
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From: Huntsville, AL
Vehicle: 2001/Hyundai/Tiburon
I've never understood how they can try to fine you. Setting particular guidelines, sure, but taking MY hard earned money because I don't follow their agreement (whether you agree to their interpretation or not) is another whole story. What happens if I don't pay? How are you going to enforce it?
Police can enforce fines as they have the power to lock you up and do all sorts of nasty things. What can an HOA possibly do, especially if the REAL authority isn't on their side?
Police can enforce fines as they have the power to lock you up and do all sorts of nasty things. What can an HOA possibly do, especially if the REAL authority isn't on their side?
Administrator

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 12,515
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From: Lacey, WA
Vehicle: Two Accents, Mini, Miata, Van, Outback, and a ZX-6
They can impose liens. I've had it happen unfortunately.
They also threatened to tow my vehicles to auction to pay said fines and fees on XX date.
They also threatened to tow my vehicles to auction to pay said fines and fees on XX date.
Thread Starter
Super Moderator


Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,795
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From: Pflugerville, TX
Vehicle: 2000 Elantra
In Texas they used to be able to just foreclose on yer ass but they made it more difficult a couple years ago.
So I called up the management company and told the lady I wanted to b*tch at somebody (verbatim, but in a nice tone) and she gave me the email address of the manager. Apparently "per the board, it's not our decision" there is a new rule and a lot of residents are unhappy about it. She said brang mah e-mail to the meeting. Bet yer boots. After I get the email typed up I'll share it and I'll try to get an audio recorder for the meeting.
So I called up the management company and told the lady I wanted to b*tch at somebody (verbatim, but in a nice tone) and she gave me the email address of the manager. Apparently "per the board, it's not our decision" there is a new rule and a lot of residents are unhappy about it. She said brang mah e-mail to the meeting. Bet yer boots. After I get the email typed up I'll share it and I'll try to get an audio recorder for the meeting.
Thread Starter
Super Moderator


Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,795
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From: Pflugerville, TX
Vehicle: 2000 Elantra
The email was basically a slightly-revised version of the first post, as a 6MB .doc attachment. She forwarded it to the board for discussion. This meeting might be interesting.
My daughter brought us a school book and showed us how we can raise our own chickens. I told her "not here" and that might have been the final straw for me. WTF kind of place doesn't let you have a couple chickens? We can hear a chicken farm down the river from our house. Even silly AUSTIN lets you have chickens. If I can't get them to un-stupid about the trash cans on Monday then it'll be quick, but if I can get it straightened out, it'll be slower - but I think we're out of here if the HOA is't dissolved.
My daughter brought us a school book and showed us how we can raise our own chickens. I told her "not here" and that might have been the final straw for me. WTF kind of place doesn't let you have a couple chickens? We can hear a chicken farm down the river from our house. Even silly AUSTIN lets you have chickens. If I can't get them to un-stupid about the trash cans on Monday then it'll be quick, but if I can get it straightened out, it'll be slower - but I think we're out of here if the HOA is't dissolved.
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,881
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From: Huntsville, AL
Vehicle: 2001/Hyundai/Tiburon
My biggest issue with HOAs is one of the reasons America separated from England - taxation without representation! Giving "a board" of people the power to control my life without me having so much as a hand in the fight is cause for revolution. Especially when there is no due process involved (oh hey, your trash cans are in the wrong spot, here's a $100 fine.)


