Over the years, I've had sporadic tiffs and issues with the people in our subdivision, and it usually results in me receiving a letter from the homeowner's association board.
There was the time when I left my Christmas lights up into February and I was chastised (guess I had that one coming). Then, there was the religious intolerance incidents with a certain atheist neighbor who reported everyone who had a Mother Mary, Saint Ignatius, or in my case, an Easter cross.
Thankfully, that person moved out recently.
But there remains an epidemic of retired fogies who, having no life of their own, patrol the subdivision all day with their little violation checklists and report people to the office. And the inevitable E-Mail or letter I receive always mentions "there have been many complaints".
I spoke with some neighbors and they agreed that the sensitivity level of these anonymous fogies has gotten way out of hand. So, I wrote my own letter to the board.
In a diplomatic style (complete with veiled sarcasm) I proposed that I file a COMPLAINT against the COMPLAINERS:
If I am in violation of a rule, let me know. I do not see the reason to change
things on the part of "complainers" (which is subjective). If they
report the violation, that's fine. But there have been some instances
in the past (as some of my neighbors will attest) where people will
find things offensive (that are not in violation of a rule) and report
it. I guess the squeakiest wheel gets all the attention.
Among other things, the reply I received stressed the importance of rules, and how our yards (which, incidentally, those belong to the HOA as well) must be kept presentable, in the event of a visitation from a prospect looking to move here.
To me, a prospective homeowner would not be discouraged from living here based on a 2-month old Christmas light display. I think they would more likely be turned off by the rapidly increasing monthly dues and the Nazi regime of residents that plague the neighborhood.
There are plenty of positives to the area where we live, though. Our culdesac of neighbors are invaluable. And there's always plenty of dogs in the neighborhood that Scrappy can play with.
As Chipley and I approach our 5th anniversary this summer, it's undeniable that this has been a great place to begin our married lives together. But if these monthly dues continue to rise, she'll have to start selling plasma for extra income.
She has really good veins.
Sounds like you need to give Scrappy some really greasy food then go on a walk around the neighborhood and stop in a few selective yards...!
Posted by: William Hanley | February 20, 2013 at 09:23 PM