I have ‘noticed’ in my short 76 years that many times the minority rules the majority. I am a nice guy, but at times I am pig headed (wife and family will quickly agree).
You may have noticed if you have ever been in a small church, without wise leadership, you will find one person dominates. (once allowed, it is curtains(usually))
PTA’s are no exception. You have a strong opinionated mother (or dad) who will end up the president. It shouldn’t be, the quiet person should be heard also. But mostly it isn’t the case, and the strong (sometimes narrow minded) lead.
I have vented this before, because it is still a sore spot. I was a builder for many years. I am proud of every house I built. As a finale, a sub-division. I wanted to name the streets after my grand kids, etc. All was going well with the plans until at one city council meeting I was requested to submit the guidelines for the Home Owner’s Association.
My answer was, there will be no Home Owner’s Association. I explained my objections. Nada, HOA is required. I had invested tens of thousands in surveying, planning and engineering, jumped thru all the hoops. It was going to be a nice development for small affordable homes. Working folk who did not have time for frivolous meetings and guidelines. They could take care of their own yards and homes without any help.
Not in this town. I was told.
Sherry and I discussed it. She said, ‘you don’t need the head aches. Let’s just quit and retire.’ We did. I still have a few moments of ‘What if’s?” Like today when I ran across the engineering & surveys of the land and streets. ($32,000, 15 yrs ago)
Then I came in the motor home and the first thing I see (on the computer news) was a HOA in Utah was outlawing the flying of the stars and stripes, the HOA President was upset at so many flags flying (Utah is a strong patriotic state), I was shocked. The flag flyers are being fined $75 for flying the flag of the USA!
I remembered why those plans are rotting. And I said to myself, I did the right thing by retiring.
I hate it when the tail wags the dog anywhere. Church, business and government!
Nite Shipslog
In any subdivision you will find the dominate homeowners running the show.
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7 comments:
I don't think I'd like to live where there was a HOA. I know some that do. I like being able to fly my flag and plant flowers where I want. I'm happy to say I am a happy homeowner. Glad you had the opportunity to retire when you did. From everything you write, it was a good decision.
Interesting post, Jack, about who gets to lead and why.
You were wise Jack to retire from thar building project. I am looking forward to moving out of out HOA. It is hard to be a renter in one. Our landlord is responsible for maintaining the plants and trees according to our lease. However we got the letter from the HOA when some plants needed to be trimmed. HOA wanted them cut, they could care less who did it. Hubby tried to reach property management, didn't get a response for a few days so trimmed the bushes to avoid a fine. We will be glad to move in a few months.
Betty
You were wise Jack to retire from thar building project. I am looking forward to moving out of out HOA. It is hard to be a renter in one. Our landlord is responsible for maintaining the plants and trees according to our lease. However we got the letter from the HOA when some plants needed to be trimmed. HOA wanted them cut, they could care less who did it. Hubby tried to reach property management, didn't get a response for a few days so trimmed the bushes to avoid a fine. We will be glad to move in a few months.
Betty
I'm embarrassed to admit, when we went house shopping I couldn't understand why Tom was reluctant to 'rub shoulders' with an HOA. Why, in ideology, they sound wonderful. (Rueful 'ha'!)
Like so many situations in which others have found themselves, our particular band of Nazis seems to pick and choose which rules they decide to enforce.
That business of banning the US flag is just disgusting.
I have never lived in an area where there was a HOA. I would rather have a purple house next door then have a HOA tell me what color I can't paint my house.
We live in a No HOA zone here in Empire. If you wand to build an outhouse in the back yard for old times sake you can dig/build one.
You did in fact do the right thing. Life is too short to be hassled by narrow-minded people.
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