9/15/2008

Ridiculous Overhead- No one helps

I saw an SUV with some teenagers parked ON the grass by the side of the lake at the entrance, swimming and jumping in the lake water. There is NO road to that piece of land so they had to have driven their SUV all over the grass to get to that spot to jump in the lake. I don’t even know if these people are residents. Did anyone do anything? Is it my job to call the police? I don’t think so since although I form part of the home owners, I don’t get paid like Leland, the Master, and Sutherland to manage or monitor anything.

When you go to the pool, most of the time everything is out of control; kids are diving, even their guardians dive right behind them (prior to running) in an area where it clearly states NO DIVING. Is it my (or our) job to get into an argument with a neighbor to do the right thing and stop acting like they live in a zoo? Dogs run free without leashes (Orange county regulations prohibit that by the way) animals poop everywhere and their owners aren’t polite enough to pick up after them. I’ve had my Christmas light cables cut on my own property, I’ve had my trash cans moved when they are on MY driveway and once even run over by a car. Why are people so uncivil? Can’t they pick up a trashcan that was blown away with the wind? I’ve done this dozens of times to avoid destroying someone else’s property. And why is there no control? Honestly, why do we pay HOA’s again?


Just for the record, check out this site for a gorgeous community in TN:
http://www.cameronfarms.org/faq.html

Look at:
How much are the HOA dues?
Dues are $31.00 per month. The dues can be paid monthly, quarterly or yearly. Homeowners may pay in advance as much as they like, but there is no discount prepayment.

Then look at the images of the beautiful homes on that property and exactly what the HOA’s cover.

http://www.cameronfarms.org/pool.html
What is the money used for?
The dues are used to: 1) maintain the common grounds including the pool 2) install and maintain street signs 3) to pay for liability insurance for the neighborhood and the association 4) to hire a management company to see to the day to day management of the neighborhood 5) pay for several social functions per year 6) and for any incidental expenses and improvements that are needed from time to time.

Note they have someone who manages the neighborhood on a daily basis, something which we do NOT have. If we pay over $200.00 for internet and cable, then I want to be able to get my own services and pay $30 or less since we don’t have anyone working to monitor the neighborhood, and every time we complain about something, we’re told to take care of it ourselves. Where’s my salary then?

UPDATE: At 1:18 PM today, Sept 15, 2008, I received a call from Brighthouse explaining that the service was scheduled to be reinstated on Sept 12 but instead was canceled and delayed until today. I wonder if my complaining about the absolute POOR service our HOA management had anything to do with that? This sounds like illegal activity to me.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/community_windermere_blog/2007/01/should_winderme.html#comments

9/14/2008

Purpose

Our original page for the Independence Community was deleted. My understanding was the person in charge could no longer take care of it.
As a resident, I decided to put this blog up, not only as a tool but also for others to post their questions and concerns.
When we had the other page, apparently the first thing that was deleted, even before the site was taken down, was the section where everyone voiced their concerns or complaints in regards to the community or management. My goal is for our voices to be heard since after all, we are the residents and the ones who pay management[s] for "services".
Where else could we actually express ourselves?
Thank you and I will try to update this as much as possible. Meanwhile, you may leave any questions/complaints/concerns in form of a comment.