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May 25, 2006
It's Not Just Condo's and HOA's --- Really!
Whenever I start to see too many stories of problems between boards and owners, I take a quick trip over to one of my favorite web sites overlawyered.com. There I am reminded that its not just my industry that's gone bonkers, but everyone. I know, I know, that after looking at the site, you'll be reminded of the quote from Shakespeare's Henry VI, "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers", but if you really look at these items, you'll realize that more often than not, it was the plaintiffs that came up with the less-than-sane ideas.
The point of this is that community associations are microcosm's of our society, not something unique. As long as they are populated and governed by people, there are going to be problems and issues, not matter how much legislation is passed. I recall the Florida Ombudsman commenting about his dislike for reserves because the large amounts of money could lead to embezzlement or misuse of the money. Does that mean we should stop donations to churches and charities because monies have been embezzled and mis-used in the past? The exception is not the rule! If that was the case, then all politicians are crooks, all police are trigger-happy, all doctors are quacks, all bankers are bloodsuckers, and on and on.
If a board member or an association screws up, then call them on it. But don't presume to state that their actions are indicative of all community associations. Not every board member is a "condo-nazi", not every manager is incompetent, not every lawyer is a "CAI foreclosure attorney", and not every owner is as "innocent as the driven snow". However, the constant ranting of some web sites would lead you to believe that the greatest threat to America these days is your neighbor, not the people who caused 9/11. Enough already!
Maybe because I do so much internet research, I am getting sick and tired of the hyperbole, innuendo, inflammatory accusations, personal abuse, biases and just downright nastiness, flowing out of some writers. Using their standard of painting everyone with the same brush, they are assaulting thousands of honest volunteers, small businesses and expert professionals with written invectives that are extraordinary in their petty meanness. They are very small people using the internet to vent their bile. Newton's Third Law of Motion will apply.
Posted by joewest at May 25, 2006 3:55 PM