Saturday, March 7, 2009
Margot Stevens
This is only the begining, Her Fireside chat has been stopped. She wants NO over night parking in your own driveway, Her husband started the ban on NO pick-up trucks, now he wants to measure everyone lawn to see if it is not too long. This couple must go back to dumb do land. They even call the police on you. This is what you people of Lake Ashton voted for? Shame on you. Are the residents of Lake Ashton going brain dead??? Please have some one check you out.
BROWN LAWN, GO TO JAIL OVER THE WEEKEND NAZI REGIME
HUDSON - There is a large sign outside Joe Prudente's home in Hudson. It reads, "Free At Last." He put it up Sunday after spending the weekend in jail.
Prudente lives in the Beacon Woods subdivision. The community has deed restrictions requiring lawns be kept green. Prudente says his sprinkler system broke, and then his mortgage payments shot up by $600 a month.
He says he was confronted with a dilemma: keep a roof over his head, or spend the money to keep his lawn green. Prudente let the grass die. That prompted the Beacon Woods Homeowners' Association to go to court.
The association won a court order demanding Prudente green up his grass. After a long legal fight, Prudente gave up. He turned himself in at the Pasco County jail Friday.
"It looks better than having someone drag me out in handcuffs," Prudente said.
The Beacon Woods homeowners' association president claims the jail term had nothing to do with the color of grass but the court order.
"We have been inundated with phone calls and emails from people who believe the issue is one of hard hearted people taking down a property owner. That is certainly not the case," Bob Ryan told FOX 13.
When people in the community heard about
Prudente's plight, volunteers got two companies to donate sod. They then went over and replaced his grass themselves. Even Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano chipped in to help.
After volunteers completed the sod-planting project, Prudente was released. But his problems aren't over. He still faces court and homeowner's association fines that he has no money to pay.
The battle has left some hard feelings in Beacon Woods. Dave Wilson, a resident, said "I think it's next to a Nazi regime here. The have more power than they really need."
NEWS V
Prudente lives in the Beacon Woods subdivision. The community has deed restrictions requiring lawns be kept green. Prudente says his sprinkler system broke, and then his mortgage payments shot up by $600 a month.
He says he was confronted with a dilemma: keep a roof over his head, or spend the money to keep his lawn green. Prudente let the grass die. That prompted the Beacon Woods Homeowners' Association to go to court.
The association won a court order demanding Prudente green up his grass. After a long legal fight, Prudente gave up. He turned himself in at the Pasco County jail Friday.
"It looks better than having someone drag me out in handcuffs," Prudente said.
The Beacon Woods homeowners' association president claims the jail term had nothing to do with the color of grass but the court order.
"We have been inundated with phone calls and emails from people who believe the issue is one of hard hearted people taking down a property owner. That is certainly not the case," Bob Ryan told FOX 13.
When people in the community heard about
Prudente's plight, volunteers got two companies to donate sod. They then went over and replaced his grass themselves. Even Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano chipped in to help.
After volunteers completed the sod-planting project, Prudente was released. But his problems aren't over. He still faces court and homeowner's association fines that he has no money to pay.
The battle has left some hard feelings in Beacon Woods. Dave Wilson, a resident, said "I think it's next to a Nazi regime here. The have more power than they really need."
NEWS V
BROWN LAWN, GO TO JAIL
HUDSON - A long drought and several bouts of freezing weather killed Linda Carey's lawn, and her homeowners' association is none to happy about the large patch of dirt and weeds.
It sent Carey a warning letter.
"I have to put new sod down by March 15th or they'll take further legal action against me," she said.
Carey is not alone: the Beacon Woods Civic Association sent warning letters to 168 homeowners warning them they are in violation of a deed restriction requiring a green lawn.
"It's stressful, it's not good," she said.
In addition to the warning letter, the March issue of the homeowners' association news letter also warns "if you have not yet made
arrangements for purchase and or delivery of sod we encourage you to do so now."
Residents say water restrictions make the complying with the demands a nearly impossible task.\
"With water restrictions being what they are, the weather, it's gotten awfully cold, it seems kind of foolish," homeowner David Epperson says of the warning letters.
Beacon Woods says it may reconsider the green lawn deed restriction.
"We plan on taking up this issue of landscaping in terms of the drought," HOA president Tom Pohl said. "We plan on taking a close look at this issue."
But Beacon Woods has a history of taking brown lawns very seriously. Joe Purdente spent a weekend in jail after he defied a court order that he plant new sod to replace his brown grass.
"I don't know what they're making everybody resod?" Purdente said.
For now, his donated lawn is brown, but he hasn't been served with a warning letter.
"I water when I'm allowed," Purdente said.
Because of the long drought, the Southwest Florida Water Management District may help home owners being challenged by their associations over brown lawns.
"If they send us their violation notices, we'll contact the association," said the district's Robyn Felix.
For now, Linda Carey says she can't afford a long legal fight with the Beacon Woods Civic Association, or a new lawn.
It sent Carey a warning letter.
"I have to put new sod down by March 15th or they'll take further legal action against me," she said.
Carey is not alone: the Beacon Woods Civic Association sent warning letters to 168 homeowners warning them they are in violation of a deed restriction requiring a green lawn.
"It's stressful, it's not good," she said.
In addition to the warning letter, the March issue of the homeowners' association news letter also warns "if you have not yet made
arrangements for purchase and or delivery of sod we encourage you to do so now."
Residents say water restrictions make the complying with the demands a nearly impossible task.\
"With water restrictions being what they are, the weather, it's gotten awfully cold, it seems kind of foolish," homeowner David Epperson says of the warning letters.
Beacon Woods says it may reconsider the green lawn deed restriction.
"We plan on taking up this issue of landscaping in terms of the drought," HOA president Tom Pohl said. "We plan on taking a close look at this issue."
But Beacon Woods has a history of taking brown lawns very seriously. Joe Purdente spent a weekend in jail after he defied a court order that he plant new sod to replace his brown grass.
"I don't know what they're making everybody resod?" Purdente said.
For now, his donated lawn is brown, but he hasn't been served with a warning letter.
"I water when I'm allowed," Purdente said.
Because of the long drought, the Southwest Florida Water Management District may help home owners being challenged by their associations over brown lawns.
"If they send us their violation notices, we'll contact the association," said the district's Robyn Felix.
For now, Linda Carey says she can't afford a long legal fight with the Beacon Woods Civic Association, or a new lawn.
JOB LOSS
650,000 jobs lost in February and the CDD wants more money to run Lake Ashton. Ask the developer, he is getting a great deal, thanks to you. Now your stealing it from the residents of Lake Ashton. Shame on you.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday that the
national unemployment rate surged last month to 8.1 percent,
its highest level in 24 years.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday that the
national unemployment rate surged last month to 8.1 percent,
its highest level in 24 years.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Written by a 15 yr. Old School Kid in Ohio
New Pledge of Allegiance (TOTALLY AWESOME!)
Since the Pledge of Allegiance & The Lords Prayer
Are not allowed in Schools anymore
Because the word 'God' is mentioned...
A Kid in
Ohio wrote the attached..
NEW School prayer :
Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise..
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks..
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liableWe can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.
We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.
It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen
If you aren't ashamed to do this,
Please pass this on.
Jesus said,
'If you are ashamed of me,
I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'
Not ashamed. Pass this on
The best mathematical equation I have ever seen..1 Cross+ 3nails = 4Given
See how Windows connects the people, information, and fun that are part of your
life. See Now
Windows Live™: E-mail. Chat. Share. Get more ways20to connect. Check it out.
Since the Pledge of Allegiance & The Lords Prayer
Are not allowed in Schools anymore
Because the word 'God' is mentioned...
A Kid in
Ohio wrote the attached..
NEW School prayer :
Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise..
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks..
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liableWe can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.
We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.
It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen
If you aren't ashamed to do this,
Please pass this on.
Jesus said,
'If you are ashamed of me,
I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'
Not ashamed. Pass this on
The best mathematical equation I have ever seen..1 Cross+ 3nails = 4Given
See how Windows connects the people, information, and fun that are part of your
life. See Now
Windows Live™: E-mail. Chat. Share. Get more ways20to connect. Check it out.
How safe is Lake Ashton?
Lake Ashton has had 6 homes broke into, RV Storage units has had their Mobile homes broken into, The HFC has had their computers stolen, 5 cars were broken into, But if you ask Joe Hunter he just doesn't know nothing. This guy is a joke. Call him and ask him and see what he has to say 863-324-5457. He will return your phone call two weeks later. I am 100% correct. Lake Ashton as more crime than Lake Wales.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The Police call
Margot Steavens called the police but they were not interested. She told her friends that she call the police. Then she called Jack Van Sickle, the Lake Wales Commissioner, he had no problem getting the police to see me. What a pair. Can you believe this. How dumb can you get. I know one person that keeps a loaded gun in his home and he is not afraid to use it if he catches anyone around his home. It is a person right to have guns. Who is making the new laws? Jack Van Sickle? I still find it hard that the police came. What a world we live in. Shame on you. Please read the story on Jack Van Sickle. Hay Jack, give me a call and will talk about my AK47, you coward.
This is the artical that Jack Van Sickle was upset about and called the police
The LGA should also put aside a kitty to help pay for the idiots that break windows with their golf balls and run away like cowards. No kitty is now in service because the developer wish not to tell you that Lake Ashton has some of the worst gofers in the nation. People that play golf and break windows with their balls can afford to pay $3600 for golf yet have no money for windows. Give me a break. Yes, I have my AK47 ready for the next golfer that breaks my window again.
DOUBLE DIPPING
All money from the entertainment series goes to the management not to the CDD as if the developer doesn't make enough. For another person to put on a show, Joe Hunter says this will take away from the sales of the entertainment series. He wants no other show at the ballroom. You must see his shows, no other. He held me off for two months on a date until he got hold of the CDD and told them to start charging a fee to rent the hall. It seems the CDD is being told what to do by Joe Hunter. How can they charge $750 in times like this. Every 13 seconds a home goes into fore closer. Jobs are being lost, stores are closing, 23 stores are now closed at the Eagle Ridge Mall, Restaurants are losing business, stock markets are going down hill fast, people are losing thousands of dollars in the stock market. Things are so bad that the airlines are lowering their prices. Joe Hunter still has the power to tell anyone what to do even the CDD and they lesion. I guess they all don't know what is going on between Joe Hunter and the outside world. We all pay the maintenance fee Lake Ashton charges, now we are being charge again to use the hall. Shame on you. Thank you Joe Hunter, you really know how to lied and control the residents of Lake Ashton. More money for the developer you think. Dumb thinking. Brains are not being used but are kept in their pockets.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Jack Van Sickle
Mr. Jack Van Sickle, City Commissioner is using his position and office to scare residents of Lake Ashton that are in his opinion disagree with Joe Hunter and his boss Larry Maxwell the management or the developer. Jack Van Sickle called the police on me on February 2, 2009 for a article I wrote on my Blog called lakeashtontalk after I complain about someone breaking my window with their golf ball and running off without notifying me of the accident. If they can afford to pay $3600 to play golf here and yet they have no money to pay for broken windows.. He seems to think this is OK, nothing is wrong with this. To replace this window it cost approx $150.00 because you can't remove the window from the frame. My Blog is call Lakeashtontalk and it is about everything that goes on here at Lake Ashton. I wrote in an article that the next time someone breaks my window, I'll have my AK47 ready for the next golfer. This was only an expression not a treat. It did not say I'll use it, It simply said I'll have it ready. It seems I should have said come on in and will have ice cream, cake and hot coffee and I'll pay all the expenses. For someone such as a Commissioner to call the police on such a dumb thing about an article needs to have his brains checked. This means that all the news articles that the News Chief and the Ledger writes that he disagrees with , he should call the police on you too, you are no different than my Lake Ashton Blog.
Jack Van Sickle was on the HOA Board at Lake Ashton for approx 2 years until he got voted out. He is a good friend of Larry Maxwell and Mr Maxwell is helping him to be elected as Mayor of Lake Wales in the near future. If he ever gets elected he will be calling the police on all his enemies and also on the News Chief Newspaper. You can't say anything bad about the management here at Lake Ashton or they will find some way of getting back at you. They have accuse me of a putting my business blog card on golf carts but I was in Maine at that time. I have my flight itinerary and electronic ticket receipt to prove it. They have also accused two other people of violations and one of them was in Pennsylvania at that time. Joe Hunter and his friends sure know how to screw things up. Did they offer an apology? No This is typical of the power these people have. They want you to feel cheap and shut-up and don't say anything bad about Lake Ashton or move out of Lake Ashton. They only want the people they can control and tell them what to do. This place is not a community but an institution run by an iron hand and a cold heart. As you can see he call the police to control me, but it is not going to work I am quite sure this will not be the end of his scare tactics.
Jack Van Sickle was on the HOA Board at Lake Ashton for approx 2 years until he got voted out. He is a good friend of Larry Maxwell and Mr Maxwell is helping him to be elected as Mayor of Lake Wales in the near future. If he ever gets elected he will be calling the police on all his enemies and also on the News Chief Newspaper. You can't say anything bad about the management here at Lake Ashton or they will find some way of getting back at you. They have accuse me of a putting my business blog card on golf carts but I was in Maine at that time. I have my flight itinerary and electronic ticket receipt to prove it. They have also accused two other people of violations and one of them was in Pennsylvania at that time. Joe Hunter and his friends sure know how to screw things up. Did they offer an apology? No This is typical of the power these people have. They want you to feel cheap and shut-up and don't say anything bad about Lake Ashton or move out of Lake Ashton. They only want the people they can control and tell them what to do. This place is not a community but an institution run by an iron hand and a cold heart. As you can see he call the police to control me, but it is not going to work I am quite sure this will not be the end of his scare tactics.
Fairy Tale
A beautiful fairy appeared one day to a Mexican refugee outside an Arizona immigration office.
'Good man,' the fairy said, 'I've been sent here by President Obama and told to grant you three wishes, since you just arrived in the United States with your wife and three children.'
The man told the fairy. 'Well, where I come from we don't have good teeth, so I want new teeth, maybe a lot of gold in them.'
The fairy looked at the man's almost toothless grin and -- PING ! -- he had a brand new shining set of gold teeth in his mouth!
'What else?' asked the fairy, 'two more to go.'
The refugee claimant now got bolder. 'I need a big house with a three car garage in Annapolis on the water with eight bedrooms for my family and the rest of my relatives who still live in my country. I want to bring them all over here . .. .. and -- PING ! -- in the distance there could be seen a beautiful mansion with a three car garage, a long driveway, a walkout patio with a BBQ in an upscale neighborhood overlooking the bay.
'One more wish', said the fairy, waving her wand.
'Yes, one more wish. I want to be like an American with American clothes instead of these torn clothes, and a baseball cap instead of this sombrero. And I want to have white skin like Americans . . . and -- PING! -- The man was transformed, wearing worn out jeans, a Baltimore Orioles T-shirt and a baseball cap. He had his bad teeth back and the mansion had disappeared from the horizon.
'What happened to my new teeth?' he wailed. 'Where is my new house?'
The fairy said 'Tough break, Paco, Now that you are a White American, you have to fend for yourself.'
And she disappeared.
'Good man,' the fairy said, 'I've been sent here by President Obama and told to grant you three wishes, since you just arrived in the United States with your wife and three children.'
The man told the fairy. 'Well, where I come from we don't have good teeth, so I want new teeth, maybe a lot of gold in them.'
The fairy looked at the man's almost toothless grin and -- PING ! -- he had a brand new shining set of gold teeth in his mouth!
'What else?' asked the fairy, 'two more to go.'
The refugee claimant now got bolder. 'I need a big house with a three car garage in Annapolis on the water with eight bedrooms for my family and the rest of my relatives who still live in my country. I want to bring them all over here . .. .. and -- PING ! -- in the distance there could be seen a beautiful mansion with a three car garage, a long driveway, a walkout patio with a BBQ in an upscale neighborhood overlooking the bay.
'One more wish', said the fairy, waving her wand.
'Yes, one more wish. I want to be like an American with American clothes instead of these torn clothes, and a baseball cap instead of this sombrero. And I want to have white skin like Americans . . . and -- PING! -- The man was transformed, wearing worn out jeans, a Baltimore Orioles T-shirt and a baseball cap. He had his bad teeth back and the mansion had disappeared from the horizon.
'What happened to my new teeth?' he wailed. 'Where is my new house?'
The fairy said 'Tough break, Paco, Now that you are a White American, you have to fend for yourself.'
And she disappeared.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Floridians Should Avoid Being Scammed By Foreclosure "Rescue," Loan Modification Offers
~ Homeowners encouraged to look for warning signs, avoid common scams ~
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued a consumer advisory as part of National Consumer Protection Week on foreclosure "rescue" services and loan modification offers, the most frequent subject of complaints to the Attorney General’s Office during 2008. Within the last year, the Attorney General’s has reviewed information on over 200 foreclosure rescue businesses and has over 40 active investigations into potential violations of Florida’s Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prevention Act, a new law supported last year by the Attorney General. Several lawsuits have been filed throughout the state, including one against a South Florida company which allegedly defrauded several hundred homeowners out of more than $1 million collectively.
"Today, homeowners are being bombarded with advertising from companies claiming they can save homes, reduce mortgage payments, and many other offers," said Attorney General McCollum. "Florida homeowners need to be very cautious and should know that Florida law prohibits any company or individual from charging up-front fees for foreclosure rescue or loan modification services."
The Attorney General urged homeowners facing foreclosure or mortgage payments in default to contact their lenders directly before reaching out to a third party. Consumers also should avoid any business that seeks to charge for services related to the new Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan initiated by the President. Lenders and mortgage servicers can provide information about negotiating a new payment schedule or about homeowners’ eligibility for loan modification under the new federal plan. Services under this initiative will be provided at no cost to consumers; more information about the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan is available at http://www.financialstability.gov/.
The Attorney General also offered the following tips to identify and avoid a potential foreclosure rescue scam:
- Avoid businesses that guarantee to save homes from foreclosure or stop the foreclosure process "no matter what the circumstances."
- Do not work with businesses or individuals who instruct homeowners not to contact their lenders, lawyers or financial counselors and to make mortgage payments directly to the business or individual.
- Avoid businesses that use names or symbols which mimic federal and state programs or falsely suggest they offer legal services or are affiliated with an attorney or law firm.
- Before doing business with any loan modification business, check it out fully. Get its physical address, ask for the names of its corporate officers, and call the Attorney General’s Office to determine whether it has any complaints reported against it.
Consumers who wish to file a complaint may do so by calling the Attorney General’s fraud hotline at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226) or by filing a complaint online at http://myfloridalegal.com. Additional information about National Consumer Protection Week is available at http://www.consumer.gov/ncpw. More tips are available online at: http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/Main/55BC21CB13128F728525741800481491.
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued a consumer advisory as part of National Consumer Protection Week on foreclosure "rescue" services and loan modification offers, the most frequent subject of complaints to the Attorney General’s Office during 2008. Within the last year, the Attorney General’s has reviewed information on over 200 foreclosure rescue businesses and has over 40 active investigations into potential violations of Florida’s Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prevention Act, a new law supported last year by the Attorney General. Several lawsuits have been filed throughout the state, including one against a South Florida company which allegedly defrauded several hundred homeowners out of more than $1 million collectively.
"Today, homeowners are being bombarded with advertising from companies claiming they can save homes, reduce mortgage payments, and many other offers," said Attorney General McCollum. "Florida homeowners need to be very cautious and should know that Florida law prohibits any company or individual from charging up-front fees for foreclosure rescue or loan modification services."
The Attorney General urged homeowners facing foreclosure or mortgage payments in default to contact their lenders directly before reaching out to a third party. Consumers also should avoid any business that seeks to charge for services related to the new Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan initiated by the President. Lenders and mortgage servicers can provide information about negotiating a new payment schedule or about homeowners’ eligibility for loan modification under the new federal plan. Services under this initiative will be provided at no cost to consumers; more information about the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan is available at http://www.financialstability.gov/.
The Attorney General also offered the following tips to identify and avoid a potential foreclosure rescue scam:
- Avoid businesses that guarantee to save homes from foreclosure or stop the foreclosure process "no matter what the circumstances."
- Do not work with businesses or individuals who instruct homeowners not to contact their lenders, lawyers or financial counselors and to make mortgage payments directly to the business or individual.
- Avoid businesses that use names or symbols which mimic federal and state programs or falsely suggest they offer legal services or are affiliated with an attorney or law firm.
- Before doing business with any loan modification business, check it out fully. Get its physical address, ask for the names of its corporate officers, and call the Attorney General’s Office to determine whether it has any complaints reported against it.
Consumers who wish to file a complaint may do so by calling the Attorney General’s fraud hotline at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226) or by filing a complaint online at http://myfloridalegal.com. Additional information about National Consumer Protection Week is available at http://www.consumer.gov/ncpw. More tips are available online at: http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/Main/55BC21CB13128F728525741800481491.
How do you keep Joe Hunter busy for hours?
A: Give him a piece of paper with "Please turn over" written on both sides.
Stealing Joe Hunter's & Management money
Joe Hunter did not want me to have shows at the Lake Ashton Ballroom because I would take too much of his Entertainment Series money from the management. These shows was for charity. How low can Joe Hunter get? The Management needs more money? He is already charging extremely high prices on Storage rental, Boat dock Rental and golf with no breaks or discounts. He even got the CDD Board Members to believe in him and now they want $750 or $375 to rent the hall. How dumb can they be. Why are we paying maintenance fees for? Now we are paying twice for the ballroom. What a rip off. Agree or disagree. Give me a break.
Monday, March 2, 2009
AK47 Margot Stevens
Call the cops she says. She is on the CDD board and she thinks she can call the cops on anyone she wants. Have fire side chats, say anything she wants. Well she was told to stop having the fireside chats, and act like a 76 year old woman. Stay home and knit. You won't see her in there any more. Did she pay the $375.00 ballroom fee? NO. Its who you know and believe me I would not want to know those people.
Texas amendment would prohibit HOA foreclosures
Article Courtesy of The Dallas Morning News
By TERRENCE STUTZ
Published February 28, 2009
AUSTIN – Homeowners associations in Texas would lose their power to foreclose on individual homeowners for nonpayment of dues and other fees under a proposed constitutional amendment filed Friday by a Dallas-area lawmaker.
The amendment and companion legislation by Rep. Burt Solomons, R-Carrollton, would provide more rights and protections for homeowners in HOA neighborhoods – including thousands in North Texas and across the state who have faced loss of their homes for not paying dues.
"Things have gotten out of control with homeowners associations," Solomons said. "It's amazing that the courts have allowed them to foreclose on homesteads for something as minor as getting behind on association dues. ... We have to restore some balance."
There are an estimated 20,000 homeowners associations in Texas.
Solomons said the plight of many Texans in HOAs has been illustrated in news stories, such as when a Frisco homeowner was threatened with fines by his association in August for parking his Ford F-150 pickup in his driveway. HOA rules there required that nonluxury trucks be kept in the garage.
"Some of the requirements are excessive. Are you really going to fine somebody because their fence is six inches too high?" Solomons asked.
Rick Stopfer, an Irving City Council member and longtime board member for the Valley Ranch homeowners association, said the constitutional amendment would cripple the ability of HOAs to carry out their responsibilities.
"People agree to pay certain dues and fees when they become a homeowner in a community with an association. There has to be some type of penalty for those who are not willing to abide by the agreement," he said.
Solomons' proposal, which is expected to be opposed by HOA groups, would submit a constitutional amendment to Texas voters that would prohibit foreclosures by associations on homesteads within their jurisdiction.
That foreclosure authority dates to a 1987 ruling by the Texas Supreme Court. Texas is one of only a handful of states that allows HOAs to foreclose on members.
The amendment states that a homestead within an HOA would be "protected from forced sale for the payment of a debt" to the association. It would allow an association to place a lien on the property, which would entitle it to payment once the house is voluntarily sold by the owner.
A companion bill filed by Solomons would revamp the state's homeowners association laws, giving homeowners access to HOA meetings and records and requiring fair and transparent elections of homeowner boards.
His bill also would take aim at associations that prohibit use of solar panels by homeowners – a rule that Solomons said is out of step with current efforts to switch to more environmentally friendly types of energy.
Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, is carrying similar legislation in the Senate.
Stopfer said he could not recall any instance where a Valley Ranch homeowner was forced to give up his home for nonpayment of dues or fees. Where there are problems, he added, a payment plan can typically be set up.
By TERRENCE STUTZ
Published February 28, 2009
AUSTIN – Homeowners associations in Texas would lose their power to foreclose on individual homeowners for nonpayment of dues and other fees under a proposed constitutional amendment filed Friday by a Dallas-area lawmaker.
The amendment and companion legislation by Rep. Burt Solomons, R-Carrollton, would provide more rights and protections for homeowners in HOA neighborhoods – including thousands in North Texas and across the state who have faced loss of their homes for not paying dues.
"Things have gotten out of control with homeowners associations," Solomons said. "It's amazing that the courts have allowed them to foreclose on homesteads for something as minor as getting behind on association dues. ... We have to restore some balance."
There are an estimated 20,000 homeowners associations in Texas.
Solomons said the plight of many Texans in HOAs has been illustrated in news stories, such as when a Frisco homeowner was threatened with fines by his association in August for parking his Ford F-150 pickup in his driveway. HOA rules there required that nonluxury trucks be kept in the garage.
"Some of the requirements are excessive. Are you really going to fine somebody because their fence is six inches too high?" Solomons asked.
Rick Stopfer, an Irving City Council member and longtime board member for the Valley Ranch homeowners association, said the constitutional amendment would cripple the ability of HOAs to carry out their responsibilities.
"People agree to pay certain dues and fees when they become a homeowner in a community with an association. There has to be some type of penalty for those who are not willing to abide by the agreement," he said.
Solomons' proposal, which is expected to be opposed by HOA groups, would submit a constitutional amendment to Texas voters that would prohibit foreclosures by associations on homesteads within their jurisdiction.
That foreclosure authority dates to a 1987 ruling by the Texas Supreme Court. Texas is one of only a handful of states that allows HOAs to foreclose on members.
The amendment states that a homestead within an HOA would be "protected from forced sale for the payment of a debt" to the association. It would allow an association to place a lien on the property, which would entitle it to payment once the house is voluntarily sold by the owner.
A companion bill filed by Solomons would revamp the state's homeowners association laws, giving homeowners access to HOA meetings and records and requiring fair and transparent elections of homeowner boards.
His bill also would take aim at associations that prohibit use of solar panels by homeowners – a rule that Solomons said is out of step with current efforts to switch to more environmentally friendly types of energy.
Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, is carrying similar legislation in the Senate.
Stopfer said he could not recall any instance where a Valley Ranch homeowner was forced to give up his home for nonpayment of dues or fees. Where there are problems, he added, a payment plan can typically be set up.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
BINGO
Paul Pontious suddenly took over the Bingo game after he told Jessie that a HOA member must be on the BINGO BOARD to overlook the operations of BINGO. This my friends was a total lie from Paul Pontious. No member of the HOA Board needs to be on the BINGO Board. At that time Jessie did not know this. Jessie started the Bingo game with a loan from the management of $7,000. With the money he bought all the equipment needed for Bingo and got it started. In two years he paid back all the money in two payments of $3,500 each. Jessie did all the hard work looking for all the outlets for the Bingo supplies. Paul Pontious was president of the HOA Board at that time he came on board to oversee the operations of Bingo. Slowly he kept asking Jessie how to operate the Bingo machine. Then he wanted to know how to divide the money, how to do this, how to do that etc. Before you know it, he knew everything there was to know. He even had his name on the Bingo bank account with Jessie. What a smooth operator. He even had Jessie come over to set up all the chairs and tables and Paul would come in around 6:30 to see if everything was done. Before you know it Paul was calling all the numbers and had taken over as BINGO president. Jesse was doing all the work and Paul was coming in at the last minute doing nothing, yes nothing. Now Paul is telling everyone even the CDD Board how to spend the Bingo money. He is also spreading bad stories about Jessie, which is all a big lie. Bingo must pay $200 to rent the hall. Paul has certainly made a mess of Bingo. Jessie now has his home for sale. He wants out of Lake Ashton. With people like Paul Pontious I don't blame him.
Joe Hunter and Paul Pontious
Yes, a marriage made in Haven, two big lairs and big talk, each with their arms around each other and picking the other's pocket.
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