Associations

Last week, a sign popped up on our property, out by the roadside. From the rear, it was a sign for some home builder. We were going to take it down, but on the front, saw a message about a home owner’s association meeting, with a number to call.

There isn’t a HOA right now, at least not officially. We knew, eventually, there would be one, as this is a private road, with a gate, and there are lights out at the public road, all of which must be maintained. I’m not a huge fan of HOAs, personally, as it tends to bring out the fascist in certain types of people (that is, small-minded, tiny ego type people who want a drink of power, no matter how tiny). We’ve all heard the horror stories about some HOAs: can’t put a line in your back yard to dry clothes. Must keep your lawn green – even when there’s a freaking drought. I even read one blog where their HOA forbade the growing of vegetables, period, back or front yard. These are the types of things with which I disagree: they’re energy savers, economically and environmentally friendly, and should be ENcouraged, not discouraged. Other things I have no problem with – people shouldn’t be leaving rusty old cars on blocks in their yards, for instance. My other concern is that we would be wasting time debating things that are already covered by existing county-level statute: no trailers here, as an example. This is already in the zoning from the county, as this is a houses-only neighborhood. Having to discuss things like that when the laws are already codified is a waste of time, and we all know how much that appeals to me.

The number on the sign was our immediate neighbor’s cell. It turns out that the builder has been paying the light bill and the gate maintenance, and our neighbor has been paying him back (as a side note, our neighbor and the builder owned all the parcels that are now built on, and still own the vacant parcels – about 50 acres’ worth). So, it’s no surprise to me that now that there are about ten lots taken in a development that totals sixteen, it’s time for everyone to pony up to pay for these things. When we spoke to him, we told him we figured that was the main issue, and hoped that everything else would be kept to a minimum: short and sweet, with no weirdo rules. His response: “Hell, no, I don’t want nobody telling me what I can and can’t do.”

So it looks like it won’t be that bad after all. Which is good, because I’m putting in my corn up front this year. And I don’t want to hear any bitching about something you can’t see from the main road in the summer anyway when all the trees and shrubs are back to full leaf.

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