On The Commons: Recent Comments

Comment on On the Commons with Brenda Johnson

2012-01-15T17:09:00Z

Forgot to address the "psychiatric problems" Mr. Bunnell made so much of in his comments about me, as though it was a character flaw that rendered my point of view moot. As I stated in the interview, I am a veteran with Post Traumatic Distress Disorder, and I have a lot of company. Mr. Bunnell's poke at my "psychiatric problems" is a disservice to so many veterans, police and firefighters who end up with this condition as a result of serving others.

Comment on On the Commons with Brenda Johnson

2012-01-15T16:41:23Z

I accidentally found this comment by Bunnell as I was looking for our HOA's website January 15, 2012. Mr. Bunnell undoubtedly has a different spin now. Mr. Bunnell's account of my actions on the night I was detained are totally skewed, as many witnesses attest. In his account, he omits the part about being part of the bullying board, with an obvious interest in how my story is received by the public. His comments were premature, often the case with those drunk with power, and ultimately proved wrong. But it's all water under the bridge at this point. Our community regained control, kicked Pfeiffer, Bunnell and their cohorts out and dropped the suit against me and my other defendants. We ultimately received compensation for our legal fees last fall for this unwaranted suit. Now Mr. Bunnell is facing legal woes of his own as the community seeks restitution for the damage he helped cause. As Mr. Bunnell said so well himself, "Maybe if these people would stop and think before thy act, they wouldn't be in the legal mess they are in today." Thank you Shu Bartholomew, for all you do for homeowners.

Comment on On the Commons with Evan Mckenzie

2011-12-22T17:54:43Z

Would be interested how my HOA has a right to demand quarterly payments higher than the actual yearly budget requirements. I was helped in the past finding a Va. State Supreme Court decision that disallows and levy, fine, assessment etc. by any orginization other than a government entity. If this is true then I wonder about the legality of the escrow account at my HOA in the $250,000 range. Seems to me this is an illegal taking and should redisbursed pro-rata to the individuals that have for years been taken for these funds.

Comment on On The Commons with Bill Davis

2011-12-15T20:14:16Z

Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.

Comment on On The Commons with Bill Davis

2011-12-11T19:31:58Z

Awesome work, Bill Davis. - And Shu. We have such a long way to go...

Comment on On the Commons with Evan Mckenzie

2011-09-24T21:16:11Z

"I think what Prof.McKensie was saying was that 'getting' the legislature to abolish CIDs would be next to impossible at this time. Further,the folks who advocate abolishment,and only abolishment, throw a wrench in the works for those working for the reform that is desperately needed."

We should all be grateful for the work that McKenzie has done in exposing the problems with HOAs.

But what reforms has he actually ever proposed or supported?

Comment on On the Commons with Evan Mckenzie

2011-07-26T02:08:20Z

"Frankly,(in my own humble opinion) we should strip these CIDs of their absurd power, and get 'real' state oversight and protections to homeowners enforced by the Attorney General."

Or www.righttoown.org/

THE RIGHT TO OWN YOUR OWN HOME

"Right To Work" laws are based on the idea that mandatory membership in a labor union as a condition of employment should be prohibited by law.

The "Right To Own Your Own Home" is based on the idea that mandatory membership in an HOA union as a condition of home ownership should also be outlawed.

Contract Requiring or Prohibiting Homeowners Association (HOA) Membership Void
A contract is void if it requires that, to own a home, homeowners or applicants for home ownership:
(1) must be or may not be members of an HOA ; or
(2) must remain or may not remain members of an HOA.

The Right-To-Own-Your-Own-Home would allow homeowners to opt-out of the association at any time, without fear of having to give up their home.

This proposal is not a radical idea; it is based on existing law.

Compare the existing law prohibiting mandatory membership in a labor union as a condition of employment with the proposed law prohibiting mandatory membership in an HOA union as a condition of home ownership:

Contract Requiring or Prohibiting Labor Union Membership Void
A contract is void if it requires that, to work for an employer, employees or applicants for employment:
(1) must be or may not be members of a labor union; or
(2) must remain or may not remain members of a labor union. (Enacted 1993.)
source: Texas Codes Title 3 § 101.053.

Comment on On the Commons with Evan Mckenzie

2011-06-20T23:54:33Z

I think what Prof.McKensie was saying was that "getting" the legislature to abolish CIDs would be next to impossible at this time.
Further,the folks who advocate abolishment,and only abolishment,throw a wrench in the works for those working for the reform that is desperately needed.
If you have ever been to the state house to testify for any meaningful protections, you would know that the Committe on Housing (here in Massachusetts)would just LOVE to dismiss you as wanting something they have no power to give.
Frankly,(in my own humble opinion) we should strip these CIDs of their absurd power, and get 'real' state oversight and protections to homeowners enforced by the Attorney General.
Then by all means, press to abolish the system!
Lets get our nose in the tent first!

Comment on On the Commons with Robert Crowe and Brent Brooks

2011-06-19T19:57:08Z

Shu,

Where do you get the idea that HOAs take a homeowner's assessment payments and apply them to what you call "junk fees" in order to artificially create delinquencies (47:25 to 48:30 and 51:40 to 52:15)?

According to Tom Skiba * , in a comment to a blog post about "The Next Foreclosure Fight" (scroll down to June 10, 2011 12:09:00 PM CDT), his

"education programs teaches none of those things. But I have to admit it is an effective way to hurl an untrue fact-like statement to make an emotional argument when you don't have any other logical or factual leg to stand on."

* For those of you who are not regular listeners, Tom Skiba is president of the Communisty Associations Institute, the parent organization for the HOA lobby.

Comment on On the Commons with Robert Crowe and Brent Brooks

2011-06-19T19:49:17Z

For those of you following this link from elsewhere, the segment with Brent Brooks begins at 36 min. 55 sec.

The video in question can be seen at privatopia.blogspot.com/2011/06/car-blocked-in-driveway-by-hoa.html

As for the unpublished video of the blocks being removed and put back in place (50:30 to 50:45), Mr. Brooks should definitely release that. The only time he needs a release form from persons in pictures and videos is if the video is for commercial purposes. Otherwise, the first amendment applies.

Obviously, he'll want to confirm that with his lawyer, and not trust some anonymous person on the internet.

FYI: the HOA's management company is Associa. For non-regular listeners who do not realize the significance of that, follow the link and read down.