Defending the HOA

I am responding to Bruce Sallen's letter of Jan. 10, "HOA's out of control."

Mr. Sallen's complaints may be valid, not only in his association but in a number of associations, if you believe not only the published articles on this subject but also all of the persons voicing the same complaint who attend the various HOA seminars conducted throughout the year. With regard to Mr. Sallen's complaint, if he reread his letter to The Acorn, he will realize that leaving trash cans visible to others, parking his vehicle(s) on his driveway, parking in guest parking areas (depriving guests of parking) and leaving his garage door open would tend to degrade the neighborhood and may dissuade other people from leasing or purchasing residences in that complex.

I have been a board member approximately 22 out of 29 years of an HOA built by the same builder who built Country Meadows. I can assure Mr. Sallen that most all, if not all, association governing documents (CC&Rs) have the same provisions and/or restrictions. And the one thing the CC&Rs all have in common is that "all residents whether they be owners or renters, are bound by the CC&Rs," especially board members. This appears to be the crux of Mr. Sallen's letter, selective discrimination regarding the enforcement of the CC&Rs.

If Mr. Sallen was an owner, his written notification of the problem would be sent to the management company and would include a request that it be included in the agenda for the next board meeting. The management company has a fiduciary responsibility to do as requested. Since it appears Mr. Sallen is a renter, his request should go to the owner of the property and the same procedure should be followed. Arnold Prepsky Oak Park