11 August 2011

HOA Woes

We live in a neighborhood with an HOA (Home Owners Association), and in an effort to get to know people in my neighborhood, I go to the meetings.  I have even volunteered to be on a committee to plan our 1st Annual Neighborhood party.

The biggest problem, is that despite our neighborhood having 290 homes, only about 7 people regularly show up, and in that 7 there are two couples.  So we have about 4 homes represented.  4....that 's it.

Recently, a resident started an online petition for a "traffic study"  to determine if we could do something about people speeding and ignoring traffic signs.  I signed the petition immediately because those are my chief complaints about this neighborhood.  It's why I drive my boys to school, walking them to the bus stop (at the end of the block) is dangerous.  Anyway this petition started a fire-storm on the FB page for our neighborhood. 

Everyone agrees  that it IS a problem.  But instead of signing the petition, they complain about the neighborhood, the HOA, about the lack of involvement, speed bumps.  I should note...that having been a regular at the meetings for more than a year, I 've not seen one of the complainers at a meeting. Also I did not know there was a difference between speed bumps and speed humps (sometimes called speed tables)....I am now informed.  I am now leaning toward the speed table (I can't use the word "hump"....it just seems wrong) rather than the speed bump.  Then today the swearing started..... All of this for a petition?  Really?!  Good grief people.  Grow up, be responsible for your own neighborhood....Haven't they heard "It takes a village?"

For many years my husband has been dreaming of, and imagining a place away from all stupid people...he calls it Chiefland.....It is a lovely place that requires you to pass an exam, driving test, and a series of intense interviews to be admitted.  It would also be the compound in the event of a zombie apocalypse.....

Sometimes despite my desire for community and "a village", I am sorely temped by the utopian idea of Chiefland....I hope he lets me in!

2 comments:

Prairie Mother said...

Chiefland sounds great! When can I sign up??

And I'm with you...it would sure be nice if grown ups actually acted, oh I don't know, GROWN UP!

Hope you survive your neighborhood!

flower said...

Prairie Mother, I'm sure Chief would let you in. I, on the other hand, would probably fail his driving test.