Nice try! HOAs have become nothing more than cash cows for management companies who take a portion of your dues each quarter. I suspect your management company had something to do with this problem.
We have the same problems in HCII as you folks do. A lame management company, lawns that are never mowed, etc.
Maybe it's about time to talk about consolidation of our two HOAs to save money and reduce redundancies. Although I doubt it would result in better appearing communities from the standpoint of lawns, junker cars. etc., because the HOA board would still be comprised of people who look the other way.