I genuinely appreciate the time that a fellow resident took to generate a "competing" newsletter for our community. It was clear that time and effort was made on the part of at least one concerned resident, if not a few, to inform some of us who have not lived here as long as others. While detailed, however, I found the newsletter to be void of alternative plans. The message was simply: "Resist." Resisting does not change the mismanagement of money - however good-intentioned or self-serving - in the past that has led our community to the state in which it exists now. It does not make better the necessary improvements that need to be made to the many aging houses.
The way I see it, we are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Without this loan, our community will continue to fall into disrepair and property values will continue to fall. Alternatively with this loan and the required HOA due rate increase, it will be difficult to convince people to buy our homes with such a financial burden placed on each address for the next 10 years. Furthermore, in these tough economic times, I know it is tough to try to gather an extra $100 per month, especially if you are of the belief it is being spent unwisely. I tend to believe that money is being spent on issues that arise, but not necessarily unwisely, but we can differ on opinion.
Now is a time to come together to address how to SOLVE these problems, not carelessly resist. It is time to put aside whatever differences we may have with the board (for whatever spiteful reason(s) - the tone of the newsletter indicated some perhaps personal history) and work with them on the plans they have laid out or whatever plans we may have as alternatives. Otherwise we're just complaining for the sake of complaining and our siding continues to rot, our paint continues to chip away and fade, our landscaping continues to look second-rate, and our neighborhood generally continues to look aged. All of these items will turn away potential homebuyers, or force our housing prices to a depressed level not worthy of what our homes deserve. With housing prices lowered, we may invite elements into our neighborhood that we cannot wish away - crime, drugs, etc.
I am trying to appeal to reason here. I understand that emotions are high. I understand that procedural mis-steps have been made. I can reconcile with those. I cannot reconcile with losing money on my home or an unsafe neighborhood. Perhaps there is a hybrid situation that will only moderately raise HOA dues but can address targeted issues while restoring the coffers for wide replacement/revitalization(?). The point is that we need to work together, not divide our community.
