“Never reached a vote.”
“Then why was I cited under it?”
The Treasurer looked toward the President’s house several blocks away.
“That’s what worries me.”
The homeowner flipped through minutes.
The records clearly stated:
Discussion tabled pending counsel revision.
No adoption.
No vote.
No enforcement authority.
The Treasurer said, “There’s more.”
He pulled another document.
A list of violations.
Twelve addresses.
Different issues.
Oversized vehicle.
Unapproved landscaping.
Holiday decorations.
Trash container.
Fence color.
Temporary basketball hoop.
Every one had a handwritten note beside it.
President directive.
The Black Homeowner looked up.
“Is this normal?”
“No.”
“Who usually approves violations?”
“Management processes documented inspections.”
“Board?”
“Appeals.”
“President?”
“Same vote as everyone else.”
The homeowner closed the folder.
“Why hasn’t anyone stopped this?”
The Treasurer looked embarrassed.
“She’s been President four years.”
“That doesn’t answer me.”
The Treasurer exhaled.
“She overwhelms people.”
The homeowner waited.
“She speaks first.”
Another pause.
“Speaks longest.”
He looked ashamed.
“And when people disagree, she makes it personal.”
The Black Homeowner nodded slowly.
“People get tired.”
“Yes.”
“So eventually silence looks like agreement.”
The Treasurer met his eyes.
“That’s exactly it.”
The homeowner handed back the documents.
“No.”
The Treasurer looked confused.
“Keep them.”
“I brought copies.”
“Then send them electronically.”
“I can.”
“And do not remove originals from association custody.”
The Treasurer looked surprised.
“Why?”
“Because this may become a records issue.”
The Treasurer nodded.
The homeowner continued.
“And don’t edit minutes.”
“I wouldn’t.”
“Good.”
The Treasurer started walking away.
Then stopped.
“Are you suing?”
The Black Homeowner looked at the pickup.
“I haven’t decided.”
The Treasurer nodded.
The homeowner added, “I’m more interested in finding out how often this happened.”
That answer worried him more.
Within forty-eight hours, the answer began emerging.
Seven residents sent documents voluntarily.
Three had received violations under rules that were never adopted.
Two had been charged “administrative enforcement fees” that did not appear in the approved fee schedule.
One family had paid a private landscaping company recommended directly by the President after being told their front yard violated association standards.
A retired homeowner paid for a fence replacement after receiving three threatening letters.
The supposed rule required dark brown stain.
The governing documents allowed natural wood.
The Black Homeowner created another folder.
Resident Records.
He did not assume every complaint was legitimate.
Some people disliked associations for reasons that had nothing to do with misconduct.
So he organized.
Date.
Address.