Texas Homeowners Association News (Affilate of the AHRC)

Follow lobbying, legislation and other issues that may impact your home and property value nationally at the AHRC website or through the state affiliate site for Texas (click title link above).

An example from AHRC:

HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION COMMUNITIES: DYNASTIES OF DYSFUNCTION
April 29, 2006

By Donie Vanitzian
Copyright Donie Vanitzian, BA, JD

In centuries past, an emperor could decide the fate of an entire community with nothing more than a nod of his head. Some believe a similar system exists today, but instead of one emperor there are boards of emperors who on a whim can decide the fate of an entire community of homeowners.

A quasi-judicial authoritarian panel is established called a "board of directors" which has an unmatched gift for political maneuvering. Directors don't need campaign contributions to stay in power because association operating funds can be plundered at will. The unchecked controls to distribute, gather, and process ballot and proxy votes ensures the imperial board continues its reign. Like dynasties of old, homeowner associations can fall prey to a debauched mistreatment of its owners.

MANAGERS OF MODERN TYRANNY

In the face of crumbling individual rights, censorship is encouraged and laws are passed that further prejudice homeowners. Not unlike feudal systems, boards delegate their authority to handpicked aiders and abetters who carry out their demands. Rebels, dissidents, and rivals of those in control are easily silenced or alienated from the faithful followers. In struggling to fight their aggressors, owners are peppered with intimidating salvos delivered by modern day lackeys like lawyers, managers and industry vendors. The job of aiders and abettors in the pecking order is to push through the board's agenda. As those minions become autonomous, the result is a wholesale disenfranchisement of those who are not part of the "chosen" few. . .

From http://www.ahrc.com/new/index.php/src/news/sub/article/action/ShowMedia/id/2845 (follow this link for the full story).