The frustration has been mounting.
What it comes down to is who is right?
Or is it just a power trip?
Over the past years many people in our community have taken advantage of being out of city limits and set off their own fireworks during the holidays. Although the weeks previous and after have become numbered with occasional booms and bangs to pyro's that just can't get enough, it has been so much fun to enjoy them with the kids while having the comforts of home near by.
However, this year is different.
This year a women who is part of the HOA has become very adamant about the fireworks within the community. She has sent emails and posted articles in our newsletter about a fine that will be given if caught. The emails are extremely friendly and none violent sounding like this:
FIREWORKS
Fireworks are PROHIBITED in T. R.!!
If you have bought or have fireworks and want to shoot them off you must go out of T.R. to light them. We live in the county but they CAN NOT be used in the community. We will be patrolling and if you are caught you will be fined.
(Could it get any BOLD-ER? Any more scary looking?)
Confused I talked to friends and sent emails to get some clarification. One friend produced this email from the head of the HOA (aka: a company that will run it until we have enough people in the community to take it over):
From: David **** [mailto:david.****@********.net]
Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2008 7:50 PM
To:
Subject: RE: July 4th.
______,
The HOA request to move fireworks away from homes is due to numerous complaints from residents in the community. People are generally concerned about their property and the noise associated with fireworks. Shooting fireworks in an undeveloped would ease concerns and limit the hundreds of calls I receive around the fourth and the sheriff's department. If there was any chance of fireworks catching the grass on fire the county will issue a ban on fireworks.
If you choose to shoot fireworks by your home, that is your choice. We would prefer it is not done in built out areas. The attached email is incorrect as the fine system does not work that way legally. The HOA is simply requesting that this be done to avoid any serious issues.
Thank you,
David ****
So the question remains…who is right? A few weeks ago I emailed the Crazed-Mad-Women about the fine and asked her to point me in the direction of the HOA rules that states that fireworks are not permitted in our community. Especially considering it’s not against
So in a last ditch effort to get a response I forwarded this email on from the HOA President (deleting the necessary names) and asked her to clarify.
We’ll see if I hear back.
Until then these are the reasons stem is blowing out my ears:
- Why get all worked up about this when our pool is covered in slimy, slippery sludge? And the splash park is PIT-A-FUL!!
- Where were you when there were 12 year old girls riding Vesba’s through the neighborhood at 30 mph on the wrong side of the street?
- What about the 10 year old boys 4 houses down that set off fireworks from 8am-4pm yesterday?
- Why are there volcano size ant hills taking over the parks just waiting for my 2 year old to fall into it that haven’t been taken care off?
- What about the completely worn away crosswalks next to the school that are meant to keep our kids safe?
- And if the 30 day notice for a fine still stands as a rule, then when you stop buy on the 4th and give me my “notice” I guarantee you I won’t be breaking the rules by the 4th of August.
I think I’ll stop there.
But trust me, the list could go on.
6 comments:
I'm tellin' ya, you got a ADA as a husband, lots of people on your side, and a head strong woman who thinks she's the HOA. Don't worry, it's gonnna be fine. And if there is a problem, seriously, stick Jimbo on her.
That woman sounds like she has too much time on her hands. I agree that doing your own fireworks makes me a little nervous (and yet my husband just bought $50 dollars worth to set off in OUR neighborhood!!!! LOL!!!) but, as long as people keep it on there own property, and aren't shooting them off at all hours of the night...big deal. One of the AMNY reasons I am glad we don't live in an HOA neighborhood!!! So sorry!!
ADA...PD...they're the same right?
Now you know why we looked for a HOA free neighborhood when we moved to Tucson! I have heard of people losing their homes due to fines from the HOA. One widow (young with children) Took a dead bush out of her yard, replaced it with something the HOA didn't like, she got fined. When she didn't get it out fast enough and pay the fine fast enough they fined her again and added interest. Then just kept adding to it for really ridiculous reasons. Guess where she lived . . . Texas! I understand that after it was too late to help her, some laws were put in place to protect from that sort of thing, but can you imagine trying to start over when you are already having to handle everything on your own?
HOA's scare me. That lady either hates fireworks or she is related to The Wicked Witch of the West...in which case, keep that bucket of water ready!!!
I am so with you Rachel! We had a grouchy neighbor report my family to the HOA for letting our kids play in the ally. I got a nasty gram from them. I called them and asked what would happen if I continured to let my kids play. They said they would send another nasty gram. I asked if there would be a fine. Nope...so keep those nasty grams coming. If she is such a grouch tell to to visit another country on July 4rth. But that as for you and your house...you will be patriotic. This includes the use of exsplosives. One of the reasons I LOVE Washington is that nothing is illiegal. Since it rains enough that it is impossible for anything to catch on fire we get to use the pro level stuff in our backyard! LOVE IT. I would be so bugged I would be tempted to ost my little July 4rth celebration in the street in front of her house! I HATe when whiners / squeaky wheels spoil the fun for everyone else. Venting done...
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