Anonymous Comment: Access to Information?

The following comment was posted anonymously on July 28, 10:41pm. It referred to my post of July 28:

""I'll post further information on this particular issue, as it becomes available. However, Association financial information as it applies to individual unit owners, or fines, are treated as confidential matters by the Association, the Board and the Management." Than [sic] as a BLMH owner I am very concerned that you have access to such information without being a board member. Care to comment."

Here is my comment:

I find it interesting that "Anonymous" was concerned that I might have access to privileged information. No such concern was stated about the unit owners who brought up this topic and presented the information to me and to others. "Anonymous" didn't ask how those unit owners got the information about a purported “fine”!

I want to point out that the title of the blog post was “Rumor of a Large Fine is Inaccurate”.

Most association information is a matter of public record. Certain matters, which are discussed by the Board of Managers during "executive session" of Association meetings are not available to others, and that includes to me. I have verified this with legal counsel.

However, a unit owner may speak with other unit owners about any matter in which they are directly involved. It is their choice. Once something is discussed in public, it can then be passed from unit owner to unit owner, as apparently occurred with the "$157" item. Anything discussed by unit owners in public becomes a matter of public information, or "disinformation". Anything that is discussed during open session of the Association meetings is a matter of public record.

I did not broach the subject of the "$157" item. Other unit owners broached the subject, standing in the driveway of a nearby unit, and they presented their opinion about this and of management and the board. I was not the only unit owner present at the time. Based upon their comments, I think it is reasonable to assume I am not the only unit owner with whom this item was discussed and this information was probably passed to others.

Question: How much is discussed outside of Association meetings by unit owners, or groups and how much of what is discussed is passed as "information" by various unit owners?

As I have stated frequently in this blog, a great deal is discussed during the portion of Association meetings which is open to unit owners. This includes maintenance and related items, unit owner concerns, opinions and complaints, and special projects, etc., etc. I continue to suggest that unit owners attend Association meetings. I realize most of us have other things to do and these meetings may be an inconvenience. It's a choice.

I should point out that some of what is presented at Association meetings by unit owners may be opinion. It may also be political in nature. Reference: the ROC documents circulated by the ROC, some of which have been published here.

I will post additional information, if and when it becomes available.