According to the Wheaton Police, this was one of several Malicious Acts

This post is for the purpose of enlightenment. It is in two parts.

Part I You want to "call me on this", i.e., the "nails in the tires"? OK, then let's dance.

There were several police reports filed, after it became apparent these incidences were not accidents. Question: If you, as I do, check your tires each and every evening, and then each and every morning, recheck them, and find that a nail has miraculously sprouted from the side of your tire in the wee hours, would you classify that as an accident?  It's my understanding some would!  The Wheaton police, upon inspecting the evidence, don't agree with your analysis. I suppose there are those whose opinion would be "what do they know?" The police are trained professionals, but even so, are "idiots and morons" just as you assume me to be? Those individuals have posted here and they say the only credible possibility is "I did it to myself".

The Wheaton police, after inspecting the vehicle, classified the above example as a "malicious act of vandalism". I was eventually granted an "audience" with our board. (See the link at the end of this post for details and a photo).

How many times did this occur and how many nails did I collect? I made a statement to the board in "executive session". That is privileged information and as I see it, you are not entitled or privileged to know it, no matter what your sense of self-worth may be. (end of Part I).

• Comment added. I consider the "nails in the tires" episodes to be complete and over. The above statement is it. This is the last time I will reference this series of events on this blog. A photo and additional info is on the link at the end of this post. This situation was referenced recently in our "official" newsletter. I'm sure you all read that newsletter, didn't you?  If you need verification I suggest you ask our board president. 
• Moving on. This association has a lot of work to do this year and I intend to again support it in getting those things completed that need to be done. I have met several times with the AD but I may not be able to provide direct assistance. On the other hand, he may not want it. You will note that the board is anticipating a very ambitious maintenance program this year. See my post of April 13. I have stated  that 2010 will not be a repeat of 2009 and that is my intention.  As for the following Part 2, I will continue to monitor and promote a healthy association. I am going to do so in as pro-active a manner as is possible. One of the things I have learned from the events of the most recent 5 years is not to take things for granted. To put it in another perspective, "change" is not always a good thing. I don't know of anyone who has enjoyed the past two years because of the economy and the economic uncertainty.  I recently concluded that for this blog I had three options: 1) make no changes, 2) shut the blog down, 3) permit moderated comments 4) permit no comments. I decided to keep this running but move to moderated comments. In that manner, I can support responsible communications and I will not feel compelled to respond to goads which, when I don't respond, evolve into criticisms about "what's the matter - no answer?" and so on. If you want a dialog with me then come to association meetings. Failing that, send me an email. I intend to focus on architecture, finance and broader economic issues and provide some balance. I don't intend to gloss over the problems, nor do I intend to amplify them. With the arrival of spring, cleanup has begun and there are all sorts of preparations underway in the streams and grounds. I anticipate that I will be able to devote more time to getting photos and other updates onto the blog. I have been disappointed at the level of vitriol that surfaces from time to time.  In the past year there are broader issues which have been foreshadowed by the discussions about parties, renters, rules changes and enforcement and so on. Rules must be enforced. A moderated blog is a compromise. I am very, very clear there are some unit owners who don't like the fees. I am also very clear that there are unit owners who are very pleased with our level of reserves. No one is happy with the current situation in real estate except perhaps the buyers. I have been here about 10 years. In that time all of the boards have been mindful of unit sales. I see this board as no different. What is different is the market and our board can do nothing about that. I have encouraged a relative who has been considering a relocation, to move here and to that end I attended a BLMH open house last week to collect information for them. I suggest other unit owners consider taking similar action. I have no idea what will work, i.e. achieve the results that sellers expect. I think our condos give great value. I also think some of the unit owners miss a valuable point. We get an extra-ordinary value from living here. This is a unique community. I am discouraged that some unit owners compare us to other associations which are very dissimilar.  We do have 40 acres, two lakes and streams, etc. This is not a high rise facility nor is it a plain-Jane association. I'd like to see that kept in view. I do see proper and continued maintenance as a necessity.  Finally, I am discouraged by board members who don't take on unit owners. Just say NO. It is impossible to cater to each and every one of us and it is impossible that all of us will be happy with any single board action. Yes I understand that applies to me. Here is my request.  If the board keeps its agreements, I won't call them on it. If the board articulates its policies and adheres to the governing documents, I won't object. Provide me and my fellow unit owners with cohesive details rather than "better", "good", "nicer" or any other indistinct terms which are used too often. Finally, don't compromise one group for another. Compromise is the operative word in diverse organizations. But being compromised is not. I'd like to see preparation and discussion of all sides of an issue including costs and benefits both pro and con. I'm not aware of any unit owners who are opposed to thorough discussion in general. Some discussions are more charged than others. Fees is a great example. The board cannot avoid it. The only discussion that might meet with broad approval is a debate which begins with "everything is perfect" and then ends with "we aren't changing anything". But reality won't permit that. We dealing with "change" here. It's manifested in new owners, ongoing maintenance and improvements and occasional breakdowns. Please do not introduce more change than is necessary to accomplish the association goals. Perhaps that would be a good barometer for considering board discussions. "Is this a priority" and "if so, why" and finally "what is being displaced by this discussion". I know I sound like a broken record but we have finite resources. That includes time available to the board our managers and our maintenance contractors. And we have finite financial resources. And we have no desire to increase fees. So it would seem that the line must be held. Or am I incorrect? 

Part 2: I have taken this stand, and this  is where I am coming from:

1. I am committed to keeping our board accountable to the unit owners. Thats today and tomorrow. 
2. I am committed that our board will, at all times, operate in accordance with the Illinois Condominium Act, our Bylaws, and the Rules and Regulations of Briarcliffe Lakes Manor Homes.
3. I expect our Board of Managers to operate this association at all times as a business.
4. I expect our Board of Managers, as individuals and as a group, to understand what "Fiduciary Duties" are. I expect our Board of Managers, as individuals and as a group,  to uphold their Fiduciary Duties.
5. Once a unit owner announces their candidacy for the board of managers, they are announcing that they have given up their personal agenda and their rights to a personal agenda. They take on the responsibility for their training and education so that upon entering the board they are ready to "hit the ground running." Appointees to the board should understand this, and are making the same agreement. 
6. Each member of the Board of Managers is accountable and I expect that members of the board will hold each other accountable.  Each member should have specific duties and responsibilities. Because all members of the board vote on and act on any and all issues, they must be capable of understanding those issues, the governing documents and act accordingly. It they are not, it is their personal responsibility to acquire and achieve the necessary education. 
7. I expect our Board of Managers, as individuals and as a group, to understand the Illinois Condominium Act, our Bylaws and our Rules and Regulations. There are no excuses. Ignorance or stupidity are not acceptable. 
8. I expect the Board of Managers, at all times, to act on the behalf of the entire unit owner body, in their capacity as "fiduciaries", and I will not accept the promotion or creation of sub-groups or multiple tiers of unit owners.
9. I expect the Board of Managers, as individuals and as a group, to understand their duties. Stupidity and a lack of education are no excuses. I know, I said that twice.
10. I expect our Board of Managers to exhibit "critical thinking" skills and common sense at all times.
11. I am committed to educating the unit owners. Members of the Board of Managers are also unit owners.
12. I am not stupid. I leave that to others. There seems to be more than enough of that to go around in this world.
13. I am not entitled. I leave that to others. 
14. I'm not asking your permission.
15. This is not a popularity contest. This is about getting results. If you want reasons, excuses or any other blather, then talk to your friends, or go to a coffee-klatch or sports-bar at your own expense. But don't spend my money or that of your neighbors in the process of achieving your entertainment. 
16. This is about workability, the conditions of satisfaction and keeping agreements. 
17. I'm not here to be popular. I'm a unit owner. Living here is a conscious choice and no one is forcing me to be here. I really don't care if you like me or don't like me. You make your own choices and your own decisions. 
18. I won't kiss your ass and I don't expect you to kiss mine. If I catch you kissing someone else's I'll call you on it.
19. We are adults and we should act as such. That means being accountable and responsible and acting as members of a community. 
20. No one forced any of us to purchase here. So pitch in. 
21. I don't want your money, given voluntarily or as a forced donation. I think fees are a precious commodity. I don't want you to pay for a bench in front of my unit and I don't want to party on our lawn. That's what the public park across the street is for. 
22. According to the rules and regulations, businesses run from our units must adhere to specific standards and limitations. The board should be vigorous and diligent in this area. I believe certain types of prohibited income generating business activities could be garage sales, used car sales, flea markets and similar activities on BLMH property. If you want to run a business, rent an office offsite or adhere to the rules. I would expect the board to avoid lenient interpretation of these rules.
23. We don't live on a used car lot, racetrack, or a storage lot for boats, trucks, campers and trailers. This isn't a litter box. This isn't someone's personal playground. The Rules and Regulations state so. 
24. I expect our board to have sufficient backbone to enforce the rules and regulations consistently, uniformly and fairly at all times. 
25. As for our board in general, they should be willing, able and capable to stand up to unit owner demands when the Illinois Condominium Act, our Bylaws and our Rules and Regulations are an issue. It is not acceptable for board members to look the other way when there are violations or attempt to change the rules and bylaws to conform to the actions of individual unit owners. The board cannot please everyone and build a sustainable community. I do not agree with the position that the correction of problems at BLMH is to be achieved by changing or overlooking the governing documents. That is some one else's definition of "change"; it isn't mine and I assume it isn't yours. 
26. I know they pretend I don't exist, that this blog doesn't exist. But I do.   
27. Party on dudes, but not at my expense.
28. You may think that I expect too much from our Board. I suggest you consider that your standards are far too low. 
29. I don't like social experiments; there is far to much at risk, and once committed it is very difficult to undo the changes that have been made. Nor is BLMH a social club; it is a community.
30. I believe that 80% or more of the unit owners at BLMH are community moderates. They uphold the rules, pay their fees, can and do lend a hand, and are good neighbors. The others? They are the ones that are to be concerned about. 
31. I do understand that by "taking a stand" I am choosing, among other things, integrity over popularity. 
32. If you have a problem with any of this, you know where to find me.

If you want the original link to the tire posting above, from which the photo above was copied, or more information, click on this:

Click Here to go to the Original Posting