Another Association Election

The election results are in and again we won't have a full board. I now tell owners when they complain that the person responsible for their issue, or a lack of performance, or whatever, sits in that vacant seat.

Oddly, the owners expect the board, which is fewer than 2 percent of the owners, to overcome the problems caused by the 10% who are behind in their fees. Meanwhile the 98% sit back and some complain.

At the annual meeting we completed early and so I asked owners to state any issues. What was the major issue? Apparently, one of our streams has trapped some ducklings. So an owner complained about that. Yes, it must be wonderful if that is the most significant issue we face here.

When I am asked what is the single greatest problem facing our association, I point to owner apathy. If history is correct, there will be a severe upheaval in the near future. What do I mean by "near"? Well, as a board member I routinely create 10 years plans, based upon our 30 year plans. Far too many of our owners apparently have no plan beyond next year. That is one explanation for the foreclosures, delinquencies and so on that occur and reoccur. It is also an explanation for the "sit on our duffs" mentality of far, far too many owners.

On the other hand, there is a real need for affordable and nice housing in the area, so perhaps we'll one day have a majority of owners who live elsewhere and rent their units to others.