DeLand, Florida  -- November 30, 2005

Dear Senator Bill Posey,

The homeowners’ in the community you call home just recalled the majority of the Board of Directors. Reason: The board hired a CAI management company against the will of the owners. 101 of 143 of your neighbors signed the recall petition. But your neighbors realized that your signature was missing in this attempt to give the association back to the homeowners!

Your neighbors are very happy that the new HOA laws allowed them to make this recall possible without expensive lawsuits. It was made possible by the Florida legislature with bills enacted in 2004. SB 1184 and SB 2984, created by Governor Jeb Bush’s HOA Task Force, contained these recall provisions and many other homeowner-friendly reforms. Both bills passed the Senate with your voting NAY on both bills.

During the 2005 legislative session you opined that the right to lien and foreclose for fines has to be re-established. This is the same right of lien and foreclosure that was often abused to the detriment of the homeowners. The HOA Task Force members heard many examples of abuse during public testimony in many of the hearings. When a lady wrote asking you to reconsider and told you about all the abuses she was told about by members of CCFJ, Inc., your short response was: “They are pulling your leg!” Wearing blinders often doesn’t resolve problems.

Senator, your neighbors have realized how valuable are the laws protecting homeowners’ rights. A lot more reforms are necessary to protect homeowners in associations. Your neighborhood has seen how quickly things can turn from good to bad – and only good enforceable laws and accountability will give us homeowners a peaceful home – something we are all looking for.

More association reform bills will be filed for the 2006 legislative session and your neighbors hope that you will support their wishes – the wishes of your constituents!  Please support homeowner-friendly bills – not the bills of the CAI service providers who are members of a trade organization that is interested in our money – not our welfare!
Your support in enacting these bills would be much appreciated!

Thank you for listening to the concerns of Florida’s homeowners!

Warm Regards,