Residents at odds with HOA over gate

Article Courtesy of BayNews 9

By Cait McVey

Published September 29, 2012

HERNANDO COUNTY -- A dispute between residents and a homeowners association in Hernando County is getting heated.

Parents in the Brookridge subdivision say their board made the decision to lock the community's back gate starting Monday.

The problem is their kids go to school that way. Parents say if the gate is locked, many of the kids who don't have rides to class will have to walk three miles around.

"It's just crazy to have to go all the way around when it's right here," says parent April Johnson.

The association sent out a letter. In it, the board explains the decision is based on security concerns and lack of funding for a guard, despite volunteers stepping forward.

"We had a retired firefighter stand up at the meeting," resident Gail Gill said. "Someone that works over at the sheriff's office stood up at the meeting. People that are well known and established offered to man this gate. They wouldn't even comment."

Because Brookridge is less than two miles from school property, there's no busing.

The Hernando School District tells us the only way that will be an option is if the association gets rid of the gate and completely fences off the pedestrian pass.

Parents in the Brookridge subdivision say their board made the decision to lock the community's back gate starting Monday.

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Then, the district says it would need to provide two buses for student transportation to and from Brookridge. We're told that could cost up to $100,000, with the money ultimately coming from taxpayers throughout the county.

We're told the Hernando School District also asked for the gate to remain open, even offering an electric gate so security wouldn't be needed.

We also obtained a copy of a letter send to the association by the Hernando County Sheriff's Office back in August, requesting the gate be kept open. But, a spokesperson tells us the office has no jurisdiction over whether or not a private community keeps a gate locked.

Parents say they believe the association has an ulterior motive. We're told the board wants to turn the subdivision into a 55-and-older community.

We called the association president, George R. Starr, to get the board's side of the story. He told us he did not want to comment to the public at this time.