Commentary:Homeowners association rejects Katrina victims |
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Article Courtesy of The Palm Beach Post By
Emily J. Minor
Every once in a while, the really great Florida stories bypass Palm Beach County. Hard to believe, I know. We had the 2000 election. We had developer Dan Catalfumo, and his propensity to get engaged, and then sue. We are blessed with Bishop Thomas Masters. But this week, the folks in Ocala are enduring a doozy of a news story. And because Betty Perry is with the local Chamber of Commerce, she's fielding the calls. "I think it's ridiculous when they can tell you what to do inside your home," Perry said Monday. Money OK, not warm bodies It seems the board of directors at the Majestic Oaks Homeowners Association — the board at a development on the outskirts of the Ocala National Forest — issued a very unpopular edict after Hurricane Katrina. It's really quite heart-warming. We the board of directors of Majestic Oaks have been informed that several churches may request individuals or families to open their homes to Hurricane Katrina's victims. This is to inform you that our covenants and by-laws prohibit additional families in family homes. The board suggests that if people want to help, they can write a check to the American Red Cross or Salvation Army. But no sleepovers. Cathy Lively, a West Palm Beach attorney, handles a lot of homeowners' complaints, so she's used to these kinds of shenanigans. She thought the Ocala thing was a joke. "It is so absurd, so egregious, I was thinking, 'No, this isn't real,' " Lively said. Homeowners there being homeowners — I mean, owning their homes in America and all — started complaining rather quickly. It wasn't long before Jan Bergemann, president of Cyber Citizens for Justice, was putting on his Superman cape. Bergemann often works with Lively when homeowners' associations run amok in Florida. "These associations are out of control," Bergemann said. "They're now telling you what color of curtains you can have." He said a recent case involved "a guy who was sued because the flowers in his flower bed were too red." Majestic Oaks officials did not return phone calls Monday, and I guess I can see why. The Ocala newspaper is reporting that many homeowners are calling for their resignations. Groups fret about flagpoles, mailboxes Meanwhile, Bergemann's been busy on the phone from his house in DeLand, talking to folks around the country about the big hearts that do not preside over Majestic Oaks. "I had one call from the Chicago Tribune, and The New York Times had e-mail contact with me," Bergemann said. "I mean, here in Florida, a lot of reporters know... " Um. Allow me. Here in Florida, a lot of reporters know how ridiculous these associations can be. Consider the flagpole flap in Jupiter — Gov. Jeb! Bush got involved in that one. And there was the pot-bellied pig that got put on a diet, also in north county. And then there's Bergemann's personal favorite. "I always loved the one with the plastic birds on the mailbox," he said, referring to the Boynton Beach homeowner's association that sued because a resident put "floating" birds on the family mailbox. "These people are dumb enough to create enough stupid headlines so you don't have to make these things up," Bergemann said. "Sorry. You're a lady. But some people just feel they have to make an a— out of themselves." As if we hadn't noticed. |