FLORIDA -- February 18, 2003

Just last week CHIP, a Marion County based homeowners group, announced that it is considering forming an alliance with Cyber Citizens For Justice, Inc., an internet-based group of consumer activists.  Now an even larger organization, POA  -- the Property Owners Association of the Villages  --  which represents the interests of more than 1,000 CDD residents in Lake, Sumter and Marion Counties is also considering joining forces with CCFJ and CHIP.  Successfully promoting reform for state laws requires support from all parts of Florida.  This alliance would provide additional support in the effort to achieve meaningful reform of the laws that regulate Homeowners' Associations and Community Development Districts.

Joe Gorman, President of the POA, said: “We welcome the opportunity to work closely with Cyber Citizens for Justice (CCFJ) and Concerned Homeowners in Partnership (CHIP).  Our combined resources and membership could significantly strengthen the POA's efforts to achieve meaningful reform of these homeowner laws and regulations. 

This would also supplement the POA's ongoing efforts with the Florida Silver Haired Legislature (FSHL).  At the recent annual legislative session of the FSHL in Tallahassee, a POA-sponsored bill to reform CDDs statutes (Florida Statutes Chapter 190) was passed overwhelmingly by delegates to the session and accorded the meaningful Priority Bill status.

There are almost 200 CDDs in Florida with an estimated population of 300,000 to 500,000.  Past news stories have identified some CDDs as "scams" and "legalized land fraud."  Nonetheless, these CDDs are favored by developers, because significant tax and control advantages are provided for developers.  Unfortunately, consumers buying into CDDs are often unaware of the continuing capital and operating costs of a development that home buyers are obligated to pay.  Other problems revolve around the way CDDs are administered and the way developers sell property to CDDs under their control.

The POA is looking forward to developing a successful relationship with CCFJ and CHIP that will benefit all of its members.”

POA, CHIP and CCFJ are working on proposed legislation to amend FS 720, FS 190 and FS 718, the Florida Statutes regulating Homeowners’ Associations, Community Development Districts and Condominium Associations.

CDD issues have created headlines in Florida for many years. Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush, the Destination Florida Commission was confronted at different meetings by unhappy Florida retirees, who have experienced CDD problems.  These problems will not go away until the laws regulating CDDs are amended.

Fanny Vail, President of CHIP, stated: “CHIP welcomes the opportunity to form an alliance with organizations such as Cyber Citizens for Justice, Inc. for the 
purpose of promoting and safeguarding the rights of homeowners in deed-
restricted communities. Currently too many homeowners in deed-restricted 
communities controlled by developers or management organizations are at the 
mercy of the entities in control with no recourse except the courts to 
protect their interest. We need better homeowner association laws and equal protection under the law so that present abuses can be stopped.” 

Another big South Florida based organization of condo activists has also considered joining this alliance.

This will definitely give this consumer alliance a larger number of voters to impress legislators and open the necessary doors.  Consumer activists will only be heard by State legislators if they can appeal to their sense of justice, accompanied by numbers of voters.  Forming a strong, powerful alliance would show the opposition that Florida citizens’ grievances must be addressed. Changes can be made that will benefit everyone who buys a home in Florida. 

The opposition is comprised of a well-organized and well-financed industry:  Developers, managers and any other persons who make money from homeowners, including the fast-growing legal specialty known as HOA Law.  This is the industry that is continually working against many of the proposed changes. 

In a prepared statement Jan Bergemann, President of Cyber Citizens For Justice, Inc. (www.ccfj.net) declared: "In Unity there is strength!  And our members believe that's absolutely true! Only united homeowners have the chance to succeed against the powerful industry. Our Mandated Property Reform Task Force Bill, being filed in Senate and House as companion bills this session, is a first great step in the right direction! We homeowners have in many ways been treated as the stepchild of the people in charge. But forming an alliance among all these organizations will give us the possibility to have a profound effect upon the outcome of "good public policy"! Our alliance, being able to make fast decisions and reach many people by the speed of the internet, will hopefully have the necessary impact to influence "health, welfare and safety" for the citizens of our Florida."


 
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