Belle Isle NA

I give up. 

My towel is thrown in to the great, powerful and knowledgeable treehugger.  One might wonder what "he's" done in our neighborhood to help.  I will tell you that our family did do our active part over the past few years since we've lived here. 

It's obvious that there was a communication breakdown that should be looked at closer.  Under 20 residents (including board members) at a meeting does not fully represent our neighborhood.  I would've been more than willing to put up a sign had I known about the meeting.   The board members knew about the HOA meeting, though. 

As our country sinks deeper in a recession, it would behoove our community to look at creative ideas to help provide or meet the needs of Settlers Crossing, rather than increase HOA dues significantly.  If you think we have some delinquent accounts now, just wait.  I predict that once the residents get their statement, you are going to see an overwhelming number of accounts that aren't paid or only partially paid.  I somehow don't think that we are the only family in our subdivision that lives on a very tight budget.  We do our very best to pay every financial obligation and will do so when we get our HOA statement.  Despite my utmost disappointment.  Finding an extra $100-$200 may be peanuts to a select few of you but it's going to be like pulling a rabbit out of a hat for us.  Our family would have been more than willing to meet a couple of times a year at the entrances or park to volunteer our time.  As a female, I have no problem planting, raking, chopping or mowing.

Calm down...I'm not drawing a line or anything. Here is my stance. I recently moved to this neighborhood. I thank God and appreciate my home and the situation that I put myself and family in. I get it. I know how lucky I am.

When we were looking @ houses I stumbled across a picture of our house and thought "Well I'll take a look". When I first saw the entrance and neighborhood I knew I had to live here. I found out everything I could about Settlers Crossing. I found the HOA website and read everything there was to read. I read the covenants & Bylaws. I read the posts. I researched the schools, utilities, authorities, county and then visited the neighborhood every other week for months...before we bought our house.

I love it here. My family loves it here.

What do I do? 

Right now I'm trying. I try to make my home better (little by little). I see what my neighbors do and try to do likewise. I see what my neighbor across the street does and then see what I can do to compliment that. (side note: inevitably my wife comes home with pieces of trash or rubbish that she has picked up from our neighborhood...everyday! And I pay to throw it away: )

Budget?  I get it...and I budget. No, I mean I really budget. So when we bought our house, HOA dues were in the budget and are still in the budget. An increase will be in the budget. Let's just say the dues are raised to 325 per year.

325/12= 27.08 +/- per month...

Really?    27.08 a month my part to help maintain my neighborhood...Keep my property values up (in these economic times)...Be a part of a great community...No problem!

I do not want to belittle or make slight of anyone's financial planning. The way I look @ it is as an investment and not a "Bill". An insurance. A way to be proud of what I have.

What of the ones who don't pay?     I don't know...Call'em out I say.

I don't mind a dues increase, but from what I posted about the number in attendance needed from the Covenants/Bylaws versus what was posted about the number in actual attendance (17-20, plus 3-4 proxies), the Board cannot raise dues more than the cost of living increase.

There seems to be some hostility with some and hidden agendas with others on here.  I did not bring up the delinquent dues to put anyone down, but it is an obligation of every home owner to pay them.  I don't think it is fair for the ones that pay their dues to carry the weight of those that don't at all. 

Do I like the idea of the dues increasing by 1-2 hundred bucks?  Absolutely not.  I do, however, realize that we have a big expense in maintaining our vast common areas/green belts in this addition.  I think it is common sense to assume that if everyone is paying their dues, individual due amounts would ultimately be less.  I think it is a great idea to publically call out those that have not paid in every meeting we have, and in every news letter that goes out.  It is much easier to avoid payments when you are remaining anonymous. 

As far as the dogs barking, I would first suggest personally going to the "offending neighbor" and making them aware of the problem- who knows, you might even find a new friend by getting out and meeting them.  If it persists, then contact OCSO.  Same goes with the ATV vehicles. 

Some people on here seem to be caught up in all the drama rather than actually looking for solutions for making this a great neighborhood to live in.