Bravo candy_o! And I was beginning to think I was the only one with all of the doubts about the great effotrs of the HOA. Well put, especially the parts about volunteering and do things because it's right; the whole NEIGHBORhood thing.

Candy_o,

You contradict yourself.  In your statement you say save your HOA dues because they don't work.  Then further down you ask them to help.  Hello!  Since you have the answer to all.  How about you go speak with those "neighbors" that you refer to as having "Ghetto fences" and tell them to fix them because it is the right thing to do.

I agree that people just need to take care of their business and be neighborly.  But, the fact of the matter remains that their are some people that just don't do it for whatever reason.  Unfortunently, because River Trails is a voluntary HOA, there is no authority to enforce replacing the fencing (the fences on the outside is what drives me crazy), mowing of the lawns, etc.  As a matter of fact, our HOA practically has no authority to enforce anything, which I personally don't like.  Some people just have to be forced into maintaining their property. I understand it should not be that away but, it is.

All River Trails HOA can do is try and utilize the systems put in place by the City of Fort Worth to get people to keep their property maintained via Code Compliance. And, a majority of the time the HOA does not have to worry about that because residents will call one another in. 

Our pidly little $25 HOA dues (which I think needs to be increased. Sorry! But, it does.  You can probably pull $25 out of your couch) goes towards to name a few....

-gas and servicing for the lawnmower that a single man volunteers his personal time to mow and has mowed for years and years. Because our dues are not enough to hire a service like the Lakes of River Trails.  And the servicing is done by another resident who owns a mechanic business who does it for little to nothing.  This man sweats his  butt off while others are chill'n in the a/c. And, he works full-time just like the rest of us.

-Newsletters (neighborhood wide and membership newsletters Approx. 6 times a year total) they have to be put together by a volunteer (again, one individual that has been doing it for years), printed off (cost negotiated by same member thru Office Depot or by utilizing her husbands business printer for little to nothing), distributed (again same members hiring someone cheap or gathering the same few members to get out their and deliver the newsletters.

-Events.  The HOA tries to promote good community togeatherness by having picnics, easter egg dashes, decorating contests, yard of the month, etc.  For each of these events their is cost involved.  Publications, hot dogs, drinks, bunny rental, blow up jumpers, candy, etc.  They try to help keep the funds replenished by sometimes charginh a quarter or so for something or another.

-The HOA board members address issues regarding the surrounding areas. Zoning, dump site and Trailer park on Precinct Line, the park we got, the trees for the park, possible play equipment and so forth.

Without the HOA its very likely that...

-we would not have a park -the trailer park would still be there -we would not be having a conversation via these forums -our kids could not see the easter bunny  -the grass around the neighborhood would be sky high -noone would even know that Precinct Line may be widened -or that a strip club was about to go up -the zoning would be such that apartments can build across the street from us -and much more...

And keep in mind, that our HOA dues are $25 A YEAR VOLUNTARILY.  The Lakes of River Trails are $30 A MONTH MANDATORY (according to a Lakes of River Trails resident). And we have 1500 potential residents yet, membership was less than 100 forever until recently when issues of gas lease and the strip club came to surface. And I think membership is still less than a quarter of the potential members.

 I use to think that a group of atleast 20 people were meeting every month and handling our neighborhood business on behalf of every one until one day I decided to go a meeting.  All to find out that there was a handful of people that have been doing it for over 15 years.  Noone else will do it.  And these people have been too good hearted to just let it go. And I also found out in that very meeting that we had over 30 cars get burglarized in one month. That's when I decided to step up.  I didn't have the time either but, I did it.  I've wanted to walk away from CODE BLUE a many of times, but, I didn't.  I feel obligated to all of you and my family.  I think... my goodness, If I don't do it who will?  I can hardly get people to join much less take over the group.

Surely you don't think this HOA is getting paid or just like it because they have nothing else to do?  They are neighbors being really friendly with their own time and in some cases their own money.  They are the best of neighbors.  The ones that care enough about their neighborhood that they will actually do something.  They may not always be right or always have the right answer or do the right thing.  But, they do what they think and feel is in the best interest of all. And anyone that has worked anywhere knows "You can't please everyone." and "Noone is perfect.".

Sorry, I'll try to be brief in the future. See.. you all should have never invited me out here.  Your going to get burned out with my "soap box" talks.