Our home owners association got a piece of my mind today

[zillazangel]

So. After 15 months of living in our house, I got this nice little letter in the mail today telling us that we are in violation of our community architectural standards by having a ramp on the front of our home. And that we needed to remove it immediately. I read it out loud to Chad. He moaned "ohhhhhh nooooooo" because:

Bwahahahahahaha. The person who sent this had NO frickin' clue who she was dealing with when she sent this letter. ****ami rolls up sleeves and dials the phone****

Let's just say that after a very polite (truly), yet firm discussion of the difficulty of going down stairs in a wheelchair, the hazards of not being able to leave one's home during an type of emergency that impedes your ability to use your properly installed hydraulic lift that is hidden from view from the precious vulnerable eyeballs of our neighbors, our legal rights under the ADA, our lawyer's name, and lastly, my opinion on JUST what the architectural committee could do with its complaint, she very hurriedly assured me that I could just ignore her letter. That there was nooooo problem now that I had explained it so well. Why, thank you for your cooperation Ms. Neighborhood Beautification Preservation Officer, bye now! And yes, why thank you, you have a great day too!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. The fact that we got that letter means that someone in this neighborhood complained about our ramp. If I ever find out who it was .... that person will be in for a far less polite conversation than the one I had today.

(edited to fix grammar)

[Susan M]

ROFL, that cracked me up. I was cheering on the sidelines. Thx. I had a very rough day--I needed that.

[darkeyed_daisy]

Go Ami GO Ami GO AMI!!!!!

If you find out who it was be sure and buy some toilet paper to beauty up their yard.....although I am being told now that the in thing is to "fork" someone. Yes, I said fork....you buy plastic forks and stick hundreds of them in their yard fork end in the ground....LOL

[Susan M]

daisy--is that kind of like saying "FORK YOU?":D

[darkeyed_daisy]

daisy--is that kind of like saying "FORK YOU?":D

LOL I learn all the "in" pranks to do to people from my prankster daughter.....LOL

It wasnt too long ago they made the front page of the newspaper because someone put dish washing liquid in the city fountain...bubbles all the way out on main street!!!!

LOL

[SCI-Nurse]

You go, Ami!:applaud:

At least in CA we have a very specific law that states that condo associations (and other "planned communities") cannot restrict or prevent the construction of accessibility features such as ramps, porch lifts, etc. in their developments. The only control that any architecural review committes has is some over how it looks...for example they can dictate the color of paint used on the ramp or requiring that it meet ADA standards.

I had this discussion with my condo board once (after attending a workshop where it was discussed that was put on by our ILC) when they wanted to prevent a ramp and hand rail from being installed by another owner. Condo associations are the ultimate NIMBYs, which is one of the reasons I just moved out of one after 23 years and into my own house!!

(KLD)

[zillazangel]

Thanks KLD, that means alot to me. :)


You go, Ami!:applaud:

At least in CA we have a very specific law that states that condo associations (and other "planned communities") cannot restrict or prevent the construction of accessibility features such as ramps, porch lifts, etc. in their developments. The only control that any architecural review committes has is some over how it looks...for example they can dictate the color of paint used on the ramp or requiring that it meet ADA standards.

I had this discussion with my condo board once (after attending a workshop where it was discussed that was put on by our ILC) when they wanted to prevent a ramp and hand rail from being installed by another owner. Condo associations are the ultimate NIMBYs, which is one of the reasons I just moved out of one after 23 years and into my own house!!

(KLD)

[teena]

Ami, they just don't KNOW how many friends you have in NC...

I am thinking of thingys I could do to "beautify" the neighborhood...

Nothing illegal....

Just....hmmmm

Throw out a zillion kudzu seeds!!!

(Do they HAVE seeds???!!!)...

Hmmm what else could I do???

Thinking....

Buy about SEVEN Saint Bernards, and feed them doggie exlax, and let them HAVE AT IT...LOL

What else???

OHHHH

Easy one...

Hire a horse drawn carriage to bring me through the development...

There should be SEVERAL Souveniers along the way...LOL

OHHH...and if ALL else fails...

Provide you, Chad, and Small Boy with perfumed hankies for your noses,

and...

set out a dozen mad skunks in the neighborhood...

I think you will know now why you need the perfumed hankies...LOL

Take care, God bless!

Love y'all!

Teena

PS...The above things will never in a zillion years happen, but it felt REALLY good to dream them up...LOL...

[zillazangel]

LOL Teena!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[darkeyed_daisy]

I say we bring in 5 dozen garbage eating growling smelly possums and set em loose....... I could supply you with about 5 of those from my field....there are even babies and they could reproduce. LOL

[zillazangel]

Hey wait!! I live here too!! ROTFLMAO!!!

:applaud: :applaud: :applaud:

[teena]

Hey, it's OK...I'm just dreaming...LOL!!!!

[dan_nc]

Ami, that's really funny about your HOA btw. well, i'm sure it wasn't so funny at the time.

[LaMemChose]

This has just been your week for people poking their noses into your biz, eh?

I'll await a thread entitled, "Condo Associations and Their Reactions to ADA Mods" ... Discuss.

:D

[rfbdorf]

Well done, Ami! A good response.
- Richard

[Rbrauer]

The only time we recieve any letters is when some house goes up for sale. I believe the realestate agents, or perhaps the owner, feels the need to make sure the rest of the neighborehood is up to snuff.

[darkeyed_daisy]

Man Im glad Im not part of any association....I think they would have a problem with my goat lot although my neighbors dog killed my goat last year.

Good thing I am moving down where my grandpa grew up..... I can have all the livestock I want including possums and skunks!!! and even a purple and hot pink ramp if I want!!! LOL

[JenJen]

Ami,
Good for you! My HOA has been a PIA too. The President of the Board lives right next door and one day recently told me that they didn't want "my kiind" living here. Tried to physically bully me and puts stuff on the sidewalks so I can't pass. Picks on my PCA when she comes and goes, etc. Said to me "So you're one of those people who thinks the world owes you because you're in a wheelchair" This is because of my ramps and things too.

I went to the next board meeting, explained a little about the ADA and how it trumps any HOA rules, also explained that blocking access to my mail was a FEDERAL crime and directing it at my disability also made it a hate crime. The rest of the Board was wonderful and most of my neighbors are great and supported me.

Took tons of phone calls and letters but I finally got a postal inspector to knock a few doors and explain what prosecution for a federal hate crime looks like. Mr. President gulped so hard he sucked his anus up somewhere near his eyeballs.

Haven't had a problem since. I know it was the equivilent of swatting a fly with an elephant gun but if I didn't draw a very clear do not cross line, he would have made my life miserable.

I'm glad you stood up to them. Keep up the good work!

[darkeyed_daisy]

Ami,
Good for you! My HOA has been a PIA too. The President of the Board lives right next door and one day recently told me that they didn't want "my kiind" living here. Tried to physically bully me and puts stuff on the sidewalks so I can't pass. Picks on my PCA when she comes and goes, etc. Said to me "So you're one of those people who thinks the world owes you because you're in a wheelchair" This is because of my ramps and things too.

I went to the next board meeting, explained a little about the ADA and how it trumps any HOA rules, also explained that blocking access to my mail was a FEDERAL crime and directing it at my disability also made it a hate crime. The rest of the Board was wonderful and most of my neighbors are great and supported me.

Took tons of phone calls and letters but I finally got a postal inspector to knock a few doors and explain what prosecution for a federal hate crime looks like. Mr. President gulped so hard he sucked his anus up somewhere near his eyeballs.

Haven't had a problem since. I know it was the equivilent of swatting a fly with an elephant gun but if I didn't draw a very clear do not cross line, he would have made my life miserable.

I'm glad you stood up to them. Keep up the good work!

My mouth is open....I cannot believe someone would be that stupid and mean!!!

[nbtoppers2]

ditto..that's absurd..what an ass

[zillazangel]

** sound of me falling off my couch **

I have never, ever seen such outward hate! My god, what kind of horrible person does that???? While I would never wish ill will to anyone, I surely wish this person would perhaps have to spend a week in a wheelchair. I spent only 2 days in one after foot surgery and I was already very empathetic. After that I was floored with Chad's abilities and perseverence. Maybe that neighborhood has some upcoming foot surgery scheduled!!! Or run, over (his/her) foot so as to necesitate foot surgery. Oooppppss! :p


Ami,
Good for you! My HOA has been a PIA too. The President of the Board lives right next door and one day recently told me that they didn't want "my kiind" living here. Tried to physically bully me and puts stuff on the sidewalks so I can't pass. Picks on my PCA when she comes and goes, etc. Said to me "So you're one of those people who thinks the world owes you because you're in a wheelchair" This is because of my ramps and things too.

I went to the next board meeting, explained a little about the ADA and how it trumps any HOA rules, also explained that blocking access to my mail was a FEDERAL crime and directing it at my disability also made it a hate crime. The rest of the Board was wonderful and most of my neighbors are great and supported me.

Took tons of phone calls and letters but I finally got a postal inspector to knock a few doors and explain what prosecution for a federal hate crime looks like. Mr. President gulped so hard he sucked his anus up somewhere near his eyeballs.

Haven't had a problem since. I know it was the equivilent of swatting a fly with an elephant gun but if I didn't draw a very clear do not cross line, he would have made my life miserable.

I'm glad you stood up to them. Keep up the good work!

[rfbdorf]

Amazing. I find it hard to believe that people can act that way, let alone think that way. The elephant gun was well used.
- Richard

[Tiger Racing]

Haven't had a problem since. I know it was the equivilent of swatting a fly with an elephant gun but if I didn't draw a very clear do not cross line, he would have made my life miserable.
Actually, it sounds like you did exactly what you needed to do in order to confirm your rights and make your living situation bearable again. Good for you.

C.