Cash Cow

The last board meeting only reinforced my belief that the CFPOA agenda is to push out the middle class and fixed income residents. Our general manager, Jim Lorah, announced with pride that the association was able to foreclose on two property owners for failure to pay assessments. One property was below their expectations but the second was a cash cow. It was a three hundred thousand dollar home with no mortgage that they were able to obtain through foreclosure for a mere twelve thousand dollars. There was jubilation in the audience. Now the board has the legal power to control what they consider “undesirables” and they can manipulate whatever special assessments they desire with no guilt or concern for property owners or their financial situation. When asked if the board filed a lien on the properties prior to foreclosure, I received the typical run around referring me to the bylaws.

The announced purpose of the meeting was to discuss the termination of the building contractor for the proposed clubhouse renovation. As expected, through no fault of Connestee, the contractor was accused of not meeting his obligations or returning phone calls forcing the board to consider further bids.

A contractor who was also a Connestee resident accused the board of lying to all Connestee residents stating that the architectural fees were included in the total cost of the project and not separate as described on numerous occasions. This forced the board to concede that his statement was factual. The board also stated that the cost of the sprinkler system was omitted by the architect which is subject to verification.

The renovation of not just the clubhouse but the entire subdivision was thought to be a ten year renovation through special assessments. It was announced that the plan is now a three to five year renovation with no limitation on board decisions and demands that property owners can expect to pay. If you can’t afford the special assessments, try and sell your home with an eight thousand dollar entry (amenity) fee and compete with the other one hundred forty plus homes for sale in Connestee.

Whether it is a one hundred thousand dollar home or a three hundred thousand dollar home, CFPOA will be proud to foreclose on your property. Just don’t expect the association to do their part and sell the almost six hundred unimproved lots that it owns that could reduce maintenance costs, assessments, and help pay for improvements.

My question at the meeting asked why the board is always in the dark and refuses to answer questions relating to proposed expenses and assessments and why they are always at the top of their game when they want residents to immediately respond and vote on their demands. Without fail, I got the deer in the headlights routine. In many respects, CFPOA is like Congress. The board and its decisions are based on greed and influenced by those who don’t represent the best interest of the people who gave them the power in the first place. Even Congress will someday comprehend that only the people can also take away that power.