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Few 'bad apples' give HOAs bad rap
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Editor's note: Barbara Holland interrupts her special series on satellite dishes to address the recent federal investigation of Las Vegas Valley homeowners' associations.
I would be very remiss if my column did not comment upon the increasing number of individuals, who have pleaded guilty and struck deals with federal prosecutors in the high-profile corruption case involving about 11 local associations. The case involved taking over associations and pushing for construction defect lawsuits against builders and then steering work to construction companies and law firms.
No one likes their good name to be smeared, and yet, for the 3,000 licensed, professional, competent and ethical community managers, and for those of us who own community management companies that pride themselves on customer service with high ethical standards, to say that these cases are very disturbing to us is a gross understatement.
For the thousands of legally elected volunteers, who serve on the boards of more than 1,500 homeowners' associations in Nevada and give of their time to manage their associations to the best of their abilities, to say that these directors are happy with the stigma that all associations are corrupt because of a very small number of unethical directors is very personally disturbing to them.
As of press time, there has one been one attorney, two community managers and seven board members who have pleaded guilty to conspiracy of one count of mail and wire fraud. Their publicity overshadows the reality of how community managers and directors actually conduct themselves. In listening to their frustrations as to what needs to be done to restore the public's trust and confidence, there has been no organized movement to combat this negativity generated by "these bad apples."
What is needed is a major public declaration by the professional management companies and their owners as to the ethics and values they stand for and promote within their organizations. We need a public promise, so to speak, that we, as professionals, stand by our good names and will continue to work on behalf of our memberships and clients to conduct ourselves and our firms with the highest code of ethics. The answer is not sit still and be silent.
Barbara Holland, certified property manager, is president and owner of H&L Realty and Management Co. To ask her a question, email support@hlrealty.com.
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Oh when I mean 3,000+, please don't bring 30, but bring the full 3,000+ as you suggest because one gets caught than all are guilty which means you must be able to prove it.
As I state once again statements with no facts. Just because you state does not mean it is true. All I ask is bring the proof of 3,000+ board members in Nevada getting free services as you suggest.
Nobody would complain if there would really be just "a few bad apples." Let's face it -- the whole community association system is riddled with bad apples. The lack of supervision makes it easy for every crook to circumvent the few safe guards in place and fleece the owners. This is a nation-wide problem, but so far only the FBI in Nevada felt fit to really investigate the scam. The coffers of associations are not really protected -- it's like a cookie-jar without a lid. It screams: Help yourself -- and many folks do. In this case you had the high-rollers doing their tricks, but it already starts with the board president getting free lawn care for his property if the landscaping company keeps the contract. Another bad apple? Yes, but on a small scale!
Lets put it this way. There are more former Clark County Commissioners on a percentage basis sitting in jail or served jail time than HOA Board Members and management. I am happy to see FBI putting criminals in jail, but to categorize all people that serve, work in the industry, or enjoy HOA life shows the lack of respect you hold of anyone and how narrow minded you are towards the HOA life that many people do enjoy. Their are criminals in all levels of business and government. That is why we have laws and that is why they are enforced as they are being done now.
ths: So you are back again; will you be joining the debate or is this another sneak attack? Sorry to disappoint you but this grass roots movement is more than just the same ten people. As to your charge that we want to "give all HOA people a bad name", you need to clarify that. Do you think we control the FBI or the printing press? I concede that unless you or others are willing to admit that the system is broken and refuse to advocate needed reforms, that you are in deed part of the problem.
Bruce Baxter! A Public Televised Debate? What a Great Idea! A group of us Southern Nevada Homeowners have created several NonProfit 'Grassroot' Websites doing all we can to help change Nevada's NRS116 Laws to make them more 'HOMEOWNER-FRIENDLY"! And to help eliminate ALL HOA BULLY BOARDS! The Directory Page is at: www.HOA1234.com - And we are just starting a new website: HOATV ! Located at www.HOATV.co ..... at HOATV.co .....we will have several Weekly shows featuring several Guest Speakers where Homeowners from all over the Country can call in or 'Skype' in! Check It Out! ..........Sam in Henderson
Actually the answer is the same 10 people that post here seem to want to give all HOA people a bad name to further their cause in getting what they feel are unfair rules while many other people including I are happy are in place to help protect me from the people that want to do little to nothing to maintain their property.
Apparently it would be an understatement to write that none of us are impressed with Ms. Holland's columns or credentials. That said, it is more than obvious that their side is extremely well organized to the extent that they are able to run free advertising in the RJ by way of her frequent columns. Anyone up for joining a delegation for the purpose of visiting the enemy camp (CAI)? My first question to them would be if they recognize the need to institute some reforms leveling the playing field of the individual homeowner? She claims in her column that she favors "a major public declaration by the professional management companies and their owners as to the ethics and values they stand for and promote within their organizations". In her next sentence she promotes the idea of a "public promise" that they will stand by their "good names". Sounds like a load of horse feathers and turtle hair to me because talk is cheap and she is simply posturing AND THERE IS NO SUBSTANCE HERE, but it would be an interesting conversation. Okay, I'm only half serious. But a publicly televised debate would be terrific!!! Why don't some of you start writing letters to the editor or guest columns? Personally I'd love to debate Leach especially if the crowd is neutral. He can have Barbara Holland at his table, I'll take Bob Frank.
Talk about “Bad Apples” Ms Holland, what do you think about the Non-Profit Community Associations that were told by their Management Companies that they were allowed to squirrel away the owners money in slush funds, but found out later that the Internal Revenue Service thinks it was a bad idea? --- From what I understand, several HOA’s (including SCA Henderson), are now on the hook for over one million dollars in back income taxes. That money should have been offered to back to the residents, but never was. --- Some of those “Bad Apples” can really leave a bad taste in your mouth huh? --- You would think that the Community Management Company would do a better job of monitoring the residents money, but hey -- what’s a few million dollars here and there?
Dear Ms Holland;
What would you say about the RMI Community Management Company that Submitted a State form No 562 and told the NRED Ombudsman’s office that a Reserve Study was “Current” but had actually NEVER been approved by the Sun City Anthem Board of Directors (Henderson, Nv.), and NEVER been used in the budgeting process?
That little maneuver covered up the FACT that the SCA Association was in violation of an NRS Statute that demands a “new” Reserve Study every five years, and the reason it was never prosecuted was because the Management Company (AND the BOD), hid the information from the scrutiny of the public eye, until it was too late to complain to NRED. Cute trick huh.
Would you have done that when you were a Community Manager?