Category Archives: Local Government Influence

Missouri HOA stuck with natural spring flowing in its streets

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Rain boots water stream spring

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Homeowners and residents in one Missouri, subdivision Find themselves stuck with a big problem with no easy solution. According to a KMOV report last month, the Country Haven Homeowners’ Association recently discovered that a persistent stream of water running through the neighborhood is not due to a water main leak or bad storm water drainage. Jefferson County officials say the community is built on top of a natural underground Continue ReadingMissouri HOA stuck with natural spring flowing in its streets→

Local media, neighbors help homeowners in violation of HOA, City codes

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  By Deborah Goonan,  Independent American Communities More good news this week, and updates on some earlier posts on IAC. The following three updates remind readers that going public about code violations from your City or HOA often leads to solutions.   Condo residents finally have fire safe building, developer replacing fire alarm system (MO) Last month, as reported on three local television stations, condo residents were taking turns on overnight fire watch, while waiting for Continue ReadingLocal media, neighbors help homeowners in violation of HOA, City codes→

Jail time for peeling paint: punitive HOA “values” shape Lancaster’s code enforcement

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  By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   When did it become a crime to be retired and poor? Or working poor? Or an older American, possibly disabled, who cannot climb a ladder and paint a 3-story house? Across the U.S., I’m appalled to learn that city code enforcers punish homeowners on tight budgets, fining them thousands of dollars, ordering them to court, and throwing them in jail for not keeping their home attractive. Lancaster, Continue ReadingJail time for peeling paint: punitive HOA “values” shape Lancaster’s code enforcement→

Illinois condo HOA legislation update (March 2019)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities The Illinois Legislature is considering several bills that would limit Home Rule power of local governments; mandate that a condo board must provide nominal due process before levying a fine; change the process for payment of property taxes; and increase transparency and disclosure requirements.   HB 29 would stop local government from enacting Ordinances that contradict state law The bill states that a local government, including a Home Rule Continue ReadingIllinois condo HOA legislation update (March 2019)→