Tag Archives: Ohio

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

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News Update chalkboard clock

  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→

HOA, condo & co-op corruption and fraud roundup (Feb. 2019)

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Arrest handcuff fraud theft

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities This month’s roundup: light sentences and no jail for convicted HOA embezzlers; an affordable housing developer disappears with deposit money; and unqualified owners of affordable housing forced to sell the home. No jail for man who stole $352K from Galloway homeowners group (NJ) February 25, 2019 11:41 am Lynda Cohen A man who stole more than $352,000 from a Galloway Township homeowners association was sentenced to 90 days on Continue ReadingHOA, condo & co-op corruption and fraud roundup (Feb. 2019)→

Why do cities allow construction of condos, homes over abandoned underground mines?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities (IAC) It seems that about once a week I read at least one report of relatively new homes or condos built upon land that presents some kind of hazard. In Eastern Ohio, the sudden collapse of an abandoned mine shaft presents one possible safety hazard, not to mention extensive property damage. ABC News5, Cleveland, reports that several residents of Cornerstone Condominiums in Wadsworth, and one resident of an older single Continue ReadingWhy do cities allow construction of condos, homes over abandoned underground mines?→