Copying Posts on This Weblog

2006 July 25

    The continuation of this post provides information on copying and using information posted on this weblog. 

Don Nordeen
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Copying Posts on This Weblog (continued)

    Almost everything on this weblog is paperless, and most is work in progress.  I am trying to take advantage of the internet to do my writing with all interested people looking over my shoulder, and contributing with their comments.  Basically, only my writing appears in this weblog.  I use URLs for the references wherever possible. 

    As such, the only copies are those you make from the weblog.  My experience is that you can merely edit —> copy the post and paste it into a word processing file.  Most of the formatting is retained, but not the indenting for the bullets.  So you may want to adjust the formatting.  Since most of the posts are work in progress, I recommend including the date it was copied. 

    All of the writing is inherently copyrighted as described in Understanding copyright law can help you avoid a costly lawsuit.  Unfortunately, this document has lawsuit in the title.  It is the professional courtesy described in the paper that is of interest.  Any copying for personal use should include the author, date and source — the URL.  My name and information is available at the top of the left column.  Copying for redistribution requires approval. 

Don Nordeen

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Comments

[Kevin Kelley]

I find your website to be very interesting and I agree with the democratic reform of common interest developments and property owners associations.

It is my experience that many associations run by volunteers tend to lack certain expertise in running a corporation, such as a homeowners association, which includes a failure to understand fully the complexities of the law, especially when relating to property ownership.

It is also my understanding that when other organizations become involved, and later dependent on the existence of associations, the occurrence of abuse increases, in order to protect the somewhat parasitic nature of the relationship. Lawyers require delinquent payments and revisions of covenants to make money, but in order to do so, they must also compose amendments that favor the association and the law firm, not the owner. Lobbying groups fight for association and law firm rights, but at the expense of the owner.

Currently the system is weighted against the owner, with the risk of financial ruining placing a heavy burden on the individual, while the association has a somewhat endless supply of dues, assessments, fees, and fines. Even in states that favor arbitration, such as Florida, such arbitration is usually the responsibility of the very people who make the rules against the homeowner - namely the lawyers.

While many people joke about how strict their, or their friend's, HOA is, it is an increasing problem, with more and more homes falling under some sort of covenant restricted governance, but as long as there are no laws protecting the individual, the homeowner remains at the whim of the industry. Regulation is required.

I hope your site continues to inform people, as well as politicians, who must work to protect their constituency, and I will do my best to let people know of your website.