PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

     It’s just about that time again, that Legislation Session, for you folks who don’t know.  Last year is history, we had hearings, (as one sided as they were).  I personally was asked to sit down and be quiet (when I asked about illegalities in the Strine and Tunnel communities).  That was done even though I have pictures and legal facts to back it up.  I now find it amazing that some of the items I brought to question have been dropped from the requirements outlined.  What about all the money already paid illegally?
     During these same hearings, owner after owner came to the podium and stated “Yes, I increased my rents, double, triple and even more, because you people had a Rent Justification Bill on the desk.”  Of course the Rent Justification Bill never saw the light of day.  But it did work for the Landowners as they fleeced the Homeowners out of more money in a down turn economy.
     Landowners are now saying we (DMHOA) are ruining their business.  It seems to me that they are doing a pretty good job of hurting their own business.  Their rent increases in this economic climate, and both legal and illegal hidden costs to bilk even more from homeowners.  “We use your money to build swimming pools and club houses then we charge you to use the item you paid to build.”  The next thing we will have is a road toll to repair the roads in the communities, some of them are very unsafe and poor condition.
    If the Landowners profits are too small, might I suggest that they sell their communities to the Homeowners.  I do believe this has occurred some 90 some times in New Hampshire and it has a perfect record of ownership and profit. We do know why they don’t want this to happen, because the Homeowner will find out the profit the Landowner has made over the years is obscene.
      It seems everyone forgets we (homeowners) pay real taxes, school taxes, transfer taxes, sewer usage, sewer frontage, electric, water, gas and if we are late by 5 days on some of these bills, the landowner then will charge us another $25.  Then, on top of all this, our homes are called Motor Vehicles. Why?  Because Del Dot needs the money.  We are also the ones who lead in giving to others, Food Drives, Coat Drives, Adopt a Family, providing assistance within our own communities.  Yet the powers that be and many others feel we need to be treated like second and third class citizens.
    As one side’s greed grows so does their inability to sit down with Homeowners and talk about the real inequities. I’ve personally watched it for many years.  We the Homeowners have now voted new people into office.  We have planned and worked at this election for 2 years and it worked, as I said it would. Great Job!  We can now only hope that the people we elected look more closely at the problem, as they said “they will”. We are proud of our people who finally realized we are the largest voting block in the state and we can remove or elect  anyone to any office.  We must continue to register our neighbors and VOTE.
     We must continue to educate our constituents, on their rights and privileges under the law (Chapter 70 and others).  Our people must keep up their end of the leases and obey the laws in their communities.  We would do well to remember that every community needs a Homeowners Association and that it must educate and defend the rights of the community. Associations would do well to understand this is not just a social group, but is there to defend and protect its membership. THANK YOU! 

Ed Speraw
President