[Godfollow]

The association has no grace plan? This should concern all the other homeowners... wouldn't they wish a little grace for themselves if they come upon hard times???

Something like,
"We understand you are going through some difficulty this year, and as a group of concerned homeowners we want to help you stay a part of our community because we believe we're all about helping each other. So for the year 2003 we are forgiving the $120, and for the next year we will only charge half of the annual dues, and by the following year you'll be expected to resume regular annual dues payments.

We suggest that you contact you church or synagogue and family and friends to let them know of your difficult situation and that these annual dues are part of your agreement for living in our neighborhood. If it becomes clear to you and your close community of caring family and friends that you will not be able to meet your obligations to the Homeowners' Association Agreement that you signed, then perhaps they will be able to assist you in meeting your obligations or in finding a better living arrangement.

We want to be as gracious as we can given your present circumstances, but we also must be fair to all the other homeowners, as they expect that they must uphold their agreement and pay their annual dues the same as everyone else.

Our best wishes to your husband and we hope your circumstances change for the better, as we value your friendship in our association.

Sincerely..."

don't ya think this is what anyone would wish for themselves if they fell upon such circumstances, including those who oversee the operations of the HOA?

[Semper911]

I wish you were in charge of the world. That is exactly how the association should have handled it.

[Wissa]

don't ya think this is what anyone would wish for themselves if they fell upon such circumstances

Such circumstances that befell them being.... they had a $250,000 house they could have got a home equity loan on? Their children could have helped them out instead of passing on the shortfall involuntarily to the other homeowners?

[sauropod]

Your suggestion is a kind and gracious one. One that I would espouse.

Instead of some here that rear up on their hind legs and bleat about following the letter of the law.

The moral blindness of some here is quite frightening.