I'm a homeowner in Southern Maryland. I started this petition because I perceive my neighbors and I have been living amid a corrupt homeowner's association Board who are controlled by what I percieve to be corrupt attorneys and property managers who do not live in our community, but prey on it economically. The Board, who seem to collectively lack governance training and knowledge appear to rely on predatory outsiders to guide them. The predatory outsideadvisersseem to view our neighborhood as a cash cow, and abuse theirprivileges byinflictingfinancial pain rather than encouraging community purpose. I have been aiming to changemy own homeowners' association for a number of years.Despite many trials and tribulations, I still believe in community and I have hope that this petition will better, not only my community, but the communities in adjacent counties, districts, states, nations, and future communities established anywhere by our children.

Despite my positive outlook, the reality of the matter is in my neighborhood, there is absolutely no transparency with Board spending. The Board unilaterally votes on major initiatives. And, the Board has a history of entering into unlawful contracts with interested third parties. I wonder how many neighborhoods out there in our local districts can relate to this imagery?

I find, specifically in Maryland, there is absolutely no effective regular higher level board oversight. The only current resources for homeowners to address their homeowner concerns are costly, complex, and inconspicuous. There are no reasonable and transparent outlets for homeowners to individually or collectively be heard on issues in order to resolve matters quickly, inexpensively, and consistently.

Though our Board's members have changed, the outside predators seem to have remained the same in some form of cartel-like manner with organized crime-like behaviors. Over the years, our bills have gone up, but the neighborhood's common area appearance has gone down. When a homeowner majority vote, the homeowner minority (i.e. the Board and their friends) overrules. The increases in financial spending for neighborhood upkeep do not mesh with the unsightly common area appearance of the neighborhood.Our community is not environmentally safe and there are physical hazards everywhere. The Board has meetings on its own arbitrary schedule which doesn't foster regular attendance. The Board uses lack of attendance as a basis for making unilateral decisions. The board is against committee formation. The Board does not follow its owncovenantand declarations or the state Homeowner's Association Act. My list of grievances is very long and is shared with that of a majority of my neighbors.

It's not so easy just to pack up and move these days. I love my community but for the corrupt practices. I've staked my claim and I don't wish to be driven out. But, in the interest of fairness, Virginia and the District of Columbia seem to be taking a great interest in homeowner experience initiatives. I ask myself quite regularly, what is keeping me from making the leap and taking my tax dollars with me?

As a homeowner, I feel I have the right to the reasonable use and enjoyment of my property for which I've worked hard to incorporate into my American dream. I don't believe homeowner's association board members should have a license to unreasonably take away that use and enjoyment by abusing their duties. Board members have fiduciary duties that should not be taken lightly.

With all of these notions in mind, I'd like to suggest some long awaited resolutions that I believe we need as homeowners. For example, it seems tougher pro-homeowner Board oversight needs to be put into place to deter Board racketeering-type behavior. Board actions need to be made more transparent. Boards need to be required to have the proper state-approved governance training. Homeowners' grievances need to be settled via uninterested third parties quickly without significant cost and consistency. Consideration of a specialized court or division centralizing allrelevantlaws, regulations, policies, and ordinances needs tobegiven by our state representatives. A specialized government accounting office or task force should beestablishedto collect data and issue independent reportsbased on homeowner complaints so we can understand how to make our neighborhoods and communities better with increased homeowner enjoyment. Minutes, contracts, financial statements, and reserve studies should be housed online for easy access. Strong enforcement channels should be put into place. Each of these mechanisms will permit us as homeowners to understand the value of our investments and to share the information more easily with future buyers. Homeowners are the reason the Boards exists and the the laws should encourage andfoster community rather than unilateral, separatist behavior.

I hope this petition encourages many others to come forward to share their thoughts and ideas on how to keep our communities as our havens and sanctuaries. What type of community do you want to be welcomed home to each night after a hard day at work or school? What type of community do you want to be able to enjoy on your weekends, holidays, vacations, and snowcations? Won't you join me in seeking a change for the betterment and positive growth of our neighborhoods and communities?