Author: gks256

“Private Metropolis” revisited

It is my strong belief that  the HOA legal model of local government played a part  in the demise of democracy in America[i] has been greatly assisted by the recent publication Private Metropolis.[ii]  In my prior post on Private Metropolis,[iii] I was very pleased by the opening Introductory paragraph,

The opening introductory segment encompasses a wide description of special  governmental units. It is loaded with constitutional issues and controversies that says it all quite plainly: “quasi-governments,” “shadow local states,” “the municipality is no longer the privileged seat of governance,” and “special purpose local governments” (including homeowner associations with some 27% of the population — according to CAI — as residents), that “became, in effect, shadow governments.” 

Unfortunately, these highly descriptive political concepts  used in this very broad study of local government failed to appropriately address the form of local government known as HOAs.  Scant attention is given to these associations by the authors. In the 312 pages “homeowner association” is mentioned just once and “CID” twice. But “shadow government” and “quasi-government” and “special districts” are tossed around quite frequently. Readers, having read the very enticing title, will be greatly disappointed by its failure to deal with the most direct affront to the eclipse of local democratic government: the HOA legal model of governance that has been supported by all state legislatures across this country.

HOAs, my generic term for community and homeowners associations, satisfy the fundamental definition of a political government.  Black’s Law Dictionary (7th Ed.) definition separates the men from the boys: “Modern states are territorial; their governments exercise control over persons and things within their frontiers.”  And that is the unique feature of political government that  distinguishes an HOA from  a business, a non-profit charity, a club, a union, etc. I believe that the decision to form HOA governance outside the domain of public government was intentional to avoid constitutional restrictions.[iv]

They are a de facto yet unrecognized form of local government — other forms being mayor-council, council-manager — born and created as private entities, and as such,  have escaped, for the most part, under the common defense prohibiting  any ”law impairing the obligation of contracts.” Although the other forms of public local government are subject and held to the Constitution and the laws of the land. HOAs meet every criteria set forth by the authors as indicated above and epitomize the eclipse of local democratic government. 

The authors appear to admit the failure of the  ivory tower “philosopher kings” (my terms) to actively participate in preventing the fall of local democracy: “Instead, even scholars who study local governments [only recently realized] the degree to which quasi-public institutions are insulated from the democratic process.”  That applies strongly to authoritarian HOA governments. 

Notes

[i] See in general, Whither goest local government? Restrictive HOAs or responsible public government (2009); CAI’s early awareness of HOA constitutionality, public mini-government (2021); HOAs are another form of local government (2021).

[ii] Private Metropolis: the Eclipse of Local Democratic Government,  Dennis R. Judd, Evan McKenzie, Alba Alexander, Global and Community Series, Vol. 32, Univ. of Minneapolis Press (June 22, 2021).

[iii]  Private Metropolis: explaining the demise of local public government.

[iv] CC&Rs are a devise for de facto HOA governments to escape constitutional government.

Business judgment rule not right for sui generis HOAs

This examination of the business judgment rule is a supplement to my amicus curiae brief to the AZ Supreme Court (Taylor v. Bendt, CV-21-0049, awaiting decision to hear case) in which I provided guidance in regard to 1) HOAs are sui generis created by rejecting Constitutional protections and instituting and supporting  separate laws for special organizations, 2) HOA-Land has been under the heavy influence and domination of the national lobbying entity, Community Associations Institute (CAI), and 3) as a result of the above a pro-HOA mindset has crept into our judicial system resulting in bad laws setting  bad precedent.

You can read the complete 30 page treatise (15 pages of argument plus apprendices) here .

Private Metropolis: explaining the demise of local public government

My repeated efforts to instill, to inculcate, a necessary broad  understanding  of democratic principles and government — and the part played by the HOA legal model of local government — in the demise of democracy in America[1] has been greatly assisted by the recent publication Private Metropolis.[2] (It was published at the same time as my amicus curiae filing with Arizona Supreme Court in Tarter[3]).

The opening introductory segment encompasses a wide description of special  governmental units. It is loaded with constitutional issues and controversies that says it all quite plainly: “quasi-governments,” “shadow local states,” “the municipality is no longer the privileged seat of governance,” and “special purpose local governments” (including homeowner associations with some 24% of the population as residents), that “became, in effect, shadow governments.” 

My 21 year long-term effort in the trenches  has been to introduce the broad level constitutional issues and democratic philosophy to the average American, who does not know and cannot understand the words of these learned political scientists. I have, for the most part, failed. Private Metropolis gives me additional support and the basis for continued efforts to educate the public at large who suffer the consequences of a  “not my job” attitude.

It is up to the homeowner advocates and HOA boards to embrace this reality and expose the arguments of supportive political scientists to the policy makers in your state, as well as educating the media  on its  continued silence on these issues.

Endnote

[1] See in general, Whither goest local government? Restrictive HOAs or responsible public government (2009); CAI’s early awareness of HOA constitutionality, public mini-government (2021); HOAs are another form of local government (2021).

[2]  Private Metropolis: the Eclipse of Local Democratic Government,  Dennis R. Judd, Evan McKenzie, Alba Alexander, Global and Community Series, Vol. 32, Univ. of Minneapolis Press (June 22, 2021).

[3] Pro Se Bendt amicus brief accepted by AZ Supreme Court.

Advocate HOA practical education webinar

After viewing Raelene Schifano’s first webinar I was impressed with her detailed knowledge and involvement in HOA issues. Her education series dealing with the nitty-gritty of HOAs is much needed and should be helpful to the average HOA homeowner.  She’s undertaking practical and knowledgeable proactive steps toward HOA reforms. While based in WA state, I strongly believe all concerned homeowners seeking information from an advocate and not from your HOA or its attorney, especially if he’s a CAI member, to listen up.

From her promo:

“HOA Fightclub302

“I will offer this educational series every Saturday, August 14th at 11:00am CST. I allow everyone to participate and offer solutions. Hope to see you there.”

Why HOA members fail in court – failing to know the enemy

In Nuclear Verdicts, not specifically addressing HOA cases and speaking to defense attorneys, author and defense attorney Tyson sees the failure to succeed  as a failure of the defendant to get angry.  “YOU are the solution to what has been wrong with our legal system.”  In keeping with the mission of a homeowner advocate’s cry of “fightclub,” Tyson’s Nuclear Verdicts’  mission “is about fighting individuals and groups who are attempting to take advantage of our legal system.  There are people every day who make false and exaggerated claims . . . .”   

I have applied his general statements to HOA-Land.  Tyson is quite on the mark with the many instances of HOA attorney conduct in the courtroom.  And on the failure of homeowners to appropriately and strongly respond. “Bad lawyering [on the part of the homeowner’s attorney] is much more common” than the HOA attorney’s “stretching their claims beyond what is real and verifiable.”  The homeowner attorney  “is surprised, or unprepared, or just not as good as the” HOA attorney. Tyson sums it all up with, “So how do you fight injustice? First of all you need to get angry! You need to stop complaining and do something about it.? 

. . . .

I have read dozens of trial and appellate court cases and opinions across the states, and have personally witnessed the conduct of HOA attorneys and board members in court. My research is consistent with Tyson’s position. I offer my own views for those seeking to go to court to take heed of, and to just DO IT!

My conclusions as to why homeowners lost in court fell into several causes, the chief being the failure to know the enemy, as Sun Tzu wrote in the Art of War. Other causes, as I saw them, 1) insufficient evidence and documentation provided to the court, 2) failing to state a claim, in other words, the HOA broke no laws or violated the governing documents but just exercised its discretion as was its right, 3) attorney lack of expertise and knowledge of HOA  case history, and 4) member afraid to argue the case as warranted for one reason or another.

I possess, as well as on other advocate websites including CAI’s pages on it amicus briefs and case history reviews, a wealth of information on knowing the enemy. Failing to provide this information to your attorney that will enhance your chances of success and to lessen his “learning time,” saving you money, can harm the chances of your winning in court.

“YOU are the solution to what has been wrong with our legal system.”

I’d like to thank Sonia Bendt for understanding this need to cooperate and work together, and who sent me Tyson’s book realizing it would be very helpful to all homeowners going to court.

Robert F. Tyson, Jr, Nuclear Verdicts: defending justice for all, Law Dog Publishing (2020).