HOA and Parking

Last week, I alluded to a new parking policy that was put into place by our homeowners association.  As of March 1st, we were required to have parking permits in order to park in our townhouse complex or else face the possibility that our car could be towed.  The reason that we were given for having to begin using the permits is that they were trying to reduce the number of people that were delinquent in paying the HOA dues.

We had a couple meetings scheduled last week so I took a day off and picked up our permits that morning.  The new parking permits are placards that hang from our rearview mirrors.  We were glad they were not stickers because my wife and I really do not like the idea of placing stickers or decals on our cars.  You will never see a bumper sticker on one of our cars. 

Since the new parking regulations went into effect last week, we have noticed a lot fewer cars parked in our parking lot.  Now, there are a whole lot more people parked on the main road near the street to enter the complex.  The problem with that is that the street is on a hill and a curve.  Now, when we are trying to leave the complex, we have a difficult time seeing whether or not there is any traffic approaching because of all the cars now parked on the main road.

It is hard to say exactly the reason for the number of cars now parking on the road instead of the lot.  It would be surprising to see that we would have that many people delinquent in paying the association dues.  When we first moved in, the dues were always due in April.  I always paid it after I got my tax refund.  The new management company now asks for the first payment by January 1st and the second in June.  I usually pay the whole thing in February.

The other possible reason for the increased number of cars parking on the street could be with the manor in which the parking permits were distributed.  The management company required that people pick up the permits at the HOA meeting the evening of Febuary 22nd or to come by the management office after that date.  They would not mail the permits.  The office is only open Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm.  Most people are working during those times so it would be difficult to pick up.

The number of cars parked in the parking lot really does not impact us in anyway.  Each house has two clearly marked assigned parking spaces.  So, the only way parking in the lot impacts us is if somebody is an inconsiderate ass and parks in our assigned space.  The increased number of people parking out on the road, however, is a concern due to the obstructed view of approaching traffic.

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You Be The Judge

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Several years ago, I had a boss that was particularly irritating to me. He wasn't unfair, mind you, just some of his ways were very frustrating. I was on the phone with a salesman that called on our company and venting. He suggested that if I wanted to get even with my boss, I should take BB's and put them under the valve stem covers on his tires. The BB's would press down on the valve stems causing a leak in all four tires, and eventually, four flat tires.

I was still in my early 20's at the time and still somewhat immature. I never did it, but I did think about it. The mere fact that I actually considered performing such an act, I chalk up to immaturity. I am not sure what we can attribute to the alleged actions of Circuit Court Judge Robert C. Nalley.

Nalley apparently showed up for work at the Charles County Courthouse in La Plata MD only to find somebody parked in his parking space. The car in question belonged to a part time custodial worker in the courthouse. Two county sheriff's officer say they saw Judge Nalley letting the air out of the tires. According to reports, one of them recorded the judge with their cell phone.

First, the worker, Jean Washington, should not have parked in a restricted parking area. She should not have had to be subjected to having her car vandalized. Perhaps she should have received a ticket. At worst, her car should have been towed away.

Second, if true, is this the type of behavior we would expect from our judges? I can understand being upset if somebody is in your parking space. We have assigned parking in our townhouse complex and it irks the hell out of me if somebody parks in my clearly marked spot. However, I am not going to flatten their tire. First I will knock on the doors of my neighbors to see if a visitor parked their in error. Then I would consider having the car towed.

Seriously, if you were on trial, how would you feel about the judge's ability to render a sound decision when they let the air out of somebody's tire because they were in the wrong parking space? I for one would be a little suspect.

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