On 1/20/2013 8:39 PM, Pico Rico wrote:
> "gtr" > wrote in message news:201301201705596161-xxx@yyyzzz...
>> On 2013-01-21 00:17:47 +0000, Kalmia said:
>>
>>> On Sunday, January 20, 2013 1:41:49 PM UTC-5, gtr wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> They're compelled to provide money to the place whether they eat there
>>>> or not. You'd think they would voice their viewpoint. But at a certain
>>>> point, particularly in "retirement communities" predictably bad is okay
>>>> because it's predictable.
>>>
>>> I bet if enough residents banded together, they could vote to disband the
>>> dining room and all the rest of the frills, and do away with that
>>> assessment.
>>
>> Before the get to that point though, they might encounter the "oh well"
>> reaction. I note that as I advance in years the "oh well" response and the
>> "why bother" response come up more and more frequently.
>>
>>> Evidently, enough residents are satisfied with the arrangement.
>>
>> Silence, as has long been typified by the American political situation,
>> daytime TV and all manner of other things, does not necessarily imply
>> satisfaction.
>>
>
> nor agreement.
>
>
Except I've stated I have *not* been "silent" about it. I protested
being forced to join the club when I knew my parents' hadn't been
members since 2001. I even met with an attorney who just shook his head
and said I couldn't win a lawsuit against them. So I took my case
directly to the president of the DIOA and the chairman of the membership
board. I provided them with all sorts of documentation and information.
The full board discussed my request and declined to issue a membership
waiver.

The thing about this place is a lot of the residents are seasonal.
(Read: they have money.) I'm well acquainted with two couples who own
homes on my street who are only here for a two or three months out of
the year. Then they had back to their other homes up north. IMHO,
anyone who can afford to own, furnish and maintain two houses isn't
concerned about something like club dues and dining assessments. More
power to them!

Early last year the DIOA proposed renovations to the clubhouse. This
included enlarging the Pub Room and expanding the outdoor patio area for
dining. For something this big the residents *do* get to vote on it.
(Naturally I voted no.) Club expansion passed with a majority. I asked
one of the seasonal neighbors about it and he was all for it. He said,
"This is a resort, after all." I'm sure I gave him a strange look. A
resort, really? Perhaps if I was only here a couple of months out of
the year I'd think of it like that, too. <shrug>

Meanwhile, for three months last year everyone's monthly dues went up by
$250/month so the DIOA could pay for the renovations.

Jill