This is an open letter to the Board of Directors from a long time homeowner at Casa Bahia:
4 June 2012
My Memorial Day Weekend At Casa Bahia
We arrived at Casa Bahia at approximately 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 26, 2012.
It had been a perfect morning and we were really looking forward to spending a
few peaceful and relaxing days at our condo on the beach. We have always
considered Casa Bahia to be our place of retreat and we expected nothing less
for the long weekend ahead. Unfortunately, this was far from the case.
It was noon on Saturday, when out of nowhere a large group comprised of six
children, several teenagers, and a couple of young adults stormed the Jacuzzi.
This large gathering, of predominantly minors, proceeded to occupy the Jacuzzi
for well over one hour with minimal supervision, as the young adults
accompanying the minors were preoccupied with personal distractions. The large
group of youth caused quite a commotion as they engaged in rowdy and disruptive
behavior screaming, running, jumping, and splashing in and around the Jacuzzi
and the surrounding common area. While I understand that children are full of
energy and often in search of fun, as a community it is important that the
residents manage their guests and children by encouraging them to follow the
rules set fourth by the homeowners’ association. Though it may be impossible to
ensure that all community members act on the best interest of the community at
large at all times, it is important that all residents at least attempt to be
considerate of their noise levels and the impact their activities have on their
neighbors. However, it seems that this respect and consideration may have be
lost amongst some of the Casa Bahia community members.
Later that Saturday evening, the same screaming demonstrated at the prior
Jacuzzi party was repeated as the noise level rose well above a reasonable limit
beginning around 8:00 PM and continued on for about one hour. Finally just after
9:00pm, the screaming stopped and we were hopeful that the peace and quiet we
had come to Casa Bahia to find would finally arrive. But how wrong we were. At
around 11:00 PM directly outside the window of our bedroom, a loud and highly
charged ‘conversation’ started abruptly and went on and on until well after
midnight.
Finally after a less than restful night’s sleep, I awoke Sunday morning and
proceeded with my weekend as intended. As usual, I walked our 15-pound dog from
the 555-Exit. At this very same time, out from the 535-Exit came a guy with his
‘oversized, light brown Irish Setter,’ which easily weighed over 60 pounds. He
took this dog straight to the front lawn of the building, on the West side of
the Casa Bahia, and allowed the dog to relieve itself then to my surprise the
man turned around and walked with his dog straight back into Casa Bahia without
cleaning up the mess his dog had made. On top of this dog owner’s blatant
disregard for the Casa Bahia community, later this same morning the small dog
upstairs started barking from the unit balcony above down at some residents and
loud children in the Jacuzzi.
In between these larger incidents of disregard and disruption, we are
constantly being tormented by the noise coming from the new renters upstairs and
their children running and jumping. The questionable hardwood flooring is
amplifying every movement through our ceiling and has become a frequent source
of distress and discomfort as the loud noise of their early morning awakenings
and children’s temper tantrums often disrupt any chance for restful sleep or
relaxation.
After only one night, we decided we have had enough Casa Bahia and decided to
cut our visit short. As we feel very fortunate to have another place to go, a
place where peace and quiet still have meaning and value amongst our
neighbors.
The Casa Bahia homeowners’ associations’ rules are posted directly above the
Jacuzzi and clearly state the Jacuzzi policies as well as the expectations for
the common areas. Additionally the Casa Bahia HOA rules (as provided on
http://cbhoa.weebly.com/rules--regulations.html) explicitly state community
guidelines and procedures that all residents are obliged to respect. As long
time homeowner of a Casa Bahia condominium, it disappoints me to see so many
neighbors have lost a sense of respect for our beautiful living community,
having displaced their personal responsibilities to make good choices and act on
the behalf of the common interests of the community at large. I write you not
only to inform you of the loss of common respect that I unfortunately witnessed
so much of during our short visit to our Casa Bahia home but also to urge you to
please consider re-establishing a sense of respect and regard for our homes and
our community by addressing the importance of personal responsibility amongst
the residents and tenants of our Casa Bahia community.
HOMEOWNER LETTERS TO THE HOA
LETTER FROM HANS MATTES TO THE BOARD PRESIDENT, 3 July 2011Joe;
Unfortunately I won't be able to attend this Thursday's HOA meeting concerning the continuation of earthquake insurance at Casa Bahia. I spoke with Betty Schneider about a month ago and she asked me my thoughts on the subject. I told her that I was unreservedly supportive of continuing earthquake coverage. I suggest that dropping earthquake coverage for our building would be a penny-wise, pound-foolish decision. While the continuing expense of earthquake insurance is an annoyance, and even, for some, a bit of a burden, the pain of a significant earthquake loss would range from very troubling to truly devastating. Our situation is a classic example of why, for centuries, people have protected their significant assets with collective insurance. This is not like getting an extended warrantee on a plasma TV; our equity (and, for some, our mortgage obligations) in Casa Bahia may constitute a significant component of our financial assets. These assets ought not be jeopardized by failing to recognize the statistically significant risk of earthquake damage that overhangs our building. I hope that the Board will show the courage, wisdom, and leadership to continue the insurance coverage which protects members of the HOA from major financial loss in the event of a serious earthquake. Yours truly, Hans Mattes 555 Esplanade, Unit 520 |
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