I think it is sad that we are FORCED to pay / belong to a Homes Association which is good for nothing.
I have had serious financial difficulties recently. I have been attacked on my property by a neighbor and the police did nothing. I have had my home broken into. All without any response or care or concern from our worthless Homes Association.
I am getting older and not as able to take care of my property which has always been one of the nicer properties. Also, my lawn mower is broken. Last fall I called the Homes Association to see if they could recommend someone whom I could hire at a decent rate, or some organization doing volunteer work, to help me rake and/or mow/mulch my leaves last fall.
They never returned my phone call. But they sent me a notice for my past due Homes Association Dues (which will remain unpaid because I have, as I said, financial challenges to meet and so I do not spend money that goes down a black hole such as the Homes Association Dues.
They have money to give "goodies" to kids at Christmastime, to adopt homeless kids (if they are homeless how are they Ruskin kids) which has nothing to do with neighborhood preservation which is what Homes Associations are for.
Yet they can't be concerned about safety issues nor do they care whether or not properties are maintained so calling for information / help is useless.
I will say that someone did return my phone call about help with yard work. But it wasn't MY Homes Association (Ruskin Hills) it was someone from a neighboring Association (Ruskin Heights) which has always seemed more pro-active than our do-nothing group.
I very much appreciate the lady who returned my phone call despite my not being in their area.
Now THAT is an association group that is worth belonging to.
I'm doing my best to get out of this neighborhood, its unsafe, lots of vacant homes, lots of occupied homes with trash and weeds in the yard.
I just need to get together enough for deposit and moving costs and I'm gone. I've lived here 21 years - it will mean I walk away from my home which I loved and cared for but now it is not the safe haven it used to be. There is NO NEIGHBORHOOD FEELING of COOPERATION here any longer.
My house will be another vacant eyesore, which is sad because as I said, its been one of the most attractive around.
Thanks RUSKIN HILLS FOR NOTHING.
(And please note they never responded to my recent statements which I figure is because there is no response that would be truthful that could do anything but expose them for what they are - a group of busybody do-nothngs).