Venice NA

Higher Dues

Most of the residents on the west side of the neighborhood have a hard time justifying any increase in dues. The east side of the area is kept up and is always quickly repaired. However, that is not true of the west side. The west end areas on 130th, 131st, and Sabra Lee get minimal attention. The west area off of Rockwell gets even less.

Everything is focused on the lake, which actually benefits very few. The ''lake'' is actually a water retention area and is not useful for much recreation at all. If there is any increase, it should be pro-rated so the homeowners that are ''on'' the ''pond'' pay more and those that are not even in the same ''neighborhood'' as the ''pond'' pay at a different rate. It also needs to be assured that our money does not go towards the lake maintenance.

It is difficult to compare us to Northlake since they have to support private roads and gate maintenance on their entrance. The lawn care at the front of their neighborhood also benefits all, unlike our situation.

Dues and Complaints

I, as many of you, have lived here for nearly 20 years. I have seen this neighborhood change faces many times over. When we moved in it was a quiet place and a great place for kids. Recently however, it has become almost unlivable. People, in their hurry to get home speed (and I don't mean 5 over, I mean 15-20 over) down the Blvd. I have even been passed (yes, passed) driving on the Blvd. I hate to even walk down the Blvd any more. My kids can?’t even play out front for fear of being run over by terrible, uncaring drivers. People throw trash out of car windows and generally show disrespect for our neighborhood. It has been said not to just complain, do. I have tried standing at a stop sign as if trying to cross the Blvd. I was nearly hit more time than I can count! I pick up trash when I'm out and try to help, however apathy has taken over.

Complaining done. The issue of due is a big one. Raising dues is a great option if you wish to continue to having more people refuse to pay. Why would someone pay $300 if they won?’t pay $115? The issue seems to be where the money is going. I have no complaints about the entrances. The flowers look great (most of the time). The people mowing the commons have used my driveway as a way to get up the curb and have left ruts in my yard. I ask them to stop (we?’ll see). I do agree with others that the $300 is ridiculous. Northlake is a gated community and has private streets. We live in an open community and have public streets. We cannot do anything with the streets, only the city can. I would even be in favor of a larger that 5% increase (the largest amount without a vote) if we could do something else with the lake. I remember when it was discussed filling in the lake and creating a park or a pool or even a grassy area with the stream and a pavilion. All the lake seems to do is suck away the money. Yes, everyone needs to (and must eventually) pay their dues, but raising them to cover for the ones that don?’t is feudal at best.

Just one suggestion, why not try a little personal contact with the people not paying their dues. When I went to refinance my home a few years ago I had to pay some back dues I owed. I did not even realize I owed any outstanding dues. A personal call or a personal note, not a formal letter of reprimand, but a well written cordial letter just might help.


By Harry

I agree

I agree 100% with these statements. Don't try to punish the ones who are faithful in paying their dues. These are the people who more than likely also keep up their landscaping, pick up trash around their house, and actually care about our neighborhood.

yes to higher dues

Dues should be higher as well as the rules around the neighborhood. Are area is turning into a slum and we seem to be getting a lower social class of people living here.