In my efforts to obtain more information on complaints filed against members, I requested more detailed information from the association Business Manager and Designated Compliance Officer, Laura Frazier. She provided me with the listing published below. I then requested that the report include more detailed one line description of the complaint. Examples would be Architectural (ARC) shed, RV past allowed time on lot, etc.. Laura acknowledged that she had provided me previously with that detailed information. She stated that she was swamped with work at this time, but would supply my request at a later time. I do appreciate her response and look forward to the additional information. I will be publishing that information on this blog when available.
Why should we as members and also Board members, be interested in this information?
Answer: This will give us a better understanding of what the complaints are about and the number of complaints. We can also see trends and increasing problems that may need further attention. Unfortunately, we may also detect "harassment" and dismissed claims.
I considered not publishing the Division, Block and Lot number (DBL) of the complaint. My reasoning would be to not embarrass the owner for which a complaint had been filed. After much consideration of this, it would be against my own blog policy to not edit information. It is also to note in the report, the complaints that were dismissed. Many of these lot owners would not be aware that a complaint had been filed against them, until now.
If we can know who a complaint has been filed against, we should also have the right to see who filed the complaint? Surfside may very well be in violation of RCW 64.38.045 concerning member rights to see all documents other than those exempted by law. Unlisted phone numbers, etc.. The original complaint document contains the name of the person making the complaint. In my opinion, this should be public and especially to the person who the complaint has been filed against.
While the report below lacks complete information, with careful review, it does indicate some interesting issues. For example, multiple tree complaints on the same date. This could indicate a single member writing multiple complaints. Many of these same ones are dismissed. You will also note they are adjoining lots. This suggests a shotgun approach to the complaints.
I suggest that you know your own DBL and see if you had a complaint filed against you that was dismissed. In my opinion, there should be a charge against the complainant for any dismissed complaint.
Note:
With the small print, you may want to click on the report, then click again for an even larger read.
This is a 2 page report...
 |
| page 1 of 2 |
 |
| page 2 of 2 |
42 comments:
I know my DBL, but they're not listed on your report. So how would I know if a complaint was filed?
Posting this partial report says very little, except that a lot of incorrect complaints are made.
It's not my report, it was supplied to me. The complaint DBL's are listed. If yours is not on there, probably safe to assume that there was not a complaint made against you. Hope that answers your question.
Transparent and fair covenant enforcement policies and procedures would accomplish a lot to improve Surfside. Surfside should have a full time enforcement employee who is able to deal with issues and people in a fair and reasoned manner. This same employee should generate a monthly report with detailed information in order to keep the members fully informed and to encourage covenant compliance. The complaint driven method of enforcement should be thrown out with fair and comprehensive enforcement of the covenants being the policy and practice. In the (hopefully rare) event of a complaint, the complainant's name should be confidential in order to prevent retaliatory actions and poor neighbor relationships. In the event that an effort to enforce a covenant is dismissed, a reason for this action should be published.
Tossing out the complaint system to enforce covenants would go a long way towards making our HOA a respected and desirable community. Instead, we have neighbors hating and distrusting neighbors and employees who would rather clean toilets than deal with covenant enforcement. The secretive and unfair management of covenant compliance has created a lot of problems, expense and hate in Surfside. Can we please get behind hiring a competent and fair minded employee to accomplish covenant enforcement?
How do find your DLB number?
Your property tax bills or looking at your property records on the online Taxsifter at Pacific County website will quickly give you the information.
"My own blog policy to not edit information". I do believe that most would consider deleting comments as editing.
If you are wanting info on what types of complaints are being made in general just to see trends and problem areas, that I can understand and see how it can be useful. But I don't understand or agree with you posting the names of both parties. It serves no purpose. You mentioned the potential embarrassment but it also creates a possible harassment issue.
If you're going to charge a complainant for dismissal then to be fair you should charge the same amount to the member who let there be a violation on the property if it is determined to be true. Who wants to go down that road?
What happened to the No Fireworks signs this year? Please post if you have seen one in Surfside this year.
Fair points 7:16..
My referral to not editing was of documents such as minutes and Board reports. Also, any comment where someone uses their real name, is always posted without editing. I think I am pretty clear on my comment policy as stated in the page on the left under this blog.
As for your comment on charging for both an invalid complaint and charging for a valid one is food for thought. We do have fines for those who do not comply. I appreciate your comment that is a discussion of issues, rather than bashing others.
Sure looks like someone going around with their little notebook. Looks like prob same person/persons filing most of complaints.
This list of petty things is caused by your petty rules.
Surfside runs on the basis of snitches telling on others. How nice that?
So now that you know how it works, go to the office / fortress and fill out the proper snitcher forms
Making a complaint against someone that is in violation of a covenant isn't the same as your sibling "snitching" on you for not making the bed or taking the last cookie.
Bottom line, keep within the rules and you won't get a complaint. Keep within the rules and if someone does make a complaint it will be dismissed. Quite simple and straight forward. Not doing so is what ultimately causes the issues.
Using the blog to give someone a nudge toward correcting a covenant compliance error is a much kinder approach than filing a complaint. Some members are too dense to take a kind hint. Instead they dig in and challenge the covenant which is quite simply be a problem member. The complaint method to enforce covenants is nasty, cruel and causes more problems than it solves. I's like to see a kinder and fairer Surfside for a change.
What’s the point of a “no fireworks “ sign ? It’s not observed or enforced.
I think that the No Fireworks signs influence some members and visitors. We are surrounded by dry grass lots so I am nervous about the fire danger. It takes only one stray spark to create a wildfire.
Even though we've had some rain, the grasses are at a dry extreme within a few minutes of the sun appearing again. I'd like to know how the Fire Dept. decides so declare burning bans. I would also like to see campfires included in burning bans. Twice in the years that I have lived in Surfside, I have used my ever ready hoses to put out fires that were burning outside of fire pits on neighboring property. It is scary.
DNR call for the burn bans, fire dept enforces it. Recreational fires are as a rule exempted from the burn bans though limited in size and location
That dune grass will burn 1 hour after it rains. I have fought fires in it when the temp's was in the 20's
Dune grass is an extremely volatile fuel year round. That is why it is so critical to maintain proper distances from the dune grass ... Look up firewise for more info
The dune grass still has a little green showing. The other grasses that grow here with finer textures are even easier tinder. Those grasses and flowering weeds are all brown and bone dry. I think our local fire people should check this out instead of waiting for the DNR to declare extreme fire conditions.
It would help if cutting the grasses was enforced to reduce the fire dangers.
With all the trees in my area, things stay a lot greener n very little grass.
8:09 Are you trying to diminish the concerns about wildfires? The trees are also highly flammable per what I have been reading. Many of the trees are surrounded by tinder dry grasses.
Maybe you should go outside. Btw, if you didn’t notice, it’s summer. If your so worried bout fires in your dry zone, enforce the SHOA ban on fireworks. But from what I’ve seen in my neighborhood, it depends on who you are. You know where there are fewer grass fires? Urban areas, oh that’s right, grass burns there too. Y’all gotta ease up on this fire thing. The statewide fire danger map even shows very low danger here. There are more important things to worry about, like your own business.
here we go again with the firework haters! Have some fun or just go away for the week.
Agreed. Burning trees plus winds equal faster spread of fire. Some people would like to ignore this fact, but it is a fact.
Western Washington has already been declared to be in an early drought condition. Seems like dry summers are going to be the norm now. People should take steps in preparation for this like Mr. Haskin brought up but sadly most will not.
Why so belligerent 11:17? Someone is merely suggesting making Surfside safer from wildfire dangers.
Re: July 3, 2018 at 11:28 AM
You forget that "NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED IN SURFSIDE"
Been there and experienced it real time.
Yes, get rid of the trees and grasses because there are wooden houses being built 8 ft. apart, and people aren't smart enough to cut these materials away from close contact or proximity to the houses. Get rid of the Ocean - it can be dangerous ! Don't eat sugar or eggs ! Stay out of the sun !! Stay in the house with your hands in your lap.
I'm tapped-out. Those are my best recommendations.
Give it a rest 11:47. Your going to give yourself a heart attack.
Grass fires, tree fires, tsunami cache, etc. you retire n all of a sudden sky is falling. Enjoy the time you have, watch your own back n get on with living. Why is it now a days people so enjoy trying to tell others what to do n how to think? Too much information can be a bad thing n stop you from enjoying life.
Yeah, as long as you have a full time owner next to you with a garden hose or another real home to go to, why worry? .
11:52 .... You don't grasp that I am being sarcastic ? I think 2:05 gets where I'm "coming from" (and I don't mean literally "where I'm coming from"). (I'm in Surfside). There is this compulsion these days to try and control EVERYTHING in life. I love the ads with the "Easy-button", as it really sums-up the expectations of many people these days. It would seem that there should be a dial, control, website, central command, administrative office, to call, to prompt, to inquire.....a button to push for immediate relief, to send out a crew, a crack-response team, to prevent any natural disaster from visiting our shores.
I'd recommend building in the middle of a desert or giant parking lot for safety from trees, fire and tsunami. Wow, I'm feeling tapped-out again, think I taxed my psychic powers. Over and out.
11:52 says to 4:28 - seems like you can dish out sarcasm but can't take it.
The compulsion that you speak of was not meant to be a matter of controlling everything in life. The concern is for safety from wildfires for our members and the community. Last thought - if you think you are funny or entertaining you are wrong. You come off as a grouchy old curmudgeon.
Thank you 4:28, for your appreciation of sarcasm,lol
Apparently you have mistaken which comment I was responding to. Since I was kidding, I wasn't in danger of stressing out, so, if this is your idea of "sarcasm", It's pitiful. You do have a fan in 7:10 though, or so it seems.
A complaint-driven system has its drawbacks - enforcement shouldn't really require complaining. It is the responsibility of the BOT to enforce the covenants with or without a written complaint. On the other hand, members are entitled to have their concerns heard, and complaints have to be allowed and reviewed for their validity.
Designating HOA compliance "police" encourages nit-picking and invasive activity that interferes with owner autonomy and happiness. The more everything is put under a magnifier, the more insignificant and marginal issues start being tagged as "violations" If that's your job, by God, you're going to file some compliance violations.
I think we have BOTH operating here in Surfside, whether it is acknowledged or not. I think it's important to assess from time to time, what the primary concerns are, and to limit the extent to which community standards are exaggerated for the sake of intimidation. Johansen's situation is a case-in-point. A personal matter that purports to be a compliance issue.
The dune grass still has a little green showing.
I must interject that we have some compulsive complainers here who use the "rules" as a way to draw attention to themselves. They present themselves as the victim as a cover for their emotional need to feel important. Reason seems to have left the neighborhood. This is mean-spirited. How this plays into the work load in the office is a mystery to me.
Case in point: The fire department passed our house three times looking for a dangerous fire which had been reported. They were amazed to find our small fire pit with a hose and a screen as the object of this frantic call.
Life is just too short for this.
I seriously doubt the credibility of the comment by 7:11. Questions are asked when you call the Fire Dept. or 911 to make a complaint. Prove that the Fire Dept. actually did this.
To the those, specially 11:17 who made light of and ridiculed those of us expressing fire concerns.
Newsflash:
We are now having a burn ban. There has been a grass fire down in LB. The state map says we are "abnormally dry". And to 11:17's claim the fire danger is low, that is all it is a claim, not based on facts.
I live here full time, this is why I find this issue important and my business.
Some members with undeveloped or uncared for lots don't recognize the threat and potential losses from fire danger. I overheard such a member joke that a wildfire would do him the favor of clearing his lot.
During the dry season, the use of most fire pits is dangerous. It takes only one wind driven spark to set off a fast moving fire. There is a wide range of camp stoves for those folks who camp in a manner that might require cooking over a campfire. Smores can be made over these stoves as well as over a campfire. Safety first.
Post a Comment