I agree with GG that the POA's stance has changed remarkably for the positive! I always read their Bulletin (delivered to my driveway for free), with great disgust! Never had I encountered such blatant negativism! Now, they have calmed down and have been much more positive!
They do still tend to beat a subject to death, but much less negatively!
The VHA is certainly "connected" with The Developer, but is still admirably independent, for the most part, politically!
I joined VHA at my first Newcomer's Orientation and have never regretted it.
SWR