[graciegirl]

We arrived Friday night and met our new neighbors, nice folks, retired from New York, two doggies.

However. Their front yard is full of potted plants, big urns on either side of their driveway with artificial flowers in them (strong colors), artificial flowers stuck in the ground. many Halloween decorations, but that is for a finite time.The back yard, we abutt Odell Rec Center, and have a lovely stone wall belonging to Odell that defines the space. She has many animals and birds on top that wall, four bird feeders on the wall too, and has hot glued plastic flowers to the wall. Also wind chimes in Odells bushes. It isn't pretty, and I don't want to start an ugly situation. I/we have never had problems with neighbors in our whole life. I know I shouldn't be petty, but it literally makes my stomach hurt.

She told me they had received notice, but said. "What can they do to us" and shrugged.

[tucson]

They will keep coming back to check on that I'm sure of it, they made me take down a small trellis on the front of my house (24" wide) and told me I could put it on the side of the house (as long as it wasn't facing the street). I have been told by many people that the Village Watch doesn't enforce unless a neighbor calls and complains. If your neighbor continues breaking the covenants it'll open many others to also do the same. Just take a look at what happened to the older sections here and you can understand why TV enforces the rules against all the ugly stuff that some people put in their yards.

[Peachie]

Awwww, Gracie... complain and do it now to the neighborhood enforcers. Mr. Peachie and I had neighbors like that once and I hate to tell you this, but in the end we sold and moved. The indiocyncrasies of many of those decoraters seldom stop in yard. We're sorry to hear your Villages homecoming was "trashed" and encourage you to call the authorities patrolling TV ASAP and often, if necessary!

[tkret]

Graciegirl,

Hello. The advice posted by both tucson and Peachie is excellent and should be seriously considered. If your neighbor, who agreed to the CC&Rs when he/she moved into TV, have violated rules which you adhere to ... well, you have a choice to ignore it or have it enforced. Everyone wants to be a good neighbor and your neighbor should be one, too. When Peachie says that on one occasion she and Mr. Peachie sold and moved because of a similar circumstance, you have to decide now if it bothers you enough will you want to incur those headaches and those expenses as you get older.

On a sidenote, have you seen Jo since your arrival? I could be wrong but I seem to recall that she is in your neighborhood, though not the person we discussing here.

Good Luck.

[Peachie]

GG, Mr. Peachie and I were having a discussion about your dilemma and were wondering if you and Sweetie had thought about hosting "clothing optional" parties in your backyard?

[tkret]

Originally Posted by Peachie

GG, Mr. Peachie and I were having a discussion about your dilemma and were wondering if you and Sweetie had thought about hosting "clothing optional" parties in your backyard?

Good one, Peachie. But, GG had better make sure FIRST that her neighbor isn't into that, too. Good one by you.

[Cassie325]

Originally Posted by Peachie

GG, Mr. Peachie and I were having a discussion about your dilemma and were wondering if you and Sweetie had thought about hosting "clothing optional" parties in your backyard?

Careful....they might be the type of neighbors that would come join in....and want to help decorate for the occassion!!

[chelsea24]

awww GG, I just read this. That's awful. I would call right away also. A friends of mine's Mom was like that and believe me, there was never enough. She just kept adding to the junk. Do yourself and your neighborhood a favor and call. That's really bad.

[Boomer]

GG,

Although we have never really met, and it is not exactly like I really know you, for some reason this thing is really me off!!!!!

When I read your post, my first thought was, "GG, are you sure that you did not play a practical joke on your neighbors the last time you were here, and now they knew you were arriving so they are getting back at you?"

But then I realized that this is serious.

And this is wrong. They knew the drill coming in just like everybody else who signs on the line.

But let's think about this a minute......

While this is most certainly a problem for you (which I am incensed about, btw), this is an even bigger problem for the developer himself.

Here's why........

Even though TV may not have been hit quite as hard by the woes of the real estate market, the sales I am sure have not been so easy as in the past. And those Boomer Bucks that so many have planned on taking to the bank are not so easy to come by as was once thought. The developer knows all this.

When potential buyers cruise TV, one of the things that stands out the most is how beautifully the properties are kept. That is a huge selling point. Thus, the restrictions.

Therefore, the developer surely figured out long ago how to not let this kind of bizarre protest take hold.

GG, this is not only about the eyesores that some consider beautiful, this is about money and profit. The developer wants to sell houses. Surely, something can and will be done. Your neighbors may fancy themselves a test case. But something tells me that this kind of thing has been tested before. The developer is not likely to tolerate anything that will interfere with sales.

Let me know if you want me to pull up in the Boomermobile that has the Bose speakers and blast my Rolling Stones CD with "Hey! You! Get Off My Cloud!" in front of their house at certain times of the day or night. (Remember Noriega?)

Wow, GG! This is sure making me grouchy this morning.

I wish you the best. I think the developer will get it covered. Lots of people are watching.

(Oh and I was just kidding about those Noriega tactics. Sometimes my brain does work that way though when I hear about something that is NOT FAIR!!!) These people knew coming in.

I am going to go see "Hairspray" at the theater this afternoon. That will make me smile while I remember all that work I did teasing my hair for all those many hours of my teenage years.

Good luck, GG.

I am watching.

Boomer

[redwitch]

First, welcome back!

I know it is hard to complain and you're always afraid it will backfire but it sounds like you're absolutely miserable. Hon, bite the bullet and complain. They are breaking the covenants they agreed to. Let CCWD handle it -- that's their job -- and it certainly beats you having to talk to her about her decor or coming home and seeing that mess. BTW -- When you do call be sure and mention the back. Community Watch only sees the front.

[tkret]

Boomer ... right on the money with your advice.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by chelsea24

awww GG, I just read this. That's awful. I would call right away also. A friends of mine's Mom was like that and believe me, there was never enough. She just kept adding to the junk. Do yourself and your neighborhood a favor and call. That's really bad.

Gg, I agree with Chels. If it makes your stomach hurt, you gotta call.

I know you're a nice person and you don't want to make "bad neighbours".
But they are blatantly defying the covenants, which are in place to preserve our property values.

[islandgal]

OMG, GG - Just reading your post has given me a headache.

Surely there are other neighbors who feel the same way. Perhaps several of you could schedule a meeting with the powers that be, rather than phone in a complaint.
Keep us posted..................I am so sorry - what a bummer...

[Cassie325]

I would imagine others in the neighborhood have already called if they have already received two letters! This person obviously does not care about the covenants that they signed.

She poised a good question though....what can they do to her? Does anyone know? Honestly GG....they can call her and send her letters and knock on her door....BUT what is the end result if she doesn't remove it?

I really am being sincere here....please take it that way. Even in the community outside of TV's where we are...there are strict rules...and if someone continuously breaks them....amentity rights are taken away.

I would think Tal or zcaveman or 07 might know this answer.

Red has a point too....make sure you point out the back....she is "decorating" TV's property....

Oh yuk~!! I hate fake flowers outside!!

One thought is.....if the complaining doesn't work....get a group of your friends together for dinner on a night when you know they are not home....and have a clean up the neighborhood party....

[tkret]

Originally Posted by Cassie325

I would imagine others in the neighborhood have already called if they have already received two letters! This person obviously does not care about the covenants that they signed.

She poised a good question though....what can they do to her? Does anyone know? Honestly GG....they can call her and send her letters and knock on her door....BUT what is the end result if she doesn't remove it?

I really am being sincere here....please take it that way. Even in the community outside of TV's where we are...there are strict rules...and if someone continuously breaks them....amentity rights are taken away.

I would think Tal or zcaveman or 07 might know this answer.

Red has a point too....make sure you point out the back....she is "decorating" TV's property....

Oh yuk~!! I hate fake flowers outside!!

One thought is.....if the complaining doesn't work....get a group of your friends together for dinner on a night when you know they are not home....and have a clean up the neighborhood party....

I believe that the HOA can levy a monetary fine against the homeowner and, if not paid, a lien can be placed against the home. The home cannot be sold until the fine is paid and the lien satified. Of course, there could be different rules in TV than elsewhere, but I bet it's the same.