Randy Young, TLIA President
Isn’t the anticipation of spring wonderful? It’s such an optimistic time!
One of the great opportunities I have had in my life here in Tower Lakes has been to serve our community. As president, I have seen everyone’s joy and excitement at our Fourth of July festivities, the great smiles of kids at Youth Committee events, amazing progress by the Lake Committee, and the hard work of volunteers on cleanup days. Those are the everyday happenings of our community and the embodiment of the joy of living in Tower Lakes.
Like a moth coming out of its cocoon, I have also witnessed the great work of your Board as they have morphed into a butterfly of restructured finances, methods, and processes, becoming more efficient in managing our resources. We have grown leaps and bounds in recent years.
As spring rolls around each year, we begin to look forward to the trees, flowers, the lake and our entire community emerging from winter and coming alive. But, we also stare directly into the reality of dues deadlines and outstanding balances on member accounts. This year is no different.
I know I have harped on this many, many times and I will continue to harp on it until that sunny day when we no longer need to. So this time I will keep it as short as I can because, just like you, I’m tired of hearing it!
As March 1st comes and goes, the Board, on your behalf, will be sending out 10 demand letters to severely delinquent accounts requesting payment of past due accounts. The Board reviewed these accounts at the February meeting and approved the program to move forward. So I thought I would give you a glimpse of how it works as we attempt to collect the $18,907 of outstanding dues two year in arrears.
First: A letter, from me as president, requesting payment is sent to the owner. If no response is generated, we refer it to legal counsel. They (the lawyers) then send a demand letter. (This is where the Board no longer has contact with the home owner, only the lawyers) If payment is not made or a plan initiated to make payment, or no response is received, a final collection letter, from the lawyers, is served to the owner. If still no response, a forceable lawsuit is generated (this is the nuclear option) which has the ultimate potential of the resident being evicted from the property by the county sheriff until all back dues, legal fees and fines are paid in full.
I’m betting that not many of you we aware that delinquent TLIA dues could lead to eviction! The Board doesn’t like it; I like it less, but that’s the only course of action we have and it is the law.
I just wanted you to know that this is the process and the potential. Your Board is doing its best to make it right for those of us who pay their obligations on time, allowing everyone to enjoy the benefits that TLIA provides.
Thanks for reading and for your support of the Board…I wish you all a nice spring!