[IROC]

We recently moved into a new neighborhood and I attended my first HOA meeting a couple of weeks ago. I was shocked at the arguing and pissing and moaning and the total disrespect (by the HOA president) for the rules of order and other people's feelings. What is going on here? Does power truly corrupt people this easily?

One older gentleman even talked for a few minutes about how the HOA board was in violation of TN law by holding HOA meetings in secret (not allowing HOA members to attend when business is being conducted) and also making decisions via email that are supposed to be voted on by the HOA members. He had well researched his position and presented his case very well. The president simply said, "Are you done talking yet?" and went on to something else.

BTW, they're already on to me because the condensing unit of my heat pump isn't completely screened from view (one of the covenants). I walked up and down the street and with the exception of two houses, no one's AC units are screened from view! (and some of these people have been there for as long as 2 years) I told the HOA that it is obvious that this covenant is not being enforced and I wasn't going to do anything about it. We'll see how that works out.