Hosted and produced by Shu Bartholomew, On The Commons is a weekly radio show dedicated to discussing the many issues surrounding mandatory homeowner associations, the fastest growing form of residential housing in the nation. 
 
The opposite of order is, I am told, chaos and heavens, we really can’t have that.  Therefore, in an orderly society we follow the rules.  So rules are rules and we are to obey them.  At least that is what the rule books all say.  There are harsh penalties for violating some rules. I am not talking about laws here, but rules.  And in a civilized society I quite agree with the notion of adhering to certain norms and accepted standards but does that mean we have to obey every single rule that some bright spark entered into a rule book someplace?  And what about the rules that are so ludicrous?  If the rules harm us, are we required to endanger ourselves for the sake of a rule?  And how on earth do we end up with such stupid rules in the first place? 
 
On The Commons this week we are joined by Kent Nauman. Kent, a condo owner,  has experienced firsthand what happens when he violated a leash rule adopted by the board of his association.  The rule limits the length of pet leashes to 4 feet but a short leash on his two dogs would cause him to fall.  We’ll  hear more about this particular rule and we’ll find out how it affects Kent, why following it would cause him harm and the next step in this 6 year battle.  During the second half of the show we are joined by Jean Winters.  Jean is a Florida attorney who got her law degree after having had a long career as an electrical engineer and now is in a select group of attorneys who represent homeowners, as well as some homeowner associations.  Jean has a lot of insight in what is happening in Florida’s many condo and homeowner associations.  Please join us On The Commons this Saturday, September 27, 2008.  We’ll find out about stupid rules, abusive boards and attorneys who try to make some sense of it all.

Hosted and produced by Shu Bartholomew, On The Commons is a weekly radio show dedicated to discussing the many issues surrounding mandatory homeowner associations, the fastest growing form of residential housing in the nation.
 
Owning property is a fundamental aspect of the American Dream.  Whether the property is just a small lot with a house or business on it, a ranch or a farm or several acres of raw, undeveloped land, it represents the fruits of the owner’s labors.  There is a tacit understanding that ownership conveys rights and control over one’s holdings.  Or it should.  However, over the years federal, state and local mandates, laws and policies have chipped away at the rights that are inherent with ownership. 
 
And what are the laws and who are the agencies that could potentially strip you of your use and enjoyment of your home? 
 
On The Commons this week we are joined by Don Corace. Don is a long time developer, businessman and author of the must read Government Pirates: The Assault on Private Property Rights and How We Can Fight it.  The book is well organized in an easy to read format, explaining the laws and the agencies charged with administering them.  However, the best part of the book are the dozens of stories woven throughout the pages that illustrate the horrors and abuses inflicted on the owners and the absurdities of enforcing some of these laws.  Don has testified before Congress on issues related to property rights and is a much sought after speaker and media guest.  Please join us On The Commons this Saturday, September 13, 2008.  We’ll talk about the laws, the abuses and some of the stories.  We’ll also find out what we, as citizens, can do to stop the tide of abuses from completely taking over.  You won’t want to miss this one.  You can visit Don’s web site at www.governmentpirates.com   

Hosted and produced by Shu Bartholomew, On The Commons is a weekly radio show dedicated to discussing the many issues surrounding mandatory homeowner associations, the fastest growing form of residential housing in the nation.
 
When mandatory membership associations first came on the scene, developers feared housing consumers would shy away from these new fangled developments where the owners would give up some of the rights and individual choices inherent with property ownership.  In the 60’s and 70’s Americans could never have foreseen a life where every little aspect of their homes and private lives would be micromanaged.  The notion that they would have to get permission for everything, from where to park to what to plant and whether or not they could have pets and kids, was unfathonamable.   That sort of thing happened in other countries, not here!  How very un-American!  But over the next decades, American property owners lost more and more rights, rights they took for granted and believed they will always have. And now those same forces that cajoled and cooed and convinced Americans that giving up their rights would protect them, would protect their property values, would protect their neighborhoods are at it again.  Only now “they” are bigger and the stakes are higher.
 
So how much more are we willing to lose?  How far is too far?  At what point do Americans decide they have lost enough and are not willing to lose more rights and assets? 
 
And when that point finally comes, will there be anything left to salvage?  
 
On The Commons this week we are joined by Tom DeWeese.  Tom is the founder and president of the Virginia based Amercian Policy Center.  , a grass roots action and education foundation.  He believes that well informed citizens are the best hope we have of preserving the promise that is America and in that vein that he publishes several newsletters and is very active on the speaking circuit, alerting Americans to the perils lurking in the shadows.  Tom has the ability to connect all the seeming unconnected issues and weave them into a pretty scary picture. Please join us On The Commons.  We’ll talk a little about eminent domain, the trans Texas corridor, Smart Growth, Going Green and a whole host of other hot topics.  This is a must listen show.