Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, in a land called America, the citizens were free.  They adopted a set of rules, guaranteeing that the freedoms the founders fought for would last through the ages and be passed on from generation to generation. To ensure that their grandchildren and their grandchildren’s grandchildren  would remain free, they wrote the Bill of Rights.  These rights included such basic things as the freedom of religion, speech, assembly, to be secure in their homes,  be deprived of life, liberty and property without due process of the law, be subject to excessive fines.  And the concept worked – for awhile. 
 
And then the government gave the citizens home and condo associations and told them the associations would protect their property values and once the owners were drawn in they started losing the rights their forefathers fought so hard to give them.  But a few of the owners have decided to fight back and reclaim their rights as free citizens.  But how does one turn back the clock to the days when free people were allowed to be free?  Will they be able to get together, celebrate the holidays, decorate their homes and worship and communicate with each other? 
 
On The Commons this week we are joined by Don Schellhardt.  Don is the founder and president of www.hfagroup.net .  He is an attorney and a HAM as well.  Because of the restrictions on antennas by HOAs and condos, many HAM operators are finding that they not only cannot enjoy their hobby but also are not able to provide certain protections to their communities.  So Don and his fellow HAMs tried to get the FCC involved but they said “No Thanks” so Don approached CAI and asked if they could come to some understanding, perhaps encouraging some HOAs to allow antennas.  The two members of CAI agreed and posted an article on CAI’s web page.  The article is very difficult to find and attempts to access it prior to the show failed.  I have since found it  and hope this link works for you.  http://www.caionline.org/govt/news/Political%20HeadsUp%20Public%20Document%20Library/ham_radio.pdf  Please join us On The Commons.   We’ll learn more about HAMS and what they provide the community.  We’ll learn about antennas and also why we should ALL support allowing HAM antennas in HOAs. 

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.
 
Foreclosures are everywhere.  Drive through any neighborhood and chances are you will see signs of vacant houses, “For Sale” signs with “Bank owned” riders,  homes noticeably neglected and abandoned.  The newspapers and other media outlets report on the sheer number of homes that are being foreclosed on.  The news on the economy is equally dire.  What on earth is going on?  Is there a connection between the economy and all the foreclosures?

On The Commons this week we are joined by April Charney.  April, described as the angel of foreclosure defense by MSNBC and awesome by some of her clients, is a Jackson Area Legal Aid attorney in Florida who has earned the reputation of being the leading expert on foreclosures.  She speaks at seminars across the country and trains attorneys to defend homeowners.  She is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates www.naca.net and was named National Consumer Lawyer of the year in 2007.  Please join us On The Commons this Saturday, January 17, 2009.   We’ll talk to April and  try to demystify what is happening.  We’ll also find out  what we should do as individuals, and as communities, to protect ourselves and where to find a competent attorney to represent us should we need one.  You don’t want to miss this one. 

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.
 
There is a mistaken belief that a homeowner’s association will enhance and protect property values.  This little lie has been repeated over and over again since the early days when housing consumers were first being led to HOAs like lambs to the slaughter house.  Yet Americans cling to the notion that their property values will be protected from unapproved hoses, red doors and cars up on blocks.  What will it take to dispel this myth?  Will homeowners ever realize that their property values could be adversely affected by the HOA? 
 
On The Commons this week we are joined by Jan Bergemann.  Jan, president of the Florida based Cyber Citizens for Justice www.ccfj.net , has been very active with Florida’s thousands of condo and HOA owners.  CCFJ has hosted Town Hall meetings, put on seminars, attended hearings organized by state legislators, conducted their own survey and worked with all the pro owner groups and individuals.  Because Jan also fields a number of calls from owners as well as reporters. he has his finger on the pulse of the latest issues and hot buttons.  Please join us On The Commons.   We’ll find out what happened at the latest Town Hall meeting they had and talk about just how well values are holding up in the current times.