Saturday, February 12, 2005

Monterey County Herald | 02/11/2005 | Push for mandatory health
Now, does this qualify as galloping socialism, or is it still creeping?

SAN JOSE - A sweeping, bipartisan health reform plan that would require all Californians to purchase basic health insurance -- or have their wages garnished -- is drawing a lot of attention in Sacramento, but insiders say the plan in its current form doesn't stand much of a chance.

Boing Boing: Witold Rybczynski on Disney's planned Florida community
Mystery Reader located this commentary on Celebration from a distinguished urban planning professor at the Wharton School. It contains the following pithy comment, with which I would agree based on my visit to Celebration:
"The truth is that despite its best efforts, the populist Disney Co. has produced an elitist product. This attractively designed town may be cause for celebration, but it is no panacea."
Crime - More firebomb suspects sought - sacbee.com
The ever-vigilant Fred Pilot found this key paragraph in a story on a bunch of eco-terrorists:

The bombs were set, the letter states, "in honor of everyone ... who feels their rural lifestyles are being threatened by these mass-produced design communities."

The Auburn office building was targeted "as a statement against work and the horror of the cubicle," the letter said.

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

TheKCRAChannel.com - News - Display Stirs Controversy In Land Park
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Nestled in a quiet Sacramento neighborhood is a very loud political statement that is testing the very foundation of the right to free speech. Hanging from a house in Land Park, a soldier's uniform in a noose dangles from a rooftop. The words "your tax dollars at work" are scrolled across the chest.
[more]

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Given that the neighbors are calling the police, I think we can safely assume there is no HOA. If there were, I think this offensive display would be long gone.

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

O'Toole v. Los Angeles Kingsbury Court Owners Association

Here's a major decision on owners being ultimately liable for judgments due to board decisions--if the insurance company doesn't pay it, guess who does? Members--by special assessment, court-ordered if necessary.

Read and learn...

Sunday, February 06, 2005

The Daily Inter Lake:Man sentenced in HOA embezzlement case

Fred Pilot found this:

A man who embezzled from the Meadow Lake Homeowners Association was sentenced Thursday to 20 years with 15 suspended. Theodore Hodges previously pleaded guilty to theft and forgery, both felonies. He must pay restitution of $122,600, plus about $300 in fees in surcharges.
[more]
The Daily Inter Lake:Man sentenced in HOA embezzlement case

Fred Pilot found this:

A man who embezzled from the Meadow Lake Homeowners Association was sentenced Thursday to 20 years with 15 suspended. Theodore Hodges previously pleaded guilty to theft and forgery, both felonies. He must pay restitution of $122,600, plus about $300 in fees in surcharges.
[more]