Northpinellas: Time for update to rules, enforcement

What an auspicious start for our new year. Another board of directors of a homeowners association is picking on a retiree, Tony Colecchia, a retired and disabled New York City fireman, because his choice of vehicles does not conform with their taste.

These folks need to get a life and understand the real responsibility of their position is to help the members in their community, not intimidate them. I wonder if it was their own funds used to finance these frivolous lawsuits if they would be so aggressive.

My community went through the same stupidities almost 10 years ago concerning pickup trucks. We found after considerable legal expense that the days of sedans were behind us and changed our documents and deed restrictions accordingly. After much research, we decided any non-commercial vehicle for personal use was okay. No signs, advertising, tools, etc.

Association president Steven Mezer seems to be adamant: "It's going to court," he said. I wonder if he is taking this case to court on a contingency basis or charging his hourly fee.

Associations always excuse this kind of brutal and stupid behavior against generally defenseless older people with the refrain that they are protecting property values of the members. Actually, we have found the reverse. Abusive and discriminatory treatment of owners tends to discourage new owners and drives values down.

When we changed our deed restrictions, bringing them up to the 20th century, we hired a professional community manager who has done a superb job of enforcing our reasonable rules.

My village of Harbor Bluffs is a community of 685 private homes that has values increasing at an unbelievable pace since our changes. Prices range between $200,000 and $3-million-plus!

Try it our way, Village of Somerset Woods, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Please tell your association president that his SUV in his driveway is a truck, as is my Lexus SUV.
-- Lewis J. Levy, Largo

Residents are losers in pickup fight

Re: Restriction on pickups may go to court, story, Jan. 1.

I read the story regarding the pickup trucks and deed restrictions and cannot honestly believe that the association's board of directors cannot find a better way to spend their time (and the association's money).

I was of the understanding that one of the main purposes of deed restrictions is to maintain property values, and I can understand banning commercial vehicles, but certainly not a pickup truck. It would appear to me that this board believes that it has the ability to mandate the type of vehicle which its residents must drive.

The only true winner in this battle will be Steven Mezer, the association's attorney. Regardless of who wins or loses, or if the case is settled prior to going to court, he will have charged a substantial sum of money and he will collect it, which will ultimately come directly from the residents of Somerset Woods.

And the loser in the battle? The community of Somerset Woods. With all the media coverage, their community is most likely completely polarized and it will take years before they forget about this senseless issue and recoup the thousands of dollars spent in legal fees. What a shame.
-- Charles Bell, Palm Harbor

Hinesley's raise not out of line

I'm a bit disappointed at the complaints coming from this community regarding the recent salary increase of Dr. Howard Hinesley, superintendent of the Pinellas County school system.

While many people try to make their concern a financial issue, to me it is an educational issue. Under Dr. Hinesley's leadership, this school system has risen to become one of the best-rated in the United States, and especially Florida. Test scores are up. Graduation rates have increased. Special schools to meet student needs have been established. So, I ask, what are these accomplishments worth?

Now, with regard to funding his salary increase, if you divide the $66,000 annual increase by the 18,000 employees in the school system, it amounts to $3.66 per year per employee. I'm confident that most employees would be willing to sacrifice this amount for the peace of mind that comes with a sound school system under excellent leadership.

Finally, in case you feel Dr. Hinesley is overpaid, remember that the highest paid Tampa Bay Devil Rays player makes $17-million per year, or $34,000 per time at bat. Who contributes more to the people of Pinellas County?
-- K.E. Webster, Palm Harbor

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