u/Capital-Bobcat8270

We live in a tiny, quiet, semi-rural neighborhood of only about 20 homes, each sitting on multiple acres. This is not some dense subdivision with shared amenities, a clubhouse, or neighbors packed ten feet apart. Most of us moved here because we wanted space, privacy, and to be left alone.

Unfortunately, the HOA board apparently decided that wasn’t enough excitement for them and started pushing more and more unnecessary rules and overreach.

So instead of just complaining, a few of us got organized.

We canvassed the neighborhood, knocked on doors, talked directly to our neighbors, explained what the board was doing, and made the case for why people needed to vote. No Facebook drama, no anonymous letters, no screaming matches. We simply got out, spoke to people face to face, and made sure everyone understood what was at stake.

And it worked.

We got the votes, replaced the problem board members, and took control of the HOA. The mandate is simple: maintain only what actually needs to be maintained, handle the basic legal and financial obligations, and otherwise leave people alone.

No personal kingdoms. No inventing problems to solve. No treating adults on multi-acre properties like children who need permission to live in their own homes.

We won, and now the HOA can go back to being boring, which is exactly what an HOA should be.

Now we can all get back to living our lives.

Edit: There is no vote to dissolve the HOA. It requires signatures from 2/3 of the owners, so 14 in this case. I have about 10 totally committed, and will work on getting the rest. This was a stop gap measure as they were getting ready to vote on the new rules, restrictions, inspections, etc. This HOA owns no property and only provides us with trash service and rules to follow. It is mostly useless.

Tracks, like blades, I would consider consumables. I have hundreds of hours on my mower and the tracks are starting to show this. Are there any plans to allow us to purchase replacements? If not, are the tracks covered for wear by warranty. Seems silly to have to go through the whole tedious replacement process for such a simple item.

u/SuccessfulPhysics661 any clue if this will happen?

I’ve been going to a small, family-owned joint once a week for a few years now. They know me so well that all I ever have to say when I walk up is "the usual." I had an injury a few months ago and was out on disability, and when I finally came back, they genuinely noticed and asked how I was doing. Just super nice, solid people.

It’s not a traditional sit-down place, you order at the counter, pay, and they drop the food off at your table. When you pay by card, there isn't even a tip prompt on the screen, so I’ve honestly never tipped there before.

I usually try to show up before noon because the lunch rush gets crazy and wait times get long. Today, I got stuck at work and showed up way later than usual during peak rush. I walked up, ordered my regular dish, and went to find a seat.

A few minutes later, my food arrived. I looked around and realized no one else who was sitting down before me had their food yet. The person dropping it off smiled and told me that as soon as the cook saw me walk through the door, she started my order before I even made it to the counter.

I was so blown away by the gesture that I dropped a $50 bill on the counter on my way out. They actually tried to refuse it, but it was the only cash I had on me and I insisted.

In a world where every iPad screen demands a 25% tip for handing you a bottle of water, this is what tipping was originally meant to be: rewarding exceptional, personal service that goes above and beyond.

TL;DR: My local spot’s cook started my "usual" the second I walked in the door during a huge rush. Tipped $50 for actual service.

I’ve been going to a small, family-owned joint once a week for a few years now. They know me so well that all I ever have to say when I walk up is "the usual." I had an injury a few months ago and was out on disability, and when I finally came back, they genuinely noticed and asked how I was doing. Just super nice, solid people.

It’s not a traditional sit-down place, you order at the counter, pay, and they drop the food off at your table. When you pay by card, there isn't even a tip prompt on the screen, so I’ve honestly never tipped there before.

I usually try to show up before noon because the lunch rush gets crazy and wait times get long. Today, I got stuck at work and showed up way later than usual during peak rush. I walked up, ordered my regular dish, and went to find a seat.

A few minutes later, my food arrived. I looked around and realized no one else who was sitting down before me had their food yet. The person dropping it off smiled and told me that as soon as the cook saw me walk through the door, she started my order before I even made it to the counter.

I was so blown away by the gesture that I dropped a $50 bill on the counter on my way out. They actually tried to refuse it, but it was the only cash I had on me and I insisted.

In a world where every iPad screen demands a 25% tip for handing you a bottle of water, this is what tipping was originally meant to be: rewarding exceptional, personal service that goes above and beyond.

TL;DR: My local spot’s cook started my "usual" the second I walked in the door during a huge rush. Tipped $50 for actual service.

Edit: Not a flex, not a server, not a made up story. Just working people who deserved something extra because of service they consistently provide.

I smell conflict of interest. We have a tiny HOA of 20 properties. All multiple acres in a rural farmland setting. The HOA has no common property, no amenities, they own nothing. This is a vestige of the developer who went away years ago. I see that one of the board members is a partner in an insurance firm that seems to specialize in HOA insurance. Anyway I sent a letter to the management company asking for clarification. I want to use this information as part of the justification to dissolve the HOA.

I am requesting copies of all records related to the HOA’s current and prior insurance coverage, including but not limited to:

- All current HOA insurance policies and declarations pages
- Prior year insurance policies and declarations pages
- Insurance certificates
- Invoices, premium statements, and payment records
- Coverage summaries showing policy type, carrier, broker/agent, limits, deductibles, effective dates, and annual premium
- Any proposals, quotes, competing bids, or comparisons considered before selecting the current insurance provider
- Board meeting minutes where the insurance coverage or provider was discussed or approved
- Any written consents, resolutions, or approvals related to the insurance provider or coverage
- Any disclosures, recusals, or conflict-of-interest records related to the insurance provider

Please also confirm whether any current or former board member, officer, relative of a board member, employer, business partner, or affiliated company has any financial interest in the insurance agency, brokerage, carrier, referral, commission, or other compensation related to the HOA’s insurance coverage.

If a current or former board member, officer, or affiliated business receives any broker fee, commission, referral fee, or other compensation from the HOA’s insurance coverage, please identify the person or entity, the nature of the relationship, the amount or percentage of compensation, and when/how that relationship was disclosed to the board and homeowners.

Since the HOA does not appear to own common property or amenities, please also identify what specific risks, property, common areas, or HOA obligations the current insurance policies are intended to cover.

Please provide these records electronically by email if possible. If there are any copying or administrative fees, please let me know the amount in advance before processing the request.

Thank you,

I have some culverts and ditches that this mower always has trouble with. I have tried multiple ways of zoning it and adjusting striping, but it still ends up getting stuck after doing the perimeter. I would like to see a programming mode where you drive the mower around and then you can "play back" that mow when you want.

What are your thoughts? Does this sound useful?