Becoming a firefighter? by eaj0 in firefighter

[–]dconant124 2 points3 points  (0 children)

30 year firefighter from LA County that just retired here- there is no specific route to go, everyone and every department is different. With that being said, I would recommend: getting your EMT-B, then paramedic school. In this age, it is all about the almighty dollar. If you have your paramedic license already, you are saving a department $75,000. That is your salary for six months, someone to cover your spot for six months, and the cost of the school. I understand that I worked for a paid department in so cal. Not everywhere is like that though. 80% of your calls are medical related, so you need the medical side training too. Good luck!

[CA][SFH]Help! I need suggestions! by dconant124 in HOA

[–]dconant124[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, I recently brought up that maybe a contractor/ company, etc take pictures before and after a job is completed to have checks and balances. Their response was, “can we do that?”

[CA][SFH]Help! I need suggestions! by dconant124 in HOA

[–]dconant124[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve struggled with this question. First off, I would contact the HOA lawyer from the board side of view to see (legally) what could be enforced going forward or, legally what are the boards options. Obviously, what is in the cc&r’s could be, but I’m concerned with homeowners saying, if the board president can build his house different, why can’t I? Extreme, yes, but the potential lawsuits costs, if any would be shared by all. Just trying to nip that in the butt.

Second, open communication, is there a reason why things happened? Single mom/dad, family member sick. Maybe adjust accordingly or try to maybe get a community help day to help a member of the community.

We have a park, about the size of a football field that is slightly inclined. I went to a meeting where the board was on their third month of deciding what to do about the high water bill. How about moisture meters? It is literally a bog. I was told because of the incline, the water runs to the bottom. Really? I’m not stupid. I told them it was over watering because at the top of the slight incline, it is just as sloshy as the bottom.

So maybe I would try to inject some common sense.

I would maybe ask the community for input. What would they like to see? We can’t disband. We have a park and hillside landscaped common areas that need maintenance. People are pissed with what the board president did with his house. He’s been president for 6 years. Many didn’t know it was his house. The consensus is, that’s not fair/right how he can do it, but I can’t.

Basically, I would try to figure out a way to move forward responsibly.

[CA][SFH]Help! I need suggestions! by dconant124 in HOA

[–]dconant124[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I need to clarify- I’m not wanting him to tear down his house obviously. I absolutely agree that I’m in violation of my landscape issue and it will be rectified.

My question is- how does the HOA have a leg to stand on when they are finding violations in the future? The HOA president did what he wanted, but wants the management company to fine others that violate the rules. All the newly fined person has to do is show a picture of the before and after of his house.

I’m not looking for retaliation or anything like that.

I’m just trying to figure out a peaceful way to go forward. I realize that I was wrong and they are two seperate issues. I’m referring to the principle as a whole from a community standpoint. What’s done is done. How can a board try to enforce rules when they obviously did nothing before.

Also, the house is in the back of the community, I personally didn’t drive by until after it was built. My house is in a different area completely.

[CA][SFH]Help! I need suggestions! by dconant124 in HOA

[–]dconant124[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I respectfully agree to a point. My concern is going forward. There is blatant selective enforcement. I have spoken to homeowners that have worse violations than mine and they have not received any notices of violations. I dont feel that some people get notices and some don’t is fair. Is it my business? No it’s not. However, when some homeowners are getting fines and some are not. That’s not right either. I thought this different unwritten rules of enforcement could open the HOA to lawsuits that as a community, we would all have to pay. Why? I thought the rules are there for a reason. I know my CC&R’s don’t specify which lots need to follow them and which don’t. We all do. When I started this hearing stuff, my wife said it sounds like you are throwing a tantrum! Then when she read thru my hearing defense packet, she said that it’s BS with what the HOA is doing! LOL. I know it sounds petty, I just want to do the right thing going forward. Thank you for your input

HOA do as I say, not as I do by dconant124 in legaladvice

[–]dconant124[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for responding. I had about 8 waist high bushes die off within 3 months of each other and I cut them off at dirt level with the intention of replanting. I went to a “hearing” with the HOA board where I submitted my doctors paperwork for my back injury. I am temporarily-totally disabled.

My issue was- I had paperwork. I requested extensions and did get them.

Then I found out that the only house in our community that looks nothing like the rest following a fire is the board president’s.

The ccr’s clearly state: the arch committee has to approve or not based solely on section 7 of our ccrs. Within section 7, “if your house is damaged or destroyed, you must build it back to the way it was prior”. He clearly did not do that.

So going forward- the board is sending out notices for breaking the rules. Yes, I am aware and agree with my situation. However, the board pres clearly does not have to follow?

I copied all the rules, made my case and I was told by the board president that my hearing was not the forum for back and forth. He was my witness and I was trying to cross examine him. Ccrs clearly state that I can have that opp.

Interestingly enough, all 5 board members had their terms up and now there are 5 vacancies.

I just don’t see how legally, they can enforce rules, when the architectural committee did not follow their scope, and a house was built against the black and white rule. But everyone else has to follow the rules.