HOAs need accountability
North Carolina is home to more than 15,000 registered homeowners associations, ranking fifth in the nation. These associations govern communities that house more than 3 million North Carolinians – nearly one-third of the state’s population. Yet, despite this massive reach and authority, North Carolina has no state agency providing oversight or enforcement of HOA operations.
This lack of accountability has left homeowners vulnerable. When HOAs act improperly – whether through mismanagement, lack of transparency, or abuse of power – residents often have nowhere to turn but the courts, an option many cannot afford. While HOAs were originally created to maintain property values and community standards, unchecked power and minimal regulation have led to serious abuses in too many neighborhoods.
Over the years, multiple bipartisan bills have been introduced to create basic oversight mechanisms, including complaint processes, financial transparency rules, and enforcement authority. But every attempt has been quietly killed – largely due to the out-sized influence of national HOA trade groups and industry lobbyists in the General Assembly.
This cannot continue. It is time for North Carolina lawmakers to stand with homeowners – not just industry insiders. We need a state-level oversight agency with real enforcement power, just like other regulated industries that affect millions of residents.
The status quo has failed. As voters and homeowners, we must demand meaningful reform and protect the rights of millions living under HOA rule.
Charles Williams, Leland
The writer is with Citizens for HOA Reform.
Constitutional democracy
In response to the letter published in the July 23 edition of the Cherokee Scout regarding whether the United States is a republic or a democracy, I think it is both. In the 1700s, both words meant the power to govern was held by the people, rather than a monarch.
We are a representative democracy, meaning that we elect our representatives, who vote on public issues for us – as opposed to a direct democracy, in which the people vote directly on issues themselves. Perhaps we could also be called a democratic republic. So, yes, the chair of the Cherokee County Democratic Party was on target with her statement, “This is what democracy looks like.”
If the author of this letter wants to see our Constitution survive, as he stated in his last paragraph, it would be wise for him to encourage U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, and Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, to use their influence in Congress to get their party to stand up to President Donald Trump. We have three co-equal branches of government, with the power of checks and balances as set forth in our Constitution.
Trump denigrates judges who try to hold him in check and tries to ignore their rulings. The Republicans in Congress have completely folded to him, afraid to vote against him, and have turned over the power of the purse to him.
The president tries to control the press, calling anything “fake news” with which he disagrees, and limits which news outlets have access to him. He is also trying to control free speech at universities.
All these actions are in direct contrast to what is outlined in the Constitution. So, yes, I have grave concerns about the Constitution and our country surviving, but apparently for very different reasons than the letter writer.
Elaine Bagley, Asheville
Poor folks in a rich country
There are at least 10 times as many rich people cheating on their taxes as poor people cheating on their welfare. This is akin to tripping over dollars to pick up nickels.
Besides that, if you believe there is Medicaid fraud, then why not have more investigators? Simply kicking 10 million people off Medicaid will be disastrous. Many rural hospitals will close.
Republicans have ensured that the richest country on the globe will have one of the highest poverty rates. Why do so many people vote against themselves?
Jack Montgomery, Ogreeta