Drop him some e-mail. While he can't answer individual questions directly, he will use the most interesting questions in future columns. Attracted by brochures boasting of 24-hour security, you buy the house of your dreams. You don't realize, however, that the developer was paying all or part of the cost of that security. Once the homeowner association is turned over to owners, security becomes your responsibility.
Many associations then decide to eliminate guards or invest in a telephone-entry system instead.
The 140 owners at the time approved. Later in the year all 219 houses were sold and the association could afford 24-hour guards without increasing maintenance fees. On May 8, directors informally polled owners, who said yes to the guards. So the board decided to implement 24-hour guards. At least one owner vehemently disagrees.