DATE: JULY 3, 2001
TO:
Assemblyman John Dutra (D-20) - Author AB 555 - EMAIL
Consultant Chris Tapio
Scheduler Heather Wright
Assemblyman Lou Correa (D-69)- Co-Author AB555 EMAIL
Chair Business & Professions Committee
Consultant Business & Professions Committee: Jay Greenwood - Analyst AB555 -
Scheduler: Diane Schaubach
Chief of Staff: John Scribner
Assemblyman John Campbell (R-70)- Supporter for AB555 - EMAIL
Vice Chair -Business & Professions Committee
Homeowners have repeatedly asked to be consulted on this bill, and so far, none have been consulted.
Yet, industry lobbyists had full access to assemblymen Correa and Dutra in order to promote AB 555.
In fact, Mr. Dutra and Mr. Correa were the keynote speakers at the CAI lobbying meeting at the Sacramento Convention Center.
All this is in sharp contrast to how homeowners were treated. As an example, assemblyman. Campbell cancelled a meeting with some of his Irvine constituents, and told them that he had no foreseeable opening to meet with them.
But this is not all.
There has been falsification of government records by at least Mr. Dutra, Mr. Correa and Mr. Greenwood in order to conceal from other legislators that homeowners are very strongly opposed to AB555.
It has been falsely represented to the legislature that "numerous community associations" support this bill, when, in fact, not one single association has supported it.
Mr. Dutra (D), Mr.Correa(D), Mr. Campbell (R) and Mr. Tapio have concealed all homeowner opposition to AB 555 to ensure its passage so that vendors would have an automatic gold mine and homeowners would be stripped of all their right to manage their managers.
We have been told by several sources that Governor Gray Davis (D), the godfather of the California homeowner association laws that enslave homeowners, wants this bill. Hence all Democratic assembly members are pushing this bill.
The behind the scenes machinations to get this bill passed violate both the legislatures own rules and the fundamental rights of homeowners.
In light of the above, we request that this bill be immediately withdrawn.
Homeowners for years have pressed for the proper management of associations.
Homeowners believe that any scheme to license managers has to be based on at least the following principles:
1. The supervising council has to be composed of homeowners with no homeowner association industry connection.
2. The licensing process shall include a rigorous set of courses to educate future managers in all aspects of association management with a thorough comprehensive examination at the end. This series of courses shall include an ethical component as central to the course.
3. This series of courses shall be offered at community colleges and subject to all the requirements of community college courses, including full faculty review and evaluation. The instructors should not be vendors, legal or otherwise.
4. There shall be no grandfathering of existing management personnel. Many current managers are all CAI trained and indoctrinated with anti-homeowner philosophy . They have consistently attempted to convert homeowner savings and assets into legal fees for lawyers and finders fees and court appearance and witness fees for themselves.
Homeowners thus request that the existing bill be replaced by one that incorporates the above elements. Licensing of managers is of great importance to homeowners, and the job has to be done right.
Past legislation dealing with homeowner associations has royally botched the job because industry vendors had complete sway over the legislation. Let us do it right for once.
We would appreciate your prompt and candid response. Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely ,
Elizabeth McMahon
Executive Director
American Homeowners Resource Center
cc: State of California Government Rules Committee, Members of the Assembly and Senate
