Once again we were battling with the condo's HOA.
(look up the Xerces Society)
Thanks to my kidults, especially Kate, we have an amazing space around our condo. All native plants (except what was sparsely plopped into the ground). Green and lush and healthy. Most yards are bare to the dirt with exposed roots. 30 year old trees that are pathetic and disease prone.
Kate saves all the leaves and creates a show stopping miniyard which composts and feeds all the living trees and bushes. When the landscape service came round and started raking "her" leaves, just bounded out to ask them to leave the leaves. Poor Spanish speaking worker felt so bad he went around to the truck and brought them back. He then stayed to help her spread them around.
Two weeks later, it was once again time to rake away the leaves. She had put up the above sign to explain WHY she wanted the leaves. When that same worker came by, he did not stop to rake our 40 sq ft of composting heaven. His supervisor came by and they had words. Residents are not to talk to the help. They get their orders from the HOA. Soon after, we got an email from the property management company:
The Board is responsible for making decisions regarding the management of landscaping and values your input. However, we kindly request that you refrain from addressing or engaging directly with the landscapers who are tasked with implementing the Board's directives. Should you wish to bring any concerns or suggestions to the Board's attention, please submit them in writing for consideration. Thank you.
Subject: Request for Consideration Regarding Leaf Removal
Dear [HOA Representative’s Name],I hope this email finds you well. I recently received your request to remove the leaves from our side yard, and I wanted to take a moment to provide some context and request reconsideration.Our yard is intentionally maintained in a way that supports local biodiversity, including beneficial insects and pollinators, which rely on leaf cover during the colder months. Many environmental experts, including those from the National Wildlife Federation and Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, recommend leaving leaves in place until consistent warmer temperatures—typically two weeks of 60-degree weather— to allow overwintering insects to safely emerge.I understand that the landscaping crew mistakenly removed the leaves and then attempted to restore them after realizing the error, which may have drawn additional attention to the area. Given that leaf litter plays an important role in soil enrichment and ecosystem health, I’d like to request that the leaves remain in place until we reach that recommended temperature threshold.I truly appreciate the HOA’s commitment to maintaining a beautiful and well-kept community, and I believe that allowing natural leaf decomposition to run its course—at least for a little longer—aligns with best environmental practices while keeping our shared spaces healthy and sustainable. Please let me know if we can find a reasonable compromise.Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.
Which we adjusted to make it our own. He used ChatGPT to generate this! Of course, I had to learn more about this as I am having issues with several companies and their Customer NOservice.
All you need do is give them a sentence with key words and the app regurgitates a spectacular letter! In just DAYS of ChatGPT responses (after weeks of back and forth emails ... daily in some cases) two of the three are RESOLVED.
I am now a happy camper!
(Sorry, cut my own bangs and way too short!)
AI has its places and it did a good job on this letter. Did it accomplish its goal?
ReplyDeleteWith the HOA, the letter just bought us time so that Kate could gather up her leaves and move them to a better environment at the native plant nursery where she works. No one there will ever knowingly kill a spider or bug. Kate actually brought home a baby jumping spider, bought a plexiglass container, added perches and ladders and a felt hammock for him. Now he is HUGE and looks like he is smiling.
ReplyDeleteThe letter to Venmo got my deposits to grandson's teen account returned to me (he was unable to access them ...) The letter to Amazon secured my refund that I have been asking about for almost TWO MONTHS! The power of the pen.
My personal opinion is that so many HOA's are The Devil. I hope you did get a reasonable compromise and solution to this difference of opinion between Residents and your HOA about the Leave. I'm glad we moved from an HOA run Community and now don't have one to deal with anymore.
ReplyDeleteI'd say 95% of HOA's are narrow minded power hungry little people with nothing else to do. I had an acquaintance who lived in a 55+ community that will tell them what COLORS of annuals they could plant each year. And they are almost impossible to dissolve.
DeleteIt was an OK compromise if you want to read my comment after Misadventures of Widowhood. Kate moved the leaves to the native plant nursery. Hopefully all the bugs and bees were not harmed. THANKS for reading!