On Sat, 03 Apr 2004 16:57:41 GMT, figaro wrote:

I guess I just never understood why you should have to "come to the
meetings,volunteer to be on the board, do the paperwork for grants and
activities, and hide the eggs and dress up in the bunny costume for the
Easter Egg Hunt in the park," just to live in peace on your own property
without someone else telling you how they think you should live.

I was enumerating the many and varied things that the 'core' people
do, not a list of requirements. If you wish to "live and let live,"
you're surely free to do so. Perhaps others around you have contrary
ideas as to "how they think you should live." If you don't participate
in the process, you have no right to complain when the process runs
you over. It is my view that this particular neighborhood
association was formed at least in part to promote the interests of a
specific, small, 'elitist' group. However, as I mentioned, 1,600
households are eligible to take part. If they choose not to, they can
scarcely complain about speed bumps and yard sales. City Council
meetings are similarly ill-attended unless a particularly
controversial issue is being discussed. You can't depend on others
to safeguard your particular interests in the way you prefer.