Relevant links to statutes, licensing, websites, forums

A not-for-profit corporation originally envisioned to deliver legal and educational services to all members of SLohA; it was later expanded into a vehicle to provide no- and low-cost personal services to Saddlebaggers via "The Angel's Grace".

The primary website is snap.freeforums.net.

There IS Good News in the park! Share it here!

See a great movie, restaurant, website, discount coupon?

Having a commercial activity conducted from SLohA property is strictly forbidden by Covenant. The Board has opened the door and invited KCNetwork to place its business equipment on SLohA common property in 4 locations--so far. KCNetwork currently serves at least 2500 accounts Outside of S-bag.

What happened at the latest board meeting? Also BOD Minutes from recent past. See separate board for archived minutes

Adding an archive of available old Board minutes as they are either "discovered" or become available from Official Records Requests. They will be sorted in subgroups by year.

HOARDERS PLEASE HELP! If you stashed a trunk of papers in the attic and have Minutes from the 80's -2007, please contact Admin! We would like to have an Archive without MANBOD putting us in the poorhouse charging $$ for our Minutes!

Sub-boards: 2015 Minutes, 2014 Minutes, 2013 Minutes, 2012 Minutes, 2011 Minutes, 2010 Minutes, 2009 Minutes, 2008 Minutes, 2007 Minutes, 1989 Minutes, 1988 Minutes, 1987 Minutes, 1986 Minutes, Pre-1986 Minutes

Three 3-year vacancies created by end of terms for Chrls Schlz, Tummy Blkbrn and Clf Jnsn

Three (3) directors retire their terms for this election. Petitions with signatures are due by 4:00 PM Dec 10, 2016

Hopefully, this election year will be conducted according to SLohA Bylaws and we will not have a repeat of last year's fiasco.

One of the most botched efforts ever in the history of SLohA.

Historically, SLohA has not wanted "committees". When committees are ratified by BOD, they are short-lived or ad hoc.

This board will chart the journey of the new crop of Committees of the 2015 BOD.

The name "MANBOD" was born because this term characterizes the mindmeld between MANagement Company and BOD.

"Fiduciary"--one who holds something in trust for another

As anticipated, SLohA has encumbered my previously-free property with revitalized covenants. Follow the lawsuit here.

Listing-by street- of Owners who gave Consent, voted NO and did not return a Consent/Ballot Form.

The DEO approved S-bag's application for revitalization of Unit 1, 2 & 3. What does the future how hold for S-bag?

Revitalization: Love it or Not--it is being attempted a 2nd time. This board is to discuss the benefits and drawbacks, as well as alternatives to revitalization.

Gardening equipment, golf cart, cars etc

In Nov 2015, the Board announced plans to set up a new website and Forum to replace the official one owned by KCNetwork.

Follow Polk County's progress with resolving several violations including permitting and zoning.

The lawsuit is "Breach of Covenants: Failure to enforce Covenants against commercial activity".

Formal legal proceedings have been initiated and all relevant information and progress will be posted here.

Moderator: Dick Tracy

Internet Proposal Handout Meeting of Dec 10, 2013 and Letter to MANBOD

Discuss the yet-to-be revealed story about the birth of Kay c on common property

Anything interesting on CHUG

Newsletter odd's and end's

This is the lawsuit filed against SLohA on March 27, 2014. Technically, the lawsuit is SLANDER of TITLE and QUIET TITLE but underlying the complaint is the expiration of covenants on properties in SLohA. So, the suit is also for DECLARATORY JUDGEMENT of that issue and casually referred to as the "Covenants Lawsuit".

The words one uses to converse about MRTA are very specific to the MRTA law. It is essential that one takes a few minutes to review the terms in order to have a foundation to understand the concepts.

Tutorial on how to tell if a lot is expired by MRTA

Reposted from MRTA Website: These are the three "go forward" options discussed by the HOA attorneys in the May 2013 Board meeting and the August 2013 Attorney meeting.

Under MRTA (Marketable Records Title Act), encumbrances on real property, including a homeowners association’s covenants and restrictions may be rendered unenforceable and extinguished 30 years after their date of recordation if not properly preserved or reaffirmed by the association beforehand (See Florida Statute 712).

This thread will collect all general posts about the status and impact of expiration of Covenants in S-bag.

If you are looking for the basic information about MRTA and the Florida statutes which are relevant to the Covenants, ie FS712 (MRTA) and FS720 Part III (Revitalization of Covenants), you can go to the website devoted entirely to that at:

Click here>>>>>S-bag Lake and MRTA

That website is a "read-only" website and no registration is needed. It also contains links to Board meetings and an Owner-Attorney meeting posted on YouTube.

Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions is the general term referring to the Declarations filed with the plats in the '70'. The CC&R's consist of the Covenants and Rules. It also states that the intent (of the Developer) is to develop a Common Interet Development and that the land will be encumbered by assessments to provide for its upkeep.

Discuss how the covenants expiration will affect community and individuals

How much?

Many have observed that, if our Covenants are expired, assessment fees can no longer be assessed by HOA. What do you think about that?

Covenants expiration has NOTHING to do with Over 55+ community; the CC&R's have no provision to Age Restrict. The 1989 "Revision" unlawfully added an amendment to a Declaration that does not permit amendments.

55+ plus community is an "Anti-Discriminatory" provision of the Fair Housing Act which SLohA complies with.

Florida requires parties to mediate disputes prior to accepting a lawsuit.

SLohA filed a Motion to Compel Mediation, even though I had already invited them to mediation many months ago. I have been advised that judges LOVE mediation and usually Grnt the Motion to Compel, so I will be going again....

If mediation fails, litigation will follow and attorney will consider offering a joinder to owners

When I or anyone else has an interesting question, I will ask my lawyer for a comment and post it here.

I will also post relevant articles or court cases.

Florida has an Administrative Law Division modeled after the Federal one. It is meant to protect consumers from errors of law attributable to Florida's departments and agencies.

Various statutes which can be called on to support disputes which are civil and not specific to HOA's

SLohA is now operating under the Not-for-Profit law since allowing the Covenants to expire. FS617 is now the reference for all governmental business in SLohA.

FS720 no longer applies to SLohA business conduct except for revitalization.

MRTA pronounced "Marta" is a law named the Marketable Record Title Act; it was enacted by the Florida Legislature in 1963. The intent was to simplify title searches to stabilize property law, by clearing old defects from land titles, limiting the period of record searches, and clearly defining marketability by extinguishing old interests of record not specifically claimed or reserved.

No longer would a title examination have to search title back to the Spanish land grants. MRTA serves to remove certain covenants, restrictions, claims and other encumbrances recorded against real property after 30 years unless preserved or reaffirmed in accordance with Florida law FS712.

The Statutes will be posted here for discussion. This board will be used more in the future. The BOD has abdicated many of its powers and duties to Management Company and do not understand either SLohA governing documents or Florida statutes. CAM's are not permitted to "interpret law". Therefore, BOD goes directly to attorney for advice that is readily available if one reads and efforts at comprehension.

This is self-help for homeowners and, if you will take the time to read and think, you will not only save SLohA money, you will have accomplished what MANBOD has not.

For those who are confused about whose law reigns supreme in the event of conflict or uncertainty, this is attorney-approved hierarchy of the law. This is an EXPANDED version of a previously published hierarchy.

The "Declarations"--the CC&R's--the Covenants--all these refer to the same CONTRACT entered into by parties. Those parties are: SLohA, the owners of property in SLohA--and the PUBLIC. The terms in this document provide constructive notice to the public about the contract they agree to when purchasing property in SLR.

This is the much-talked about document which purports to "replace" the original Covenants. This is the document which was used as the "replacement" Declaration on the Notice of Preservation recorded by the BOD in April 2013.

Aside from the many flaws inherent in the adoption of the the changes and in the 1986 document itself, Amendments occur outside the chain of title and are therefore, not discoverable by the public when they exchange deeds to land.

This is the latest so-called "Amendment to the Covenants" It continues the original unlawful practice of attempting to amend the Covenants which have no amendatory provision.

A few notes comparing these two documents. What material changes did the document provide? What did SLohA intend to do by adopting this Amendment? Was it done properly?

This is the document that SLohA recorded over ALL parcels in SLR on 4/5/13. It attempted to preserve covenants on parcels that that had not yet expired under MRTA (FS712), and SLANDERED the titles of parcels that had previously expired. By my count, it appears that a great majority of parcels in SLohA have been expired by MRTA.

It failed to specifically state the parent Declaration of Covenants, per MRTA law, and declared two Amendments to be "replacements" of the Covenants.

Disclaimer: I am not an attorney and the interpretations above are my opinion and offered for informational purposes only. These interpretations should not be relied upon if you are contemplating legal action. Consult an attorney for legal advice.

The Rules Committee is holding a forum on Jan 8, 2014 to acquaint owners with recommended changes to our governing documents. The Rules Committee is urging owners to vote FOR this. The Rules Committee seems completely oblivious to the imminent legal dispute which involves our Covenants.

Discuss here.

ALL bills failed. The Legislature Failed.

New bills submitted for 2018 legislative session

Very few bills have been filed for the 2017 Legislative session.

This board will follow the progress of the HOA Reform bill during the 2015 legislative process. This will give HOA's similar legal and regulatory muscle as that currently enjoyed by condos.

The 2014 legislation begins in 2 months and it is sure to be a pistol this year because it's an election year! I'm on the mailing list!

This board will follow the fun!

Discussion of new HOA legislation 2013

It's been a developing "hot topic" ie when do CID's come under the jurisdiction of ADA requirements? There is no place to hide--it's the FEDS! Biggest issues have been pool alterations; other accomodations include clubhouse and parking.

Talk trash here!

Will this shabby sign be maintained--ever? Should it be replaced? Discuss here

Her very own board--she earned it

FIRED in March 2015.

Is THIS the Management Co Contract? It has no date, it does not state the parties to the agreement, it has no term and no pricing. It has no clause for termination.

Official Record and incorporated into BOD Minutes

In all fairness, there are instances of the Management Company doing things that make sense so those examples should be discussed along with nonsense.

All things real estate-ish in S-bag plus info on Homestead

Sales in SLR during the 2014-2015 Sales Season

A continuation of informative posts on sales in SLR and pattern. Additionally, there are contracts posted for your use; these were simply pulled from the internet and are typical Florida realtor forms.

Addditionally, this Board will address issues that affect real estate resulting from the filing of the lawsuit.

Discuss goings on at the Monday Koffee Klatch

Bingo is not just a game run by a Club! It is a gaming operation regulated by the state. The volunteers are custodians of the operation of Bingo and are answerable to the state of Florida. Its proceeds are intended to to benefit charities.

Discuss the continuing inability to solve traffic problems on SLR roads

Is signage in good repair and visible? This board is not meant for Dog Signs

Owners appointed by BOD to either uphold BOD fines or dismiss them. Committee members are not protected by D&O insurance if owners take them to court.

The affect of expired covenants on rules

Discussion of Deadbook violations, including past and present violations

Report new dog sign sightings here

Why of WHY does it taste like chlorine? Where is the next leak going to be discovered? Will the leak trigger a sinkhole in my neighborhood? Discuss these and more fascinating water questions here

Cassie is Admin's beloved dog, a bichon frise.

Sub-board: Cassie

Peet passed away May 16, 2015

As many of you know, Mik was the first person in SLR to bring us independent, uncensored communication in the forms of the Forum and NewsHound. This Board is dedicated to him. Past issues of NewsHound are here.

Sub-board: NewsHound Past Issues