When a family decides to join a homeowners association, a major consideration is the freedom of action that might be in jeopardy because of such a decision.

Lake of the Woods has covenants, regulations, and bylaws that amount to 160 pages of "Do's" and "Don'ts" with which members are expected to comply.

If you want to cut down a tree and it is more than 6 inches in diameter 1 foot from the ground, you must submit a request and be authorized to do so by the ecology inspector.

If you want to paint your garage door, a request and approval are required. Now it has been declared that freedom of speech--which is not addressed in our governing documents--does not apply.

We have a procedure to change a board ruling that involves collecting 800 signatures, but petitioning for those signatures has been declared "soliciting" by our current "emperor." Some of the board members have declared that petitioning is harassment.

Our emperor has declared that failure to complete one's term on a committee is the basis of not being allowed to serve on any committee.

The membership has 160 pages that clearly define requirements. Now they have ad hoc requirements imposed by their emperor.

This omnipotent approach to governance is new for Lake of the Woods and surely has the potential to significantly impact the real estate market here.

Would anyone willingly give up their freedom of speech and be subject to the emperor's whimsy?

Doug Chidlow

Orange