#1 stay away from HOA's

I empathize but have no idea what can be done to stop it. It looks like he is authorized to make the decision. He probably can't find any services that will work organically if he were so inclined. Most lawn care companies are all about the chemicals because they are cheaper and easier to apply.

I used to hate my next door neighbors because all they knew was spray, spray and spray some more. They just couldn't figure out why the aphids and mealybugs were uncontrollable. I tried to tell them that they were killing all of the beneficials, but they wouldn't believe. I moved to the country where people just don't bother and I have way fewer pests. I don't miss those neighbors at all!

Pam

If you want something done start a petition. Call a lawyer and find out how many local signatures it takes to stop this guy from using poison in the park. PJ

Well, most people just think all chemicals are ok because if they are legal to use then they MUST be ok, right? They just thing organic people are nuts. I'm sorry they do, but that is life...

As for calling a lawyer, what kind of lawyer do you call? And what kind of lawyer won't charge you thousands or hundreds of dollars for public work? I ask this sincerely. I come from the land of profiteers. Nobody is going to do anything for free. I can't imagine just calling someone up and having them give up free advice. However, if you have a method or something, I would love to hear it. It would definitely help the world at large.

The problem is that nobody in the neighborhood know about it. I thought the whole neighborhood have the right to know if toxic chemicals are going to be used in the public settings where everybody would be exposed to and no one would know it??? What if someone is allergic to one of the chemicals and they don't know why it happened? Kids playing on the grass getting all the substances all over them. You know they always stick their fingers in their nose and mouth. Dogs roll around and lick themselves. You also pet them with your own hands. It seemed very unethical to me. The only reason I found out is because I noticed someone measuring the size of the park so I talked to one of the board (the only with the brain) and he said that the president wants to apply whatever it is to get rid of ants and weeds. I almost never see them at the park so I don't know why they think it is such high of a priority when there's others to worry about. I had asked the president to look into alternative safe method but apparently they never took it seriously. I provided all the information. There are a lot of parks across the nation that is pesticide free yet they won't look into it. They are moving very fast to get it done apparently before I get the word out. We asked the president to postpone the treatment till next month when we have HOA meeting and he said no! The president isn't very nice at all. The previous HOA board asked me to plant trees at the park. Few months later, new board takes over so I introduced myself and explained the whole thing about the park. Even the previous HOA board told the current board that I planted trees. Anyway, I had asked for help regarding the trees at the park and I got absolutely no help. Forced me to use my own water just to keep the trees alive through long dry spell. The president even saw me water trees and didn't say anything! Completely ignored me for the past year. Ridiculous!

HOAs by and large seem to work on the Forest Gump principle, stupid is as stupid does. One HOA in Frisco went so far as to pronounce what models of pickup trucks would be allowed in their subdivision.

I also empathize with you. I did a quick google search to see if I could find anything about Texas laws concerning public notification when a lawn care chemical or insecticide is sprayed, but found nothing readily apparent. I noticed that when a local nursery sprays their roses they put a rope around the area with a sign saying customers must not enter for so many hours. I'm sure it depends on the product being used whether signs are required.

I agree that some people are very sensitive to chemicals and should be warned when spraying is done on public places. At this point I don't know what could be done except bring the matter up at the next homeowners association meeting. If concerned people come forward perhaps the spraying could be stopped. It's probably not going to be that effective anyway. At one point my next door neighbors employed a lawn care company to spray and fertilize thinking they would then have a perfect lawn, but the weeds still came up and the lawn was not green. Keep us posted how it goes.

What fools we mortals be! Those toxic chemicals will fall on those with compromised immune systems, specific sensitivy to them, pregnant women, small children, those with respiratory diseases, pets and wildlife. OMG, how did we live all those milleniums without them?

I don't have a solution for your immediate problem but I sympathize. I would suggest that you make it a high priority to start collecting email addresses of your neighbors. It takes a little while to collect a really good number but it is working very well for us.

We had someone going door to door asking for contributions because she couldn't afford her pharmacy bill. We all were alerted immediately via email with some residents making extra notes about others who were following behind her (casing the neighborhood? maybe she was checking if dogs were in the home?, etc.)

She changed her story as she progressed thru the neighborhood which was reported so we definitely lost sympathy. Maybe the ones at first got taken unawares but at least there were a good number of neighbors who saw her coming.

Also, we now get notified by the president of our association when she gets notified of city street projects starting. It is a lot sooner than the door to door handouts the city puts on your door the day they start closing your street.

Also great for lost dogs and cats. We did have some residents who thought they saw an opportunity to sell something but that was put a stop to. Our list is a moderated Yahoo list and is moderated by someone on the board of our association.

Bottom line - get those email addresses for future notices. Makes it very easy.

elphaba

Did you mean yahoo group? It does sound like a much better way of communicating with the homeowners. Very few homeowners show up at the meetings because of busy schedules. I was out of town last time they had a meeting.

I wrote a letter to the board to explain everything. I stated that the biggest problem to this conflict was lack of communication from the board when I had requested help or information. I repeatably emailed the board for details but they never responded. I feel that it was wrong of them to do that because of danger from exposure to toxic chemicals.

I also suggested that the board find a better way of informing the homeowners and I asked them to look into yahoo group. Maybe it will get more homeowners involved because nobody want to do all the trouble to get to the meeting (they are busy enough) and be informed about something. Even give us a chance to vote on some issues via yahoo group or give us a chance to express our opinion as long as it is civil. I don't know if they will consider it.

Homeowners Associations are a dictatorship - not a democracy. I've heard so many bad things - like a guy in Frisco who made some remarks about the HOA officers on a blog, and they sued him. I would just gather all my neighbors email addresses and send out mass mailings periodically when you hear of something the HOA is trying to sneak through. Don't be disappointed if you don't get the response you would like. I would venture to guess that there are more people who don't think the chemicals are that big a problem. Don't agree with them, but it takes a while to turn the masses around to better ways of doing things.

Print up a flyer and go door to door, putting the flyers on everyone's door. Do not use tape, and don't put anything in a mail box. You can use rubber bands. Maybe you can get assistance from other concerned home owners. Start having your own meetings. Show people your gorgeous yard and explain your techniques. Ignore the president of the HOA and hope he goes away soon. He clearly has a power issue and will not help you. Get the residents on your side and override him. Play innocent and dumb - don't fight with him, don't irritate him unnecessarily, pretend you don't realize you're p***ing on his wheaties. Just be sweet as pie as you construct your own neighborhood association. The mayor and city council will respond positively to a reasonable and organized neighborhood group. Good luck!

The right answer was......stay away from HOA's....they behave like the Gestapo.

On top of that, they waste all the money given to them.

Yes, Lou - It is a Yahoo group that our Civic Association has that includes all members who pay dues. Our assoc isn't as bad as a regular Home Owners since it is very old, over 50 years old. Membership is optional.
I think you should start one even if it isn't officially part of your HOA. But try to get some help since you probably will need to moderate it to keep out the spam.

Or why don't you call your yahoo group a "somename civic association" instead of a "somename home owners association" to avoid the president of your HOA claiming that you are copying their official name and interfering with his business (or something).

Ours is Richwood Civic Association if you want to look it up. Not very formal but it seems to be more and more useful every day.

Well, apparently HOA board didn't really think its that harmful so they are going to go ahead and do it anyway. Shame on them. It will be on their heads when someone gets sick. At least I got the word out. Now they decide if they want kids to be exposed to toxic chemicals, that's their choice. I as hell will never take my kid and dog there anymore. May try and sell the house and move elsewhere but may not be possible with everybody losing their houses, etc.

That's a shame. Anyway, thanks for your help. I appreciate for trying to help me out. Have a good evening.

Lou

Dear Lou
I just read this and am so sorry. I had a neigbor who used one of these companies. Yep, not toxic to pets as long as you let the chemical dry after putting it on...as long as the guy doing it actually paid attention to the amount...as long as the sprayer was used properly...as long as it's not directly traceable to the chemicals...

anyway, her dog got very sick. They said that the chemicals could not make him sick if done properly, but they paid her about a thousand dollars as I recall...but the chemicals couldn't have done it...right!

I wonder if there's a history of lawsuits for this big company...or if they just pay a grand and spray on?

Maybe you could find some data from Aggiehorticulture site about lawns that might be helpful. If it says Aggie, someone might listen ... it was just a thought...
c