A Texas Army soldier commanding 100 troops in Iraq returned home to find his Heritage Lakes Homeowners Association (more on them below) had sold his $300,000 house for $3,500 at auction. From Mother Jones:
Michael Clauer is a captain in the Army Reserve who commanded over 100 soldiers in Iraq. But while he was fighting for his country, a different kind of battle was brewing on the home front. Last September, Michael returned to Frisco, Texas, to find that his homeowners’ association had foreclosed on his $300,000 house—and sold it for $3,500. This story illustrates the type of legal quagmire that can get out of hand while soldiers are serving abroad and their families are dealing with the stress of their deployment. And fixing the mess isn’t easy.Don't cry just yet.
But, before you cry your eyes out, or shake your fist in anger, or attend a tea bagger party, realize HB1976 filed in the 2009 Legislature would have prevented HOA's from foreclosing on homeowners, but it failed because the Republican leadership failed to compromise on a "voter ID" bill.
Those rejoicing it failed
The list of those who testified against the bill out numbered those in favor by about 200 to 4. Those against included HOA's (imagine that), homeowners, HOA front groups, HOA management companies, the Texas Association of Builders (surprise!), and a slew of others supporting foreclosing on our soldiers fighting in Iraq.
Select Management Company
Also in this list was John Brian Vickers the property manager of Select Management Company, the management company of Heritage Lakes. (Yes the same Heritage Lakes that foreclosed on Caption Clauer.
Next Year
Despite the support by these so-called patriots who supported taking a soldier's home and selling it at auction the bill was scheduled for a sure pass house vote until the Republican leadership stalled hundreds of bills in the house. In 2011 the bill will be up again and should pass unless Governor Perry vetos it, which he probably will. I would bet Captian Michael Clauer will be attending, unless he is still in Iraq.
5 comments:
Please, John, you are a joke.
70% of Texans supported Voter ID at the time it was making its way though the legislature. Not 70% of Republicans, but 70% of TEXANS.
The Democrats killed that bill and any other bills that followed Voter ID in the 81st Legislative Session because they were afraid to vote against a bill so widely supported and they were afraid for vote for it because they know they can't win without cheating.
Get out of your fantasy world, Coby...
Your ignorance of the bill and poll is showing. When the same people were asked if they supported Voter ID if it meant people who had the right to vote would lose it, they polled against Voter ID. When asked in the simplistic manner of "Should you show a picture ID before voting?" they agreed.
Do some homework before you open your pie-hole.
And the Democrats made a compromise, to allow Voter ID along with same day registration. So if you wanted to vote on election day but was not registered, you can walk up, register, and vote, with your ID of course. But the republicans wanted nothing to do with allowing people to vote.
Voter ID was ONLY for voter suppression. Nothing else.
Read up on the Soldiers and Sailors relief act of 1942. It prevents any legal action against a soldier who is deployed.
It certainly helped me. I had a landlord wait until I deployed and file a 3000 dollar damage suit.
It was vacated by the judge, once it was pointed out that I was overseas.
It will make an interesting follow up.
Good point!!!
I think the point I was making on this is that those who are making money on foreclosing on homeowners are at the capitol lobbying to continue to do so, regardless if you are a soldier or not.
This bill is going to pass next session, but if Rick Perry is governor he will veto it.
I will be following this bill and will be bringing folks from my community to testify for it.
So, an added piece to the voter ID bill is quietly placed in this bill where no one knows it's there, because everyone is discussing the core of the bill... Voter ID. This way, HOA's get their way, the soldier loses, Republicans can be blamed and all is well with the world. Who give's a hoot about our soldiers fighting in Iraq so that an organization like an HOA can GRAB a man's home out from under him?
I'm sorry, but you're assumption here that it is all the Repubs fault is seriously misinformed!
If ALL lawmakers would stop placing their "add-ons" in these bills, the public might have a better idea of what is being voted on and enacted into law.
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