Where's the law?

To the editor: The rule of law or rather the absence of it concerning property owner associations in the state of Pa is both appalling and reminiscent of early Western justice. Apparently might makes right when it comes to these quasi-municipal legal entries. They lack only a gun in having their way with not only members of their association, but also with any of the public who risk entry to their community. Even their employees are subject to their greed and revenue generation in the guise of property owner welfare and safety. They use citations rather than guns and set fines as they see fit and if they choose to practice predatory collection of said fines the only remedy available is expensive legal representation that far exceeds any logic in comparison to the fine. They may pursue you. You have no recourse against them other than expensive legal representation without assurance of a reasonable outcome. Unfortunately these facts come known to me as a victim of the coercive methods, of Birchwood Lakes Community Association, located in Dingman Township, Pike County. As their agent (employed as a Safety Service Officer, by a company contracted to Birchwood), and while performing routine prescribed duties in uniform I was wrongly issued citations by direction of the Associations elected President, several days after the fact. The Association has chosen to pursue collection of fines from me that were originally $300 and have now become over $600.00 with late charges and fees. Over the past two plus years I have spent over $2,000 in defending against these bogus citations and find that I have no recourse other than to continue an expensive legal defense until a civil court finally dismisses these bogus charges. Civil law as it now stands in Pa. provides no possibility to recover cost or to pursue punitive damage. Isn’t time to end this flagrant abuse of self appointed power? When will the state of Pa. enact legislation or process that will allow individuals abused in this manner recourse that is sensible and reasonable? Will these robber barons in the guise of Community Associations be allowed to continue unchecked? This letter is written and sent in the hope that as a public service you will make the citizens of this Commonwealth aware of the need to reign in these abusive practices and provide at the least a level playing field. Vincent S. LoVico Hawley