Democracy (In)Action or mini C-Span

Tuesday night I finally went to my first homeowners’ association meeting after living in Sarah’s Creek (my ‘burb’s name) for five years. I hadn’t attended in the past because they were always scheduled when I was working later shifts or previous plans were already in motion. Yeah I know, shame on me, putting democracy aside for my own selfishness. Other than mailing in $40 a quarter and receiving annoying letters over my lawn or something trivial, I really never paid attention to this little “government.” I always felt it was more like an annoying microverse of Jacobian France. 
 
I went this time to see what the fuss is about and someone told me a concrete factory is being built near the neighborhood. This same someone also claimed that my ‘burb was in favor of it. Doubtful, concrete trucks mean junk falling off them resulting in cracked windshields. Somara also insisted I went because I made her go a while back when there was some idiotic plan to make everyone sign up with the same, overpriced trash collector (BFI is a bunch of thieves). 
 
There were enough people for a quorum (65) so on went the exciting matters about the budget, the public grounds being handled by a landscaping company, various committees, turn out for the Easter egg hunt and stuff I think I’ve seen on public access TV. Several people were there together to complain about a house painted an ugly color and has eight pick-up trucks parked in front of it all the time. Small wonder, they estimate three to four families living in there and the house’s owner leases it. Sounded like the place up the street from me. The old debate about a basketball court versus a volleyball court in the public park came up, again. Somara told me about this one from two years ago. The board wants volleyball because it’s cheaper to build and maintain. However, sand for the court just would make it a giant cat litter box since some jerks don’t keep their cats indoors. The board couldn’t give a strong argument against the basketball court other than construction costs. I think what they needed to state is the liability involved. A concrete-based court is a lawsuit waiting to happen with all the knee injuries. The foundation of it will crack inevitably too because construction companies in the US don’t really level the ground underneath that well (something I learned on NPR on the origin of pot holes and why European highways last longer). Lastly, I the other unsaid explanation the board didn’t want to give is the opinion that basketball courts are magnets for Black teenagers who will be hanging out there all day and night. I don’t know if that would really happen. Doubtful though. We’re talking about Pflugerville, not the Cabrini Green projects. 
 
When the subject of dead grass came up, I got my say in. My neighbor and I received one of those annoying letters about the dead patches we had. There was a drought this Winter so much of the invasive species of sod died. Admittedly, I was rather impolite about it. Bringing this silly yard to the level as my neighbor (a younger version of Hank Hill when it comes to landscaping) probably has a staggering water bill. They were cool and said as long as I showed progress on fixing my front yard, the letters would stop. Satisfied with their answer, I then asked (politely) what would it take to get the main intersection out of Sarah’s Creek to have a protected-left-turn light since the traffic from the other side rarely signals. I brought up the concrete factory too. That received puzzled looks so I need to grill the person who approached me about it soon. 
 
Will I run for the board? Probably not. After doing a few months on Apple’s Quality of Life committee, I was pretty tired. I enjoyed that experience but it was equal to holding an additional part-time job while juggling my Apple and Kenny’s responsibilities. If I really wanted to be dragged through politics, I’ll pursue a full-time gig with the Democratic Party or shoot for a cushy spot with a Liberal think tank.