They tell you what color to paint your house, what kinds of trees you can plant, and even whether you can fly the American flag in your yard.

If you don't comply, they have the power to fine you or place liens on your property.

In extreme cases, they have been known to rig elections, assess bogus fines, harass residents they don't like or peek over backyard fences to look for violations.

Homeowners associations, the first level of government many people encounter, have become the bane of property owners throughout the Valley.

"Some of them can be good, but some are running wild," said Sen. Tom Freestone, R-Mesa, who hopes to chair a committee this summer to develop possible legislation to rein in homeowners associations.

"We don't want to disturb good homeowners associations, but we need to look at legislation to protect homeowners. We don't want these associations to become mini-governments run amok."

Disputes between homeowners and their associations are common, and sometimes they can result in shouting, fighting and legal action.

But it is rare for such disputes to erupt in violence.

On Wednesday, former Ventana Lakes development resident Richard Glassel reportedly opened fire on a homeowners association meeting.

"I think it was an isolated incident, but there are some disgruntled homeowners out there who are unhappy with their associations," said Beth Mulcahy, a Phoenix attorney who represents 250 associations throughout the Valley.

She said the shooting will rock homeowners association board members, property management companies and attorneys who represent associations, who "are going to have to take precautions if there are disgruntled homeowners who you think might have violent tendencies or erratic behavior."

Curtis Ekmark, a Scottsdale lawyer who represents several homeowners associations, including the one at Ventana Lakes, agrees.

"Every association has people who want to argue all the time," Ekmark said. "They just can't get over it. They yell and scream at board members, and it can become a nasty mess."

Ekmark disagreed that legislation is necessary to regulate associations. Instead, homeowners need to carefully read the bylaws before deciding to move into a development.

"Some associations have stringent rules, and some don't," he said. "Legislators hear about 10 bad situations a year, but what they don't consider is the fact that there are 12,000 associations in Maricopa County. I can guarantee you that people are going to see this as a homeowners association picking on this guy until he snaps, which is not the case."

Copyright 2000, Arizona Central

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to go to the Arizona Republic

• 1. Violence begets violence (4/22/2000)

• 2. Heroes stop rampage (4/20/2000)

• 3. Suspect known in neighborhood for bad temper (4/20/2000)

• 4. Violence mars community's quiet lifestyle (4/20/2000)

• 5. Violence by seniors likely to escalate (4/20/2000)

• 6. Good folks, nice neighbors become violence victims (4/20/2000)

• 7. Gunman told victims he was getting even (4/20/2000) 

• 8. Home foreclosure racket causing violence (4/20/2000) 

• 9. Complex's shooting puts homeowners groups in spotlight (4/20/2000) 

• 10.. 12 millions dollars for faulty buildings (4/15/2000) (Association lawyer Curtis Ekmark)

• 11. Owners groups - ogres or godsends? (4/15/200)

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Homeowner associations: Witnesses & Experts and Victims of political, legal and judicial corruption and abuse, including several of the victims mentioned in the above AHRC article, are available for broadcast interviews, government hearings and investigations. Please call, write or email requests to American Homeowners Resource Center.