For many, they are organizational ogres, shadow governments that harass residents and peek over fences to find violations.

And for just as many, they are a godsend offering welcome relief from tedious chores as well as solid protection for their housing investment.

Homeowners associations, the bane of many Maricopa County residents' existence and the boon of just as many others, have again landed in the public spotlight as a result of the Ventana Lakes shooting spree Wednesday.

Some think the shooting, which left two people dead in the Peoria community, may foreshadow more tragedies born of residents' frustrations with such groups.

Richard Glassel, 61, who is accused in the slayings, had a running feud with the association.

"I think there are a number of Mr. Glassels walking around at varying levels of frustration," said Laura Schmidt Ashley, a member of a homeowners association in Sun City. "The potential's there."

Although she doesn't condone the shootings, Liz Martin of Mesa understands the intense anger that may have triggered them.

"I can understand why he would come to do something like this," she said. "The homeowners association is like a cancer in America. It needs to be removed early."

Defenders of homeowners groups dispute such an extreme viewpoint, arguing that for every one bad apple in the lot, 50 others quietly do the right thing by their members.

The associations are enormously popular in Arizona as well as other Sun Belt states. Records indicate that Maricopa County is home to more than 6,000 community associations, up from 4,000 two years ago.

That's partly because retirees like them. They are drawn to the groups because they don't want to worry about landscaping and upkeep and feel the community rules will protect their investment.

Nationally, an estimated one in every six residents lives in communities that have associations. As of 1998, there were about 205,000 community associations nationwide, up from 10,000 in 1970.

Erin Fuller, vice president of the Virginia-based Community Association Institute, views associations as a positive force, a throwback to self-governance.

"They're kind of a rebirth of the town meeting system," she said. "You tend to be a small community making important decisions about your community."

Well-kept pools, meticulous landscaping, rising property values, neighbors that get along in an orderly community - these advantages and more are credited to the associations.

But many see a darker side.

Attorney Curtis Ekmark, who represents the Ventana Lakes association, often sees anger and frustration at meetings.

"We have associations where the same guy shows up at every meeting, ranting and raving," he said.

Glassel had been sued by the group. But Ekmark said the case seemed to be have been forgotten.

"We sued him, it was over and we never heard from him. It's just been a closed file," he said.

The association did not force Glassel to leave the community, Ekmark said. "The bank foreclosed because he didn't pay his mortgage."

Ekmark said the association in 1998 filed for a restraining order to keep Glassel from harassing landscapers, property managers and the association board.

Supporters say associations only make trouble for those who agree to follow the rules, then fail to do so.

"My experience is there really are only a few bad boards, but there are many, many good boards," said Beth Mulcahy, a Phoenix attorney who represents 250 local associations.
Color
When disputes do occur, they are often bitter. Consider Michael Rogers and his burro.

Rogers lives on 2 acres in Cordes Lakes, south of Mayer. Because he's partly disabled, he considers his burro a must to help him get around.

But his Cordes Lakes association sued because they restrict livestock.

"I've seen them single out people and harass you and harass you and harass you," said Rogers, who lost a court fight with the association and now must pay $10,000 in fees.

In Sun City, Schmidt Ashley has battled with her own association over matters ranging from the condition of her roof to a light being out above her home's address. Such fights can be emotionally taxing, frustrating and expensive, she says, adding, "They just make life not comfortable to be around."

Fuller, of the Community Association Institute, acknowledges that membership in an association can involve sacrifices, but says that they are offset by the advantages.

"If you live in one, you do not have the absolute freedom to do what you want," Fuller said. "You can't paint your house pink. You can't have a potbellied pig running around. It's a trade-off. You also know your neighbor can't. It might be easier to sell your home."

Ventana Lakes is a member of CAI, the Virginia-based group, and Fuller said the shooting is the talk of the national organization.

"Stuff like this shouldn't happen," she said.

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.