TIMBERWOOD PARK JU L Y 2018
Timberwood Park Owners Association, Inc.
V o l . 2 0 Issu e 7 A Neighborhood News ™ Publication
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
O
ftentimes the TPOA Board members and/ or Spectrum Association Management are approached about intervening in disputes between neighbors over various issues, but unfortunately the Board’s and/or Spectrum’s role can be limited or even off limits depending on the issue at hand. The Board has certain legal authority and a process to help enforce the community’s deed restrictions, but for many other things outside that, our hands are tied. Even in some cases where it’s obvious that one neighbor might be at fault, we can sympathize, but regretfully there’s just little or nothing we can do. Obvious options for resolution include the neighbors reaching an agreement among themselves, possible legal action depending on the situation, or through law enforcement should the issue involve somebody’s health or safety. But during a recent walk at the park, a resident reminded me about another great option that I didn’t know much about, and assume that many others don’t either, and that’s dispute resolution through a neutral third party. Bexar County has a Dispute Resolution Center that is available to Bexar County residents, and it’s free of charge. (Well, it’s not technically free since it’s operated using our tax dollars, but it’s available to us at no extra charge.) According to the County’s website, “The Bexar County Dispute Resolution Center (BCDRC) provides county residents and businesses with mediation services at no charge as an alternative method of resolving interpersonal, family, business, consumer, and community disputes. Furthermore the BCDRC assists in expeditiously resolving civil disputes referred to mediation by local courts which relieves undue court congestion, costs and delays.” The website further states, “Mediation is a structured process in which an impartial person, the mediator, facilitates communication between the parties to promote reconciliation, settlement, or an understanding
between them. If the parties reach a mutually acceptable understanding, the mediator guides them in developing a written agreement. Mediation sessions are scheduled at the convenience of the parties involved and generally occur within 2-3 weeks from the time the BCDRC receives a complete mediation request. Mediation is not a substitute for legal advice or representation.” If you are interested in learning more about these services that are available to us for any dispute you may have with somebody in or out of the neighborhood, you can visit the BCDRC’s website at: https://www. bexar.org/1357/Dispute-Resolution-Center. We will also look to get a representative from the BCDRC to come and speak at one of our upcoming TPOA Board meetings. On another note, with regard to legal proceedings I know there has been a lot of discussion and some confusion in and around the neighborhood about the recent Texas Supreme Court ruling related short-term rentals in our neighborhood. This has been a big issue not only in our community but in other neighborhoods and cities across the state and country, and I encourage you to read the background and update information that we are able to provide at this time later in this newsletter. Lastly, thanks to the many volunteers who have supported the annual Picnic in the Park event, and to Paula Dimmitt for leading the event. It’s been great to see this event grow each year from a simple event with some food and music to a fun, day-long event filled with so many different activities. What All Meetingswe arelive heldinatwith 7:00so p.m. at thegreat a great community many neighbors! Clubhouse at the Park. Thanks for your time, and I’ll see you around the neighborhood! Greg Matula TPOA Board President