To the editor:
State Sen. Shirley Turner of Ewing has introduced the Common Interest Community Homeowner Association Act in the state Legislature.
First, it will be presented to committee and we can only hope and pray that it will be passed in the General Assembly and subsequently signed by Gov. Richard Codey. To obtain copies go to: www.njleg.state.nj.us. In short, unit owners could vote to change the bylaws much more easily, and certain things would have to be owner -authorized.
We have thousands of residents living here in Monroe in co-ops, condominiums and homeowner associations and they will benefit from bill S2016. Altogether, there are more than 2 million people living in these type of communities in New Jersey.
The state Condo Act passed in 1969. Under it, unit owners really do not have rights. Most of the time, the alternative is to hire a lawyer and face tremendous legal fees costing unit owners and boards. It costs the unit owners both ways.
This is the most comprehensive bill introduced since 1997. The Common Interest Homeowners Coalition had endeavored to introduce bills about three years ago, but got nowhere. Last October on New Jersey 12, David Ramsey, then-president of the Community Association Institute, said, his organization spent $300,000 lobbying in the Assembly. CAI represents lawyers, engineers and landscaping companies. They have everything to lose if S2016 is passed.
Members of CIHC also appeared that evening on New Jersey 12. They expressed their views concerning their case in Twin Rivers. The case is under appeal. They are represented by Frank Askin of Rutgers Law School
So read the bill carefully and voice your opinion by writing or calling Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, (609) 395-9911; Assemblyman Bill Baroni, (609) 631-9988; Sen. Peter Inverso, (609) 586-1330; or soon-to-be Gov. Codey.
Martha Gomez
Monroe
