Journal Notes—April 2020

by Michael Hamline, Editor / Published April 2020

     The first quarter of 2020 has been unsettling around the globe. The coronavirus (COVID-19) has brought about life-and-death health challenges (including the first two deaths in Florida in early March), quarantines of a massive number of people in cities in China, and restricted movement of the entire population of Italy. Other countries have canceled many public gatherings, including in the U.S. Also, in March the U.S. saw the New York Stock Exchange halt trading for 15 minutes due to stocks plunging by seven percent, and crude oil prices have plummeted, stirring up much anxiety. It is not a time to panic, but steps should be taken to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community; and the best place to go for the initial steps to take can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html.

     This April issue is focused on life in HOAs and the issues that often arise. There are articles that address best management practices for landscaping and technological advances in swimming pool filtration. Additional articles provide a question and answer format on proper lake and pond care, asphalt maintenance, harmful algal blooms and effective treatments, technological innovations used to secure community associations, and steps to take when unexpected events hit your community.

     From a legal perspective, there are articles that explore the importance of tree trimming and tree removal, the election (boards of directors) process, and incidents of violence in the community. We think there is a lot to know about living in an HOA, and we are grateful for the knowledge and wisdom shared in these pages.

     If you are a snowbird and are headed north for the summer, stay safe and enjoy your time away. Don’t forget to call our office at (800) 443-3433 or email info@fcapgroup.com to have your FLCAJ subscription sent to your summer address so that you can stay informed. We’ll see you in the fall.

Editor