And insisted the meeting was unnecessary.
Her attorney reviewed the documents.
The governing rules required the association to proceed once the valid threshold was reached.
The president tried to delay.
The secretary insisted on compliance.
The vice-president supported scheduling the meeting.
And the management company eventually circulated the official notice with the required information and deadlines.
The president was furious.
For the first time in twelve years, a procedure existed that she could not simply end by refusing to answer a question.
The campaign revealed just how divided Cedar Vale had become.
Some residents supported the president enthusiastically.
They credited her with maintaining property values.
Organizing social events.
And dealing with contractors.
Others remembered years of arbitrary fines and unanswered questions.
A third group simply wanted the conflict to stop.
The Black homeowner found that group especially difficult to reach.
One evening, he knocked on a neighbor's door.
A middle-aged white American man answered.
He recognized the homeowner immediately.
"Oh. You're the recall guy."
The homeowner smiled faintly.
"I suppose I am."
The man sighed.
"Look, I don't want to get involved."
"I understand."
"I just want to live here."
The homeowner nodded.
"That's reasonable."
The neighbor folded his arms.
"Then why are you making everything so complicated?"
The homeowner considered.
"Because the association handles money belonging to all of us."
The man shrugged.
"That's what we pay them for."
"Exactly."
The homeowner paused.
"And that means we should be able to review how it's used."
The neighbor looked away.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then the man asked, "Do you think she's stealing?"
The homeowner answered carefully.
"I think some records need independent examination."
The neighbor frowned.
"That's not what I asked."
The homeowner nodded.
"I know."
He looked toward the man.
"But I'm not going to accuse someone of a crime before the evidence has been properly reviewed."
The neighbor studied him.
Then asked, "What happens if you're wrong?"
The homeowner considered.
"Then the review should explain the transactions."
A pause.
"And the board should still follow transparent procedures."
The man remained quiet.
The homeowner continued.
"This isn't about whether you like me or her. It's about whether the association operates according to rules we all agreed to."
The neighbor looked toward his driveway.
A small basketball hoop stood beside the garage.
Children's bicycles rested near the porch.
He sighed.
"You know, she fined me once for leaving that hoop outside."
The homeowner glanced toward it.
"Did the rules prohibit it?"
The man shook his head.
"Not that I could find."
He laughed bitterly.
"She said it looked temporary."
The homeowner smiled.
"And what did you do?"
"Paid the fine."
The man looked embarrassed.
"I didn't want trouble."
The homeowner nodded.
"That's understandable."
For a moment, the neighbor stared.
Then he took a breath.
"All right."