Tapes are on the up and up

Regarding “Feel Free to Hit the ‘Record’ Button at Board Meetings,� Oct. 2: I started recording board meetings when some minutes didn’t jibe with my notes and recollections. Tapes of those meetings were erased after the minutes were approved.

Now, all our meetings are digitally recorded; CDs are retained for five years and available to homeowners.

Some claim that this practice may lead to lawsuits or stifling of 1st Amendment rights when the real issue is accountability. After all, if one has nothing to hide, what does one have to fear?

RICHARD SAKAI

Culver City

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If a common-interest development were a governmental entity there would be no problem with what can and cannot be done in a public meeting. What’s wrong with the governing document that’s been around for more than 200 years? The U.S. Constitution.

Why must there be special constitutions for these private governments?

Just because these CID governments are not recognized doesn’t mean that they do not operate daily as the de facto governments over these territorial communities. CIDs must be brought under the laws of the land that regulate governments and protect the rights of all citizens.

GEORGE K. STAROPOLI

Scottsdale, Ariz.