President's Update 6-23-2021
“Civility” is a word we all know, understand, and hopefully practice. Last year as we headed into the unknown of COVID-19, there were concerns that we, as a country, were becoming less civil. As we emerge from our COVID-19 social isolation and look to a new normal, what can we expect in terms of how we get along with each other?
I recently saw a sign in a local restaurant at the hostess stand that read “Be patient and kind.” Think about that message and what led to its posting. It is a fair indication that civility is again an issue.
Our Landings Association staff noticed an increase in disputes among neighbors during this time which took on a noticeably uncivil tone. While one might be tempted to assign this to the pressures of our COVID frustration, this conduct was observed in other communities similar to ours.
Our Covenants prohibit noxious and offensive conduct, including disturbing the peace, endangering others, and destroying property. Fortunately, such incidents were infrequent and were handled. Frequently, frustration with neighbors would be directed at TLA employees because the individual did not feel TLA was on his or her side. TLA is not the arbiter of disputes between neighbors which do not specifically involve the Covenants.
The increase in incivility has led many communities to adopt civility codes. The code is not an attempt to impose a rigid set of rules concerning conduct. The code merely embodies how the vast majority of residents act in day-to-day life and what a community considers appropriate conduct.
A civility code or pledge typically includes the following:
- Individuals are accountable for their own actions or words.
- Interaction in the community should be civil despite any differences of opinion on a particular issue.
- Residents should be engaged and informed in the community, understanding the rules, regulations, and covenants, and the value they add.
- The commitments to civility as well as being engaged and informed residents are a vital part of the community’s goal of being a vibrant and thriving community.
TLA’s Board is discussing the civility issue and would like community input. The purpose of a civility code or pledge is not to give TLA more control over residents’ conduct or to establish civility police. The purpose is to be clear upfront to residents and to buyers what our community’s expectations are and the type of community we want to be.
This article was originally published by The Landings Association on their website. Visit landings.org to read the original article. https://landings.org/news/2021/06/22/presidents-update-6-23-2021