Harassed Unit Owner Seeks Removal of Condo President

Z.Z. from Ocean County, New Jersey writes:

Dear Mister Condo,

My condo board president is completely out of control. He has a problem with everything I do (no rules broken). He simply cannot separate his hatred for me from his duties as president. He is a racist (yells the “N” word at someone on the street who left a bottle on the street) and sexist. He and his friend will call women just walking by minding their own business “sluts”. I had an issue with work being done to another unit and the workers (he says they are his best friends) not cleaning up their mess. It was stucco work and the Styrofoam balls were all over my door and window, in the house (because nobody told me they’d be working and I left window open and the dust blew in) all over front porch of building. I emailed property manager to let her know, no response from her so I cleaned up everyone’s doors and front porch. Property manager must have contacted him and he sends her a picture of the place and she states she can’t see the mess (because I cleaned it up and he ran out there and put stuff back to protect his friends)… My question is how can this guy serve as president when he simply can’t separate his feelings towards me? If I were to ask for anything or have an issue he will automatically be biased. At this point I’m actually afraid of him and since we are only an 8-unit association with 6 units being only seasonal nobody wants to serve on the board. Is there any recourse with the state? Any advice is most welcomed.

Mister Condo replies:

Z.Z., I am sorry for your situation. That is really terrible behavior, regardless of position and risk to the association. However, there is a difference between recourse from the association and what local law enforcement can do. You live in a small association so there is no avoiding this person. As long as he is re-elected to the Board and voted President by his fellow Board members, you really can’t change that. Apparently, they are OK with his behavior and leadership of the Board. That’s their problem. Your problem likely involves working with your local police department to stop any personal harassment you are receiving from this individual. He appears to be a bully, plain and simple. If he harasses you publicly, you need to record and report the behavior to the police as what he is doing is likely a crime where you live. A few run-ins with the police should get him to change his behavior towards you. As for his behavior towards others, that is up to them to protect themselves. Bullies don’t like it when people stand up to them. If things don’t get better, you might consider selling and moving to a more amiable community. Stories like yours are not uncommon but, fortunately, they are far from the norm. Most community association are perfectly lovely places to live and call home. All the best!