By Mary Shanklin — March 7, 2013
A standoff of sorts has occurred at the gates of one of the region’s most prestigious country clubs. Alaqua resident David Acosta owes as much as $100,000, possibly a record for the Orlando area, in homeowner-association fees. The exclusive Seminole County community has responded by trying to limit others’ access to his home and by forcing Acosta to stop and get permission each time before passing through the subdivision’s entrance gate.

The fight over those pending restrictions has gone to court, where Acosta has been representing himself against lawyers for the association. So far, he is winning, though another decision is expected out of state Circuit Court in Sanford any day. “The real message this should send is that HOAs have neither the legal authority nor the moral authority to oppress their residents,” said Acosta, 51, who sought and won court approval to pay his association fees into a court registry until the case is resolved. Read more: www.orlandosentienl.com