The wars of Chula Vista

Gringal, you do have a way with words. Accurate too, from my perspective.
I have never had the misfortune to own property where there was a POA or HOA, but I have friends who do. Boy, have I heard horror stories!
It is so easy for someone to get voted in and then proceed to screw things up... much easier than being pleasant. Ever notice that those who feel the need to be "in control" of a situation will start by turning things ugly?
It takes a lot less effort and a whole lot less skill than solving differences through discussion and compromise, and these folks aren't interested in doing any real work. Rabble rousing and animosity are much easier and serve to distract others from the real problems. Lizzy

Sounds like government employees

That's probably where they got all their experience, in low level government jobs where they have been powerless for the duration of their careers and by God, they're going to take that out on their hapless companions on whatever board they have managed to infiltrate! Lizzy