A third showed the vehicle passing through.
Victoria stared at the photographs.
“That makes it look worse than it was.”
Harold Pierce spoke from the back.
“That is generally what photographs do when something is bad.”
A few people laughed.
Victoria flushed.
Joel called the room to order.
The board did not remove Victoria that night.
That was not on the agenda and the bylaws required a formal process.
But it adopted two motions.
First, Pine Valley residents would receive written notice that the Miller Ranch road was private and not authorized for neighborhood travel.
Second, no association resources could be used to pursue access negotiations or litigation concerning the ranch without a full recorded board vote and written legal opinion.
Both passed.
The first unanimously.
The second four to one.
Victoria cast the only opposing vote.
Garrett closed his folder.
That was enough for him.
Outside the meeting room, residents gathered in small groups.
Some apologized.
Garrett accepted.
Rebecca approached.
“I really did think it was an HOA road.”
“I know.”
“You were right about the kids.”
Garrett looked at her.
“My son told me three of them were riding bikes through.”
Garrett nodded.
“He was probably one.”
Rebecca looked embarrassed.
“Probably.”
Then she smiled.
“I guess the wall solves that.”
“That’s the idea.”
Harold appeared beside them.
“Looks good, by the way.”
“The wall?”
“Yeah.”