Shirley and Robert Ryan’s Nov. 4 letter about the NPOA prompted some thoughts.

I began serving as an NPOA plat delegate in 2003. Except for attending annual meetings, I didn’t give the NPOA much thought until my husband and I looked out our windows one morning to see a neighbor painting his house a startling shade of neon yellow. It stuck out like a sore thumb, ruining the harmony of homes and desert along our arroyo.

I phoned the NPOA, which immediately contacted the neighbor and worked with him to change to a color that was a much better fit with the neighborhood and the surrounding desert.

I was so grateful for this help that, when I was later asked to join the NPOA board of directors, I happily agreed. I continue to serve as a delegate and on the board.

The Ryans’ letter suggested that maybe, with building codes and town pride, an organization such as the NPOA is no longer needed. If only that were true.

Building codes wouldn’t have helped us. They address safety and structural issues, not aesthetic standards. And I’m pretty sure that town pride played no role in my neighbor’s choice of neon yellow exterior paint!

What can you do if your neighbor does something wacky with his property? Something that may affect your own property value. You can live with it. You can approach him directly, not knowing how that might turn out. But if you’re an NPOA-affiliated homeowner, you can request assistance and the association will act in a positive and professional way to resolve the situation.

The NPOA offers the protections of an HOA, but without HOA assessments or dues. It keeps member neighborhoods looking beautiful, which benefits all of Fountain Hills. It’s a privilege to be part of that effort.