Joyce stood up from her seat, bless her organized soul. "Commissioner, I'm Joyce Miller from the county land records office. I can confirm Mr. Blackstone has been paying the relevant property taxes annually since 1999."
She adjusted her glasses. "I can also confirm that the Pine Ridge Lake HOA has not established the legal authority it claims to have over the lake. The filings provided to the county do not support the fee collection or enforcement actions described tonight."
The county tax assessor, sitting near the back, added his voice. "I can verify Mr. Blackstone's tax-payment history. I can also confirm that Ms. Windham has never paid property taxes on the lake itself. Her deed terminates at the high-water mark, as do the other waterfront parcels we've reviewed."
Margaret looked like someone had pulled the floor out from under her expensive shoes.
Her supporters began whispering urgently among themselves, the sound of loyalty evaporating faster than morning dew in August. Dale officially resigned as HOA treasurer right there in his seat, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"I'm out. This is not what I signed up for."
Commissioner Williams requested a brief recess to review the documentation.
During those 10 minutes, Margaret stood frozen at the front of the room while her photographer quietly packed up his equipment and her supporters executed the fastest political retreat since Napoleon left Moscow.
Betty approached me with tears in her eyes. "Theo, does this mean she can't fine me for my gnomes?"
"Betty," I said with a smile, "it means she never had the authority to fine anyone for anything."
When the commissioners returned, Williams delivered the findings with the weight of official judgment.
"After reviewing the documentation presented tonight and the county records available to us, Mr. Blackstone's recorded property interests are legally valid. The Pine Ridge Lake Homeowners Association has not established authority to collect the lake-access fees, impose the fines described here, or restrict Mr. Blackstone's use of his property."
He looked down at the maps again. "Furthermore, any structures installed on Mr. Blackstone's property without permission must be removed, subject to the normal county process and verification of the surveyed boundaries."
Deputy Morrison, who had been standing in the back because of Margaret's requested trespassing enforcement, approached with a bemused expression.
"Just to clarify," Charlie said, "I was supposed to remove Mr. Blackstone for trespassing on property the records show belongs to him?"
The room burst into laughter that sounded like justice being served with a side of poetic irony.
Margaret grabbed her purse and rushed toward the exit, her high heels clicking frantically against the floor like a drumbeat of defeat. The celebration she had planned, the photographer she had hired, and the victory party she had booked were all waiting for a victor who had just become the defeated.
A reporter caught her at the door. "Ms. Windham, would you like to comment on the county's findings?"
"No comment!" Margaret practically screamed, shoving past into the parking lot where her BMW waited like a getaway car.