When appropriate and 3 The Financial Stability Oversight Council consists of the following members: Secretary of the Treasury, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Comptroller of the Currency, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Chairperson of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Chairperson of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration, a presidentially-appointed independent member with insurance expertise, Director of the Office of Financial Research (non-voting), Director of the Federal Insurance Office (non-voting), a state insurance commissioner (non-voting), a state banking supervisor (non-voting), and a state securities commissioner (non-voting). 4 “2014 Annual Report.”

You have to be on the City Council, part of the school board, on the chamber of commerce, a supporter of the fire department, etc., etc. 

It's not "gang" dangerous per say (you aren't likely to get shot at for walking down the street in the wrong color coat, rather, the biggest concern being dirty needles as opposed to much else), but again - anyone who has lived there will tell you it's far different than say, checking out homes in the British Properties of West Vancouver.

Following with great interest.I've dealt with strata councils for condos before and am familiar with some of the dumb things they'll try to do; this has pushed me away from HOA's for future investment as I see similar patterns / horrors like what's described here (ouch!)

They are used to rationalize bad deals...and rationalization, or other forms of that word, are the most expensive words in the English dictionary...even with a British accent.

British national.

But you were at the last meeting, I even brought my guys with me in case they asked questions, and the council didn't say a word..

This kind of project usually requires a city council approval and vote and also the approval of any owner within a given radius of the school you have selected as your project site. 

sounds like your there did your lawyer also council you on the risks you run subordinating your interest behind a construction loan.. and that you could be wiped out completely if the market went against you and or the builder got in trouble through the process.these are not likely to happen.. but lawyers should be talking about what ifs  not coaching you on what a good price is..if for some reason your developer defaulted on his construction loans do you have the wherewhal to cure ? 

You never know when the local city council can shut your business down with the stroke of a pen.