MAN BATTLES HOA AFTER BEING FINED FOR HANDING OUT WATER

In Goodyear, Arizona, homeowner David Martin has spent the past five years offering free cold water to passersby during brutal summer heat — but his simple act of kindness has landed him in hot water with his HOA. Martin set up a cooler in his driveway to hydrate neighbors, kids, and delivery drivers. However, the Canyon Trails HOA fined him $100 per month for violating rules against “advertising” with a visible cooler.

Refusing to pay, Martin launched a grassroots campaign to recall three HOA board members. On July 10, 2025, a special meeting resulted in a supermajority vote to remove them. Yet the board pushed back, claiming procedural issues invalidated the vote.

Martin, undeterred, says this isn’t just about water — it’s about fostering community spirit. He’s ready for a legal battle and insists, “The cooler isn’t going anywhere.” His story has become a rallying cry for neighborly kindness over rigid rules.