Power corruption is always a possibility but I'm not too worried. We've been here 12 years with nary a shop-related problem and attend most of the HOA social functions so most folks know us at least a little. AIR, it takes a 2/3 majority of all homeowners to effect a major change in the byloaws and that is generally difficult to achieve. Being a good neighbor doesn't hurt and it may also help a little that I'm doing a CNC engraving (gratis) for the ex-president of the HOA . He did have a minor tiff with one of the neighbors but the board was reasonable and saw things his way. Common sense seems to prevail here, but I can see where that may not be the case everywhere.