I read with great amusement the recent article regarding the Federal Hill Neighborhood Association ("One man has control of neighborhood association," Dec. 21). The histrionics, the ridiculous over-the- top accusations, and the childish pettiness, while laughable, are all to common with these so-called "associations," unfortunately.

After living in two different neighborhoods in the Baltimore area, and having to deal with similarly idiotic demands by the two "associations," I have had the misfortune to have to deal with, I have come to the conclusion that this sort of infantile behavior is not at all uncommon with the board members of these quasi-legal juntas. In fact, it seems to be the modus operandi for all of them. Maybe it's the job description itself, but I have never met a normal, decent neighbor that has anything to do with them. In fact, the wishes of the board members don't seem to take into account anyone from the neighborhood at all. They seem motivated not by the desire to do anything good for the neighborhood they supposedly represent but rather by the desire to make themselves feel like big-shots by telling other people what they can and can't do.

In fact, I can't think of one single positive thing the "neighborhood associations" have done in either neighborhood where I have lived. On the other hand, my neighbors and I could easily rattle off a list of things they have done, or have failed to do, that have been deleterious to the neighborhood in general, or have interfered with owners' legitimate property rights. They should be abolished, or at least stripped of their powers.

William Smith, Baltimore