what kind of strategy are you using against Rick & Co? Are you going to use guerilla tactics and passive aggression? Are you leaving the issue open for debate, or inviting debate? Shut this issue down in Round 1, or you're going to end up hurting yourself.
Many people have suggested getting a copy of your by-laws and reading through them. If you feel that the onus is on you to respond satisfactorily to the HOA's demands (as presented by Rick) then write a letter that says something to the effect of "We have attempted 5 times to contact HOA rep Rick via the contact information contained in his complaint letter, without response. Thus, if no contact is made to us from HOA or its representatives, then the complaint will be assumed to be filed in error, and we will be hereby exempted from sanctions from HOA on this issue, unless further complaints are presented both in writing and in person by the HOA president or other elected officer."
If this issue really worries you, then pay for the response letter to be drafted by an attorney. That sort of letter on an attorney's letterhead would say two things: "No means no!" (Like in the sexual harassment commercials) and it would show that you're not afraid to throw some money into professional support of your cause. You know how much money the HOA has in the coffers, but they don't know as much about your personal finances.
In order to shut this thing down for good, you might need to start attending HOA meetings, so that they don't try to pass motions to shut you down.
Either way, don't drag this out. Strike fast and hard to lay the issue to rest.