By ROBERT WELLER, Associated Press WriterSun Nov 26, 11:13 PM ET
A homeowners association in southwestern Colorado has threatened to fine a resident $25 a day until she removes a Christmas wreath with a peace sign that some say is an anti-Iraq war protest or a symbol of Satan.
Some residents who have complained have children serving in Iraq, said Bob Kearns, president of the Loma Linda Homeowners Association in Pagosa Springs. He said some residents have also believed it was a symbol of Satan. Three or four residents complained, he said.
"Somebody could put up signs that say drop bombs on Iraq. If you let one go up you have to let them all go up," he said in a telephone interview Sunday.
Lisa Jensen said she wasn't thinking of the war when she hung the wreath. She said, "Peace is way bigger than not being at war. This is a spiritual thing."
Jensen, a past association president, calculates the fines will cost her about $1,000, and doubts they will be able to make her pay. But she said she's not going to take it down until after Christmas.
"Now that it has come to this I feel I can't get bullied," she said. "What if they don't like my Santa Claus."
The association in this 200-home subdivision 270 miles southwest of Denver has sent a letter to her saying that residents were offended by the sign and the board "will not allow signs, flags etc. that can be considered divisive."
The subdivision's rules say no signs, billboards or advertising are permitted without the consent of the architectural control committee.
Kearns ordered the committee to require Jensen to remove the wreath, but members refused after concluding that it was merely a seasonal symbol that didn't say anything. Kearns fired all five committee members.
3 comments:
One of our neighbors was telling me today that he has been parking his work truck (commercial vehicle) in the lot for 8 years and just received a notice which was also a final notice. If he continues to park in the lot he will be towed. I wonder if someone complained. I wonder if someone is in love with enforcing rules because he enjoys making people miserable regardless of degree of the infraction.
That is something I've been complaining about for years. My work schedule gets me home from work late (between 10 pm and 1 am) and there's no parking. There has been 3-4 "work" vehicles parked in the lot for quite a number of years and its not fair to take parking away from the rest of us. "Work" vehiles can be parked on Rolling Hills as long as the Police Department is notified ahead of time. I'm glad THAT somplaint has finally been addressed since the new Board won't do anything about my other concerns. The Management Co. likes to ignore a lot of concerns and avoids many others.
Will we be getting fines for putting up Christams light this year? It's been okay for the 5 years that I've been here, but the rules are being enforced differently now. I hope not but I wouldn't be shocked if I get ANOTHER notice for rule violation.
Tim in #40
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