Posted on 03/10/2006 10:38:37 AM PST by iPod Shuffle
Woman Faces Fine for Supporting Troops
Sign on Her Home Will Cost Her Every Day That It's Up
WESTCHASE, Fla., March 10, 2006 — - When Stacey Kelley's husband, Army Pvt. David Kelley who is serving in Iraq, sent her a cardboard sign expressing support for U.S. troops overseas, she put it up in the yard of her suburban Tampa, Fla., home.
Kelley, 24, never imagined that it would raise controversy, or that she would be threatened with a $100-a-day fine if she refused to take it down.
"I've been in tears. I couldn't believe that they wanted me to take it down," she said. The Westchase Homeowners Association threatened her with the $100 a day for up to 10 days because the sign is in violation of association rules, but Kelley said she was ready to pay.
"If I have to pay, I'll pay the fines. My husband says the same thing," she said. "If we have to pay them, we'll pay them. If they're gonna try to give us more than a thousand-dollar fine, there's enough people out there that are willing to help me out."
It was an issue that caused a conflict for the association's president, who is also an Army reservist. Daryl Manning, an Iraq War veteran, said he hoped that some compromise could be worked out.
"I've been there. I know right where her husband is. I've been in [the] country. I was over there for 20 months," he said.
A compromise was reached Thursday night, but it doesn't mean Kelley won't be facing a fine -- just one a lot lower than the amount originally threatened. Instead, the seven-member board voted to impose just a $1-per-day penalty for as long as the sign stays up.
The fine will eventually go up if Kelley doesn't take the sign down, Manning said.
"There's a violation to have any sign in any homeowner's yard, regardless of what it says," Manning said.
Manning said the association's rules about signs, which only allow "For Sale" or "For Lease" signs, were in place to keep the community clean and keep the peace.
"The problem could arise where it could be a neighbor across the street or across the road that says, 'Bring the troops home. Get out of the theater. Cut and run.' What happens when that occurs? So we cannot make exceptions in this case," he said.
"All my neighbors told me this morning they're willing to go out and buy signs today and start putting them in everyone's yard because that's how it should be," Kelley said on Thursday.
Some neighbors said they didn't agree with the homeowners association's objection to Kelley's sign, despite the community rules.
"Of course, they say that there are rules, but in this particular case I think we should overlook that particular rule and give her the moral support," resident Ed Drost said.
"Gee whiz, the sign says, 'Support our troops.' OK?" said Merv Shiner, another neighbor.
HOAs suck.
I'd sooner burn down my house than deal with those b*st*rds.
Just a bunch of frustrated greedy micromanagers and busybodies worrying about their home(hhah!) INVESTMENT VALUE.
Homes are for living in;life isn't a silly fake "house Beautiful or Real Estate Guide" picture.One of this area's dumpiest homes held a family that always supported each other and would help just about anyone.
HOAs are loved by people afraid of other people and freedom.
Darn few, me included. I know the folks on either side of me now, the one directly across from me, and that's it. It was about the same in Florida. I certainly didn't know "Mr. Orlando Magic" in my old Florida neighborhood.
It would definitely have taken some creative thought to deal with him, since as far as I could see he had done nothing wrong by turning his house into a garish shrine to the local basketball team.
His place made a handy landmark, if nothing else. "When you get to the Magic House go three more blocks and turn left. You can't miss it!"
That would have to do with zoning, not a HOA.
Hmmmmm... wouldn't need my own air compressor or battery charger,always something new to drive,no late parties next door(service stations close at night,unlike gas station/convenience stores)......
And in Texas, there are large area's where it's WIDE open with respect to zoning.
Well said, my man.
I was president of my homeowners association for two terms. I guess I was a real "pr*ck" because I had a notice served to a homeowner who painted his house over the weekend a beautiful day-glo lime green.........and then there was the nice Greek lady who was hanging her wash every three days over her bushes and shrubs because she did that in the old country........and then there was the malcontent couple who didn't like their next door neighbors and the husband painted "F**k Y** on the side of their house that faced the neighbors, and then there was.......
And this is an upper middle class community. There's whackos in every community in the U.S. But because the covenants ARE ENFORCED (nicely), people clamor to live in this lovely community.
A "For Sale" sign is usually up for two weeks and the house is sold (generally for 4 times the original price.
Homeowner association elections are generally held for half the board every year or every two years. If the residents are unhappy, they will vote the varmits out. It's done all the time. That's how I decided to run. I got a slate together and we won the majority. I was a damn good president, if I may be so modest.
Leni
I notice you didn't actually resopond to the FReeper's comments. Thus , I would color you "asshole", newbie.
I was posting on FR since 1997 under a different name. When I got my own PC I got a new name under my new email account.
You're pretty brave when I can't get my hands on you. Otherwise you'd be picking up your teeth.
Indeed. Did you get a diaper change at the same time that you got your new PC, tough guy?
No use argueing with a fool.
Proper spelling would be helpful, idiot.
"Expect Hannity and his ilk to raise this issue to gain ratings."
Care to expand on what you include when you mention "his ilk?"
actually...to all....this woman is being 'fined' $1 per day for her to post her 'support the troops' sign...(and her friends are paying that fine). I do agree that her community has the right to define what is to be posted in front of her house. If they change the rules for her....all hell will break loose with 'signs'. She probably didn't start out to make a statement...but to show people that her husband was willing to put his life on the line for his country...she supports his (and all of the troops')efforts. Let it go...and...stop with the personal attacks on people who might not agree with your stated point of view. Freepers should have more class...stick to the subject.
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