Community Bans Woman's 'Support Our Troops' Sign (Tampa, Florida)

Local 6 (Florida) ^ | March 10, 2006

[Stoat]

Community Bans Woman's 'Support Our Troops' Sign

 

POSTED: 12:52 pm EST March 10, 2006

UPDATED: 4:39 pm EST March 10, 2006

 

A community association board in Tampa, Fla., voted Thursday night to ban a 'Support Our Troops' sign posted by a solider's wife, according to a report.

• "I feel that your home is where your heart is and right now my husband is in Iraq and that's where my heart is so I want to show everyone that I support what he is doing," Stacy Kelley said.

 

  Stacy Kelly, whose husband David is in Iraq with the U.S. Army, recently posted a sign in her yard to support him.

"I feel that your home is where your heart is and right now my husband is in Iraq and that's where my heart is, so I want to show everyone that I support what he is doing," Kelley said. The Westchase Homeowner's Association asked Kelley to remove the sign because it violated association policy. Association President Daryl Manning said the rules about signs are in place to keep the community clean and keep the peace.

"The concern that we have is what if the neighbor across the street does not support the troops or is against the administration and starts putting up those types of signs," Manning said. "So, here we have a war of the signs and we definitely do not want to get into that." Thursday night, the seven association board members voted that the sign would have to come down.

Board members proposed placing the sign to the front of the swim and tennis center but Kelley reportedly refused the compromise, according to a St. Petersburg Times report. Stacy faces fines of $100 a day for up to 10 days for the association rules violation.

There was no word on what Kelley planned to do.

[Stoat]

I understand that Community and Homeowners Associations have the 'right' to do this, but in communities where this has been done in the recent past there has been so much heat unleashed upon the Association involved that they usually reversed their decision or amended it, if my memory serves.  It seems to be one of those rules that is enforced somewhat arbitrarily in many cases.

It's unfortunate that this particular Association is unwilling to take a stand alongside our troops in this case.

[tsomer]

Sandlot fascists.

Certain rights, like the right to free speech, are inalienable. I understand that to mean that we can't forfeit them, surrender them or sell them.

This lady's got a case, if you ask me.

[383rr]

Good Lord. This is disgusting. What is wrong with people these days? What a way to treat a soldier's family. I think this association's board ought to be tarred and feathered.

[Moonman62]

Don't blame the Association. Florida law says they have to enforce the rules equally. It would be great if they had discretion.

That sign is close to being an American flag, which does have legal protection against HOA rules. This story has already been posted, BTW.

[Moonman62]

Good Lord. This is disgusting. What is wrong with people these days?

Nothing. Most of the board members probably agree with the sign. What they are doing is enforcing the rules according to Florida law. It's too bad people won't learn how things work before they start calling names.

[Moonman62]

Good Lord. This is disgusting. What is wrong with people these days?

Nothing. Most of the board members probably agree with the sign. What they are doing is enforcing the rules according to Florida law. It's too bad people won't learn how things work before they start calling names.

[383rr]

It's still wrong, don't matter what end of the stick it's on . These guys are fighting and dying for us. If there should be an exemption, it should be for these. It's not like it's big and ugly, but I guess it could be offensive to socialists.

[Moonman62]

These guys are fighting and dying for us. If there should be an exemption, it should be for these.

Send an email to Governor Bush. It's up to him and the Florida legislature to make the exception. It would be great if boards got more discretion, but that's not going to happen.

[ChildOfThe60s]

Already been posted.

But while everyones is running around, foaming at the mouth, you should note that it is not the "content" of the sign that is in violation [of a freely signed covenant]. It is the sign itself. That is not a minor distinction.

Get a grip. The homeowner is trying to changes the agreement after the fact, not the HOA.

[SALChamps03]

I would absolutely refuse to take the sign down. They'd have to take me to court. The negative press these bastards would get would most likely force them to back off. I absolutely will not buy a home that involves a covenant.

[jocon307]

"Sandlot fascists. "

The very worst kind.

[Zack Nguyen]

It's hard to imagine anyone being so rude as to put up a "I do not support the troops" sign across the street from a soldier's wife. I suppose its possible, but this Homeowner's Association is sounds very weak-kneed.

[Stoat]

Already been posted.

Gee, that's nice.  It must have been posted with a different title because it sure didn't come up when I searched prior to posting, which, by the way, I always do.  If the moderators object to a 'double posting' they will usually pull the thread, particularly if they get enough shrill complaints about it.

And since you seem terribly concerned about duplications, be advised that someone else in this thread has already mentioned it.

Get a grip.

Consider courtesy as an interactive option.

[Red6]

People need to be responsible for their actions.

Who are the people that voted and what are their names?

You can't be a "public" figure making such decisions and expect to stay anonymous.

[Stoat]

It's hard to imagine anyone being so rude as to put up a "I do not support the troops" sign across the street from a soldier's wife.

I am personally aware of people who would intentionally do exactly that, precisely in an effort to upset the woman, such is their seething, visceral hatred for our President, our military and our Nation.

 this Homeowner's Association is sounds very weak-kneed.

The easiest thing in the world is to be weak....this is why Liberals are so gutless and soulless.

[ChildOfThe60s]

Don't take offense where none is intended. I think it was under a different title. Certainly nothing incorrect in pointing out that it was already posted. Nothing "shrill" about it.

There was nothing discourteous in my manner. I suspect you are more unhappy with my opinion on the subject than anything else. You should not take my disagreement with your opinion as a personal affront.

"Get a grip" is to those going apoplectic here, not you in particular. Nonetheless, I stand by it. If the display was something offensive (death to Bush or some such drivel) the same people would be howling to have it pulled and the homeowner tarred and feathered.

The issue here is not the content of the sign.

[Stoat]

People need to be responsible for their actions.

Agreed.

Who are the people that voted and what are their names?

I would imagine that the people in this Homeowners Association have their identities recorded in a city or country registrar's office and that it is most likely a matter of public record.

You can't be a "public" figure making such decisions and expect to stay anonymous.

It seems that Liberals often voice such expectations of anonymity.

[Stoat]

Don't take offense where none is intended.

Then don't be unfriendly when you post.  Calm yourself before you push that "post" button.  And consider using words like "please" when you are making a request of others.  Your manner is needlessly abraisive.

There was nothing discourteous in my manner

Most people I know would strongly disagree.  And yes, I have an extremely diverse social circle. 

I suspect you are more unhappy with my opinion on the subject than anything else

And now you insult me again.  If this was what I had meant to say, I would have said it.  You are incorrect.

"Get a grip" is to those going apoplectic here, not you in particular.

Then post to the person(s) whom you intend to speak to, but hopefully in a more congenial manner.  A difference of opinion does not automatically give license to dispense with courtesy.

[hawkiye]

Home owners associations are inherently evil ;) and havens for busybodies and and liberals who have way to much time on their hands to mess with folks over ridiculous things like this The rules were set as "Association President Daryl Manning said the rules about signs are in place to keep the community clean and keep the peace." How does this dirty the community and disturb the peace? Enforcing the rules for sake of just enforcing the rules is just ridiculous

[JoeFromSidney]

One of the problems is that builders use "standard" homeowners association rules, which must be agreed to by buyers in the development. You either agree to the rules, or buy elsewhere. But "elsewhere" probably has the same set of "standard" rules. Unfortunately, these "standard" sets of rules are very restrictive. Ham radio operators have run into the problem in many developments. Antenna towers are prohibited, which keeps the hams off the air. It's not like homeowners get to vote on the rules. The're stuck with the rules adopted by the builders and included with the sale of the house.

The rules in force in the lady's development probably restrict signs. The committee has no option but to enforce them.