Posted on 03/24/2005 8:03:53 AM PST by EUPHORIC
Troop Support Causing Problem in Neighborhood
One man decided to super size his support of American troops with a six-foot “Support Our Troops” ribbon in his yard, but his northwest side neighborhood has told him to take it down.
Obe Urdiales put the sign up in January after his brother Saul shipped out for Iraq.
“We're doing it to show our support for him and the others that are over there,” Obe said, but the home owners association in The Villas of Ingram Hills sent sent him a letter.
“It says that our sign was in strict violation of the association code and we were to remove it in 10 days,” Obe said.
Liz Urdiales says she would understand if their sign was offensive, but it is patriotic.
“It's out of love, and it's from our heart,” Liz said. “It's something that we really do believe in.”
The letter from the home owner's association states that no signs of any kind or character shall be displayed on any of the lots.
Not all neighbors agree with the association’s stance.
“I think they're being kind of hardcore,” Roger Gutierrez said. “There are other things they need to take care of instead of that sign.”
The property management group that sent the letter says it is just enforcing the association rules. Obe and Liz are petitioning to change them, and they are making more ribbon signs for anyone who wants to support the troops.
The Villas at Ingram Hills Homeowner's Association says it is allowing Obe and Liz Urdiales a month to collect roughly 180 signatures. If they get them, the board says the decision will be left up to the entire neighborhood.
Problem solved.
You know I'm on the home owners association for my neighborhood and I'm doing what I can to keep the bureaucrats in control. These kinds of things really do attract the little Khans. The president of ours is all about fines and notices and contractors, I'm pushing towards speaking with people, avoiding fines and getting volunteers for things like putting out bark instead of paying premium for mexican contract labor.
Well, they should follow the rules, as anal as they may be, until such time as they can change them. It's the price you pay for living in that kind of community, you accept restrictions on what you can do on or with your own property.
You really don't want laws enforced selectively.
This strikes me as a good gesture on the part of the HOA. The trouble is, they signed an agreement with the HOA when they moved in. This sign is (apparently) in violation of that agreement.
I don't know why HOAs are so prevalent, or so hardnose in general, but there it is.
It stinks sometimes, but there really is no choice.
SO9
This is one of those cases where you have to ignore (as hard as it is) the subject matter. We all have a soft spot for our troops overseas, but permitting this means the board has to permit a 6ft "American Troops are War Criminals" sign next door.
Sucks, but that's the way life works.
I find it comforting to have such neighbors nearby...
vs the ones that supported Clinton, Gore, and Kerry...
Did this guy sign the community covenants and restrictions document? Well, 'nuf said.
Gee, sounds like a swell place to live. [puke!]
Wouldn't be a problem in my neighbourhood...most people have a flag out front, yellow ribbon, and a Bush 2004 sign still up.
Tie the thing to a helium balloon and tether it to the water meter cover; now, it will be the city's problem and not that of the HOA.
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