Originally Posted By DAR <a href="http://www.nbc12.com/Global/story.asp?S=11645365" target="_blank">http://www.nbc12.com/Global/st...11645365</a> And if so are they really this strict about things? Thankfully they dropped their threat which should have never occurred in the first place.
Originally Posted By andyll I am and they can be. I signed a paper before closing stating that I agreed to their rules. If I didn't agree to them I wouldn't have moved there. If the majority of the homeowners agree that a certain rule is stupid then they can change the rule. That's the right way to handle it. The wrong way is to do whatever you want then cry to the media.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I belong to an HOA but I think there are some "rules" that should not be...and one pertains to the flying of the American flag. If folks want to fly it they should be protected and allowed to do so no matter where they live. The problem I have with HOAs is the often "selective enforcement" that they practice. When I move I will be sure to avoid HOAs in the future. It is too much trouble and they are often led by kuckleheads on a powertrip.
Originally Posted By andyll Why should flags be any different then anything else? The homeowners agreed to the rules. And in this case the flag was allowed... just not on a poll on the curb.
Originally Posted By DAR But in this case I think an exception could be made considering who the guy was.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I can understand the benefits of having a HOA, but there's always these seemingly ridiculous rules and the selective enforcement that wahoo brought up. Earlier this year I was given notice (two or three times) that the wooden fence door to my backyard wasn't in compliance...the top was straight instead of curved. Mind you, my backyard faces some woods, so it's barely noticeable. Yet one of my neighbors across the street has a gazillion yard decorations that looks goofy.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I got in trouble one year for putting Suzy Zoo easter clings in my kids' windows. All the issues likely happening in my neighborhood and they actually took the time to write me about Suzy and her friends.
Originally Posted By andyll <<But in this case I think an exception could be made considering who the guy was.>> Everyone feels they are entitled to an exception. If the rules stated no flags could be displayed then I'm all for using public pressure to change the rules. But this guy wanted to display his flag differently and said screw the rules I agreed to I'm entitled to do what I want because I want to.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Anyone who has never gone over 65 mph has every right to denigrate this guy. But, people "screw the rules" all the time.
Originally Posted By EdisYoda When we lived in San Diego, we "belonged" to a home owners association. One of their "rules" was that you couldn't have any plant growth extending past your wall on the street. The guy in charge of "enforcing" this was the chief offender. But he would actually go around with a ruler checking for compliance.
Originally Posted By andyll <<Anyone who has never gone over 65 mph has every right to denigrate this guy. But, people "screw the rules" all the time. >> But when I get a ticket I don't feel entitled to be treated differently. I don't claim I didn't know it was illegal to speed so it should apply to me. I don't claim uneven enforcement of speeding entitles me not to have to pay a ticket. People in this thread have applied all 3 of the above to this story.
Originally Posted By DAR Here's a little story how Colonel Barfoot achieved his Medal of Honor BARFOOT, VAN T. **Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Carano, Italy, 23 May 1944. Entered service at: Carthage, Miss. Birth: Edinburg, Miss. G.O. No.: 79, 4 October 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 23 May 1944, near Carano, Italy. With his platoon heavily engaged during an assault against forces well entrenched on commanding ground, 2d Lt. Barfoot (then Tech. Sgt.) moved off alone upon the enemy left flank. He crawled to the proximity of 1 machinegun nest and made a direct hit on it with a hand grenade, killing 2 and wounding 3 Germans. He continued along the German defense line to another machinegun emplacement, and with his tommygun killed 2 and captured 3 soldiers. Members of another enemy machinegun crew then abandoned their position and gave themselves up to Sgt. Barfoot. Leaving the prisoners for his support squad to pick up, he proceeded to mop up positions in the immediate area, capturing more prisoners and bringing his total count to 17. Later that day, after he had reorganized his men and consolidated the newly captured ground, the enemy launched a fierce armored counterattack directly at his platoon positions. Securing a bazooka, Sgt. Barfoot took up an exposed position directly in front of 3 advancing Mark VI tanks. From a distance of 75 yards his first shot destroyed the track of the leading tank, effectively disabling it, while the other 2 changed direction toward the flank. As the crew of the disabled tank dismounted, Sgt. Barfoot killed 3 of them with his tommygun. He continued onward into enemy terrain and destroyed a recently abandoned German fieldpiece with a demolition charge placed in the breech. While returning to his platoon position, Sgt. Barfoot, though greatly fatigued by his Herculean efforts, assisted 2 of his seriously wounded men 1,700 yards to a position of safety. Sgt. Barfoot's extraordinary heroism, demonstration of magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of pointblank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow soldiers.** <a href="http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-a-f.html" target="_blank">http://www.history.army.mil/ht...a-f.html</a>
Originally Posted By mawnck And after all that, this Homeowner's Association thought they could take him? Not the sharpest Crayolas in the 64 pack, huh.
Originally Posted By ecdc I've never been part of a homeowners association. And this is all I ever hear about them - how they have these draconian rules and if you break it, you are screwed. Penn & Teller did an episode that featured a guy who went to jail because he didn't water his lawn enough. No lie. Maybe there's more to it, but man, I really hope to never, ever be a part of one.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 My HOA isn't bad. You can display flags and decorations of a certain size and if you want to display something bigger you can if you get a certain number of neighbors to sign something saying they don't mind. There are a few people that have really big flag poles in their yards. Every now and then someone will leave you a note saying your fence needs to be stained or grass is too long but they don't really give people problems.
