I don't care much one way or the other about the woman who put the peace-sign Christmas wreath on her house. I suspect we might differ on politics, but that's what makes life interesting. What's more than a little annoying is the attempted smackdown by her howeowners association:
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.
These associations and their "control committees" have been quasi-governments full of fussy little bullies who have probably been looking for payback since the second grade.
Comments
I think in this case the entire Architectural Control committee resigned (or was fired, I've seen both words used to describe the controversy) over this. It appears to be an out-of-control HOA board president acting on a few complaints from the local pro-war conservatives.
I bet if she had had a "peace on earth and goodwill toward men" traditional banner there no one would have complained. This is just another example of the intolerant extreme right-wing Christian loonies who are trying to ram their ideology down the rest of our throats. HOAs are just the symptom, not the cause.
That said, HOAs do have too much power. Here's hoping the ACLU can put a dent in that!
This is why I would never live somewhere there is a homeowners association-they are too strict. Of course alot of stores won't say merry christmas and alot of employers are so politically correct people who believe in Christmas are offended. I guess that is ok even though 96% of americans believe in God-just don't offend the other 4%.
On the other hand...you DO have neighborhoods with absolutely NO covenants at all...basically an "anything goes" kind of neighborhood. That would explain the noise, litter, gunshots, and the like.
And that doesn't make for good neighbors, no matter HOW you try to sugar-coat that.
My neighborhood association exists in name only (apparently), and I wish it DID have some say as to what CAN and CANNOT be allowed in the area (personally, I hate the drug deals down the block several times a month).
It's situations like this that lead to decline of otherwise nice neighborhoods. That's why good people move away..not because of STRCT covenants..because of NO covenants or guidelines.
We call it the other side of the coin.
B.G.