Subdivision Backs Off Peace-Wreath Fines

Apologizes & Withdraws Demand That Holiday Decoration Be Removed

(CBS/AP)  A subdivision has withdrawn its threat of $25 daily fines against a homeowner who put a Christmas wreath shaped like a peace sign on the front of her home.

Homeowner Lisa Jensen told The Associated Press on Monday that the board of directors of the Loma Linda Homeowners Association had apologized, called the incident a misunderstanding and had withdrawn its request for the wreath's removal.

Jensen was ordered to take the wreath down when some residents in her 200-home subdivision saw it as a protest of the Iraq war. Bob Kearns, president of the board, also had said some saw it as a symbol of Satan.

"Somebody could put up signs that say drop bombs on Iraq. If you let one go up you have to let them all go up," he said in a telephone interview Sunday.

The homeowners' association demanded Jensen remove the wreath from her house, saying it doesn't allow flags or signs that are considered divisive.

None of the three members of the board in the scenic town 270 miles southwest of Denver was available for comment late Monday. Kearns and colleague Jeff Heitz both had their phone numbers changed to unlisted numbers Monday. Tammy Spezze, the third board member, did not return a call seeking comment.

Jensen, a past association president, said she was overwhelmed with hundreds of calls of support and offers to help her pay the $1,000 fine that would be due if she kept the wreath up until after Christmas.

"We would like to thank everyone who has contacted us with moral support and offers of financial support. We are grateful to hundreds of complete strangers who felt so moved by this story they contacted us," she said.

"It seems whenever someone tries to say 'Peace on Earth' it is met with so much resistance," she said. "The incredible amount of support we have received over the last couple of days really is proof to us of how many people believe in peace and in our right to say it."

The subdivision's rules say no signs, billboards or advertising are permitted without the consent of the architectural control committee.

[diverinnl]

Have we gone this far? So what if they want to protest the Iraq War. So what if they worship Satan. Last I knew, all those things are protected under our constitution. I'm sure a lot of they're neighbors have Santa Clauses in they're front yards that the homeowners association didn't complain about.

[sevenveils]

bushrocks1 I love your cut and paste. Everyday your post is the same old stinking thing. You must do this religiously as a daily constitution.

Most notable - there never is any direct context related to the article in which you squat a post in.

I am glad to read that someone finally pulled their head out of their @ss

I am glad to read that someone finally pulled their head out of their @ss

[huskerarmy]

Not having to think can be a very comfortable place. This is but a knee jerk reaction to the fact that the Rove/ Limbaugh talking points no longer carry carte blanche.

[ronniehm]

Actually, diverinnl, the constitution has nothing to do with it. A homeowners association can pretty much do what they want. They may give in to pressure, but it has nothing to do with the legality of it. If you're in a homeowners association and you're not sure about this, paint your house purple.

[nmsuip]

Stupid. If it's my property, I'll decorate it however I *** well please and the "homeowners' association" can go pound sand...

[diverinnl]

RonnieHM, I'll take your word for it. I've never been involved in a homeowners association thank goodness. I just find it ludicrous that they would go after someone over a wreath made into a peace sign. C'mon, it is a bit far. Don't you think?

[ronniehm]

Yes, I think it's a bit far. I assume that's why they gave in so easily. I'm not sure why this is even on the news, but it does demonstrate, contrary to what nmsuip thinks, the rights you surrender when you join a homeowners association. There are certainly benefits and disadvantages. Someone who likes purple stripes and never cleans his yard will not be bringing down your property values, however you are pretty limited in where you can put your satellite dish. For people who want to live their own way regardless of what the people around them want, a homeowners association is probably not a good thing to get into.

[diverinnl]

A colleague of mine was telling me that his homeowners association approved a pool he wants to install but will not allow the privacy fence that is required by State law if you have a pool so now he can't install the pool. Are these really the type of petty things they squabble about? I'll just try to avoid homeowners associations if I ever decide to move.

[frankly6]

If you find bushrocks1 constant spamming of these boards to be disruptive, just click on "report this comment" below his post and report it.

[ronniehm]

I've heard about the pool fence thing more than once. It seems to be a common fight. I guess if you want a pool, it's probably a good idea to find a homeowners association that fits your needs. Of course there's always the option of building a house on your average street, but you'll have zero guarantee about what your neighborhood will look like in a year. As I said, there's a good side and a bad side. A lot of people worry about the things they want, and a lot of people worry about the things their neighbor's might want.

[ronniehm]

bushrocks1, stop it.
frankly6, get over it.

[frankly6]

Everyone knows that Christmas is for the celebration of war not peace. Christ came into the world to free us from peace and to promote war. That's why he's refered to as the "prince of war". Peace is just a tool of the devil. Everyone knows this.

[bluestardad]

Thank GOD for people with character!

[creeper00]

RonnieHM,

Your comments on the powers of homeowners associations are appreciated.

Your lecture of frankly6 is not. And if you think telling bushrocks1 to "stop it" is going to have any effect, please check back on these boards tomorrow.

frankly is correct. Abuse of the privilege of posting here should be reported. I have done that every time I've seen this post from bushrocks1. That would be, I believe, ten times.

[frankly6]

If you find bushrocks1 constant spamming of these boards to be disruptive, just click on "report this comment" below his post and report it.

[ronniehm]

creeper, I might agree with you if it weren't for the fact that many of the people complaining now had absolutely no problem with that kind of posting when it was done by people they agree with. Anyway, if you have already complained a hundred times and nothing has been done about it, get over it. CBS owns the board and if they want garbage on it they can have garbage on it. My goodness, it's just a friggin message board. The fact that you would even put forth any kind of effort to campaign against some stupid messages is pathetic. So, as I said in my 3-word "lecture", get over it.

[abbe7]

Well I guess that their peace sign is most appropriate ...

http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/christmastruce.htm

[abbe7]

BTW ... How do you do to not get a link cut in the middle ?