A Black Eye for HOAs

The following story from Dallas is a good example of the type of BOD that gives all HOAs a black eye! Shame on these board members; they all should be tarred and feathered.

Vet's Patriotic Stickers Under Fire
Published : Wednesday, 27 May 2009, 10:45 PM CDT

James Rose
DALLAS - Frank Larison is a disabled veteran with more than 14 years of service, including more than a year of combat duty in Vietnam.

The 58-year-old former Marine now finds himself under attack by his Dallas homeowners association for displaying seven decals on his vehicle supporting the Marine Corps.

"To me, it's being patriotic, and it shows that I served," the veteran told FOX 4.

The board says the decals are advertisements that violate HOA rules, and must be covered or removed.

Otherwise, the homeowners association for The Woodlands II on The Creek --- where Larimore has lived for eight years --- says in a letter it will tow the car at Larimore's expense. The board also threatens to fine him $50 for any future incident.

Larimore says the decals, ranging from the Marine emblem to Semper Fi slogans, aren't advertisements for anything. "You can't buy freedom," he reasoned.

Some neighbors are outraged.

"That is his identity," said neighbor Mary Castagna. "He goes to a lot of the veteran meetings, and it means a lot to him. Everyone else agrees with it; it doesn't bother anybody."

"He's in the Marines, and he's proud of it, and I don't blame him," said neighbor Paul Hardy. "If I'd gone through what he's gone through, I'd be kind of proud of it myself."

The letter from the board states you can't have any form of advertisement anywhere on your car on your property. FOX 4 cameras spotted bumper stickers for political parties, health causes, and other non-commercial interests on the property as well.

One board member said he was unaware the HOA presidents sent the letter and did not know of any issue with Larimore's vehicle.

"I will be looking into it," said board member Art Bradford. "I didn't know anything about this. I haven't seen this."

The board president was out of town and unavailable. The condo management company did not want to comment.

I've read a lot about these type of HOAs, which are why we get such bad names!

Does this happen a lot? Are there a lot of people on this site who really care about people's bumper stickers? And if so, why? And then to compound it by messing with a veteran? COME ON!!!!!! These just make me cringe, and make me glad for the problems I do have!

On another board i frequent, this article came up. Several excellent points were made among the vitriole, including those made here about the obviousness that this is a personal move by a single person in authority, and not the actions of the board.

AMong other comments that I enjoyed on that board were that IF all advertisements were banned, and if a USMC bumper sticker and decals were advertisements, then the HOA better get rid of all License PLate holders with dealership names on them, as well as the Ford, Chrysler, Honda, BMW, GMC and other company logos on cars too, as those are advertisements as well.

Just wait till you take the hood ornament off a BMW because it's an "ad"...

Without even thinking about this too deeply, the obvious question is

What does the president's car look like?

There is obviously much more to this story that is being told.

Yup. Clearly an ego-maniac. (the board member, not the Vet)

He's sure getting attention, now, isn't he! LMAO!

I don't want to get political so I won't state why I think the board Pres took this action. Just suffice it to say I agree that he's an idiot -- and that's putting it mildly. Frankly I think he should be kicked off the board for exercising such poor judgment and embroiling the assn in a national scandal!!

Well, the timing of this couldn't be better either. Our legislative session was jammed with a number of bills to regulate HOAs. Stupid acts like this are fodder for more legislation. My feeling? give the person responsible a blanket party in the spirit of the Marine Corps.