Coming down the U.S. governmental pike is the whole issue of health care reform. President Obama campaigned on promises of change in this area and a goal of health care coverage for every American. That may be all fine and good, but I’m wondering if the government should take a detour from that platform to investigate the authority of Homeowners Associations (HOAs).

Perhaps I exaggerate the need for federal intervention, but based on a story out of Dallas, it may just bring to light some of the narrow thinking within some associations.

Case in point: Frank Larison is a 58-year-old resident of the Woodlands II on the Creek condominiums. He’s owned his condo for eight years. A disabled 14-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp., he served combat duty in Vietnam for more than a year. He is proud of his service in the Marines and to his country. And it is with that pride that he displays several decals on his 2008 Chevy HHR.

Enter his HOA.

Frank received a letter, dated May 18, from his condo’s HOA board citing the decals were in violation of the association’s rules. They claimed the decals are “advertisements,” which are not allowed. The letter went on to declare that the decals were to be covered or removed by May 31, 2009. If that didn’t happen, the board threatened to have Frank’s car towed - at his expense - and any future violations could incur a fine of $50 each time he parks his car in his assigned space.

Tell me something: Did Texas secede from the country while I wasn’t looking? I may not be the sharpest “newsie,” but I think I would have heard something from someone about that. In the window of time when the nation was focused on Memorial Day, with its parades honoring our veterans, you’d think this HOA board would have considered an open discussion with its members before laying out ultimatums to one of “The few. The proud.” Is this not insane?

I’m happy to report that to date, no action has been taken against Frank. He hasn’t removed his decals and feels they only show that he’s “patriotic” and that he has served his country. Many of his neighbors support his actions and wonder why their HOA has not objected to the political and other causal bumper stickers on residents’ cars.

A Dallas law firm is representing Frank pro bono. They report that they have received countless expressions of support for their client and have put his HOA on notice that they are ready to “take whatever legal action is necessary on behalf of Mr. Larison to remedy the problem.” I’d hate to see it come to that. Here’s hoping the HOA board will come to its senses, offer Frank Larison an apology along with a great big “Thank You” for his service to them and all Americans. If not, shame on them!

TALK BACK: What do you think of this case? Should Frank Larison have to remove the decals or should he be allowed to keep them on display? Post your comments below.

Posted by Sharon Walker

Tags: frank larison, hoa, homeowners associations, marine corp decals

This entry was posted on Friday, June 5th, 2009 at 6:00 am and is filed under Current Affairs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.