The Right to Fly the Flag is Challenged! Locally!
 

My neighbor and neighborhood made it to the local news! All 4 networks have run the story. Check out this video:

http://cbs11tv.com/local/local_story_188184811.html

Of course there is more to the story. This woman, Brooklyn Nelson has been flying a bunch of American Flags since May and the neighborhood association has sent her a letter stating that she has to take down the bunting and the small ones. She refuses and has put up such a fuss that the news was called in. Check it out. I will wait a little while before I fill you in on her gig.

she's nuts?

Does she take them all down at night or are they all illuminated?

illuminated with malibu lights, a flood light from the garage and the floods on the house.

I'm sure that there is a lot more to this story. But, here is my take based upon the limited information provided. I'll make some assumptions here, so please excuse that and keep it in mind.

I would guess that the homeowners association's covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) place a limitation or outright restriction on exterior displays. If there is something in the CC&Rs regarding this, this woman is wrong and should take down the display.

A potential homeowner looking to purchase a property that is part of a homeowners association must be presented a copy of the CC&Rs prior to purchase. When they sign the paperwork and take possession they are stating that they agree to and accept the CC&Rs. If you don't agree to ALL the rules, don't buy the house.

It doesn't matter if it is the flag or Halloween decorations, if it is a violation of the CC&Rs, she can't do it. She purchased the house and moved in and is subject to the rules whether she agrees with them or not.

Ditto what Paul said...

She seems like she's got an axe or at least a hatchet to grind somewhere...whats the story?

Nice boobs tho.

Maybe she`s got more boobs than brains, and that`s where the problem is. What does the husband have to say, BTW? Oh, maybe there is none, maybe she`s married to Uncle Sam. One or two flags are OK, a bunch of them says poor taste-white trash, IMHO. That is what the neighbohrs have a problem with, since it looks like a rather upscale neighborhood. Now, I would venture in pure speculation and suggest that the lady is divorced, got the house from her former husband who could not put up with her low brains-white trash upbringing anymore. Therefore, she is bitter, finds comfort in Uncle Sam displays and enjoys pissing off her former husbands neighbors which she could never get along with.

Aurel

I got curious while I have been waiting for LubeMaster to check back in and provide some of the backstory. So, I googled (now an official verb) this woman and came up with this:

Brooklyn Nelson's letter to the Dallas Morning News. It's clear that this is not the first time she has run afoul of the HOA.

"I cannot say that I believe in separation between church and state..."

She's a peach. Smarter than the founding fathers, the HOA doesn't stand a chance.:rolleyes:

Well, I have a slightly different take on this one from you guys.

She's got a nice caboose too.

First off she is married. I know her husband. He is a pretty nice guy (on the surface - I will get back to that) and she has a couple kids as well, a Daughter around 10 and a Son that is maybe 2. From time to time when our Boy and I crooz our hood we will drive by their home. Every time she is outside - slightly non-typical because it has been shooting into the 100's here and unless you are at the park in our hood (which also has the pond and wooded walking trails) then you are inside. So I think first off she likes the attention. OK, so do I and maybe a million and a half other folks - no biggie.

Her husband seems downright embaressed by the whole thing but publically he supports her. About 6 montsh ago the Police were called in for a domestic. No arrests were made but they did take away a baseball bat. The next day there was a sheetrock drywall van in their driveway. One can only speculate.

About 4 months ago one of here neighbors Daughter got married. Please keep in mind our little town of 18,000 doesn't have very many non-anglos butt these folks are Indian (from India). Very nice people. The traditional Indian wedding means tons of Indian folks with flowing colorful gowns and so forth. I guess a few of them parked in front of her home. Not blocking anything. She took exception and stormed over there and demanded to have those cars in front of her home moved and that it was very disrespectful. Poor form in my opinion on her part.

Last night our Boy and I crooz'd Sonic for some shakes and to look at the Hot Rods. We got back around 10PM (to Mommies dismay!). On our way back we drove by their home and she was out cahsing down her Baby who was in the other yard. We slowed down and we said 'hi'. She had a drink in her hand and boy did she smell like Rum! She likes her hootch from what the hoodfolk say.

She once told me that she wanted to be a Lawyer but never pursued it. Now this flag thing is her legacy to her kids and she show of devotion to the troops in Iraq (who she has no connection to BTW) and her country. I have noticed that when she talks to you she looks you right in the eyes, doesn't blank, carries a mono-tone and seems to have it all scripted out. If it wasn't for her nice rack and pooper I am not sure the TV folks would be all that interested.

My Wife has many more stories about her. Bottom line: She is a nut

I'd like to be polite and say that cleared things up for me but... :)

Glad she is your neighbour... at least the place is colorful! :)

Edit, just watched the video and its no where near as bad as I thought it would be. Yes, it does make the house stick out a bit but not "flaming" so to speak.

Singpilot, yes, nice all around and if she lived near us am sure we could give her something to concentrate on besides flags...

Lube, why did the HOA take offense to this display? Do you know what's in the bylaws that this is in violation of?

Personally, I don't think it's such a big deal. I dont' think it looks so horribly bad or anything....

As far as her being nuts, perhaps she is. And that was very mean to do to the Indian neighbors. But I guess I'm confused as to what specifically the HOA is taking issue with here.....

I think that if she is in violation of the HOA covenants then she should take down the display. I would think that she would have a good case in court if the HOA was trying to prevent her from flying one flag on her house, but 60?? Come on. I think it's pretty obvious that 59 of those flags are there for the "F you" value...

Sounds like an attention whore to me...

Reminds me of a lady we lived next to growing up.

Where's that picture?

I dunno if I agree with that. The way she displayed them.....in her planters.....to me, it doesn't look that bad....

Edit: I was not agreeing with the "F you" part.......

If it violates the covenants, then yes, I agree.

It aint a matter of "looks bad" or "looks good", thats what they call subjective.

If the HOA has specific rules regarding the display of flags/adornments/decorations, AND she's in violation of those rules...

Pretty black & white to me.

Ah yes, here it is...


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1152377193.jpg

That's what I have asked Lube. What specific bylaw is it against?

You are saying that she is in fact in violation, so maybe you can answer, what is the specific bylaw she's violating?