Veteran Larry Murphfree from Jacksonville, FL was fined $8000 and had a foreclosure lien placed on his home for putting a small American flag in his flowerpot – even though he had a legal right to do so. If he doesn’t pay within 30 days he might lose his home.
“I want it to go away. It’s such a minor little thing and they keep coming after me,” he explained.
“They” is Murphree’s homeowner’s association. He’s lived in the Sweetwater community for years, and been at odds with the HOA for more than two. All over a flag. The veteran decided to put one in his flower pot, and has been fined as a result.
“They just sent me a letter that says I owe them around $8,000 and they put a foreclosure lien on my house,” he continued.
Action News wanted to know how that’s possible, so we took our questions to legal and safety expert Dale Carson.
“There’s an actual Florida statute that says he can display this flag,” Carson said.
Federal law from 2005 also backs that up. We reached out to the law office that reprsents the HOA and got attorney Michelle Haines. She tells me if payment is not made within 30 days, the law office can move forward with foreclosure on Murphree’s home. – See more at: http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/news/local/veteran-may-lose-home-over-flag-fight/ngRCt/#sthash.OTe76VXL.dpuf
Chris Klotschkow I don’t see a copy of the contract he signed in this article. However, a small stick in the flowerpot could easily be utilized for supporting a plant upright. Who cares if it also has a mini flag attached let alone warrant robbing a person of $8000.00. An H.O.A. is the ultimate “nosy neighbor” paradise. Again they ought to be avoided as they are a cover for other discrimination anyway.
No argument from me that HOAs are the ultimate nosy neighbor. But when you purchase a home in a neighborhood with an HOA, you have to abide by their rules. You know that going in. If you don’t want to abide by those rules, you have the option to move, or to get on the HOA board to try to change those rules. This guy did neither. He just wants the attention of “standing up for his rights.”
Also, the HOA is claiming that the 8000 in fees is NOT about the flag…apparently, they claim that he didn’t pay his dues for a couple years.
Chris Klotschkow I figured there was likely more to the story as is often the case! Thanks.
He will win he will be able to fly his flag
Move ! The HOA is non American. Our HOA encourages patriotism, many many fly flags. Not tiny pot flags either.
I hope this man wins, leaves and then hopefully the trash bags who stomp on flags will move in and let’s just say…. “Intercity the community” and make that place like the rest of the neighborhoods these s$#%&!@* buckets live in.
How would the HOA feel if the Navy decided to close the Naval Air Station at Jacksonville?
Thats what people get when they enter home tracts with rules and regs and homeowners $#%&!@*ociations.. never seen one yet that doesnt get power mad.
So wrong. Just like demoncrats/liberals.
this country has gone to hell when something like this can happen!