Condo Icksnay Soldier's Mom Can't Fly Old Glory

[las47032]

EAST WINDSOR -- Cpl. Tony Donihee came home from Afghanistan to the sight of the American flag waving outside his mother's condominium.

And he beamed.

His mother, Teresa Richard, said he was so moved by her gesture that he saluted the flag at the end of his several-week visit in August.

Now back in Afghanistan, Donihee, a member of the Connecticut National Guard, calls his mother about once every two weeks to talk, and to ask if the flag is still there. But since his visit, Richard has received several warnings from her condominium association that the flag, hanging from a pole in her front lawn, is in violation of "common area" rules.

The last letter from the Stoughton Ridge Condominium Association arrived in January, notifying her that the American flag, along with her Blue Star flag hung by mothers of soldiers, will be tolerated until Labor Day weekend. Every day after that, she will be subject to a $25 fine.

But Richard is standing firm and vows not to lower her flags after Labor Day, or any other day.

The flags, an acknowledgement of her son fighting for freedom, will remain just outside her kitchen window, where she leans over to watch them flutter every morning while making coffee and every night before heading to bed.

"I haven't heard from Tony for a week, and I don't know when I'll hear from him again. People don't know what that's like," she said, leaning across her kitchen sink to get a better view of her flags. "Right now, that's my son. That's my connection."

Richard has been trying to gain the support of residents, veterans and politicians, with limited success.

The East Windsor Veterans Commission sent a letter Friday to Richard's condo association urging it not to destroy an "honorable and long tradition."

"We feel the American flag should be flown any place, any time, without any restrictions," commission Chairman Warren Wenz said. "This isn't Nazi Germany or Japan during World War II. This is America."

Richard is waiting for other heavy hitters to weigh in, hopefully on her side. Richard has contacted the offices of U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., and state Rep. Ted Graziani, D-Ellington. They have yet to respond, she said.

"They said they'd get back to me, but I never heard from them," she said.

Meanwhile, the veterans commission letter has prompted little reaction from the association. Mark Kubera, the complex's property manager, and Kevin Carson, president of the association's board of directors, did not return several telephone calls from The Courant seeking comment.

A letter signed by Kubera in late August notifies Richard that "no flags, including the American flag, may be displayed from poles in planting beds or any common or limited common areas." The rule was adopted into the association's rules and regulations in October 2004, according to the letter.

Two years before the rule was adopted, the association had a similar run-in with some residents who had pitched and hung flags outside their condos. A few received letters from the property manager at the time, requesting the flags be removed.

One resident, Gene Doering, refused and hired an attorney, threatening to sue. He said he hasn't heard from the association since.

An American flag still hangs from a pole on his front lawn.

"I was surprised that [the association] even wanted to tackle the issue," Doering said. "I mean, what is wrong with these people?"

Both Doering and Richard cited Public Law 109-243 as their legal right to display the American flag. The federal bill, passed in July 2006, prohibits a condominium association from adopting a policy that "would restrict or prevent a member of the association from displaying the flag of the United States on residential property within the association."

So Richard continues her personal crusade.

Her voice cracks and she takes a minute to wipe away tears as she pulls out a letter she has written to President Bush. She said she's still relying on her elected officials to step up.

Meanwhile, she said, at least she can enjoy a seven-month reprieve.

Richard received a call from her son last week. He asked: "Mom, are my flags still up?"

She replied: "Yes, they are."




Source: courant.com | Soldier's Mother Defiant

[BloodThirstyWench]

Isn't that a bunch of crap? Condo associations are run by the decorating gestapo! White fences for the common good of everyone! Why pay thousands of dollars for a home and/or land you have no control over?

[sfga6970]

It's about time for an AMERICAN condo board.

[Woodmonkey]

Originally Posted by las47032

Richard has received several warnings from her condominium association that the flag, hanging from a pole in her front lawn, is in violation of "common area" rules.

< snip >

A letter signed by Kubera in late August notifies Richard that "no flags, including the American flag, may be displayed from poles in planting beds or any common or limited common areas." The rule was adopted into the association's rules and regulations in October 2004, according to the letter.

People need to read the fine print before they move into a place run by an association. It is very clear what is and isn't allowed in that place.

This seems to cover her though

Both Doering and Richard cited Public Law 109-243 as their legal right to display the American flag. The federal bill, passed in July 2006, prohibits a condominium association from adopting a policy that "would restrict or prevent a member of the association from displaying the flag of the United States on residential property within the association."

[cec]

It's crap like this that makes me want to park a Bradley on top of their cars.

[BloodThirstyWench]

Originally Posted by cec

It's crap like this that makes me want to park a Bradley on top of their cars.

A Bradley? You southern boys are too nice. How about a M1A1?