Florida HOA sues disabled veteran over American flag pole in his yard
A disabled veteran in Volusia County, Florida, is currently embroiled in a contentious dispute with his homeowners association (HOA) over a flagpole that he installed in his yard. The unnamed veteran, who resides in Countryside Villas PUD3, is facing a lawsuit from the HOA, which alleges that he did not obtain the necessary approval before erecting the permanent structure.
Despite the legal battle, the veteran has garnered significant support from his community, with neighbors rallying behind him and condemning what they perceive as harassment and unnecessary litigation. Frank Johnson, a fellow veteran, expressed his frustration with the situation, stating, “Leave the veteran alone. He hasn’t done anything wrong. He’s served this country. He’s paid his dues. They wanted to get him on a flagpole and some weeds in the lawn. It’s pathetic. It’s really pathetic.”
The HOA, however, maintains that their actions are rooted in adherence to their procedural guidelines. In a letter addressed to the veteran, the association clarified that they were not disputing his right to fly the American flag but rather enforcing a policy that mandates prior approval for permanent flagpoles. They emphasized that the veteran’s military service does not exempt him from these rules.
The conflict escalated when the veteran refused to remove the flagpole, resulting in the accumulation of $1,000 in fines. In response, the HOA initiated a lawsuit seeking $8,000 in damages and threatened to place a lien on his property. Orlando Law Managing Partner Jennifer Englert weighed in on the situation, noting that Florida statute permits homeowners to have flagpoles under 20 feet on their property, regardless of HOA regulations.
Concerned neighbors and a caregiver have also come forward to denounce the HOA’s actions, labeling them as bullying and disrespectful towards a veteran who served the country. Margaret Murphy, a resident who attended HOA meetings, took the issue to State Sen. Tom Wright, citing her father’s legacy as a Pearl Harbor survivor as her motivation to intervene.
In response to the controversy, The Countryside PUD Unit III-B HOA, Inc. Board of Directors clarified that they never explicitly prohibited the veteran from having a flag or flagpole. They stated that the crux of the matter lies in the veteran’s failure to submit an Architectural Review Committee (ARC) application, as mandated by the HOA since 1990.
The HOA board emphasized that the veteran was given multiple opportunities to rectify the situation, including assistance from organizations like the American Legion and the Elks. Despite these efforts, the veteran failed to comply with the HOA’s guidelines, leading to the imposition of fines that he neglected to pay.
A pre-trial hearing for the case is scheduled for September, and Fox News Digital has reached out to The Countryside PUD Unit III-B HOA, Inc. Board of Directors for further comment on the matter.
