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HOA Takes Exception To Memorial Day Banner

By Som Lisaius, KOLD News 13

Denise Caywood's always been pretty patriotic. Her father's a veteran; her husband is too. And of course, she supports our troops in Iraq. But Memorial Day means a little more to Denise this year after recently learning her great uncle died in France during the first World War.

So in his honor--and all Americans lost in war--Denise hangs a flag on the front of her garage (next to her home near Golf Links and Pantano), commemorating soldiers killed in action.  She put it up about two weeks ago. But Wednesday night, she got an unexpected note in the mail, telling her why she had to take it down.

"...specifically improper maintenance or unsightly articles," the notice reads.

The notice came from the Arroyo Ridge Homeowners Association, which told Denise she could have the banner as long as it's posted properly on a flag pole. But Denise doesn't want to spend 200 dollars on something she'll only use two weeks a year. At least one neighbor says she shouldn't have to.

"I know there's rules in homeowners associations and things like that for obvious reasons," says John Kruzinauskis, who lives across the street.  "But for this particular display, I think it's done in good taste and I don't see it being in any way offensive to anyone or anybody."

As for Denise, she says nothing's going to change. Fines or not--these are her beliefs. And the flag is staying up through Memorial Day.

"I really think they need to get a life," she says, shaking her head. "Walking around the neighborhood complaining about how a flag is displayed is really rude--it's just a lack of respect for the person whose had someone killed in a war."

We tried to get a hold of the homeowner's association Friday but our phone call was not returned. As for Denise, she's been living here for six years. This is the first violation notice she's ever received from the association.