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Property rules put pinch on patriotism

By Andrew Skerritt, Times Columnist
Published February 24, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT 1st Lt. Geoff Grant put up a flag pole to honor both of his grandfathers.

Neighbors are accustomed to the symbols of patriotism and service that adorn the home of Gary and Susan Grant.

Yellow ribbons decorated their mailbox and maple tree in the Waters Edge subdivision near New Port Richey while their son, 1st Lt. Geoffrey Grant, was on combat duty in Iraq.

Last spring, when he came home on leave, Geoff erected a 16-foot flag pole in his parents' back yard to honor both of his grandfathers, who had served in World War II and Korea.

After he placed the pole in the ground and raised Old Glory, Geoff waited for his grandfather, James Johnson, to join him.

It took a while.

At 92, the World War II veteran needed a walker to get outside. Then for one brief, unforgettable moment, he stood at attention and joined his grandson in a crisp salute to freedom.

"He had tears in his eyes," said Susan Grant, Johnson's stepdaughter. "It was very touching."

Freedom, the right to do as we please within reason, is a peculiar thing. We demand it and jealously protect it. Still, many people are perfectly willing to give some of that freedom up and buy homes in gated, deed restricted communities. In exchange, they get orderliness and protection against things that might devalue their property, such as a neighbor's junk cars.

Susan and Gary Grant have been married for 35 years. They love living in deed restricted communities. Their last three homes have been in such neighborhoods. They understand the rules. But it's a double edge sword, when rules written with good intentions go too far.

Their flag pole had been up for about six months when last fall the Grants received a terse letter from Melrose Management Group, the company assigned to manage the relatively new Ryland Homes development since a homeowners association hadn't been formed yet.

"We had 15 days to take it to down," said Susan Grant. "That's the wrong thing to say to me."

The company eventually backed down after the Grants' story made TV news. But there were other similar disputes flaring up around the country, predictable given the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Enter State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, the guy who mandated a flag in every classroom. He has introduced a bill for the upcoming legislative session that would allow any homeowner to display an American flag on a flagpole with size and height limits in their yard - to heck with the homeowners association's rules.

Fasano is a smart politician. And in this case, he also may be doing homeowners associations a favor. They don't particularly like the idea of the Legislature tinkering with neighborhood covenants, but these are tricky times.

If sticking to a deed restriction means having your patriotism questioned, maybe it's just not worth the trouble.

Andrew Skerritt can be reached at askerritt@sptimes.com or (813) 909-4602 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 4602.

[Last modified February 23, 2008, 22:50:19]