guest blog by Nila Ridings
We’ve seen the stories: No mezuzah allowed on the doors of the Jewish. No angels standing in the rock garden in remembrance of the deceased. Now, it’s no Buddhist symbols or crosses in the flower garden for Chris Bumann who lives in the Covington Bridge HOA in Spring, Texas.
The First Amendment of the United States Constitution says the government cannot restrict our free exercise of religion. Yet, homeowners associations in Texas have a law that states they can regulate religious symbols at the homes of their members. EXCEPT, it also says they have to be in compliance with the Texas and United States Constitutions.
Of course, Chris can sue the HOA and take his case all the way to the Supreme Court per attorney Chris Tritico. That’s an option only if Mr. Bumann is willing to fund the legal battle. But even if he gets into court he will inevitably be told that when he signed his real estate papers he essentially agreed that the neighborhood’s covenants superseded his rights under either the state or federal Constitutions. At this point, though, he has 30 days to remove the statues he bought years ago. Or the HOA will get a court-order to remove them at his expense.
He feels bullied. I think he’s right.
Chris, you’ve gotten yourself on the radar screen of Covington Bridge! Selling out is the only way off. Say your prayers for a buyer to come along!
Mr Lucas…
As the story notes the HOA bullied me however they did not win and we’re still with the religious statues in our front landscaped area. However, please note that there was not a law when we built & bought the home. It was the state of Texas that made a law that was buried in the mess of another law as why it went unnoticed till the Barney Fife HOA decided to harass me. Further more they had prior tried to bully me about my American flag and I beat them on that too. Keep your eyes peeled as they still fly Confederate flags in Texas just not me. That’s what’s scariest these days not my HOA.
Chris