Tag Archives: HOA Stories

Free Speech Rights Upheld in NJ — Six Year Legal Battle‏

guest blog by Deborah Goonan

Great news! The Supreme Court of NJ did right by the First Amendment, upholding free speech rights for residents of HOAs, Condos, and Co-ops in the state.

It took six long years, and the determination of resident of Mediterranean South, Robert Dublirer, a semi-retired, former criminal prosecutor from NY.
Dublirer was a critic of the former condo Board, and in 2008, contemplated running for a seat on the Board. However, the Board at the time prohibited him from placing campaign leaflets under the doors of residents, so Dublirer sued the Association for violating his rights to free political speech.

“You Saved My Life!”

guest blog by Nila Ridings

“Hey, Nila! How are you?” “Great, how are you?” “I’m great, too. I’m buying a condo!!!”

I’m not sure if my heart stopped or just skipped several beats. Janice said my face instantly drained of color and she thought I was going to faint. I remember feeling frozen in place and my mouth suddenly became as dry as a California river bed.

Judge Rules Frisco City House Can Stay in HOA While Civil Case Pending

guest blog by Deborah Goonan

On October 31, 2014, a District Judge in Texas ruled against a demand by a Homeowners Association that a group home in the neighborhood be shut down. City House has 8 residents, young women who would otherwise be homeless. But the legal battle is not over.

A report from the Dallas News which discusses key arguments in the dispute is linked below.

Chad Robinson, who represents the Plantation Resort 2 Homeowners Association, claims that neighborhood deed restrictions require that homes only be used by single families, people related by blood or by law. He acknowledges there are exceptions for such things as nannies or single renters. But he says eight unrelated women in a transitional living program cannot be considered a single family.

Indiana D.A. Threatens Lawsuit Against HOA Over Flag Dispute

guest blog by Deborah Goonan

Finally, some common sense prevails in an Indiana flag dispute, thanks to intervention by Hancock County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Griffin.

In an October 23rd letter to the Fieldstone HOA Board of Directors, Griffin strongly urges the Association to resolve its dispute by November 1, or face legal suit to stop enforcement of penalties against the Willits household.

Check out the link to Griffin’s letter below, in which he states, among other things: “In summary, the association does not have a legally‐sufficient “substantial interest” invoked by the Willits’ display. Under the Flag Act, without a “substantial interest,” the association cannot regulate the Willits’ flagpole and American flag.”

Another Flag Fight

It always saddens me to see these stories. But with the number of flag fights going on around the country, is it any wonder that many of us think of the HOA movement as fundamentally anti-American? The latest is the Fieldstone Homeowners Association in Greenfield, Indiana.

(another veteran slammed for his flagpole)