Priest told to remove Virgin Mary Statue from Villages Home
 

Controversy brewing over statue of the Virgin Mary in The... | www.wftv.com

I think the most interesting thing about this is the claim that the HOA has any authority to fine or sanction. Also, I think it is more about lawn ornaments than religious statues, although the complainant might have an anti-religion agenda....just speculating.

Uh oh. There goes my buddha.

Unfortunate for them, but them's the rules......however, I thought you could have it out front if it was under the eaves line. St. Francis adorns a yard on our street.....it's nice to see him. So far, no complaints about this.

Typical poor reporting.

There is NO HOA in The Villages.

As far as fines go, I so far have not read of any specific structure for fines. Has anyone else?

Dependent upon which village these guys live in, the Statue is OK under the eaves of the home, front or back.

Something is not right about this article.

Lawn ornaments aren't allowed south of 466 unless they are under your eaves or an approved part of your landscaping. I don't think it smacks of anything more than that. Just a deed restriction.


Where do these boys live?

The heading on this thread is misleading.
In fact, the Villagers were not asked to remove the Virgin Mary from their home. They were asked to remove a statue from their front yard.
If they live south of CR 466, my understanding is that lawn ornaments are prohibited by deed.
There was a complaint, and they were asked to remove the lawn ornament.

I'm not sure how I feel about seeing the Virgin Mary turned into a water feature!

According to the intent of the water feature approach, I would guess that you could simply incorporate the statue into a water fountain. I don't think it is necessary for the water to pour forth from within the statue.

What is bad about this situation is the misinformation regarding the HOA fines. That is not possible since we do not have a HOA. We are CDDs with deed restrictions.

There are HOA's in the Villages

It would be interesting to know if there are restrictions on water features.
Bogie probably knows.
Does the statue have to be actively involved in water distribution?
Or can it just sit close to the water fountain.
In this case it's difficult to criticize ex Priests wanting to express their religiosity.
Who wants to criticize a statue of the Virgin Mary? I sure don't.
But is someone wanting to express their religiosity different than someone who wants to decorate a fountain with plastic flowers?

Where? Would they be on the OLD side where they are not a CDD?

Everything West of 441 are CDDs. Those are the only governing bodies I know of.
If you are referring to the Villages Homeowner Association. That is little more than a club. It is not a legal HOA. It has no authority.

I think it's a statue thing and not an attack on a religious statement.

Maybe they could put it on the front porch.

Both the HOA and the POA have absolutely NO POWER. They could have some minimal influence just like any other group that has a number of members. If you are a resident, which I question, you should know that.

Xavier

However, Community Standards does have the power of enforcement, as do some CDD"S north of 466, where the owners make up 100% of the boards. They have enacted a schedule of fines and penalties which may become leins upon property.

Most of the fountains that I know of that have been approved incorporate some sort of a statue in the center on top. They are all usually earthtone, concrete-like structures that must have moving water. Pretty sure plastic flowers would not fit in.

Something like this with a virgin Mary statue instead:
Attachment 42315

I thought all the villages are CDD controlled and any HOA's are mainly a homeowners group you may join mainly for information or advocacy as a homeowner.

My CDD can beat up your HOA!

I believe you are correct. However, I don't think the historic side (east of 441) is in a CDD. Don't know whether there is an HOA there. However, this particular issue is not on the old side from the photo of the home.

You are "Totally" correct.

Xavier

Aren't the residents in the townhomes @ Glenbrook, behind Sapnish Springs and the residents behind the gates of Hickory Hill Hammock governed by the rules of an HOA?

Fyi
 

Here is a link to our deed restrictions and the chart delineating the fines for violations in CDD 7.
http://www.districtgov.org/departmen...ict7_Rules.pdf

I did find reference to a HOA incorporated for Hickory Hill Hammock. Could not find one for Glenbrook yet.

I wonder if this means that those communities are not part of a CDD? It would seem that would not be a workable arrangement.

I was just informed of yet another legal HOA in The Villages in the Villas de Laguna. I am learning a lot today. Anybody know of anymore?

incorporated into a fountain setting, holy water, and LED lighting would allow the couple to enjoy what is important to them. restrictions or not, some people obviously have nothing better to do with God given time here on Earth. Instead of pictures and complaints, go out and enjoy your day.....one day you won't wake up, and your complaints are meaningless.....and you will be dead a long time!

According to property records it's on Day Lily Run in the villages of Duval (South of 466). He moved in when the area was built and being he bought from The Villages he would have gotten a copy of the deed restrictions. The house is not listed under the priest name but under Charles Mione's since 2007. Apparently he didn't read the deed restrictions or just feels he doesn't have to follow them.

correction: the area of lake county (Lady Lake) that is west of Rt. 441 does not have CDD's but the same quality of life in TV.

This does look like it has nothing to do with the religious beliefs of this couple. They would have got the same result if it had been a statue of Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, George Clooney, George Patton, the Venus de Milo, or Harold Schwartz! http://thevillagesdailyphoto.blogspo...-schwartz.html

Just so that I understand it, he moves into the Villages, agrees (in writing) to the deed restrictions and then thinks he has a moral commitment to contest one he doesn't like.

Like Baretta said, "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time!"

Rules are rules. We have a neighbor that has their front porch covered with all kinds of statues, silk plants, and things not everyone likes. I see the décor when I walk to the side of the villa to get to the back yard. This is how the neighbor solved the issue. They can still enjoy their individual taste and stay within the guidelines of the community.

I believe it's another case of entitlement and has nothing to do with religion.
As mentioned we signed off on the deed restrictions and rules are rules. To whine about it's removal after knowingly violating the restriction is entitlement. Some people worship Mickey Mouse should they be allowed to display a MM in their front yard, ad infinitum.

Do you know if there are similar deed restrictions in that area of The Villages in Lake County?

Complainer has incredible vision or telescopic lenses. Imagine being able to see a 2' statue from 3 miles away! Are there any ordinances about having a Hubbel telescope in the village? Better keep your blinds closed!

True, but somebody with a religious objection may be hiding behind the deed restriction to object without having to state the real reason.

We're in Marion county and some years ago we had a statue of St.Francis in the garden in front of our porch thing is his hand was out with a tray on it to be able to hold a plant and we still had to move the "monk" as the neighborhood watch person called him to under the eaves.... yes there are deed restrictions and yes we read them but figured he was a planter. Sometimes I truly feeling like big brother is watching and some people have nothing better to do.... but that's just me, still love it here but don't always "like" everything. LOL

“There is NO HOA in The Villages.”
That would be wrong. San Pedro Courtyard Villas has one and it cost $50/yr that covers the painting of wall that surrounds San Pedro.

That's true but I doubt if this is the case. Not to get political, but if this were some kind of Islamic art I can see that happening. But with a statue of the Virgin Mary not so much. I may also be based on some other kind of animosity rather than religious. I mean the person who reported this couple's placing of the statue.

I did see what seemed to be a group checking out flag displays on my Loop. Not sure whom they thought they could complain to however. This was near Memorial Day. They seemed upset by one of the small flags that had fallen and gotten a bit wet.

I don't have an HOA to beat up.:throwtomatoes:

Could also be an atheist or a Jew, or that group that goes around trying to get religious stuff out of the public eye, name of which escapes me.

No one from the Jewish faith that I have ever met has revealed an intolerance to Christians, so my money would go on either an atheist or a radical Protestant opposed to the veneration of Mary. Yes, they exist. I know a Baptist minister who has spoken to me of his feelings on this issue. He feels that veneration of Mary detracts from the worship of God and borders on idolatry.

The only reason this is a "story" is because it's The Villages and the controversy is over a statue of the Virgin Mary in the front yard of an Ex-Priest living in The Villages. The deed restrictions do not allow such religious statues in the front yard in the Village of Duval.

If this was on the Historical Side of The Villages or in the part of The Villages within Lady Lake, it would be an allowable lawn ornament.

You are right. Also, I'm familiar with, and have heard, that objection to the idolatry of Mary (and icons in general) from some radical Protestants.

Your penance is to say 10 Hail Marys.