[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Just one question: WHO decides which "ornaments" are and are not a "problem"?

It's easy, anyone that is mad at you, can find something and complain, and which point the thing, if it exists and if it is banned in the covenants is a problem, and you have to remove it.

Or to put it another way, anything that no one complains about is not a problem - until it is.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by Sherry8bal

The only reason this is happening is because there is some busybody in that neighborhood who complained. Who in this world would complain about one small white cross - is it what it represents that bothers them so bad? Shameful. Only anonymous complaints are addressed by the District and someone in that area is a sad and sorry individual.

I have no reason to believe it has anything to do with it being a cross. It might, but I don't know, and you don't know either. You wient from a lawn ornament to what a cross represents in a leap of assumptions.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Rules are rules.

It is really amazing how many people live here in TV that has never used a pad at work for personal use, never taken a pencil or pen home, never fudge on an expense account, never ran stop sign, never exceeded a speed limit.

But, let someone put a cross in their yard or a statue of a bird, and suddenly - Rules are Rules.

[tuccillo]

Yep, and when you do those things and get caught there might be consequences.

Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan

Rules are rules.

It is really amazing how many people live here in TV that has never used a pad at work for personal use, never taken a pencil or pen home, never fudge on an expense account, never ran stop sign, never exceeded a speed limit.

But, let someone put a cross in their yard or a statue of a bird, and suddenly - Rules are Rules.

Originally Posted by rlcooper70

The issue with religious symbols is that even though we are a Christian country we want all others to be comfortable. If 90% of the yards have crosses ... the message for others comes across and "you're not one of us" and that's not The Villages. Perhaps religion can be inside and not outside?

And let’s eliminate Christmas decorations on the 90% of residents who have them so others don’t feel uncomfortable.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by tuccillo

Yep, and when you do those things and get caught there might be consequences.

Absolutely, and when you break the rules here, there might be, and it has nothing to do with a Cross, or a rock, or some statute.

I agree with you.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by John41

And let’s eliminate Christmas decorations on the 90% of residents who have them so others don’t feel uncomfortable.

I don't understand, Christmas decorations are not banned in the covenant, in fact, they are specifically permitted around Christmas. I guess you are either being sarcastic or are feeling a little persecuted?

[Incoblack1]

Originally Posted by Buckeye Bleau

Well this should start a conversation.
Did you know that one of the Districts governance bodies is suing a resident over a very small white cross in their yard?
They should start a go fund me page to fight this.

Resident says HOA in The Villages is suing her for displaying cross, lawn ornaments

The nicest housing areas allow no lawn ornaments. If you allow them how do you define the limits allowable? It is best to disallow all ornaments. Window decorations should be OK although again, the nicest areas discourage them too!

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Byte1

You were joking, right? Sorry, I didn't get it.
When I see a cross around someones neck, I automatically wonder if someone died......not.

You're equating a cross in the ground (a well know grave marker) with a necklace?

Alrighty then...

Oh, and btw, I couldn't care less if a neighbor had a small cross in their garden...

[Byte1]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

You're equating a cross in the ground (a well know grave marker) with a necklace?

Alrighty then...

Oh, and btw, I couldn't care less if a neighbor had a small cross in their garden...

Thank you! The poster was equating a cross on a lawn to being a grave marker. I was being sarcastic when I suggested that a cross on someone's necklace could be misinterpreted also. I found it ludicrous to suggest that a cross in someone's yard would suggest a grave marker.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan

I have no reason to believe it has anything to do with it being a cross.

I suspect it has a lot to do with it being a cross.

I am not and have never been a Christian but I know that most people are Christians.

Maybe some non-Christians feel uncomfortable living in a predominately Christian community and they feel intimidated seeing numerous small crosses.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by VApeople

I suspect it has a lot to do with it being a cross.

I am not and have never been a Christian but I know that most people are Christians.

Maybe some non-Christians feel uncomfortable living in a predominately Christian community and they feel intimidated seeing the small crosses.

Growing up was different than my other friends at holidays, but didn’t make them any less of a friend. Or keep our parents from being close friends. I don’t have the need to display a Star of David, or a Buddha in my yard, and definitely not intimidated by a white cross. Maybe with advancing age comes the need to show a reminder of one’s faith.

[Tom2172]

Because the villages hasn’t figured out yet how to make money $$$ selling 8” crosses!
Once they do look out

[TJ SoBos]

I guess I don't see what the big deal about this is. I haven't seen the "offending" item in person, but as far as I can ascertain, It's pretty small, and not easily seen....unless you are scrutinizing someone's property....or trying to peep into their windows (??).
Is it really a lawn ornament, or is it a Religious Symbol? If the latter, maybe it doesn't violate the "rules"....and just an expression of Faith (which the rules probably don't address ....you know, that pesky Freedom Of Religion thingy?? )

[MrFlorida]

I like rules and regulations, that's why I moved here.