[The Mountaineer]

I tried to sign on to respond there but couldn't get through.

My thoughts are that the same rule should apply to everyone in that particular Village.

Also, the government cannot promote one religion over another. Or even lack of religion.

If a white cross is permitted, then what about a sculpture of a Quran? A statue of Buddha? A sculpture of Ganesha? The star of David? Or a black cross on a white background inside a red circle with a diagonal red slash, the atheist symbol?[/COLOR]

[Mleeja]

Or those UnIversity of West Virginia flags? Different districts have some minor differences in their restrictions on yard displays. I think it is a slippery slope when you start trying to say what and what not can be displayed.

[jsw14]

Hmmm, I say display anything U want too. If I see it when I drive by UR house, & on my way home I can't see it from My house.... Just a Thought. Plus I Sleep Good at night...........

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by jsw14

Hmmm, I say display anything U want too. If I see it when I drive by UR house, & on my way home I can't see it from My house.... Just a Thought. Plus I Sleep Good at night...........

Quite frankly I've grown sick of hearing about these little white crosses or how it even came up. Luckily we live in district 2 and don't have to worry about it.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by The Mountaineer

If a white cross is permitted, then what about a sculpture of a Quran? A statue of Buddha? A sculpture of Ganesha? The star of David? Or a black cross on a white background inside a red circle with a diagonal red slash, the atheist symbol?

All of those are OK with me. A Confederate battle flag or a Nazi flag with a swastika would also be acceptable. I can't think of any kind of symbol that would offend me.

[Kazmi]

Instead of depending on the complaint system just level the playing field by enforcing this across the board. We signed our deed when we bought. Stick to the deal you willingly signed. Do I mind a cross - absolutely not. Do I mind metal birds, etc. Nope. I do mind though the petty bickering and lawn ornament police. Just make it fair and stop pitting neighbor (or non-neighbor) and against neighbor who can't stick to the rules.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Kazmi

Instead of depending on the complaint system just level the playing field by enforcing this across the board. We signed our deed when we bought. Stick to the deal you willingly signed.

[rubicon]

We never gave Florida a second look initially when searching for a retirement place. Then we focused on taxes and Florida became promising but we were not sold until we visited The Villages and albeit not truly a gated community we liked the demands for rules and deep compliance's that are absent in much of Florida.

Its a truism that as time passes, a community expands and new people move in such rules are gradually weakened. It is also true that relying on common sense and good taste of all people is futile

So it is imperative that residents speak up when they see violations or homes that are becoming run down. My focus with this thread is to maintain The Villages in a pristine state. My wife and I like freshly painted and often power washed properties. We owe that to ourselves and to our neighbors. Its how proprieties maintain their value. One rotten home could ruin it for an entire neighborhood.

Personal Best Regards:

As to acceptable symbols i believe that is a subject matter best left in political talk

[biker1]

There is little upside to the Developer or CDD proactively enforcing the deed restrictions, where they exist, with regard to tchotchkes in the yards. It would take manpower and they would come off as being heavy handed. The current complaint driven system is not ideal but from the Developer and CDD point of view is probably the best. All organizations tend to do what is in their own best interests. I would, however, like to see a requirement that any complaint has a name attached to it.

Originally Posted by Kazmi

Instead of depending on the complaint system just level the playing field by enforcing this across the board. We signed our deed when we bought. Stick to the deal you willingly signed. Do I mind a cross - absolutely not. Do I mind metal birds, etc. Nope. I do mind though the petty bickering and lawn ornament police. Just make it fair and stop pitting neighbor (or non-neighbor) and against neighbor who can't stick to the rules.

[rubicon]

A resident lodging a complaint should be given anonymity. Why? Because if not, many residents would not speak up because of concern that they would be harassed by the probable offender.

Deep compliance relies exclusively on resident complaints and if they are not provided anonymity would never speak up.

I trust the people working in Deed compliance to respond in an intelligent and tactful manner

Personal Best Regards:

[Count'n the days]

Why single out one school? Am I missing something?

[Bay Kid]

We hopefully did read our restrictions when we bought because at signing we agreed to live by these rules.

[PennBF]

I am as religious as the next guy BUT that does not mean I have the right to force my beliefs on others. This a form of advertising regardless of the reasons given by the ones who post the cross. Think how far this can go if it was allowed. Where does it stop and who is the censor? We all signed the restrictions agreement and if we don't like them now then sell and go where it is allowed to advertise your religion. If you want to be a "Mission" then for God's sake there are a lot of countries who could use Missions and please go to them and help them. The Villages, thankfully don't need missions so your work is misplaced.

[skip0358]

I know there are rules and I try my best to follow them I was turned in for an infraction which proved not to be one. If I was a nasty person the houses to the left and right of me and behind all have a violation. Not my problem. It's not offensive. What I don't understand is why my front yard according to the rules has to be a certain way but someone's back yard facing a street can look like crap.Trees, cactus, planters, birds you name it. JMO. Don't worry I won't turn you in unless it's really nasty. This is paradise sit back and enjoy it !

[n8xwb]

I think it's crazy that some folks look at this as a "religious" issue...it's not. It's simply a matter of following the rules you agreed to follow when you bought your home. If you don't like the rules, don't buy a home. Seems simple to me.

I note that this thread was started by the mountaineer -- perhaps born in Wild, Wonderful W.V.? I lived there for over 17 years
. A beautiful state. BUT, at least where I lived, there was no zoning rules -- what a shame. Someone would build a lovely home only to have someone next door put up a shack. I'd hate to see what our retirement community would look like if the covenants and restrictions weren't abided by. Just sayin........