Faith

Homeowner‘s Association ’Steals’ Family’s Virgin Mary Statue

Homeowners Association Steals Family’s Virgin Mary StatueIt seems that every other week there’s something in the news about a homeowner who has to fight for his right to display the American flag on his property.

Well, how about a twist on an old favorite?

Some Pittsburgh residents are finding out the hard way that, much like the American flag stories, the homeowner’s association strictly adheres to rules prohibiting anything in designated “common ground” areas, even if it’s a statue of Our Lady.

“I had a Blessed Mother statue sitting out here,” Steven Vasko told CBS Pittsburgh, referring to the statute he had displayed just below one of the condominium’s windows.

“Yeah it was taken,” Vasko said. “The association—they stole it.”

And he’s not making wild accusations. The homeowner’s association actually had someone remove the 150-pound cement statue from where the Vaskos had placed it, reports CBS.

What was the association’s justification for removing the statue?

It’s “common ground.” No one is allowed to have anything these designated areas, so the statue had to go.

And it doesn’t end there.

After the association removed his statue from the property, they notified him that he would have to pay a fine if he ever wanted to see it again.

“I have to pay a fine,” he said. “Would that be extortion or kidnapping? You tell me, I don’t know.”

See the CBS report:

Prior to the Blessed Mother’s kidnapping, the Vaskos were also being fined by the association for every month they violated policy by having the statue outside “illegally.” Currently, the total fine for displaying the statue–which the Vaskos refuse to pay–is $4,000.

But wait, there’s more.

Because the Vaskos refuse to pay the fines, the homeowner‘s association has also revoked the family’s rights for them to park on the property.

“This is religious persecution. This is discrimination. Is it a losing battle to hold your ground? No,” Vasko said. “If you are, then we might as well all quit as Americans and say, ‘Have a nice day, bye.’”

Currently, both sides refuse to back down. The association is sticking to its guns and Vasko refuses to budge on the issue. However, it’s probably safe to say that this fight is a little more personal for Vasko.

“I made a promise to the Blessed Mother and I’m keeping it,” Vasko said. “And this is about her. This isn’t about me.”

Comments (136)

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  • jado1981
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:19pm

    I know it wasn’t the blaze calling in a cement statue, but please stop doing that. It is not a cement statue, it may be a concrete statue, but not cement. You don’t call a loaf of bread, a loaf of wheat, yeast and flour, do you? Cement is just a piece of what makes concrete. I am in the construction industry, and cannot help but laugh at people who call concrete, cement.

    On the other side. It shouldn’t have been put up in a public area, that is free from any other memorials, statues, or anything else. If it really means that much to you, put it in your front yard if the hoa says that’s fine. Don’t complain about someone enforcing a law that you agreed with.

    Report Post »  
    • palerider54
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:19pm

      I know what you mean, I used to own and operate a Concrete Pumping Sevice.
      Would get calls every day wanting to know if I had one of those “Cement Pumps” to rent out.

      Report Post »  
    • Digger-HR
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 2:26pm

      Jado, you know what they’re talking about when they say cement, but you are correct. It’s just like people saying they need a “Kleenex” when they mean a tissue that could be Kleenex or Puff’s brand. It’s just unintended ignorance calling it one ingredient versus the final product.

      As far as the fight, they knew about the rules when they bought the house, so I think they’ll lose the war. My subdivision just lost a fight with the new builder over the size of the homes he wants to build. We have homes starting in the $200k range and the new builder wants to start his homes at $125k. That really lowers the value of our homes in an already lousy market and even though the judge was sympathetic to our concerns, we had no legal case against the new owner who purchased the subdivision indentures. The only way to win is for all parties to vote for a change in the indentures.

      Report Post » Digger-HR  
    • by faith
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 3:08pm

      I’m from the south and we ask people if they want a “coke”; what kind of “coke” do you want…Coke, Pepsi, Dr Pepper… ?

      Report Post » by faith  
    • geonj
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 5:55pm

      his front yard is “common area” get your cementicious facts straight.

      Report Post » geonj  
    • txn4justice
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 6:31pm

      It’s a condo.You don’t get to do what you want in a condo. Wake up and smell the coffee. build the shrine in the condo or the private areas. It is simple, they brought it on themselves.

      Report Post »  
    • Publius Novus
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 8:14pm

      LOL…are you referring to Portland cement or Bituminous concrete? I crack up at that too. “Hey can you help me fix my cement walkway?

      Report Post » Publius Novus  
    • jado1981
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 9:40pm

      I skipped the part that said it was a condo, my bad… I got a couple of paragraphs in and said this guy is an idiot, and then went to the comments… I am in the south, well, Fort Worth Tx, and yes, we do call almost every carbonated beverage a coke with a little c. Which also covers Dr Pepper, Pepsi, Coke, Mountain Dew…

      In one of my dad’s last construction management classes at A&M way back in 75, a finals question was, “Why can you not stand on a cement sidewalk in 50 mile an hour winds?” And the answer, because it’ll blow away.

      Report Post »  
    • drago
      Posted on December 13, 2011 at 6:53am

      Ok folks, lets get this straight “cement” is the proper term, just ask Jethro Bodine, remember the “cement pond”? ;p

      Report Post »  
  • bunky6558
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:11pm

    It‘s HOA’s not HMO Geez! But you are right, HMO’s do keep out people, but thats a whole another story.

    School wasn’t your best subject was it?

    Report Post »  
    • mils
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:14pm

      The HOA is RIGHT in what they are doing.

      People live in communities that HOA’s for a reason…they sign a contract before every buying and moving in. THEY KNOW THE RULES BEFORE HAND.
      It is notnotnot religious prosecution…it is stupidity and pushing rules over the line for the people that put up the statue
      It is NOT RELIGIOUS PROSECUTION.. It’s the HOA rules…follow OR GET OUT!…BETTER YET,,DON’T MOVE INTO BEGIN WITH..

      Report Post »  
    • mils
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:17pm

      I meant to reply to Trish1981….
      I guess like the homeowner’s meant to follow the rules they signed on to..but didn’t…

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:13pm

      mils
      Statues of the Virgin Mary & Flamingos & other things on the lawn of others have never made a difference in my life. Sometimes I thought they were gawdy, but they never heart a thing. Narrow roads with cars parked on both sides, people speeding in the neighborhood. These things have made a difference in my quality of life.

      Report Post »  
    • toto
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 2:00pm

      You accept the rules and sign on the dotted line when you move in. Overall, they are designed so that EVERYONE can count on a certain ambiance in their surroundings. When outrageous things happen, the homeowners ass. needs to come to an agreement, but people should NOT feel free to make unilateral decisions involving the common space. If you need that freedom, then live in a place without restrictions.

      Report Post »  
    • pmjr-jones
      Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:06pm

      I am satan jude; thou shalt worship sports and wannabe(spelling hillbilly) C.E.O.’s and i win thnx.

      Report Post »  
  • Trish1981
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:11pm

    If you don’t want to adhere to the draconian rules of an HOA, you shouldn’t move into a place that has one. It’s as simple as that.

    However, I do question the legality of the HOA taking the statue and refusing to return it until fines are paid. They have no claim over the statue, say like a bank would if you don’t make a car payment.

    I do get where the HOA is coming from – they have rules (even if you don’t agree with them) that they need to uphold – But someone there has a twisted set of morals if they think it‘s okay to hold someone’s Virgin Mary statue hostage.

    Report Post » Trish1981  
    • COFemale
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:30pm

      Ah, yes they do. The statue is on Association property. See what some fail to realize the common area in an Association is owned by the Association. It does not belong to the people. The Association pays for the upkeep. He placed the statue on private property. They have every right to remove it. They also have a right to fine them on the infraction. If this guy is not careful, he can lose his condo. Depending on the STATE not Association rules, they can place a lien on his property until the fines are paid. Just ask a few residents that live in my area. They refused to take care of the lawns, letting weeds grow and were fined (public records will tell you). They went to sell the house because they did not want to live under Association rules and found out they could not sell until the they paid the fines.

      This guy needs to cut his loses and wise up or he could be out of his home. I will bet this homeowner is a Liberal/Progressive and thinks he is right. Sorry he is dead wrong.

      If he placed the virgin Mary on his property, then this would be a different story.

      Report Post » COFemale  
    • caveman74
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:41pm

      Under the rules of the HOA they are owed money and are treating the statue as collateral. Not unlike a car parked in that same condo complex. It will get towed and held until the fee is paid. If the fee is not paid the tow company acting in proxy for the condos will file for a storage lean on the title and then auction the car to recover the money owed. This guy has the same mentality as the OWs. He expects to get the benefits of the rules of his community while not having them apply to him

      Report Post »  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:25pm

      If you live in a house/condo that is part of an HOA your are already a communist. You sign over your rights when you enter into their agreements. You may have bought said house or condo, but they own it and can take it from you. Sneaky are the communists of America, they have infiltrated everywhere..

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • confusedem
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 3:50pm

      @hidden_lion

      KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK BROTHER.
      I will never even consider occupying any form of HOA. I will live in a hollowed out log before any HOA quarters.

      Report Post »  
    • Bill in Texas
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 4:43pm

      That’s why I would never live in a home that is in an HOA governed area. Heck I can’t even stand living in city limits.
      My town has an ordinance that says you can’t have chickens in city limits. Imagine that? It’s hard to be self sufficient in a city like this.
      I can’t’ wait to move.

      Report Post »  
    • Intrepidacious
      Posted on December 13, 2011 at 2:07pm

      The HOA can‘t take your car away if you don’t pay the HOA fees unless your car is listed as collateral. This statue is the same thing — if it‘s not listed as collateral then they can’t simply take it on the basis that you owe them fees, unless you’ve agreed to something like that in a contract. Similarly, a landlord cannot come into your rented apartment and take property out if you’re behind on rent; they have to evict and sue for the money. Placing the statue out in a common area could result in its disappearance for any number of reasons and there could be an agreement in the contract regarding items placed out in the common area. If the HOA is admitting they‘re holding it just for fees then the homeowner can takes them to small claims court and the HOA will have to return it or compensate them for the loss since they’ve admitted they took it. The HOA will have to sue separately for their fees or place a lien on the house/condo. All of this is out the window if the owner signed an agreement saying that the HOA can take roperty and so forth. I stay out of HOA’s — neighborhoods can be run quite nicely without them as there are plenty of ordinances to support residents fairly.

      Report Post »  
  • MLB33
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:09pm

    Homeowners need to get wise and start displaying these things behind they windows in the front of their house. I understand that you can regulate what is put on common ground, but you can’t regulate what I have openly displayed in my house. Use the flag as drapes and display the Virgin Mary in your window. We need to find new and inventive ways to get around HOA ridiculous rules. Makes me wonder if no one is even allowed to put out Christmas lights or display a wreath on their front door. Keep the faith people.

    Report Post » MLB33  
    • caveman74
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:45pm

      the way to get around HOA rules is to not move into an HOA. Why move to a community where everyone agrees to a set of rules and then intentionally skirt those rules to agitate the neighbors. If the rules are that bothersome then clearly the neighbors are not of like mind to you. Let them have their rules and move to a place where you can get along with the neighbors

      Report Post »  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:14pm

      as a realtor I will say PLEASE DON”T BUY IN AN HOA! they are only for people who care what their neighbors are doing and are willing to give up the right to freely do what you want with your own home and property. Not buying in an hoa you do run the risk of getting a junkyard next door but are allowed to build large fences or plant privacy trees to block the view. I get so tired of people whining about their hoa’s. I wont sell in any hoa I dont like the headache.

      Report Post »  
    • Carter John
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 2:12pm

      The Thing is the article clearly said that that it was under the houses windows, the picture also has it up against the house. So that would mean that all of the neighborhood that isn’t the house its self is common grounds. If you buy a piece of land it is private property, I don‘t know about HOA’s since I don’t have one. But he is a fool for trying to go against the rules he agreed to to move in, unless it formed afterwards and didn’t sign the dotted line.

      Report Post » Carter John  
  • Carlinpa
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:08pm

    This is just a text book example of “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Why do people buy into these HOA run locations? This is what happens..

    Report Post »  
    • COFemale
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:37pm

      I guess people got tired of living next to people who don’t take of their property and let the grass die, put cars up on blocks, park RV’s in the road. Some of you think this is ridiculous, but when all these things brings down the property value of your house, then you might sing a different tune.

      I hate paying the fees, but I read the rules and agreed to comply. Many people sign the dotted line, but feel they are above the rules. These are usually Liberals and a few overzealous Conservatives.

      Report Post » COFemale  
    • caveman74
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:52pm

      I will never live in an HOA because I don’t want a collective telling me what I can and cant do with my property. I have no malice to those who chose to live in such communitites, and while I hate the structure of HOAs I have to agree with them. This guy bought the place and agreed to live by the rules, and was warned to take his crap off of everyones property before they removed it. He would be singing a different tune if someone put a wickin star or a nazi flag in the commons. Pay the fines or lose your equity chuckle head

      Report Post »  
    • BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:01pm

      Question? When gas prices go extraordinarily high, do you cut back on how much you drive? When certain grocery items spike do you continue to buy them, does it change your consumption habit at all? Do you have a limit in which you won’t buy a certain product? Would you pay $25 for a candy bar? If not, why not?

      To hold to the belief that people who agree to an HOA because they like the “protection” and therefore, deserve neither liberty nor safety simply does not apply. A lot of people living in communities with an HOA do so because it is all there is and all they can afford. It is about changing people’s habits and nudging people to demonstrate the habits which are best for the collective.

      Report Post » BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?  
    • netjet
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 8:43pm

      @cofemale–hence why some people live in HOA neighborhoods (like my brother-in-law I can’t stand & his wife, their children all little brats have no idea about the real world. Their family fights & bickers & hate each other & are continually trying to compete with each other & appearances mean everything). Then I decided to leave that world & live in the country with crazy people with RV’s & vehicles on blocks with unkempt yards. They butcher their deer in the back yard after the hunt & I have chickens & goats 5 dogs & a rifle or shotgun over every door in case a critter comes or something from the city wanders into my neck of the woods. My wife & family have fun & there is no HOA anywhere to be seen for 150 miles–just the way we like it. (this is a post in jest-but true).

      Report Post » netjet  
  • shagstar
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:01pm

    hey brian,,ya dillweed,,,go back to the park!

    Report Post » shagstar  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:59am

    I don‘t agree with HOA’s, but did Mr. Vasko read and sign an agreement with the HOA? Does his copy state that he cannot place statues or anything else in common areas?
    If he agreed to it, then he has no case. I am not for HOA‘s and I agree with everyone else on here about what HOA’s are like, but he should have known what he was getting into.

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • wellitsallright
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:15pm

      No matter what is in the contract or w/e it is, the HOA just lost their case. You cannot steal someone’s property and hold it hostage until they pay a fine. No matter if the HOA was in the right for the fines or not having it there, they just basically lost their case because they did not follow the law.

      Report Post »  
    • COFemale
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:43pm

      Well… you better wise up. He placed the statue on property owned by the Association, aka PRIVATE PROPERTY not public, they have every right to remove it and hold until the fines this guy was assessed prior to them removing (not stealing) the statue.

      Some of you are ignorant when it comes to the laws the Association must follow because of STATE regulations. You don’t like the rules, don’t buy the house.

      Report Post » COFemale  
    • LLATPOH
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:58pm

      HOA owns the common area, so yes, they can remove the statue and hold it. If anything, call the fines “rent” for allowing the statue to be on their land.

      If I were to put my car on your property when you clearly expressed in contract that there are consequences for that action, should I be ticked off that you have the audacity to enforce the contract?

      Report Post »  
  • dejavu43
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:50am

    When I was looking for the home I currently live in, I told the real estate agent no HOA’s. Don’t even show me a house with an HOA. Five houses later, all with HOA’s, I fired the agent. Found my home on my own, NO HOA. Live across the street from a gated community, with the stereotypical HOA and all of the stupidity that goes with it and spend a lot of time laughing at friends that bought into it. With the real estate market being so bad, they CAN’T move so there they sit, being ‘governed’ by a group of mini-nazis with far too much time on their hands. If you don’t want this kind of meddling, do NOT buy into a HOA!!!

    Report Post »  
  • BlazingBlaze
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:48am

    My mother was the President of a Homeowner’s Association and I can tell you, the Association has no choice. It doesn’t matter what the violation is, Virgin Mary, US FLag, Lady Gaga poster. If you let ONE person violate the rules, you can NEVER win another case, and you will have every jerk in the complex breaking the rules. Soon the complex will be a dump, and no one will be able to get their money back when they sell. Associations go to court every day over stuff like this, and it is only when it is a US flag or some religious thing that the “News” people make a story out of it, just to get people riled up and generate ratings. When my mom died, we were able to sell her place for three times what she owed, thanks to the Association and the upkeep they did there. This person needs to SELL their place and buy their own house if they want to put things in their yard.

    Report Post »  
    • BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:07pm

      I disagree- HOA’s need to disappear completely. They are completely useless to the homeowner. Instead of taking down the Blessed Mother, how about just making my neighbor cut his grass? Instead of citing a homeowner because their vehicle’s tire was 3″ off the concrete driveway, cite the homeowner who has garbage piled everywhere.

      Actually- I do not want an association to tell any of my neighbors what to do. If you own something you should have the right to keep it as ugly and in as much disrepair as you wish. Who am I to tell others how to live. I do not believe it affects the neighborhood except for maybe aesthetically. But this is not about diminishing property value- this is about offending people and if that is their goal- not to offend, then it is a losing battle. We are not guaranteed to not be offended. And what is offensive to one person may be a blessing to another.

      Report Post » BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?  
    • BlazingBlaze
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:10pm

      Brian, that is just silly. Enforcing the rules that the homeowner SIGNED when they moved in doesn’t have anything to do with religion. Yes, you ARE showing bias. You are saying that it would be ok if someone put a giant “Hail Satan” sign in front of your house, as long as it was between the sidewalk and the street, which is a common area.

      As I stated, the HOA must enforce the contract, or they void the contract. Then people are free to trash the place and it becomes a slum in a year. I can assure you that they enforce the rules no matter WHAT people put in the common area. They do it every day, but only stories like this make it into the news.

      Report Post »  
    • navyordnance
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:16pm

      Fine you live under someone else’s rules and regulations, concerning YOUR PROPERTY, I’ll live free of control thank you. My neighborhood is 100% HOA free, and it’s a beautiful place.

      Report Post » navyordnance  
  • Collbuzz
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:48am

    If it wouldn’t cause a blood feud, and it were allowed to even make one, I bet a muhammud statue would stay right where it had been put. That group is protected. Think about it.

    Report Post »  
    • COFemale
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:01pm

      This has nothing to do with religion and trying to make it so, is a mistake on your part. It just so happens it was a religious figurine. The figurines was on PRIVATE PROPERTY that the Association owns. What part of this do you guys not understand. If it was Mohammad, he would have been removed also and the tenants fined who put it there. The only thing I disagree with the Association is waiting so dang long to remove it. After the first refusal, they should have confiscated it.

      Report Post » COFemale  
  • forthepeople
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:45am

    A little Banana Oil would take care of the HOA homes along with my cousin ‘ Tommy the Torch ’.

    Report Post » forthepeople  
  • freeweever
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:45am

    Why can you have a government within a government. These people are in a sand box dictating who plays with what toys and it is a little childish and a lot selfish and self centered. Mind your own business and don’t listen in on peoples breakfast conversations in new york. Whats up Glenn, Pat and Stu. Your show on the radio is the funniest show in the world. I find myself laughing out loud at your observations and humor. Thank you for being John Galt for all of us Glenn Beck your radio show to me is like the radio broadcasts by John Connor in the movie Terminator your like a life line to civil free society. You are a hope beacon for truth and faith high in the sky. You help us feel the fact that we will survive… and we will be free at any and all costs. I love you Glenn Beck and krewe and I love the Blaze too for being The Well of Truth for all free Americans to find and see who we really are. I’ll shut up now but Thank You.

    Report Post » freeweever  
  • glnman
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:44am

    I also live in a community with an HOA which I used to be the president of. The current president is a loony toon and believes that the HOA has the power to run everyones life. Of course the homeowner can oppose the HOA’s decisions if they care to spend the money to take them to court but who has money to blow on that? THey are supposed to hold elections every year to elect or reelect board members and there hasn’t been an election in years. They have a web but never publish anything on it like meeting minutes etc. Of course if they hold no meetings problem solved! So the board has a life time appointment just by not following their own rules and the homowners have no say.

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:51am

      You lay out the problem exactly .. even if you have a reasonable board .. just one election can change that! My son’s HOA has changed from easygoing and unexpensive into a snooty in everyones business and assessing fees that are NOT voted on. We are waiting for the housing market to recover and get him out.

      Report Post »  
    • COFemale
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:49pm

      it is hard to elect a new board when 99% of the homeowners never participate in the meetings. My association has meetings but maybe one two people out of 1,200 homes shows up. I haven’t attended because I work when they hold the meetings. Therefore, I can’t complain when stuff happens without my input. My association sends us ballots in the event we can’t attend the meeting where they elect a new board. Does your sons and he ignores the paper ballot?

      So don’t blame an Association for not following the rules, because by the laws of the state they have too. Tell me how many meetings does your son go too? Probably – Zip, Nada, Zero.

      Report Post » COFemale  
    • COFemale
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:52pm

      Is he finally enforcing the Association rules when none were before under your reign? If you ignore the rules and do not enforce them because it will make someone mad, then why have the Association in the first place? You might as well vote to disband and let the neighborhood go into disarray because everyone will do as the dam well please. Apparently, you weren’t a very good Association President.

      Report Post » COFemale  
  • Sniper342
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:44am

    If you buy property in a location that has an HOA you agree to follow their rules, and they are usually written up just like a little government. All in the name of protecting “property values”. There is never a shortage of busybody “neighbors” to spy on your every move and report back to the busybody leaders (read dictators) of the association so they can keep you in line. Want a look at what’s coming down the pike in the future? Read this article and look next door to yourself. If you lay down and submit yourself to the will of an “association” like this that thinks they can trample your rights over a virgin Mary statue, what do you think you will do when it’s on the state/federal level? Wake up patriots, this is real and it is coming. What are you willing to fight for? What is the tipping point?
    I’m just asking. It is something to think about.

    Report Post »  
  • Watcher1952
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:43am

    Dear Baikonur…if you are member of a HOA you do not own your own land…..These dinks in these HOA are gonna make it so people will not buy homes that are governed by these groups…….it is a control thing…..however I do agree with NCTRUTH you should know these things …..read people and be aware of what you are signing…

    Report Post »  
    • COFemale
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:20pm

      Well you are partially correct. Depending on where you live determines what you own. I own the land that my home sits upon, but I agree to abide by common sense rules when taking care of my land. I agreed to keep covenant rules. If I want to change the rules, then I gather the homeowners, we all attend the meeting and we propose to the board a change. If we don’t participate, then we have no right to complain.

      ALL THE COMMON AREAS ARE OWNED BY THE ASSOCIATION NOT THE HOMEOWNERS. They just get to use the areas as long as they follow the rules for the common area.

      This is not a Nazi group as some of you love to call any group enforcing rules. You think this is just a group of people who decide to have an Association. It is usually the developer of the subdivision who decides if it is a covenanted subdivision and files with the STATE that it is so. The developer is the provisional Association until all homes are sold and upholds the covenants until the Association of homeowners can take over the job.

      Report Post » COFemale  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:37pm

      “developer of the subdivision who decides if it is a covenanted subdivision and files with the STATE that it is so.”
      Feudal communism, plain and simple you are serfs under the command of the developer/baron. They can change the rules on you, too bad if they hold the meeting while you are away or at work. Move in to a HOA and you are a slave to the collective. You get what you deserve.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
  • BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:40am

    HOA’s are legalized THUGS- nothing more, nothing less. When we moved in to our home, we were told by our title company that part of the association fees required a $1000 transfer fee! (And this does not include the quarterly dues) Are you kidding me? Why so much. To this day no one has answered my question. It was built into our mortgage- so we are paying it. But, if you ask the title company, they say, “you have to ask the HOA.” And if you ask the HOA, they say, “you have to ask the title company.” Ridiculous.

    Report Post » BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?  
    • COFemale
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:28pm

      My guess is they built in for unpaid HOA dues by the homeowners once they vacate the premises. Many times once the homeowner moves out of the home, they stop paying the dues even though they still own the home until it sells or they have outstanding fines. It may also cover upkeep of the vacated home. Homeowners who move generally do not return to upkeep the homes property; mowing the lawn, watering the grass, or shoveling snow etc. while it is up for sale.

      Report Post » COFemale  
  • fastgen1
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:33am

    I would like to know who the atheist board member is. Call in the Vultures (lawyers), they will settle it..

    Report Post »  
  • blaaaaackwoman
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:33am

    Those HOA bastards took down my nude black lawn jockeys statues. How dare they.

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    • M13
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:22pm

      Considering the fact that 50% of black women have abortions, how did you slip by?

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:22pm

      I would never have a black jockey stature much less a nude one. Why do you have one? Makes you think you are one step closer to the Hamptons, when you are just above average?

      The people in the Hamptons will never like us, black or white.

      Report Post »  
  • Al J Zira
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:33am

    How many times do we see these stories? When will people understand that if you want to put things on your lawn don’t move into a community that has a HOA.

    Report Post » Al J Zira  
    • JRook
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:44am

      Way to rational and logical for this group. The Vasko’s clearly know they signed a HOA agreement when they purchased and moved into the condominium. No doubt they had a copy to review prior to making the offer and certainly before closing. It is not the context or specific statue that is at issue here it is the HOA prohibition against placing statues within the common areas. While it may be a stupid and overly restrictive rule, it is the rule and should be applied across the board and followed. These types of stories are getting old to say the least. You don‘t want restrictive rules don’t move into the condominium and don’t sign the HOA. What about a persons agreement to follow the HOA rules as noted by their signature. Doesn’t that mean anything and say something about their character.

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    • Diomasach
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:43pm

      Or better yet, get yourself elected to the HOA and start making your own rules. I personally think it would be hilarious if in reaction to something like this a group of people got together, took over thier local HOA, and passed a rule that everybody had to put statues on thier lawn. Imagine, a HOA ruling that every house HAS to fly the American flag and every lawn HAS to have a nativity for Christmas.

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  • GhostOfJefferson
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:33am

    ““I made a promise to the Blessed Mother and I’m keeping it,” Vasko said. “And this is about her. This isn’t about me.”
    ”

    Yes, it is about you guy. The language throughout the story he’s quoted with is drama queen stuff.

    HOA’s are evil, clearly, however, if you don’t like them, DO NOT SIGN A CONTRACT WITH ONE. If you do sign a contract, you are bound by its rules BY YOUR OWN CHOICE. To go against the word you promised to keep is LYING, which last check, is a pretty hefty sin according to the Bible.

    Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • Daerian
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:49am

      You’re incorrect; the article stated “Policy” a Policy is not the HOA founding docucments they’re the rules and regulations which are NOT entirely enforcable and are not required to a majority vote to put into place which is why associations use rules & regulations as a way to push policy which the association as a whole may not want. Additionally; the 4,000.00 in fines is not legal as there is no justification for this amount of damages. I would take the association to court and force them to hire a lawyer to prove that they were DAMAGED 4,000.00…. really a $25 or $35 fine is already pushing the limit. I was serving as a board member and it was VERY common for rules to be applied strictly to one but not strictly for another.

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    • BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:50am

      Unfortunately- in some cities HOA communities are all there is. And, what is worse, newer communities that were not completed because of the housing bust, the people living in these HOA communities will never get to take control of their HOA (as is suppose to happen when the community reaches 80% complete). So, the people living in the community are forced to continue dealing with their original HOA group who have no vested interest in what the majority of the community want.

      Report Post » BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?  
  • RamboTheDog
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:33am

    I don’t feel one-bit sorry for anyone in these stories that are living in an HOA “community”

    Just as I don’t want big government telling me what to do..why would anyone pay homeowners dues to be treated that way..

    one word…four letters..and not a curse word…MOVE

    Report Post » RamboTheDog  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:02pm

      I have a concept going earlier in time:

      DO NOT MOVE IN!

      If it is a HOA —- RUN AWAY!

      Report Post » Stoic one  
  • NCTRUTH
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:30am

    If it was put on common ground YOU KNOW THE RULES. Move it or pay the fine. With town homes and condos there can be common and home owner ground and you cannot put anything on common ground.

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    • Buck Shane
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:39am

      The HOA is right. They have to maintain the common areas. You own the interior space. Put the Lady inside the window facing out and light it.

      Report Post » Buck Shane  
  • Baikonur
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:28am

    So ridiculous. Why even own your own property? I can see if it was something offensive, but it is just a small Virgin Mary statue. I hope they sue and win.

    Report Post » Baikonur  
    • dpselfe
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:02pm

      When you sign the homeowner’s agreement BEFORE you move into a condo, you agree to the rules and regulations they set. You don’t move in and then break the rules. This isn’t religious persecution, it’s an HOA standing up to a DOUCHEBAG who thinks he has a right to break the rules. I’d be just as against it if it were a Star of David, or some Muslim statue. Common ground is the ground outside your condo. What part of this is so hard to understand? I’d put a lein on his property as well, and collect the fines from any tax return he had. The HOA is right on this one. 100%!

      Report Post » dpselfe  
    • COFemale
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 1:04pm

      The tenants do NOT own the property. Do you guys read and comprehend what you are reading or do you just jump to conclusions – it’s the Virgin Mary and it is okay to put it on someone else property. It would be like me to walk over to my neighbors house and put a menorah or nativity scene on the property they own. Some of you are clueless.

      Report Post » COFemale  
  • smackdown33
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:28am

    Even one in Steeler country.

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    • LondoMollari
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:42am

      (laughs)

      Those schmucks show up at Steeler home games and cheer for rashtard mendenhall, the al quedia wannabe, and they voted for a loser who said they cling to their guns and religions.

      Don’t expect a whole swath of sympathy from me, but I’ll still fight to let them have a statue of the Blessed Virgin.

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  • smackdown33
    Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:27am

    I don’t think a HOA can steal.

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    • Buck Shane
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:32am

      They can’t … if you have a gun.

      Report Post » Buck Shane  
    • GeneTracy
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:36am

      I would not be associated with these HOAs.

      Report Post » GeneTracy  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 11:40am

      If they take your property without permission it’s STEALING

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    • piecolorado
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 12:25pm

      It is NOT stealing if you left it on their property. This was a common area, owned by the HOA. You can‘t just leave somthing on somebody else’s land, and then call it stealing when them move it. I’m not sure if they can keep it or not. I’m not sure if this falls within littering laws and what you can do when somebody litters, and you’ve told them for months to take it away. I believe they have the right to keep it, or throw it away, or sell it to pay for part of your fine.

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    • Windsong
      Posted on December 12, 2011 at 8:12pm

      At some point, we all really need to wake up…and grow up.
      The HOA has ‘rights’ to take the statue. Apparently they don’t have the heart to return it with a warning.
      I look at Americans today and wonder what happened to them. Remember the good old days when you walked home from school and let yourself into the house…at six years old? Remember your neighbors, who watched every move you made until your mother got home? Remember being able to run to your neighbor’s house for a cup of sugar – or just a chat?
      Remember when community was more important than getting an attorney to draw up ‘mandates’ that said community must live by?
      I wish the HOA’s all the luck. You can have your pretentious homes, with your pretentious things all protected by an attorney that bills you for pretentious words – that his or her secretary got on-line.
      I’ll stay safe, warm and happy in my Christmas-decorated neighborhood…with a Minorah ot three tossed in. I’ll take the laughter and get-togethers – and you can go to your ‘social engagements’, for I am sure that the HOA wouldn’t allow more than two cars at your home at the same time.
      Yes, HOA members, go forth and celebrate your way. The rest of us will smile often and not spend our time watching out the window for a neighbor who would dare to break one of your ‘policies’.
      Merry Christmas, Mr. Vaskos. I woud say the same to the other HOA members, but don’t want to be sued.

      Report Post »  
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