DENVER - The president of a homeowners association in southwestern
Colorado, a staunch Republican, has threatened to fine a resident $25 a
day until she removes a Christmas wreath with a peace sign that he says
is an anti-Iraq war protest or a symbol of Satan.
Bob Kearns, president of the Loma Linda Homeowners Association in
Pagosa Springs, a 200-home subdivision 270 miles southwest of
Denver, said about three residents complained, including himself and
his
wife.
Kearns ordered the association's rules committee to require Jensen to
remove the wreath, but members refused after concluding that it was
merely a seasonal symbol that didn't say anything. Kearns fired all
five
committee members.
Lisa Jensen said she wasn't thinking of the war when she hung the
wreath. She said, "Peace is way bigger than not being at war. This is
a spiritual thing."
Jensen, a past association president, calculates the fines will cost
her about $1,000, and doubts they will be able to make her pay. But
she said she's not going to take it down until after Christmas.
"Now that it has come to this I feel I can't get bullied," she said.
"What if they don't like my Santa Claus."
Kearns has sent a letter to her saying that residents were offended by
the sign and the board "will not allow signs, flags etc. that can be
considered divisive."
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