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From Fox News: A disabled veteran in Volusia County, Florida, is at the center of a heated dispute with his homeowners association (HOA) over a flagpole installed in his yard.
According to Fox News affiliate WOFL-TV, the Countryside Villas PUD3 HOA has filed a lawsuit against the unnamed veteran, claiming he failed to obtain the required approval before erecting the permanent structure.
Despite the legal friction, community support for the veteran has surged, with neighbors speaking out against what they see as harassment and unnecessary litigation.
WATCH:
“Leave the veteran alone. He hasn’t done anything wrong,” resident Frank Johnson, a veteran, told WOFL-TV. “He’s called me crying that they’re harassing him and bullying him. He’s served this country. He’s paid his dues. They wanted to get him on a flagpole and some weeds in the lawn. It’s pathetic. It’s really pathetic.”
Orlando Law Managing Partner Jennifer Englert told the outlet that that a Florida statute says any flagpole under 20 feet is allowed on a homeowner’s property, even if an HOA tries to outlaw it.
“Why are you fighting about something that you know you have to allow? That is very clear,” she said.
The Countryside PUD Unit III-B HOA, Inc. Board of Directors explained that the flagpole/flag was never prohibited.
“Factually, this has never been about a flag or a flagpole,“ they explained, according to WOFL-TV. “The resident was told via multiple correspondences that he absolutely can have them. The situation boils down to that he failed to submit an ARC application, which is required for flagpoles by the HOA. That rule has been in place since 1990.”
“The resident was given multiple opportunities to remedy the situation including assistance from the American Legion and the Elks,” the HOA continued. “He also was given an opportunity at a hearing that he never showed up for. Florida Statute makes it clear that an HOA resident also needs to follow the governing documents which he has failed to do. This situation is no different than any other architectural guidelines in our docs. As a result, a fine was imposed, and he failed to pay the fine.”
READ MORE at Fox News.
Disabled veteran fights homeowners association lawsuit over flagpole in Florida yard https://t.co/fawfzJTIgF
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 30, 2025
