Article Courtesy of FOX 35 Orlando
By Tiffany Teasley
Published October 29, 2017
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ST. CLOUD - The Burgess Family has had their “Back the Blue” yard sign in their
front yard since the tragedy that left two Kissimmee police officers shot and
killed in the line of duty in August.
“We support the 'blue,' we back them, so we like to show that,” said Bryan
Burgess. “We’re showing support for our local law enforcement, two have lost
their lives in the line of duty I don’t think there’s an issue with it.”
Down the street, the Van Kirk Family
comes from a law enforcement background, so backing the blue
is in their blood.
“It's just about being supportive, of those that put their
live on the line every day to protect me and my family,"
said Janet Van Kirk.
But now their HOA says no matter what the signs say, they
have to go -- Burgess and dozens other residents who have
the “back the blue” sign, received a letter from the Stevens
Plantation Residential Owner’s Association calling the sign
unauthorized and not in compliance the community’s governing
documents.
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“It’s frustrating, it’s not uglying up the house, I mean
it’s just a sign,” Burgess said.
“It's just disappointment because it's not like it's hurting anybody I just
want to show my support that's all I just want to say thank you,” said Van
Kirk.
The HOA did not return FOX 35’s calls for comment, but in the letter they
state, “the primary purpose of a community association is to maintain and
increase the value of each owner’s property, it is not the desire of the
board of directors to impose hardship.”
Some neighbors now say they plan to put the signs in their window, and
Burgess says his is staying up, for now.
“I plan on it staying there until I can go to the community meeting and talk
to them about it,”
Other neighbors say they also plan to voice their concerns at their HOA
meeting. |