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Article Courtesy of News
Channel 8 on your Side
By Melissa Marino
Published November 26, 2021
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WATCH VIDEO |
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WESTCHASE — A Tampa Bay area homeowner and a retired police officer is being
threatened with HOA fines over a pro-law enforcement flag.
The flag is often referred to as a thin blue line flag.
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“I’ve been a policeman
for 36 years, I’m retired. My 84-year-old dad who lives with
me, he was a policeman. I lost my brother in the line of
duty, he was a policeman. This is all out of respect,” Seitz
said.
Seitz said for a year the flag has been displayed in front
of his Westchase home without any issues.
This week, Seitz received this letter from his HOA to remove
the flag, because it violates the rules.
“They gave me guidelines for it, it can’t be obscene, it
can’t be political, they can’t be offensive,” Seitz said. “I
went through and I said it’s none of these.” |
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An attorney for the Westchase Community Association told 8 On Your Side the
flag is viewed as a political statement.
“Westchase’s current board of directors, I believe, view that as a political
flag, or at least the property manager does,” said Attorney Jonathan Ellis.
According to the letter, if Seitz doesn’t remove the flag he can face fines
of up to $100 a day.
Seitz said he spoke with HOA staff but was not able to come to a resolution.
“It’s just respect out of, for our law enforcement personnel. I seriously
just said to them, let me replace it with something that has to do with
respecting either the police, or all first responders, and they said no,”
said Seitz.
Seitz plans to fight for a rule change.
“They also said if I needed to change the bylaws I have to write up all the
stuff, send it to them, it goes to their counsel or meeting board, and it
could be anywhere from 6 to 8 months before we get a reply maybe. I said
well, it’s going to fly until then and we’ll see what happens,” said Seitz.
On Wednesday 8 On Your Side reported the same HOA took issue with another
homeowner who put their Christmas lights up too early. That homeowner is
also facing fines.
In the interest of full disclosure Seitz is married to a Channel 8 employee.
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