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Article Courtesy of
The Destin Log
By Maddie Rowley
Published February 6, 2018 |
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Two residents of Holiday Isle in Destin were cited by the neighborhood’s Holiday
Isle Improvement Association this week for violating the organization’s sign
codes, but they believe the citations could potentially be politically
motivated.
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Alan Osborne and Robyn Wehunt both have
had posted campaign signs promoting candidates in the past
without any issues. However, both received citations from
the Holiday Isle Improvement Association within hours of
posting signs promoting charter boat Capt. Gary Jarvis’
campaign for mayor. Jarvis’ opponent in the race is current
Mayor Scott Fischer, the director of the Holiday Isle
Improvement Association’s board of directors.
Selective enforcement is the first step to control a
government in socialism,” said Osborne. “When it comes to
rules, they either apply to everybody or nobody when your
job is to represent the people.”
Wehunt agreed to have a “Captain Gary Jarvis for Mayor of
Destin” sign posted in her front yard after a member of
Jarvis’ campaign committee asked her permission.
“I left to pick up my daughter from school and by the time I
came home, I found a citation on my front door,” Wehunt
said.
Wehunt, who posted a Trump sign in her
yard during the 2016 election, said this was the first time
she has been cited by the HOA. Osborne also posted signs for
Trump and Matt Gaetz on his property in the past but was
never cited.
The signage rules and regulations for
Holiday Isle are posted on the improvement association’s
website and state that signs are prohibited in the right of
ways, and only “For Rent” or “For Sale” signs shorter than
four feet tall and two feet square in any given area are
allowed.
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Alan Osborne and Robyn Wehunt both received citations
from the Holiday Isle Improvement Association within hours of
posting signs promoting charter boat Capt. Gary Jarvis’ campaign for
mayor.
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Throughout the neighborhood, “Scott Fischer Mayor”
signs that include the phrase “preserving the heritage of Destin” are
displayed prominently on personal vehicles in driveways. The magnetic signs
are within HOA code, according to Fischer, who said that he hasn’t attended
any association meetings or read any emails regarding association issues and
is not in any position to comment due to the upcoming election.
The Holiday Isle Improvement Association declined to comment on the signage
citations. The Log contacted the Holiday Isle Improvement Association’s
security officer who said he was directed to issue citations for the Jarvis
signs, but declined to say who directed him to do so.
David Schuessler, president of the improvement association’s board of
directors, said the security officer would not have been directed to issue
citations on the signs by a board member, but would have done so on their
own if the signs violated the protective covenants and restrictions of the
association.
Congressman Mel Ponder, who served as the Mayor of Destin from 2014 to 2016,
said that he did not remember being allowed to post campaign signs on
Holiday Isle.
Jarvis thanked his supporters for exercising their right to free speech,
saying “I am quite shocked and disappointed that something like this would
happen in Destin.”
The Holiday Isle Improvement Association’s website states that residents who
are presented with a citation owe $50 for the first infraction, and $100
thereafter.
Osborne said that he would be happy to pay any fine necessary, but that his
Gary Jarvis sign isn’t going anywhere.
“Electoral free speech is protected by the Constitution,” Osborne said.
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