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Article
and Video Courtesy of Local 10 News Tampa Bay
By Eric
Glasser
Published
January 2, 2015
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 Watch
VIDEO
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Citrus Park, FL -- Some neighbors in a
small Citrus Park community are offended by what they call racist,
offensive comments made in their quarterly newsletter.
Gina Ceglio and her partner Nicole Owen have complained about it to
their homeowners association.
The two have been living happily
in the Logan Gate community for about four years now.
But this month both were offended by a particular
article written by neighbor Don Hardy, urging residents
to keep the noise level down in their Citrus Park
community.
"It was the fact that he brought ethnicity into the
newspaper that made me upset," said Ceglio, "because
there was no need for it. Everybody makes noise. Anybody
can make noise."
Hardy's article talks about inconsiderate neighbors
loudly slapping down dominoes. He also targets barking
dogs. Squawking birds and blaring music like hip-hop,
country and jazz.
But when Hardy mentioned Salsa music, he specifically
singled-out Hispanics.
"He didn't need to say 'are you the Hispanic'. Are you
the person. That's all he had to say."
Hardy was not home to offer his take on the topic.
Neighbors think he may have one out of town for the
holidays. |
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But HOA President Elaine Ross defended Hardy's right to say what's on
his mind.
"Everybody can have their opinion," said Ross, "And I think this
resident took it the wrong way."
While Ross, doesn't apologize for Hardy's comments, she does apologize
for allowing Hardy's unedited article to make its way into the
newsletter. Especially if anyone found it offensive.
"We got like a rough draft of what all was going into that newsletter,
but I guess we just skimmed over it and didn't read the entire thing,"
said Ross.
"I would like an apology just to acknowledge what they did was
inappropriate. That's all," said Ceglio.
Ross says Ceglio and anyone else in the community offended by Hardy's
statements will get that apology from the board at its upcoming meeting
Jan. 5.
Ross further promised that they will be more careful about editing what
goes into the community newsletter in the future.
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