Article
and Video Courtesy of
NBC
2 NEWS, Port Charlotte
By
Kate Eckman
Published
October 13, 2008
With
the presidential election just 22 days away, campaign signs are a
common sight outside homes across southwest Florida. While Florida
may be a battleground state, one Charlotte County community is
facing a campaign war of a different kind.
"I think they're going a bit too
far when they're telling you what you can put on your own front
yard," said Ursula Geiser, an Obama supporter, who lives in the
Deep Creek community.
But that's exactly what a Punta Gorda
property owner's association is doing.
They're handing out notifications of
deed restriction violations to people who've posted political signs
in their own front yards.
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VIDEO
"I'm very surprised for one
because it's election season and I think it's very patriotic to have
a sign supporting your candidate in your yard," said Deep Creek
homeowner Rachel Penn, a McCain supporter.
"I thought by putting it out
there I could maybe help garner some other votes for him because I'm
very enthusiastic about his campaign," Geiser said.
"Under Florida law for home
community associations we're within our rights to have that kind of
restriction," said Woods.
Penn added, "What we are all
here for in America is to be able to express our political
opinions."
And
that's what both women say they will continue to do by keeping the
signs in their yards. They hope
they stay free of a violation notice, at least until after the
election.
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