'Jesus is the reason for the season' sign sparks controversy
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PASCO, Wash. - Jesus seems to be the reason for neighbors to fight about a sign in one Pasco man's yard.
His large Christmas decoration has become the cause of controversy.
The homeowner's association says this sign breaks its rules.
Covenants for Mediterranean Villas, off Broadmoor, say signs can't be more than two-feet by two-feet. This one is six-feet by three-and-a-half feet.
Homeowner Tim Meeker believes it's not about the size, it's about the message. He told KEPR he will not take it down, even with the threat of fines.
"I feel this is the reason for the season right here and it doesn't offend anybody," Meeker said. "There was no rule against it last year, what's the problem this year? I'll see a lawyer. If they take it I'll call this police for theft its in my yard, on my property."
To get all sides Action News talked to board members of the homeowners association. They said they didn't ask for the sign to come down last year because Tim had just moved in and they didn't want to rock the boat with a new neighbor.
They say every resident got a copy of the rules and they intend to move forward with legal action to remove the sign.
The board members insist the message about Jesus would be welcome if the sign was the acceptable size.
His large Christmas decoration has become the cause of controversy.
The homeowner's association says this sign breaks its rules.
Covenants for Mediterranean Villas, off Broadmoor, say signs can't be more than two-feet by two-feet. This one is six-feet by three-and-a-half feet.
Homeowner Tim Meeker believes it's not about the size, it's about the message. He told KEPR he will not take it down, even with the threat of fines.
"I feel this is the reason for the season right here and it doesn't offend anybody," Meeker said. "There was no rule against it last year, what's the problem this year? I'll see a lawyer. If they take it I'll call this police for theft its in my yard, on my property."
To get all sides Action News talked to board members of the homeowners association. They said they didn't ask for the sign to come down last year because Tim had just moved in and they didn't want to rock the boat with a new neighbor.
They say every resident got a copy of the rules and they intend to move forward with legal action to remove the sign.
The board members insist the message about Jesus would be welcome if the sign was the acceptable size.
The rules win. If you signed documents accepting the rules then you need to abide by them, Other option is to move or be willing to accept the consequences.
Just because you write God on it does not make it an exemption from the rules. Put up a sign of the acceptable size or don't live in a regulated community. Why do people think they should get to ignore rules the agreed to?  The community should have mentioned it right away when it went up last year and they may be sunk because they allowed it once. If he doesn't take it down his neighbors should put up signs with arrows pointing to his yard and the message "This guy does not respect the rights of others even when he says he will."
One very good reason, to NOT live where other people can tell you what you can or cannot have in your own yard. I agree with the sign myself, but....the rules are the rules, you live there, deal with it.
Oh get over yourself. You don't have a free pass to break the rules and whine. You signed the agreement when you moved there. I am so sick of but I should get a free pass because of the message.Â
 @eugenevoter I'm in a gated community which has strict rules when it comes to the size of signs in your yard.
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And Jesus was never the reason for the season. It was previously called Saturnalia.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia