Freedom of speech? Not in Mountain Park (Jack Bog's Blog)

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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on September 11, 2008 9:35 AM. The previous post in this blog was That time again. The next post in this blog is Council newbies on the stadiums deal: Maybe. Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.

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« That time again | Main | Council newbies on the stadiums deal: Maybe »

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Freedom of speech? Not in Mountain Park

In that part of Lake Oswego, you can't even have a political sign on the inside of your front window.

Posted at 9:35 AM | Permalink

Comments (13)

It's the HOA, man. Everyone up there knows the rules and what they can and cannot do. It's pretty clear. Not sure that I have any sympathy for the person.

Posted by Chris Snethen | September 11, 2008 11:40 AM

There is a similar issue up in Vancouver. A HUD apartment complex banned all flags. Even in they are in your home, but can be seen from outside.

Posted by Jon | September 11, 2008 12:17 PM

A radio host I once listened to used to say that HOAs were just ways you paid lawyers to eventually sue you over something.

They sound thoroughly nasty and evil. If an HOA is benefitting you now, that doesn't mean they won't take you to the wall over something in the future.

Posted by Samuel John Klein | September 11, 2008 12:48 PM

I'm glad I live in cowboy country now where that kind of pomposity and conformity is not the norm. Jon: An HUD complex sounds like there is state action to sue the ba**ards. Someone ought to see whether legal aid lawyers in Washington are interested.

Posted by Cynthia | September 11, 2008 1:01 PM

When you consider buying a home in Mountain Park, it's made pretty clear that you are going to live within a strict HOA. Some of the rules make sense to keep things orderly. Some may be perceived as overkill. However, one man's battered old truck on blocks in the front yard is another man's political sign. Those are the rules, people, and you signed up for them. Don't buy in a restrictive HOA if you don't want rules. And don't expect to pick and choose.

And, no I do not and would not live there. Too many rules!

Posted by Livin la Vida Suburbia | September 11, 2008 1:01 PM

@Livin la Vida Suburbia: You make a good point. My sympathy for Mountain Park residents is somewhat limited, in as much as it's no doubt made aware to them that they are expected to trade in a right or two for the privilege of such cachet.

I don't think any agreement with an HOA should trump anybodys ability to put of a campaign lawn sign which, after all, isn't that much of an eyesore (the actual design not withstanding) and quickly goes away after the election. The HOA in Mountain Park (and the HUD people) are being (insert male member euphemism)s here, as far as I'm concerned.

Posted by Samuel John Klein | September 11, 2008 1:42 PM

Funny, isn't it, how a rule that would not be accepted if coming from a government seems to be perfectly fine to many if it comes from a homeowners' association. What's the difference?

Posted by Allan L. | September 11, 2008 5:20 PM

Freedom of speech doesn't mean much these days.

Posted by Chris | September 11, 2008 5:22 PM

Our 2002-vintage condo association bylaws have much to say about signs, especially business signs. But they specifically exempt political expression from regulation. And they were probably cookie-cuttered out of some standard language from ORS 100.

In my opinion, that's the way it should be. Another example: if you inherited pre-1964 HOA bylaws that had never been changed, you would likely find regulations promoting redlining that have since been overruled by the 1964 Civil Rights Act. I don't think anyone here is going to argue that you must follow the HOA bylaws in this case. And yet another, more recent example: HOA regulations requiring cedar shake roofs have been overruled (although it's still OK to require dimensional shakes) - this is a fire safety issue.

Laws can change, and HOA rules should evolve with them. If they don't, government regulations usually trump them.

Posted by John Rettig | September 11, 2008 7:18 PM

"The Greater Good."

Posted by LURid | September 11, 2008 8:38 PM

"In answer to a question that has arisen today, HUD does not prohibit, nor specifically regulate the display of American flags at privately-owned HUD-assisted and/or insured properties"

Kristine M. Martin

Information Specialist

Reg X Multifamily Hub

206.220.5180

1-877-741-3281, x5180

Posted by miltm | September 11, 2008 8:49 PM

Alan L and Chris. For your information,
MPHOA is a for-profit corporation not a government. People know what the CC&R's are before they move in and agree to abide by them. Freedom of Speech issues don't apply. There is a process in place to change the CC&R's if anyone wants to do so.

Posted by Richard/s | September 12, 2008 9:12 AM

Well, considering that the homeowners' association allows For Sale signs, how about one like this?

For Sale:
McCain/Palin '08

Posted by joel dan walls | September 12, 2008 10:40 AM

In Vino Veritas

Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
Garda Chiaretto Rose
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Vineyard 10 White
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley 2009
L'Hortus, Rose de Saignee 2010
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2008
McKinley Springs, Bombing Range Red 2008
Trader Joe's Pinot Gris 2009
Montes Alpha, Cabernet 2007
Gran Sasso, Sangiovese, Terre di Chieti 2009
Garda, Classico Chiaretto Rose
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1999
Picos del Montgo, Tempranillo 2008
Chateau de Montmirail, Vacqueyras 2008
La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
Montgras, Carmenere Reserva 2009
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet 2008
Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
Vieux Papes Red
Domaine de l'Aujardiere, Chardonnay 2009
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Guild, Red, Lot #02 2008
Dievole, Dievolino Sangiovese 2008
Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
Bonterra, Cabernet 2008
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2009
Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007
Cameron, Chardonnay
B.R. Cohn, Cabernet, Silver Label 2006
Graffigna, Cabernet 2005
Palo Alto, Reserve Red 2008
Menguante, Garnacha 2008
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Felsina Berardenga, Vin Santo 1997
Anne Amie, Pinot Gris 2009
McKinley Springs, Bombing Ramge Red 2007
Vieux Papes Red
Dionysius Chardonnay 2009
Haden Fig, Pinot Noir 2009
Vega Montan, Mencia 2008
Chateau la Vernede, Coteaux du Languedoc 2007
Mount Defiance, Hellfire (White) 2008
Root: 1, Cabernet 2008
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Pinot Grigio 2009
Columbia Crest, Two Vines, Vineyard 10 White, 2008
Columbia Crest, Two Vines, Vineyard 10 Rose, 2007
Abacela, Grenache Rose 2009
Avia Cabernet 2004
Lemelson Pinot Noir, Thea's Selection 2007
Chateau de la Roulerie, Rose d'Anjou 2009
Casal Garcia, Vinho Verde Rose
La Ferme Julien, Rose 2008
Cana's Feast, Bricco Red, 2006
Hogue, Genesis Merlot, 2008
Owen Roe, Sharecropper's Cabernet, 2008
Kim Crawford, Unoaked Chardonnay 2008
J. Scott, Pinot Noir 2008
Edmunds St. John, White, Heart of Gold 2008
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2006
Stevenot, Cabernet, Sierra Foothills, "Stanford" 2000
Portuga, Vinho Rose 2009
Taylor Fladgate, First Estate Reserve Porto
Franciscan, Cabernet, Napa 2006
Chaparral de Vega Sindoa, Garnacha 2008
Quinta da Aveleda, Vinho Verde 2008
St. Francis, Chardonnay Sonoma 2008
E. Guigal, Cotes du Rhone Blanc, 2007
Edmunds St. John, Bone-Jolly, Gamay Noir 2008
St. Innocent, Pinot Noir 2006
Jigsaw, Pinot Noir 2007
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Indian Wells 2007
Charles Shaw, Chardonnay 2008
Edmunds St. John, Bone-Jolly, Gamay Rosé 2009
Cameron, Willamette Valley Chardonnay
Il Valore, Sangiovese, Giovane, Puglia 2008
Duck Pond, Chardonnay, Wahluke Slope 2007
Kim Crawford, Marlborough Pinot Noir 2008
Domaine du Pesquier, Cotes du Rhone 2005
Cantina Zaccagnini, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2006
Domaine Matrot, Chardonnay, Bourgogne 2007
David Hill, Oregon Sparkling Wine, Brut
Chandler Reach, Monte Regalo 2006
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2008
Kirkland, Columbia Valley Merlot 2008
D'Aragon, Old Vine Garnacha 2008
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2005
Pavin & Riley, Merlot 2006
David Hill, Estate Pinot Noir, Barrel Select 2006
Castle Rock, Paso Robles Cabernet 2006
Magnificent, Cabernet, Steak House 2008
Conundrum 2008
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1998
Saint Cosme, Cotes-du-Rhone 2007
La Granja, Tempranillo 360, 2008
Santa Rita, Mendalla Real Cabernet 2006
Columbia Crest, Grand Estates Merlot 2006
Andezon, Cotes-du-Rhone 2007
Collegiata, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Troon, Druid's Fluid 2008
La Granja, Tempranillo 2008
Monte Antico, Toscana 2006
Vieux Papes, Blanc de Blancs

The Occasional Book

Jack London - The House of Pride, and Other Tales of Hawaii
Jack Walker - The Extraordinary Rendition of Vincent Dellamaria
Colum McCann - Let the Great World Spin
Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - The Nanny Diaries
Brian Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
F. Sionil Jose - Dusk
Natalie Babbitt - Tuck Everlasting
Justin Halpern - S#*t My Dad Says
Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
Barry Glassner - The Gospel of Food
Phil Stanford - The Peyton-Allan Files
Jesse Katz - The Opposite Field
Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice
Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt

Road Work

Miles run year to date: 54
At this date last year: 50
Total run in 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269