'Jesus' sign causes controversy
Raw video: Washington State home owner refuses to take down sign owners association claims violates rules
A Washington state homeowners' association says it asked a resident to remove a large Jesus sign from his yard because it violates property rules -- not because of its religious message.
Tim Meeker, a resident of the Mediterranean Villas development in Pasco, Wash., put up a big blue sign on his property with the words "Jesus is the reason for the season" and "Merry Christmas."
But the sign is in violation of homeowner rules because it is larger than the 2-by-2-foot dimensions allowed in the standards agreed upon by the residents, according to the homeowners' association.
"This has nothing to do with the message," Margaret Jacobson, a Mediterranean Villas resident and president of the volunteer homeowners association board, told FoxNews.com.
"We have no objection to the message whatsoever," she said. "Our objective it that we abide by the rules..We have 217 units here. We’re all governed by the same rules."
"When you live in this kind of a community, you have common rules," she continued. "It isn't like you're living in a single-resident home."
Jacobson said a two-page flier was distributed to all residents around Thanksgiving, reminding them that signs cannot be larger than 2-by-2-feet. And a notice on the Mediterranean Villas website reads: "Maintain your home in a good, clean, attractive, safe and sanitary condition to reflect a high pride of ownership. Don't post signs of any kind for public view. Only a single small (4 sq. ft.) 'For Sale' sign is permitted."
But Meeker, who could not be reached for comment, reportedly said he has no plans to remove the sign.
"To me, if the message is OK, they should be saying, "Rejoice! Jesus is the reason for the season. Amen," he told the Tri-city Herald.
"It shouldn't be considered a sign. It should be considered my Christmas decorations," he told the newspaper.
Jacobson did not say what will happen if Meeker fails to comply with the association's request.
"That will be a decision at the board level," she said.
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