ONLY ON 3: Neighbors react to HOA’s decision to fine resident for patriotic display

Wilmington, NC (WWAY) — On Memorial Day, Willoughby Park resident Kelly Hill had a choice between removing a flag on her front door supporting her son, who is fighting in Afghanistan, or face a fine from the homeowner’s association.

Today, neighbors spoke out about the situation.

One neighbor, who did not wish to identify themselves, says they backed the home owners association’s decision to force Hill to take down her flag. They say this isn’t the first time she has gone all out or overboard with her decorating, and that the HOA had to draw the line somewhere.

Hill’s son, Zakary Faircloth, is currently serving his second tour of duty in three years. To support her son and all of the troops, she wanted to hang a flag with the simple phrase “Support the Troops” across the top.

Instead, she was threatened with a fine from the HOA, and took down the flag. While nobody from the home owners association or the management company cared to make a comment, residents of the neighborhood continued to come up to our news vehicle in support of Hill and her situation.

“I think it’s a shame that our association and our neighbors are against it,” says resident Dorthy Sampson.

“No way, no way, you don’t fine anybody I mean, it’s your own place, if you want to hang a banner you can hang it.” Another neighbor, Lou Diorgi, said. Many neighbors seemed opposed to the decision of the home owners association.

One neighbor, Carolyn Clark, says she plans to take action.

“I think she should have the right to put a flag or a banner or anything else on the front of her house in support of all the troops, not just her son, but all the troops. I can’t believe that the association is making her take it down and I am so enraged right now that I feel like I am going to postpone my vacation and come up with a petition and have everybody sign it in support of her,” she said.

The majority of the neighbors we talked to in Willoughby Park supported Kelly Hill and spoke harshly of the Home Owners Association.