The Washington Post
by Justin Jouvenal
February 9, 2013

The feud that consumed Fairfax County’s Olde Belhaven would span four years and cost the community as much as $400,000, and it was ignited by one of the smallest of sparks: an Obama for President sign.

The modest placard Sam and Maria Farran planted in their yard during the 2008 election put them on a collision course with the neighborhood homeowners association. It was four inches taller than the association’s covenants allowed.

“Need I say more! This would lead to chaos,” a neighbor fretted in an e-mail about the precedent that would be set if the sign wasn’t removed. “Our property values would be put at risk.”

(excerpted)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/fair...2daf_story.html

I cannot imagine living in a community governed by an HOA. Busy-bodies and do-gooders are pests.