Updated: 9/26/2008 3:29:30 PM
A flagpole has stirred controversy in the Westbrooke Subdivision in West Knox County.
Sheldon Barker had the pole installed when he moved into the neighborhood this past July to show patriotism. Barker served in the Korean and Vietnam War eras.
"The red stands for blood. The white stands for purity," Barker said.
It's what the blue stands for that Barker finds ironic.
"The freedom and the right of man to do what he wants to do," he said.
Barker said his homeowners association is taking away his freedom by asking him to remove the metal that allows his stars and stripes to fly high.
"It makes me fighting mad," Barker said.
"The flagpole needs to come down. The flag is fine," Tammie Slagle, the Westbrooke Homeowners Association president said.
Slagle said Barker did not follow the bylaws he received when he moved in this summer.
"If you make any changes to your yard or your exterior, we ask that you send in a form so we can approve it," Slagle said. "He did not even turn in a request, and he put a flagpole up."
The veteran said his property deed gives him total rule to do what he wants.
"The covenants specifically state that the lots will be sold out in fee simple, and there are no restrictions," he said.
The association said that's not true. They want the flag down by October 8th. After that, Barker could face fines.
Barker said that won't fly. He is already looking for ways to make his statement bolder.
"I'm trying to find some lights so I can illuminate it," he said. "If they take it down, they will take it out of a dead hold grip."
The homeowners association said they don't have a problem with American flags. Many residents fly the flag on their front porches which is the subdivisions prefered method of displaying any flag.
