SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 | 5A
People can audition for
‘Monologues’ this week
The Last Resort Players
(LRP) will hold auditions
for “The Vagina Mono-
logues” by Eve Ensler, on
Friday, May 14, at 7 p.m.
and Saturday, May 15, at 2
p.m. at the Florence Play-
house, 208 Laurel St.
All women are encour-
aged to audition. Previous
stage experience is not re-
quired, but people should
bring an adventurous
spirit, a sense of fun, and
the ability to speak hon-
estly and from the heart.
The show features 10
divergent
monologues.
Copies of the script are
available for preview.
Those considering audi-
tioning should come pre-
pared to read from the
script.
Other audition times
may be available by spe-
cial arrangement with the
directors.
Performances will be at
City Lights Cinemas on
June 24, 25 and 26 at 7
p.m. and June 27 at 2 p.m.
For further informa-
tion, or to obtain a copy
of the script, contact Di-
rector Jim Wellington at
jwell.or@charter.net
or
Assistant Director Annie
Schmidt at gandas39@
charter.net.
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FLAGS from page 5A
According to Article V,
Section 5.2.27, of the Flo-
rentine Estates Homeown-
ers Association, “Except as
needed by Declarant (or with
Declarant’s written permis-
sion, a retail manufactured
home seller) during con-
struction and sales periods,
no sign or other advertising
device of any character shall
be placed or erected on any
lot or maintained upon any
part of the development
except identification signs
installed by the lot owner,
declarant or the association.
All signs must be approved
by the board before installa-
tion.”
In February, the board an-
nounced Resolution 2020-
006 which clarifies which
“signs” are included under
this rule.
“The association’s stance,
in the past, has been rather
lenient either by choice or
not understanding exactly
what is prohibited according
to the declaration. The board
understands this will be quite
a change for some. … Many
owners have been under the
impression that their signs,
flags, banners etc., were not
a violation. There will not
be any ‘grandfathering’ for
any reason. This includes
all signs, flags, banners etc.,”
Florentine General Manager
Jason Nelson said in a news-
letter sent on behalf of the
board.
This decision by the Flo-
rentine Estates Homeowners
Association Board of Direc-
tors to prohibit many flags
has been met with disbelief
and outrage by a large num-
ber of residents who reside in
Florentine Estates.
One veteran, Del Neely,
has taken it upon himself to
push back against what he
considers an unnecessary
and unpatriotic restraint on
his freedom of expression.
Neely contacted the Siu-
slaw News with his concerns
after receiving no response to
his repeated objections to the
prohibition from the Floren-
tine board of directors.
“The board’s recent deci-
sion to rid Florentine of po-
litical and other obnoxious
flags is much appreciated,”
said Neely. “However, the
resolution created issues for
homeowners’ flying flags that
are appropriate for any com-
munity, gated or non-gated.
It is ludicrous to exclude the
flag of the State of Oregon
where Florentine Estates is
chartered. And no one wants
to explain this; I have tried,
and they just won’t respond
to my calls or emails.”
Neely has attempted to
convince the board the re-
cently passed resolution
banning the display of any
flag other than the American
Flag was well-intended but
limits his freedom of expres-
sion and his show his patri-
otism.
According to the board,
the reason for the change in
rule regarding the flying of
flags were the many politi-
cal flags and other versions
of the American flag, many
of which were altered, and
sprang up throughout the
development. The number
and nature of these modi-
fied American flags caused a
backlash from residents op-
posed to the politization of
the presidential election last
November.
It is also clearly stated in
the Florentine by-laws that
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no political signs of any kind
are allowed on any lot or
common area during any-
time of the year.
“It is important that every-
one understands these are
not new rules and restric-
tions. This has been in the
declaration since its incep-
tion,” Nelson wrote in the
newsletter.
Neely has contacted other
veterans living in Florentine
Estates and elsewhere to con-
vince the board to rescind its
restrictions — at least as far
as the flying of unaltered ser-
vice flags.
“Florence and her citizens,
many of whom are veter-
ans, are very supportive of
the purpose and patriotic
spirit these flags engender,”
Neely said. “It is to be noted
that Florence is a U.S. Coast
Guard City. These military
service flags fly over our lo-
cal cemetery. Every veteran
has a legal right to fly his or
her service flag. For most of
us, however, it goes well be-
yond that.”
On Monday morning,
Neely spoke with veterans
from all five services at the
gathering of the unofficial
group, “The Band of Broth-
ers,” at Clawson’s Wheel-
house restaurant.
Neely’s presentation result-
ed in offers of financial sup-
port, in addition to threats
to protest the ban with a
demonstration at Florentine.
Per Article V, Section
5.2.27, illegal signs within
Florentine Estates are eligible
for a fine of $150 per inci-
dent, plus $20 per day.
One of the long-term solu-
tions suggested by Neely
and other members of the
Brothers was the creation
and adoption of a state law
governing the display of
service flags modeled after
the American Flag Act of
2005, which makes it illegal
for homeowner associations
to prohibit the flying of the
American flag.
“I am asking that our leg-
islators pass a similar act,
which would allow us to fly
Old Glory as well as our ser-
vice flags, in their past and
present forms without being
penalized for showing our
patriotism,” Neely said.
Florentine Estates Board
Member Ron Hildebrand
was hesitant to discuss the
ban at an impromptu meet-
ing with Siuslaw News. He
said those complaining were
directing their concerns to
the board, when they no
longer had control over the
restrictions, as any change to
the rules currently governing
flags would need to be vot-
ed on by all members of the
HOA.
Hildebrand also suggested
that people contact Nelson.
However, Nelson and mem-
bers of the Florentine Estates
Homeowners
Association
Board of Directors have not
responded to requests for
comment or more informa-
tion.
The HOA Handbook of
Rules & Procedures was up-
dated Jan. 4. In it, the board
wrote, “These rules and pro-
cedures have been developed
to help ensure that our com-
munity maintains its high
quality, property values and
the unmatched beauty of our
surroundings.”
For Neely, there is one
option for him and others
opposed to the flag ban, ac-
cording to the HOA. They
may petition the board for
permission to fly any flag, or
post a particular sign, other
than the American flag.
Neely has investigated that
option and, due to timing
constraints and the uncer-
tainty of the outcome, he re-
mains doubtful the petition
would be granted in time for
Armed Forces Day this Sat-
urday, May 15.
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We are open for dine-in, take-out,
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We are doing everything
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Raffl e Prizes!
Oregon Coast Humane Society’s
Thri Store Grand Reopening
This Weekend!
Get great deals on…
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Fill a bag with clothing for $9
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Shop Our Thrift Shop 1193 Bay St. | 541-997-5705
Prepare you own
“Grab & Go”
bag for use in the
event of an emergency
This is a small bag that contains a three
day supply of food, water, medications,
and change of clothing along with
personal hygiene items.
One critical item is a battery
powered FM Radio to tune
into 106.9 FM KCST the local
emergency broadcast station for our area.
Expect to be in a shelter where people
must provide for themselves for these
items.
This message brought to you by the
West Lane
Emergency Operations Group
www.wleog.org