Victory for the Nativity Display

Posted on November 30, 2005 by Brian Bonner

In a previous article I reported that Since moving into their new home three years ago, the Samona family of Novi, Michigan, has displayed a Nativity scene on their front lawn during each Christmas season. This year however, the management company of their subdivision sent them a letter demanding that they remove the Nativity scene. If they did not remove the display, the Samonas could be fined up to $100 a week until the display was removed.

Well they didn’t take it lying down, as none of us should.

From the The Thomas Moore Law Center:

Today the family received a letter from the management company informing them that their nativity display was not in violation of any rules or regulations of the subdivision and apologizing to the family for any distress they have caused. To show its regret over the incident, the company is sending the family a gift basket as a “as a token of our remorse, in the spirit of this holiday season.” The Samona family has requested that the company forward the gift basket to the Saint Vincent DePaul Society in Pontiac, Michigan.

According to Edward White, trial counsel for the Law Center who represented the family, “We are pleased the management company quickly realized the mistake it had made and corrected the matter. The Somanas are a great example for everyone. They showed that people should fight for what they believe in. I am glad the Thomas More Law Center was able to help them.”

Hurrah for the Thomas More Law Center! We need help in this crazy world of idiocy, to fight the good fight.

UPDATE: They have received an appology!

Filed under: News, The War on Christianity!

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3 Responses

  1. Craig, on December 1st, 2005 at 8:12 am Said:

    OUTSTANDING! thanks for the followup Brian.

    Reply
  2. LTC (RET) John G. Wheelock, on December 1st, 2005 at 11:30 am Said:

    I’m sort of curious (but can’t find) what sparked the initial letter to the family. I suspect it was a neighbor’s complaint rather than anything substantive in the covenants.

    Reply
  3. The Uncooperative Blogger, on December 2nd, 2005 at 12:48 pm Said:

    Yup, one person with one complaint.
    From WTIV:

    A homeowner who received a letter from a neighborhood association to remove the nativity display in her front yard has received an apology from the group.

    “I received the letter and I was shocked,” said homeowner Batoul Samona on Tuesday.

    A letter from the board of directors at the Tollgate subdivision in Novi, prompted by one neighbor’s complaint, stated that the Samona family was violating subdivision rules by putting up lawn ornaments or statues without getting prior approval.

    It went on to say “remove the nativity scene from your front yard or face fines.”

    Local 4 learned the association has apologized, saying there are no regulations for religious displays, so the nativity scene can stay. The association also gave the family a holiday gift basket. There was a large outpouring of support for the Samonas.

    Covenants have become very popular. I had a hard time finding private land, that wasn’t a mining claim, without covenants. They range here from not allowing types of farm or ranch animals, to what kind of structures are allowed. Horses are usually always allowed, because “fancy people” all want hay burners. I am talking about on 20 acre parcels!

    There is a law here that Ag land cannot be subdivided to less than 20 acre plots. That was a good idea, in my opinion.

    Reply

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