Marine May Lose Home For Flying Flag

Marine May Lose Home For Flying Flag
Man's Attorney Uses Pres. Bush's Flag Request As Defense
Posted: 10:04 a.m. EDT October 15, 2001
Updated: 1:25 p.m. EDT October 15, 2001

JUPITER, Fla. -- A former Marine who flies an American flag in his front yard could lose his house over his refusal to remove his flagpole, which violates his civic association's rules.
The Indian Creek Phase III-B Homeowners Association has filed a lien against George Andres' home in an attempt to collect more than $28,000 in legal fees and fines a judge has ordered him to pay. Foreclosure proceedings are expected to begin in the next couple weeks.



Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Catherine M. Brunson sided with the association in June, ruling that Andres, 61, was violating its rule barring flagpoles. Under the association's rules, flags can be flown only from brackets attached to the side of homes.

Indian Creek attorney Steven Selz said Andres -- who continues to fly the flag -- and his wife will be interviewed to determine what financial resources they have to pay the association.

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Gov. Jeb Bush and his brother, President George W. Bush, urged civic associations to eliminate regulations restricting the flying of American flags.

During a court hearing Thursday, Andres' attorney cited the Bushes when he argued that Indian Creek's regulation runs against public policy, but Brunson disagreed.

Barry Silver also argued that the association had committed a fraud against the court when it first said it objected only to the pole, but then later said it objected to the pole and the flag.

Brunson ruled no fraud had been committed.