Letter: Security shutters not ‘unsightly’

Thursday, July 24, 2003 | 8:32 a.m.

This letter is in reference to the story about Mae Roy, and how her homeowners association is ordering her to remove her security shutters.

We also live in a seniors' community and are quite aware of having to have a board's approval before making any outside changes. Ms. Roy had that approval, which was confirmed by Christine Bakazan, the former president of her homeowners association. In good faith she went ahead with her plans to install the shutters.

I have to question the motives of the new board president, who is insisting that Roy have the shutters removed. She says many homeowners think the shutters are unsightly. How many homeowners is she referring to? One? Two? Or is the fact that she wasn't consulted the real reason for the new president's insistence?

The shutters are at the rear of Ms. Roy's house. Are there parades of people going around back to take a look? After viewing both pictures in the article, the remark concerning "unsightly" shutters -- because they are white against cream-colored homes -- just doesn't fly. How does a clean-looking, unobtrusive shutter compare with the accepted alternative -- black prison-cell security bars on the windows and doors?

CAROLYN SHUGAR