LF: Florida Man Paints American Flag on House in Protest

A Florida man who feels he is being unfairly treated by local code enforcement officials has mounted an unusual protest — he painted his house like the American flag.

"It's just total government abuse. This is still America," said Brent Greer, who lives in Bradenton, Florida.

Image: Greer and his wife stand in the shade as they talk with daughters on the front porch of their 110-year-old house in Bradenton

Brent Greer and his wife Catherine Greer stand in the shade as they talk with their two daughters on the front porch of their 110-year-old house in Bradenton, Florida, on June 6. The Greer's have painted a U.S. flag on the side of their house to protest city code enforcement fines.STEVE NESIUS / Reuters

Greer is upset that city code enforcement officers inspected his home in February after an anonymous complaint that a 15-foot-tall Christmas tree on his front porch had fallen over, he said.

A code enforcement officer came to inspect, and Greer said, "My wife gladly took it down."

The officer went on to cite Greer for a list of violations including lack of screens on some windows, peeling house paint, yard debris, and some rotted and loose wood, according to a copy of the complaint provided by Greer.

City officials could not be reached for comment. Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A code enforcement hearing is set for June 17 at which Greer said he could be fined $250 a day.

Greer, who runs a landscaping business and acknowledges the 110-year-old home is not in perfect repair, said he made some corrections but disputes other parts of the citation.

"There are no safety issues at my house. None. Zero," Greer said.

The Bradenton Herald described the house as one of the few old residences along the Manatee River built before a boom in multi-million homes.

Greer said his wife Catherine, who holds an art degree, and their seven children repainted the house in red, white and blue, complete with stars.

He said the family has received an outpouring of support, particularly among veterans. He said they intend to further decorate the house with a painted plywood Liberty Bell which they will place where the Christmas tree had stood.

"It's in compliance," Greer said.

You can have stars on your house ... if you also have stripes. See how that works?

Looks great, one of the "Starry Night" neighbors should do their house like that.

An old automobile repair place in Dayton did the same thing to their building and the city had a schitt fit over it. Why they reacted this way is beyond me because it definitely improved the look of the building, it was pretty run down looking before. Anyway the business left and someone came in and painted the building white but you can still see what's underneath. The building has been sitting empty for about 4 years now and is getting nasty looking again. I would imagine the people in that neighborhood would prefer the business still be there and the building still painted like a flag, little hole in the wall garages are a godsend in older neighborhoods.

“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul

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