That was the punchline to one of my grandpa’s favorite jokes. And it seems the perfect lede for this bit of breaking news from the great state of Tennessee:A homeowner’s association (HOA) in Tennessee threatened to fine a resident $100 after her car left a phallic-shaped image in the condo’s parking lot following a light dusting of snow, a report said Tuesday.
Kathryn, the home owner in question, not unreasonably asked for documentation of this outrage, and learned the following:
The board claimed to have photographic evidence sent in by a resident who was concerned about the wellbeing of children, the outlet reported. The photo it sent left Kathryn in stitches: a snowy parking space with a blob of cleared asphalt that could be construed as male genitalia.
Apparently, it was still snowing lightly when Kathryn and her husband left for work, and the tire tracks were covered by a dusting of snow, although the “image” left by the warmed car remained.
Kathryn, who appears to be a woman after my own heart when it comes to blistering emails, responded in forthright terms, pointing out that state law required that for an image to be deemed “offensive,” there had to be intent behind its display, asking how she was supposed to control the way the snow fell around her car, refusing to pay the fine, and “threatening legal action.”
The board finally backed off and in an email wrote: “We understand. We will not be pursuing this further, in good faith pursuant to the wording of the by-laws.” Big of them.
The ever-reliable Daily Mail covers the matter here, and includes Kathryn’s colorful comments.
You go, Kathryn! My hero for today.
