Steven Paul, 28, is a Tampa Bay Lightning season ticket holder who’s justifiably excited with his team in the Eastern Conference finals, eight wins away from the Stanley Cup.
Like many other Bolts supporters, he flaunted that enthusiasm within his community. That is, until his Home Owner’s Association crushed his freedom of expression like an over-reactive parent.
But Steven Paul is a hockey fan, which means he’s both incredibly cynical and incredibly stubborn about his passions. So he got a little creative in his battle with the draconian rules of his neighborhood HOA — and appears to have won.
Back in April, before the Lightning defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference playoffs, Paul decided he wanted to make his neighbors aware of his fervor for the team.
When the Lightning clinched a playoff spot, they gave fans a playoff preparation package that included a T-shirt, stickers and a sign made for display on one’s front yard, like a political placard.
Paul placed his white “GO BOLTS” sign on his lawn on a Saturday.
On Wednesday of the following week, he received this from his HOA:
“Whoever it is that has too much time on their hands took a picture on Monday, turned it in and then I got the letter that said, ‘No signs allowed except for security signs,'” said Paul, who shared the story and the letter with the Reddit hockey community, where he’s an active member.
His HOA limits lawn signs to ones that provide free advertising for alert others that the house is protected by some kind of alarm system or security service.
“I was pissed. I was infuriated,” recalled Paul, “and then I was like, ‘OK, fine. If we can only have security signs, then I’ll make it a security sign. Full Story Here

by Greg Wyshynski