Southwood resident asked to remove flag cover from mailbox

Southwood resident John Ackert, a retired U.S. Navy commander, is being asked to remove a patriotic flag cover he's had on his mailbox.

"This is a very, very petty thing. All I'm trying to do is display my feeling of patriotism toward America. I spent 30 years in uniform," Ackert said.

In a July 26 letter to Ackert, the Southwood Residential Community Association said the reason for the request was to protect the "aesthetic appeal and property values" of the neighborhood.

"As the holiday season has come to a close, please remove the American flag mailbox wrap. Decorations may be displayed 30 days prior to the associated holiday and must be taken down within 15 days after the holiday," the letter read.

The association wants Ackert to either remove the mailbox cover within 15 business days or to submit a request to dispute the order.

Ackert said this is the first time during the four years he's lived in the neighborhood he's received such a complaint. Within a month of moving into the house, he added the mailbox cover, which he purchased from ACE Hardware. When it faded, he replaced it with a new one.

"If somebody had complained about it four years ago, it wouldn't be such an issue," Ackert said.

Previously, the association asked him to remove a Navy sticker from his window, along with "Support Leon County Sheriff's Office" and Special Olympics stickers.

Reach Nada Hassanein at nhassanein@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @nhassanein_.