NEED TO KNOW
- A suburban HOA filed a formal complaint over a gnome they deemed “visually aggressive and suggestive.”
- The homeowner refuses to comply, stating the gnome “boosts morale and pollination.”
- Debate erupts over whether the inflatable unicorn tube counts as “appropriate seasonal attire.”
Suburban tension reached new heights this week as the Maple Heights Homeowners Association issued a formal warning to resident Gary Wexler. At the center of the controversy is a shirtless garden gnome named Randy, who proudly stands in Wexler’s front yard wearing nothing but swim goggles and an inflatable unicorn float. The HOA called Randy “visually disruptive and suggestive,” citing concerns over his confident stance and permanent smile. Wexler immediately refused to comply, insisting that Randy represents freedom, body positivity, and the right to accessorize seasonally without judgment.
Clause Chaos in the Cul-de-Sac
The HOA invoked an obscure rule from the 2007 decorative codebook, which prohibits any lawn fixture that could “distract, arouse, or encourage unsolicited conversations about body image.” While some neighbors supported the letter of the law, others called it an overreach. One resident said the gnome was “doing more to boost community morale than the annual chili cook-off ever did.” As a compromise, Wexler added tiny sunglasses and a travel-sized bottle of sunscreen to Randy’s ensemble. However, the HOA was not impressed.
Randy Gains a Following
Support for Randy has grown steadily. A group of local teens created a TikTok dance in his honor, while a Change.org petition demanding gnome equality collected over 12,000 signatures. Several homeowners have even placed inflatable animals on their own lawns in solidarity. HOA President Judith Reynolds called the situation “an act of coordinated ornamental defiance” and warned of escalating fines if Randy remains.
The Gnome Stands His Ground
Legal analysts believe the outcome could set precedent for future decorative disputes nationwide. For now, Randy continues to bask in the sun, unfazed and unbothered by the bureaucratic forces aligned against him. His presence, Wexler says, reminds the neighborhood of something far more important than lawn order—joy.
