Grinch Sign Causes a Stir in Bridle Path Area

A Ventura County judge slapped the Grinch with a temporary restraining order Thursday.

More specifically, Superior Court Judge Ken W. Riley ordered a Simi Valley couple to remove from their lawn a 6-foot-tall protest sign bearing the likeness of the Grinch, Dr. Seuss’ infamous Christmas goblin.

Rodney and Wendy Mann erected the hand-painted sign, which depicts a sneering green Grinch labeled “Pandolfi--the man who stole Bridle Path.”

The name refers to the head of the Bridle Path Homeowners’ Assn., Louis J. Pandolfi, who has drawn criticism in the past for his leadership of the neighborhood group.

Simi Valley police stopped by the house twice Thursday to see if the sign had been removed. “Hey, sorry, we both work,” Wendy Mann said in an interview, explaining why the sign didn’t come down until the evening.

Her husband removed the sign about 6 p.m., but said he holds tight to his opinion that Pandolfi does not run the association fairly. “We’re not saying he’s taking money. It’s self-indulgence on his part,” Mann said. “He’s using his office the way he wants to.”

Mann and his wife said Pandolfi has favored some homeowners over others in ruling on alleged violations of the Bridle Path rules.

Pandolfi could not be reached Thursday for comment.

Tina Rasnow, a lawyer for the homeowners association, declined to comment on the spat, other than to say Riley’s restraining order “is favorable to the Bridle Path Homeowners Assn.”

Riley ordered the Manns to remove the Grinch sign until they can prove why they should not be prohibited from posting any public sign “which accuses the Association, or any of its members, of committing a crime.”

Riley also forbade the couple to post any sign on their property without approval from the association’s Architectural Committee.

The judge’s order requires the Manns to stow the Grinch until a dispute-settlement referee can hear legal arguments on whether the sign is free speech or slander.

Moments after Mann took the sign down, neighbor Tyler Bunker put it up in his own yard.

Why? “I think it’s hilarious,” Bunker said. “I’ve had my run-ins with him [Pandolfi], too.”