Residents of an Anastasia Island block are expressing outrage after a homeowner on Castile Street painted an apparent swastika on his house.
Henry Hart, a neighbor, believes the symbol was slathered on the home sometime last Monday.
Hart said the neighborhood has had previous issues with the homeowner, David Hoag, and that the symbol’s appearance is only his latest transgression.
“I’m a free speech guy within reason, but putting a swastika on your house lets me know about your value system,” Hart told The Citizen.
Hoag, however, denied that the symbol is a swastika or that it was intended to convey antisemitic beliefs.
“That is the sacred symbol of an indigenous species,” he said. “Everyone seems to think only of the 20th century, but that symbol’s history goes further back.”
Hoag said that people have unfairly tarred him as a racist since he put up the symbol.
“I don’t even try to correct them. Everyone is looking for something to beef about,” he said, noting that he does plan to eventually remove the symbol.
Hart said the homeowner has roused disquiet along the block for unorthodox actions in the past, including including sitting on his roof for extended periods.
Public records show that Hoag was cited for violating noise ordinances in 2010 and 2014.
He has owned the property since 1991, according to the St. Johns County Property Appraiser.
