Grayson Business Owner Fights City Sign Ordinance
Preface By: Team Bold Spicy
Pondering the interpretations of city ordinances can be mind-boggling. The sign ordinances in one little Georgia City are certainly not pro-business. Fighting for the freedom for businesses and their owners to prosper is not unique anywhere in America. Neighboring towns have a deafening outcry about the freedom to have a drink on Sunday or possibly buy a six-pack from the local grocery store all 7 days of the week. How can a city ordinance hand-cuff a business owner’s prosperity on Sunday?….or broadly limit the dress and costume of employed workers in the city limits all 7 days a week?
Many Small Southern Cities are managed like Mafia Homeowners Associations. Cliquey little clubs that bully businesses and homeowners with fear and promises of retribution. Close-knit families that use old fashion ‘Cosa-Nostra-Style’ shake-down techniques for their C.I.D. and like projects. Most business owners barely have time to eek out a decent living these days. Municipal battles against small code infringements can exhaust and overwhelm businesses beyond the point of futility. Unless you are Wal-Mart, Kroger, the Waffle-House, or the US Post Office you have no chance fighting with the ‘Do-as-I-say, not-as-I-do” local politicians and City Administrators. Even these big corporations can be no match for the “Good-Ole-Boy (and Girl)”, ‘I have been here longer’, ‘I own more property’, ‘this city is Mine’, and ‘I know better’ Club. Good luck trying to find a local business association or chamber that would support you. They are just as afraid of these bullies as you are. Quite possibly they are not also funded, controlled, and manipulated by these municipalities (and counties) as well. Even the local papers and reporters run scared when businesses need an advocate…
but not Bold Spicy News!
In Grayson, Georgia there is a new interpretation of their infamous ‘Sign Ordinance’. Costumes that represent a brand are not allowed within the city limits.
Warning: If you live in Grayson and your children wish to dress up on Halloween as a brand, such as Spiderman, Superman, Pokeman, Miley Cyrus, or Barbie make sure you go to Grayson City Hall and ask for a special permit. Otherwise city council and code enforcement might fine you.
I dare one resident to ask Mayor Jim Hinkle for his special permit this Holiday Season when he dresses up like Santa as in years past. Admittedly “Santa” is a brand.
From Fox 5
Updated: Tuesday, 08 Feb 2011, 11:55 PM EST
Published : Tuesday, 08 Feb 2011, 11:47 PM EST
GRAYSON, Ga. – People holding signs to advertise everything from pizzas to tax services are a common sight along many Metro Atlanta roads, but in one town it’s illegal and a local business owner says that’s unfair.
The Lady Liberty costume can be found on street corners all over Metro Atlanta, signaling the start of tax season. In the town of Grayson, the Lady Liberty isn’t allowed outside in her outfit.
Grayson Business Owner Fights City Sign Ordinance: MyFoxATLANTA.com
“I don’t want any trouble, I don’t want to have issues this is not a fight with the city. I just want to employ people, I just want to make money,” said Doris Jones of Liberty Tax Service.
The mayor of Grayson says people holding signs on street corners violates city zoning laws.
“Grayson is a little unique, admittedly, so we try to control things a little closer,” said Mayor Jim Hinkle.
“It’s just the uniform, it does not have a sign,” said Jones.
Jones says she tried to follow the letter of the law by taking away the sash and the sign the person in the Lady Liberty costume typically carries.
“It is a sign ordinance. A sign ordinance means holding a sign or a temporary sign and my [employee] did not have a sign she was just walking in her uniform,” said Jones.
The city code enforcement department disagreed, saying that in Grayson, just the costume qualified as a sign.
“If you’ll look at Grayson, you’ll see signs all in proportion. There’s nothing garish about them and everybody conforms normally,” said Mayor Hinkle.
Jones said the Lady Liberty costume is a big way that the Liberty Tax franchises bring in business and without one her office has been empty.
“I put it on hold. I don’t want to disrespect anyone, I just want somebody to understand,” said Jones.
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You don’t spit into the wind, you don’t tug on Superman’s cape and you don’t mess around with the Grayson Crusader for Freedom, Justice and the American Entrepreneur (aka DL-T). Big brother is alive and well in Grayson. When asked Mayor Jim Hinkle replied, “You’re not from around here, are you.?”
I think I hear Banjos….
Cool…
Get those prancing idiots off the damn road. Drivers are distracted enough with cell phones, make up and their double McKingy Cheesey Burrito wrap… they dont need some lackey dressed as Spongebob bouncing around on the side of the a busy highway. It’s only a matter of time before Soccer Mom Suzie Textalot bounces one of these boneheads off her Hummer’s brushguard while updating her Facebook status
“O noes, I just flattened Big Bird, BRB”
Well done Grayson. I hope other cities follow suit! There are more effective ways to advertise than Uncle Sam Minivan Dodgeball
Grant, weren’t you one of the folks holding the ‘Sunday Sales’ Signs jumping up and down on HWY 78?
You’re right that was annoying. I am sure your campaign had merit and was what was better for the businesses in Snellville.
Lord knows I have never seen a sign promoting the Grant and Moe Show while driving around. I may have even seen that right next door to Liberty Tax at one time.
Fight for freedom when it is BEER, (Especially in the Grayson Family Park next to the playground) when it is corny marketing…prohibition is best. Right Grant. How do you spell hypocrite?
Gee chum, so personal this morning. Name calling too? Isnt that special!
Nope
I was not amongst those folks with their signs on the side of the road. I’ve seen how people drive around here , you wont find me bouncing around on the curb like an idiot road further distracting texting morons in 6000lb SUV’s. I did, however, play the victory celebration from relative safety of the restaurant patio.
Not quite sure what Grant & Moe sign you might be referencing. I can assure you I have never paid for or suggested that anyone advertise for me by dressing like a freaking Yoda and playing in traffic.
I can further assure you that I will avoid any business who chooses to intentionally distract drivers and risk the lives of their employees by placing them in close proximity to a busy highway. There are better ways to advertise that dont impede the flow of traffic or put humans at risk.
No one wants to die making minimum wage in a damn Gumby suit.
Not personal. Just amazed at where advocates draw lines when taking a stance about particular political stances. The poor texting soccer Moms may be a little offended, though. ;0)
‘Yay’ freedoms when it affects me or I agree, down with freedoms for those who we disagree.
Bouncing sign holders are a possible traffic threat? Sunday bar flies in downtown Snellville cannot possibly affect Road Safety? Seriously?
I know you have a better, thought out argument than road safety. At least I do not remember you backing down from the road safety argument when it was the stance against Sunday Sales.
Where do you draw the line? If you are a true Libertarian you let all people take personal responsibility for their actions. Do you always agree with the sitting Mayors? Or just like to disagree with me? I actually have no official stance on this.
For the record, I generally side with whatever businesses think is necessary for their survival as a capitalist first. Sunday Sales, marketing, making money, and so on.
More “personal” stuff dude? Are you just trying to be “Bold and Spicy”?
This hasnt a thing to do with religious laws being dumped , sitting Mayors of any town or your personal view .I simply prefer the roadways to be free of bouncing little bimbos and other soft squishy targets.
Would you dress your kid as a freaking Wookie and have him dancing on the curb of a four lane highway?
I draw the line at humans dancing on the roadside. SIMPLE!!
Long standing peeve of mine and not the first time I’ve taken an opportunity to point out the stupid. Be it firemen/Masons collecting nickels, Masons,kids selling donuts, cheerleaders offering car washes or a dimwit in a cow suit waving his udder around for beer money…
Get Off The Road
One would think common sense would preclude “playing in traffic” as a viable advertising technique and laws preventing the practice wouldnt be required. Intentionally distracting drivers seems like a bad idea to most folks… Of course since the state had to pass a law to punish texting and driving it is apparent that we are deeper in morons than I had imagined.
Again, regardless of the legality of the practice the quickest way to send me to your competitor is to stuff a teenager into a Bullwinkle costume and send him out to intentionally distract drivers..I’m going elsewhere every time as that business owner is too daft to get my money
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