Complainers

[woodchip]

For the longest time I (and you no doubt) have heard how one anonymous person has complained about something and had something taken down. The latest example is a bar that had a sign outside saying “Thank a veteran for your freedom!” Someone complained and the city now demands that the sign be taken down or be fined. Now I've worked where the exterior signs have to meet code and within a week or so the city will tell you if you are not in compliance. I thought this might of been the case here except I then read:

"Said one veteran: “I can understand city ordinances, but it’s been up there for 10 years. I don’t understand why it’s a problem now.”

So how do you all feel about some lonesome George complaining and getting their way, especially when the vast majority of people don't care?

Oh I here's the link:
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/11/ ... -veterans/

[callmeslick]

has to be a case by case basis. If something is illegal, a sole compainer is fine....sometimes that is what is needed. This one, I can't figure out, as there is no mention of what the issue is with the sign. Personally, if I had the call, I'd complain about a sign calling a place, "Johnny's Pool and Booze", but that's just me......

[Spidey]

As long as the sign meets local code, the content is irrelevant, according to the first amendment. (assuming that it also meets obscenity regulations…etc)

If the complaint was about code…then fine, but if it was about content, then you have a right to face that person in a court of law…so sue me!

The lesson here is…get your permits!!! A business should know better.

[callmeslick]

what's odd, Spidey, is that one person interviewed said the sign had been up for years.........not exactly some sort of blatant code violation in this case, but sometimes, they simply don't enforce until someone complains.

[Will Robinson]

Can the sign be re-phrased to show the complainers home address and the nature of the complaint?
And is there an Army base near by?

[Spidey]

what's odd, Spidey, is that one person interviewed said the sign had been up for years.........not exactly some sort of blatant code violation in this case, but sometimes, they simply don't enforce until someone complains.

Well, many code violations here in Philly go un-noticed by the city, until someone calls it in.

And then in a municipality that is strapped for revenue…they will chomp at the bit to hand you a fine…and if you are dumb enough to pay a fine…they put you on a list…that says you pay your fines…then they come looking for more.

Yes, this actually happens in Philly, but I can’t disclose the source….sorry.

[callmeslick]

no need, Spidey....I completely believe you. Especially in and around Philly.

[Tunnelcat]

Same here in Corvallis too. Our municipality is also cash strapped. Someone has to actually complain about something before action is taken. Sometimes it's a valid violation that someone's finally noticed, sometimes it's someone with a stick up their butt just rabble-rousing. If it's a valid complaint and the problem has been going on for a long time and overlooked, very likely in most cases, the "defendant" tends to get the attitude they've done nothing wrong in the first place, so it mustn't really be a problem. The squatters rights attitude.