Well, horse-puckey. What should I do?

[OptionsTrader]

If you get fines, start a chip-in

 

[DrNoZone]

Tell them to show you the law. And then tell them that you will remove yours only if all other similar signs in your neighborhood are taken down. Do this in a letter, sent registered mail and ask for a response within 30 days.

 

[Corydoras]

Isn't tomorrow a holiday?

 

[UtahApocalypse]

This happened to someone else. Remember? He got out of it. Does anyone remember what he did? I know he contacted the media and they did a story on it. Did he also contact the ACLU? It might be worthwhile to contact him and have a little chat.

I believe that the ACLU was indeed involved in that. Someone needs to find that old thread.

BLS, I hope that you are able to take a stand on this. We will support you on it I am sure. This is what we all are fighting for, we can't just rollover and give away our rights on a whim.

 

[itsnobody]

Its your private property, its 100% legal...there's nothing illegal about it, they can't tell you you just aren't allowed to have it as long as you own the property

 

[Kregener]

Send them all a copy of "The Ballad of Carl Drega".

 

[G-khan]

"Just down the street is our local highschool football stadium.
And there are a TON of banners on there from local businesses, etc.
That Stadium is right in the middle of a residential area."

I would demand that they take those down first or else they are just trying to suppress your political statement because of their own political views..

Turn it around on them and make it an issue of first amendment rights to free speech?

They will need to show you a law that says the others can have their banners and you can't. My guess is they won't have it?

 

[Bradley in DC]

Tomorrow is Monday, contact a lawyer, possibly the ACLU (yes they may do some crazy crap, but they do help on free speech)

Institute for Justice might help too.

 

[Corydoras]

Call the school board candidate's office and tell them the zoning people are trying to shut down their campaign and can't they do something about it.

What goes for the local candidate goes for the RP banner.

 

[BLS]

Send them all a copy of "The Ballad of Carl Drega".

What's that?

 

[lx43]

This is one example why people are so angry in this country.

1. You own the property but the govt tells you what you can and can't do with it.

2. Then they force you to pay them for the right to keep your property you paid for ie property taxes.

I say fight this.

 

[bbachtung]

Oh my God, you live in a socialist paradise:

In 1995, the Hastings City Council adopted a property maintenance ordinance which provides a practical method to regulate the maintenance and use of existing properties within the City of Hastings. The purpose of the ordinance is to protect, preserve and promote public health, safety and welfare.

http://www.ci.hastings.mn.us/PlanningDev/BuildingSafety/BDGCodeEnforcement.html

 

[bbachtung]

What's that?

Whatever you do, please do not send anything about Carl Drega. You will get a visit from every law enforcement agency you can imagine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Drega

 

[Tin_Foil_Hat]

Since you owe your house, just paint the stencil on your siding. That isn't a banner.

 

[max]

FIGHT IT!!!!! and be a prick about it

I'll tell you why.

If u call the local news media you'll generate $1000's in free publicity...

if they push it and hit u with a fine....just post the ticket here and believe me....we got your back man...

go for news coverage like that dude in florida who had a similar issue

 

[foofighter20x]

Sorry about the title change... Couldn't resist!

 

[Kregener]

Okay...so send them copies of "Unintended Consequences" instead...

 

[sbradbury]

fight it.

 

[bbachtung]

There are 100 pages of regulations in your city governing land usage alone (they don't have enough time on their hands). The PDF is here http://www.ci.hastings.mn.us/InsideCityHall/Ordinances/CodeTitle15/CodeTitle15.155.pdf

The definition for banner is:

BANNERS. Attention getting devices that resemble flags and are of a paper, cloth, or plastic like consistency.

The good news is that if you put it on a pole, then it magically turns into a flag:

FLAG. A rectangular piece of fabric of distinctive design mounted on a pole used as a symbol (as a nation), signaling device (nautical), or attention getting device (advertising).

Just be careful around those code enforcement officers, the BTK serial killer was one of the most dedicated code enforcement officers in Wichita, KS.

 

[UtahApocalypse]

Researching their city ordinances, i have so far found the following:

http://www.ci.hastings.mn.us/InsideCityHall/Ordinances/CodeTitle15/CodeTitle15.155.pdf

Section: 155.08 Signs, Title (b) Signs permitted without a permit.
(3) Election/campaign signs on private property provided the signs are posted no sooner than 100 days before a city, school, county, state, or federal election and removed within 10 days following an election. No election signs shall be affixed to utility poles;
(11) Temporary ribbons, banners, pennants, and similar devices are allowed in commercial, industrial, and public institution districts. The devices shall be removed if they become torn, discolored, or in any way damaged to modify their original appearance. Businesses and/or property owners utilizing these temporary devices that include advertising and/or a message shall be allowed only a total of 90 days during any 12-month period. Only 1 device shall be used at a time, and the maximum size of the device shall be equal to or less than the monument sign standards for the district in which the site is located, or in the case of the East 2nd Street Historic District or Downtown Core District, equal or less than the wall sign standards;

I am NOT a LAWYER, Or LEGAL Representitive. But from my reading of the entire section you currently ARE within the laws of your city.

FIGHT THIS!