Well, horse-puckey. What should I do?

[orenbus]

Wow, you should contact the guy who got the media
attention down in Florida and ask what steps he
took.

This is like a gold mine in terms of publicity it could
generate.

I'm glad your going to fight this!

 

[Lord Xar]

they are telling you WHAT you can and cannot display in terms of signage on your OWN property.... hahahhah... wow. I'd fight it.. what will happen IF you don't remove it, and find out "what" ordinance they are referring to. Might just be scare tactics.

 

[Taco John]

Fight it and call the media to tell them about your fight. Use it as an opportunity!

 

[sylvania]

I was thinking it was a gold mine, too. If you do decide to fight this (and I personally hope you do), then be prepared for the question, 'Why do you support Ron Paul?" and do us proud.

 

[bbachtung]

He's the Thomas Jefferson of our day, and the only one who can beat Hillary Clinton.

 

[cjhowe]

I disagree. The ACLU letter sent in the Florida case cietd many case references that back this. Some of which were on a Federal and Supreme Court level.

Honestly, I don't know if any of us are versed enough in the local laws, or can give correct advise. I would call the ACLU, they have stood up for this exact thing in the past and know what they are doing.

I stand corrected
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/faclibrary/case.aspx?case=Ladue_v_Gilleo

This is only a city issue and not a Home Owner's Association issue, right?

 

[mkrfctr]

I know you guys are looking to push this to get some media attention, but really if you just want to keep the signs up, call city hall, tell them its a political sign and should be exempt, if they say no, then ask to see the ordinance, if the ordinance is unclear, ask for a clarification from the city attorney, if the ordinance includes political signage, send something to the city attorney stating that you think by the constitution of the US, or MN that it should be exempt as 1st amendment protected speech, along with some of that stuff from the ACLU/Florida case. Most likely the city will back down and not make an issue of it...

 

[bbachtung]

I stand corrected
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/faclibrary/case.aspx?case=Ladue_v_Gilleo

This is only a city issue and not a Home Owner's Association issue, right?

Right, cjhowe.

I agree that when you enter into an agreement with an HOA (bad idea) you are (as you should be) screwed.

 

[BLS]

I stand corrected
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/faclibrary/case.aspx?case=Ladue_v_Gilleo

This is only a city issue and not a Home Owner's Association issue, right?

It's good, I think, to have all viewpoints considered. I do, in fact, appreciate you questioning my initial thoughts of fighting it.

I will admit, however that I'm glad you concur with the others here as I do value your opinion.

I will contact the media tomorrow, call the ACLU and then call the City Hall.

 

[BLS]

I stand corrected
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/faclibrary/case.aspx?case=Ladue_v_Gilleo

This is only a city issue and not a Home Owner's Association issue, right?

No, no home owner's association issue, just city related.

 

[BLS]

Wow, you should contact the guy who got the media
attention down in Florida and ask what steps he
took.

This is like a gold mine in terms of publicity it could
generate.

I'm glad your going to fight this!

ACtually I already emailed him for advice. Great minds I guess.

I'm going to fight it!!

 

[cjhowe]

No, no home owner's association issue, just city related.

Fight on then ! Start a chip-in if necessary.

 

[BLS]

Fight on then ! Start a chip-in if necessary.

thanks man!

 

[MsDoodahs]

Don't know if this might be a good idea or not, but is there any way to find out if Kari Baker Associate PLANNER (hurl) has donated to an opposing candidate's campaign?

Also, since she is the associate planner, what about her superiors - have they or are any of them actively involved in the campaigns of opposing candidates?

Additional ammo never hurts...

 

[bbachtung]

Don't know if this might be a good idea or not, but is there any way to find out if Kari Baker Associate PLANNER (hurl) has donated to an opposing candidate's campaign?

Also, since she is the associate planner, what about her superiors - have they or are any of them actively involved in the campaigns of opposing candidates?

Additional ammo never hurts...

John Hinzman, Planning Director
Kari Barker, Planning Associate
Justin Fortney , Planning Associate

I'm running them through opensecrets.org:

The only Hastings, MN residents to contribute enough (in Q1 and Q2) to be listed have been one for Giuliani and one for Edwards. Neither is a name on the list.

 

[orenbus]

What kind of notice did they give you? I mean how much time did
they give you after they notified you that the sign had to be taken down? Also how long was the sign up for before you got the notice?

Thinking of legal arguments that could be made...

Also is that your fence or is that some sort of fence shared by you and your neighbors?

 

[BLS]

What kind of notice did they give you? I mean how much time did
they give you after they notified you that the sign had to be taken down? Also how long was the sign up for before you got the notice?

Thinking of legal arguments that could be made...

Also is that your fence or is that some sort of fence shared by you and your neighbors?

The envelope is post marked 10/1, so from time of mailing to time to remove is 7 days.

It is my fence. I do not share it with anyone. Matter of fact, there is grass in front of that fence between the fence and the sidewalk, and the city maintains that I am responsible for mowing that grass. If I gotta mow that grass it must be mine...and if the grass is mine, the fence must be mine too.

 

[jkaufmann]

Consult a lawyer

I work for a law firm, but am not an attorney. If you really choose to fight this, consulting an attorney first, rather quickly since you have only 7 days to remove, would be a smart thing to do.

To cover costs, I pledge 100$. Please seriously consider consulting an attorney before making your next move.

Any other pledges of money?

 

[BLS]

I work for a law firm, but am not an attorney. If you really choose to fight this, consulting an attorney first, rather quickly since you have only 7 days to remove, would be a smart thing to do.

To cover costs, I pledge 100$. Please seriously consider consulting an attorney before making your next move.

Any other pledges of money?

Thank you very much for your pledge.
I am planning on contacting the ACLU tomorrow to see if they will take my case.

 

[cjhowe]

The envelope is post marked 10/1, so from time of mailing to time to remove is 7 days.

It is my fence. I do not share it with anyone. Matter of fact, there is grass in front of that fence between the fence and the sidewalk, and the city maintains that I am responsible for mowing that grass. If I gotta mow that grass it must be mine...and if the grass is mine, the fence must be mine too.

totally off topic but...

Different states may call it different terms, some call it "home-rule" and "non home-rule" municipalities. Home-rule municipalities may require homeowners through properly enacted ordinances to maintain publicly owned land that abuts their property. The only thing that defines the boundaries of your property should be the property deed that is filed with the city or county.