As Presidents Day nears, a Tempe businessman is refusing to wave surrender in his battle with the city over the stars and stripes.
Brian Epstein says his red, white and blue signs in front of his car wash are patriotic and honor America.
Tempe says they're illegal.
The city allows businesses to fly one American flag year-round. But the city places tougher restrictions on banners and other decorations.
The Arizona Republic says Tempe code-enforcement officers are demanding that Epstein take down his big feather-shaped signs.
City spokeswoman Kris Baxter-Ging says Epstein's decorations are considered wind sail banners and not flags and are illegal according to Tempe code.
Epstein says he has no plans to remove his signs because his customers say they look like the American flag.
Rich posted at 8:19 am on Fri, Feb 18, 2011.
City spokeswoman Kris Baxter-Ging says Epstein's decorations are considered wind sail banners and not flags and are illegal according to Tempe code.
Whatever they are considered they cannot be illegal because we live in the United States which has a Constitution and a Bill of Rights that forbids them from being illegal. At best the city could 'take' them through eminent domain and pay. I'm getting real sick and tired of the Bill of Rights being treated as the Bill of Get Out of Jail Free cards for accused felons only, citizens are not covered.
NinjaMom posted at 9:17 pm on Fri, Feb 18, 2011.
Whaaat? The Constitution and the Bill of Rights doesn't even come into play in this situation. The city of Tempe absolutely has the right to dictate the way businesses advertise and display signage. There are city codes - perfectly LEGAL codes- that are made in order to keep people safe and the city a pleasant place to live in. This man is displaying advertising - they are called wind sail banners and they are bought in a marketing catalog, not a flag store. Ever notice all the light box signs and blight in Mesa? Crappy little businesses everywhere? THAT falls directly on the shoulder of Mesa's city codes. Tempe cares about itself and the way it looks. There's nothing wrong with taking care of your city.
Eminent domain? Oh Lawdy, I'm going to just post and go, because this is just too easy. I think they call it a canned hunt.
Mr. Carwash is a moron. "My customers tells me it looks like the American Flag.". Idiot. Fly an actual flag then OR move to Broadway and Dobson in Mesa. I'll even help you pack.
Samual posted at 1:24 am on Tue, Mar 8, 2011.
This is basically there view on this topic, Whatever the writer considered about this topic it cannot be illegal because we stay at United States which has a Constitution and many Rights that gives the opportunity to them from being illegal. business means only business no personal things should be come dere, this is very important for every businessman to keep in mind!! regards, cars for sale