Issue # 8 : SPANGLE THE CLOWN, HIS SIGN AND THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD....

[maggot]

 

via NewsLeader.com

Written By 

Mark E. McCormick

Spangle The Clown has taken down his controversial yard sign, but it remains unclear whether he or the city of Springfield will have the last laugh.

Bowing to pressure from city zoning officials on Tuesday night, Spangle The Clown removed a street sign that faced northbound Cox Avenue traffic in front of his home.

But, with his thumb firmly on his figurative water-squirting flower, he’s quickly erected a new, black and white sign reading simply, “Spangle The Clown.”

“I’m not trying to be a jerk about this,” said a solemn Spangle. “I’m just trying to make a living. I can’t afford to buy advertising on TV.”

It was unclear whether the new sign ends the conflict between the clown and the city or if the circus will continue. City spokeswoman Cora Scott said city officials would have to see the sign before they pass a ruling.

Chris Straw, director of the Building Development Department, said earlier Tuesday that if Spangle took down the sign, the case, and any past fines, would vanish.

At issue, Straw said, is that Spangle’s sign is located in a residential, single-family zoning district and such signs aren’t allowed there.

The sign is about 7 feet by 9 feet, Spangle said, but no matter what the size, the sign is out of zoning code, Straw said. Residential signs get close regulation, he said.

“We try to work with people to get these things resolved,” said Straw, adding that zoning laws protect homeowners and other property owners from what many call sign pollution.

Straw said roughly a couple of years ago, the city sent Spangle a letter of condition, a kind of courtesy letter letting him know the sign was out of compliance. A notice typically suffices, he said, because even though most people aren’t aware of the law, once notified, they comply.

Spangle said he didn’t want any trouble, so he hung the new sign hoping for a compromise.

“I’m trying to come to their terms, a little bit,” Spangle said.

He also said he’d be willing to sit down with city officials to work out a compromise as long as the city entered the discussions in good faith.

“I’m probably going to end up losing,” Spangle said. “I’m the little guy and they’re big brother.”

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You can view the signs on a slideshow by clicking here.

[Randell Danner]

i feel bad for him that he can't afford the advert he needs but if everyone was able to put out signs in the 'hood then it would not look good. park the truck at the end of the drive closer to the street; you can't miss that truck with the big phone number on it. does the truck also advertise his clown biz or just card printing?