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Local Trump Banner Sparks Outrage
This isn’t your ordinary banner. The huge red and white letters spill over a three-story balcony, obviously visible to locals and visitors to our heavily commuted, two-lane road called Scenic 30-A, in the Florida Panhandle. Scenic 30-A in South Walton, currently the fastest growing County in Florida, hosts extremely rare coastal dune lakes, soft white sandy beaches that line emerald waters, and some of the priciest real estate in the state. I travel this corridor weekly, checking property for my customers. I’ve passed this mega-banner many times.
It started out displaying “Trump 2020.” After the disputed election, it shouted “Trump Won!” This is a conservative part of Florida and no one makes a fuss. It’s not always there. I think the owner displays it when he’s in town. It’s a casual beach town, and now sporting more visitors and new permanent residents than ever before, especially since COVID.
This evening, our local news reported that the banner is causing a scuffle (for the first time since the election). The owner of the property is from Georgia and is having none of it. In fact, he’s thinking of adding a “Let’s Go Brandon” banner!
Further challenging the county, Peavy declared Sunday that on this upcoming Saturday, he’ll be hanging a second banner at his house, reading “Let’s go, Brandon!” The sign should be up by 3 a.m. Saturday, he said Monday.
Uh Oh!
Update, Nov. 1: Haha!
It’s on his property and he is threatening to sue Walton County, claiming his freedom of speech is being violated. This is a $7 million property. I’m sure his taxes are off the charts. No one has complained before and the “banner” is not on the right-of-way or public land.
Marvin Peavy, a businessman from Georgia who owns a home in Seagrove Beach, says he may not only sue Walton County but is also considering adding a second sign reading “Let’s go, Brandon!”, the Northwest Florida Daily News reported Friday.” At an Oct. 20 code enforcement hearing, the “Trump Won” banner was found to be in violation of county rules regarding signs along 30A, which is designated as a scenic corridor. Those rules don’t have anything to do with the political content of signs, they just prohibit any kind of signs or flags on property along the beachfront road, the newspaper reported.
He’s getting a lot of support from locals, who said removal of the sign violated his First Amendment rights.
What’s taken so long if it was in violation? The ordinance in Walton County may state no signage on public property, but I am not aware of anything regarding private property. Even so, he’s willing to pay the fine! He called and asked where should he send the “fine” money, and no one knew! I smile every time I see it. Yet…
Many things seem “to matter” these days. Black Lives Matter. It’s painted on a major road in huge letters, visible to all who visit Washington DC. While we can agree on the humanitarian and moral statement, many do not subscribe to the political doctrine behind this organization, yet it remains. “My Body – My Choice” is the mantra of the pro-abortion crowd, yet this same statement does not apply to those who refuse the COVID vaccination and want to retain their freedom, liberty, and employment.
When do the rights of private citizens matter, and expression through Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, and even the right to protest, as stated in our US Constitution take precedence? Mr. Peavy is testing those very rights.
Published in General
A “Russian collusion!” banner four years ago would have been praiseworthy free speech. This is anathema.
The only difference is that there is still some actual evidence that Trump should have won, whereas it turns out was none for Russian collusion.
This could be fun to watch. Please keep us informed of future developments.
I’d like to see the ordinance he is violating. I get an HOA if he has one, but since when to cities control your banners. As long as they are not indecent.
I don’t think he’s in an HOA. It’s just a postage stamp sized lot on the side of the road. The beach is across the street. It’s only a little two lane road and has gotten way overbuilt and very very congested.
^ This….so Much THIS!!!
§ 13.02.00. THE ROUTE 30A SCENIC CORRIDOR, Chapter XIII. SCENIC CORRIDORS AND VISTAS, Appendix C. LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, Code of Ordinances, Walton County (elaws.us)
Specifically:
Seems to me this means you cannot put up a big sign. Now, if there is even one flag flying for anyone’s alma mater or sports team, and the law is being uneven applied, he has a good case. I am not a lawyer (God be Praised) so I have no idea what I am talking about.
Well he’s bucking the system and made good on his promise. Here’s today’s photo – Nov. 1: (you have to admit it’s funny!)
You make a good point – this being the South, banners and flags of many sports teams are displayed – not to mention American flags. There are also tons of political signs during any election – they are everywhere.
And hasn’t SCOTUS or someone ruled in the past that political messages like that can’t be banned by cities, HOAs, etc?
Thanks for the link!
What an odd list. It almost implies that a ‘sign’ is an advertising sign, but then includes “as advertising” in some elements. It would seem that a non-advertising wall mural is not prohibited, for example. Neither is a flag that is not a ‘streamer, pennant, ribbon or similar’, which implies blowing freely in the wind. And since a flag isn’t a building sign (?) or a ground sign (as far as I can see – or, at least, as far as I would be willing to argue with a straight face) it seems to be looking good for our Georgia patriot.
Gee………So on Scenic Hwy 30-A is the famous town of Seaside, FL (right next door to Seagrove where the bad banners are). They are probably less than 5 miles apart. Facing 30-A for all to see is a massive mural painted on the side of a building in the retail and food area – so what would you call it? A sign – a mural – a statement – a big purple piece of artwork?
https://sowal.com/story/seaside-pays-tribute-to-vincent-scully-with-massive-mural
Well that won’t be moving in the wind, unless the wind is a hurricane and the whole building moves.