Town Wants Mural Torn Down Because it Shows ... Donuts
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- Опубликовано: 30 янв 2023
- Town officials in Conway, New Hampshire, are trying to force a local bakery to paint over a mural made by local school students.
In June, students from Kennett High School painted a colorful mural above the front door of Leavitt’s Country Bakery on White Mountain Highway. The mural features a New England mountain landscape made entirely of baked goods, such as donuts, scones and muffins. Leavitt’s owner Sean Young said at the time, he thought the mural “would be a fun project for kids and good for the community.”
But no good deed goes unpunished. Two months later, town officials decided that they would treat the students’ mural as a “sign” subject to strict size and location restrictions. Why? Simply because the mural’s mountainscape depicts baked goods like those sold at the bakery. Thus, officials believe the sign should be treated as an advertisement.
But Conway’s treatment of Leavitt’s mural as a “sign” is discriminatory and contrary to the First Amendment. The Institute for Justice is helping the bakery fight back.
Learn more about this case here: ij.org/case/new-hampshire-don...
Time to get rid of the town officials. And the so-called code enforcer.
You get rid of them and then you'll get a new round of tyrants. The kinds of people who like to have power over others will always be attracted to positions of power, and they'll fool enough people for just long enough to get elected.
The root of the problem is with the nature of government itself.
Everywhere
You say that like locals don't support this rule.
@@BradAcquilin the majority of these so called code enforcers are just miserable sad little losers anyway.
They get enjoyment from forcing their weird self serving opinions on other people.
@@spacetoast7783 The video seemed to indicate that the locals did not support the rule.
There's nothing like town officials crapping on the youths of their town to drive the youths of their town elsewhere. It's the stodgy attitudes that slowly ruin their towns.
Good point. Rural towns already have a really hard time hanging onto their young people and stuff like this only alienates them more.
@@jfm14 as someone who lives in small community of conservatives and crackheads I agree with your comment.
As true as a sunny day
As someone who grew up in Conway, I can 100% attest that it's really not a welcoming place to anyone who isn't a tourist with money, especially to locals, and then everyone complains when no one is moving there to fill jobs and no young people are staying in the area.
@@jfm14 The kids are leaving anyway. There are few jobs and no opportunities. Telling them how wonderful their ugly sign is will not have any effect on their leaving or staying.
Ridiculous. Support small businesses, not small minded officials.
"Gee, why do all the young people leave town and not move back when they graduate?" them, probably. Wow, what a way to basically create the town from Footloose 🙄I think it's so cool that a local business worked with local high school students to create something that will be there for years to come, something the students will probably be able to show their kids! And incorporating the nearby mountain range with bakery items is so creative! I hope the town makes the right decision, and if they don't, I hope the residents and other business owners make life miserable for the people who are making these ridiculous decisions. When the town officials refuse to recognize the will of the citizens, that's a *SIGN* that said officials need to go.
Agreed. I was thinking that the business next door to him should agree to move the mural to his property.
Clearly you've never been to the Conway/Jackson/Berlin NH area.
@@jasonsinclair9615 Don't need to! This is a common problem throughout small towns in the US. Even IF Conway accepted everything else in that town as art, for them to not view THIS as art as well (which yes, it's art), then it's just pure irony. The first amendment is eroding, that's a sad fact.
@Avery the Cuban-American he violated a city ordinance by having them paint a sign for his business, but calling it a mural. It is indeed an advertisement for his business. His lack of knowledge is not the code enforcement officers fault. I'm guessing you'd have the same support if the local "adult book store" or gay night club painted their own "descriptive murals"... The rule keeps a classic NH town from becoming a neon lit tourist trap.
@@jasonsinclair9615 "It is indeed an advertisement" according to YOU. Last I checked, the world doesn't revolve around you! And yeah, I would support murals at those businesses you mentioned, because it's art and they have the right to express that way. Restricting that is authoritarian, but I'm glad y'all are showing your true colors while ironically preaching for "liberty".
Something is horribly wrong with the people who run this community.
Thank you, IJ, for stepping in.
Some people just can't let go of a rule.
The people going into government these days aren't the type who do it because it's their civic duty, they're either bureaucrats who love red tape or they're inherently authoritarian "Karens" who can't see any moral good past enforcing rules on others and would gladly take someone's home or business away over a trivial matter.
Maybe when they come up for re-election someone would remind the community just how morally bankrupt the local council is....i kinda bet someone on that board got upset they couldn't buy the bakery
Maybe the entire community should have a Tar & Feathering party. - Jason/Freedom Fighter Until Death/Vermont, DSA (‘DSA’, meaning “The Divided States Of America”)
Yes they are nuts, and mean.
One of the worst parts is that the town officials risk nothing financially battling this suit. The taxpayers will ultimately front the bill.
They risk their seats in the next election. From my experience small towns have *LONG* memories when it comes to petty officials.
@@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980 Recall time!
@@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980 Small towns have long memories, period, ESPECIALLY when it comes to petty officials.
He needs to sue the individuals town officials not the taxpayers!
@@robertrocca6595There’s usually indemnification laws that allows the town to cover the costs of the individuals, so suing them in their individual capacities would have the same result. It’s definitely a reason why government has gotten out of control.
My personal opinion is that this is why mechanisms for citizens to recall public officials who are pulling this kind of crap should exist. Community is clear about what they want, and the town officials are ignoring it. There should be a method for them to be removed.
I've lived in Conway New Hampshire,and have gone to the bakery in question. In my opinion the town officer has nothing else to do ,but to pick on small businesses. My mom and stepdad lived there as well. My mom would be in agreement with the owner on this. A handmade 🍩 is better than a Dunkin donuts donut all day long.
That's absolutely insane. How do people have the time and energy to persecute people over artistic depictions of baked goods?
Lazy good for noting goverment employees who are so full of them selves they have to hassle people becasue they have been given power to.
First world problems. It's too difficult to go after criminals who fight back. It's much easier to go after somebody stoned on their couch or jaywalks or any number of micro offenses that are part of the government overreach that aren't offensive to anyone. They just want the fines or the attention that will bring more people to town to spend money. It's hardly ever about doing the right thing.
Because most people on the town committees are usually old mfs with nothing better to do or the money to actually campaign for it
Exactly! They need a JOB!!
The town needs money.
Sir please stand your ground. As a veteran I gave 12 years of my life defending your right to have that sign. I hope you win.
Thank you for your service Gene.
I stand with you Sir. The power has gone to these folks head and they now think they can control every aspect of our lives. That isn't freedom and anything less than freedom is unacceptable.
G'day
✌🍩
Thank u for your service sir...with the way things are going we may need your skills rite here in our homeland
Bravo, Sir! I salute your service and the morals and ethics you stand for! Well done! 👏👏
Thank you!
Absolutely fight !
My grandfather, my father, and now my Brother (22 years Navy) just passed away, Fought for our rights and freedoms !
The mural must stay !
Respect to these people for keeping a long standing small business alive.
Absolutely! Exactly what I was thinking. Makes me see all the parameters small business owners face. Ppl from older generations tell me it used to be easier to start & own ur own business. If officials in small towns are being this petty & choosy, I am certain the game is rigged for only certain businesses to succeed. 😉
Unfortunately something similar happened in Walla Walla WA. There’s a cool toy shop called Inland Octopus, they had a super cool mural of an octopus above the store for years. Someone complained. They fought with the city for years to keep the mural but finally lost and had to remove it 😢 it was a cool local landmark that unfortunately had to go after years of being something joyously fun and silly.
You don't want those convicts to stay when they get out.
The problem is “officials” never want to admit that they’re wrong. They know they can hide behind outdated laws and ordinances to protect them from any personal responsibility.
I've been saying this for years, that we need to get old outdated laws off the books!
They always seem to want to add more laws, but not take away ones!
@@lazerbehm8681 The 2nd amendment is a great example. There’s no way that anybody who wants a gun should have a “right” to own one. No politician is willing to say that. They don’t consider that it was ratified in 1791…..more than 200 years ago. Sure, it made sense back then. With all things considered in 2023; it makes no sense. Gun violence is an epidemic in America. We’ve devolved into the mindset that owning a gun is a birthright versus the right to live without the threat of being a victim of a random person with a gun.
Why is the ordinance outdated? Have you ever lived in any place that was overrun by billboards and commercial signs? I'd much rather live in a place that is a bit strict on signage. Humans can very quickly turn a garden into a garbage dump if you give them a little rope.
Damn NAZIs! Go ahead and delete me RUclips!
@@rickbarnes7745 You are talking about a sign on a shop. I'm guessing you have some connection to the people who want to take over this building.
So he bought the shop as a philanthropist- and this is the thanks the gets 😮
Legend
No. He bought it to make money.
Woah a TayZonday in the wild
@@woolfwoolf Well, yes, he did. But small business owners may not be focused solely on making money. Some of them actually do want to do things like, build community, as well.
I just observe that's true, I still don't think this redeems capitalism.
HE LIVES! You were such an important part of my dorm hallway.
This happened to a bar called "The Lonesome Dove" in Bismarck/Mandan,ND. They were being charged 1,000$ a day in fines for having a mural with the bars name and some horses. The bar fought back and filed a federal lawsuit claiming 1A violations. They won the suit and I'm pretty sure the mural is till there.
That was also an Institute for Justice case. I represented Lonesome Dove along with Sean and Leavitt's.
Good luck, Mr Frommer! Sure hope you win this one, too. 😊
I love that mural! It's art, you would have to be blind to not see this as art!
I ran into a similar situation but with flags. I was the general manager of a building supply company. I had placed 3 American flags on one of our properties. The town code enforcer sent me a letter stating only one flag was allowed. As a veteran 70-74, I refused to remove 2 of the flags. Instead I spent 4 hours riding around town writing down all the other businesses and government buildings that violated the same so called town ordinances. I sent the list, which included two court houses that had flags at all the entrances. I explained that when I receive a copy of the violation letter sent to the following and they comply, I would consider doing the same.
Never heard another word from them. All the other flags remained were they where.
I absolutely love that. Good for you!!
Wow. Cant believe they pulled this. So glad u served it back to them
thank you for your service -- including this!!
Boom. From a wise elder comes a fantastic idea to get back at aholes
@@baelee132 so would painting a giant turd on the side of the town hall be unconstitutional, because they seem to be spouting manure? :P
I don't even eat baked goods but my wife and I will be driving up to Conway to show our support by purchasing some of your products. We need more people to stand up to thug town officials.
It's a beautiful mural, art made by kids and worth defending! Much respect for your fortitude, Sean.
If I lived near by I would do the same! Thank you for your support!
Who doesn’t love cake and cookies?! If you drive there, you must Eat a doughnut!! 🍩 You dont eat baked goods?! Whoa.
So you don't eat anything baked 🤔??? Lol
@@cheshirecat3978 lol thats what i said!! Very hard to believe, as i myself love baked goods. Haha.
@@smokeystriper It doesn't sound like the town officials deserve those presumably delicious baked goods. If OP buys some and doesn't want to eat them, I think a better use would be to donate them to a homeless shelter or something. Then take a pic of them donating and send that along with the Constitution.
Sometimes, it feels like bureaucrats really love to double down and make the holes they're in even deeper.
In the 1970’s WT White High School art students painted a mural along a brick wall beside Forest Ln. in Dallas, Texas. It was to protect the community from graffiti. It was a great success. The community and the school have continued to renew the colors on the mural and maintain the very long wall. It has really served to bring the community together and remained a source of pride for the area.
"When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty."
When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty is the quote not when injustice becomes law resistance becomes duty.
@@TheTrueCrusade. The Devil is a wordsmith…ask joe.
You should go and say that somewhere where that really means something, like a war zone.
@@spaceman465 - remind me of the last legitimate war. Legitimate meaning a war not funded by the central banks.
Where was everyone during Covid? Hardly anyone resisted.
Those town officials need to go. They are the exact people who need to not be in office.
Like many others!!!
Unfortunately the constituents wanted them ?
Jeremy Gibbs is the town official who originally issued the citation. You can look him up, as his contact information is public record
Only people who should never govern people want the job of governing people.
They did exactly what the voters demanded earlier. It sounds like they're doing a great job representing people.
What an absolute waste of energy and resources by the town officials. Props to this guy for sticking up for artistic freedom!
That's a gorgeous mural! Those students did some wonderful work there!
Sounds like 'the town' is in need of some different elected officials. Congrats to these folks for standing up for what's right.
No, it's time for people to stop thinking government is there to control the people. And who does the police serve and protect? Not the people because it's the people who are filling up the courtsnot criminals.
Indeed -- one would think that in such a small town (pop. 10,200), with such broad community support, the locals could get the ordinance changed.
@@Milesco Its all about having power and control - shameful.
Overzeleous code enforcement, a problem in every community.
There must be absolutely nothing else going on in this town.
Lol, the best comment here!
No, this is a common phenomenon in towns everywhere now but most people just roll over and do what the bureaucrats tell them to do. This is the natural tendencies of governments, to become tyrannical over time, and every generation apparently has to learn it the hard way.
get Stephen King on the phone
Our capital city Pyongyang is filled with murals and mosaics from the subway stations to landmarks. They all make the city look livelier. Art should be ENcouraged, not DIScouraged! These American small-town officials have nothing better to do! I would argue that the sign doesn't depict the items sold because the store doesn't sell five-foot donuts so in essence it is just a mural. And number two, the store can just stop selling the exact items depicted like the exact color pink donut. If it has a different shade of pink, then that's not what's sold. You need to beat them at their own stupid game.
Thanks for speaking your truth, Kim.
And, excellent ideas.
“Beat them at their own stupid game.” 👍
Isn't it true that Biden called you "L'il Kim-un"?.....that's what I heard....
God Bless you KJU! Our country needs more even minded people like you to help run it!
I LIKE this bakery owner! He sounds way smarter than the folks running that town.
Those young artists should get a standing ovation for their happy, cheerful, colorful contribution to the community. How many young people today contribute to their community? Shame on every one of you adults hampering their efforts. This is unbelievable. 😠
Yea, it looks good, they didn't mess it up with some modern art junk
Plenty of young people contribute to their community
@@kstar1489 Lmao, and what news site gave you that bs. You don't know shit, you don't actually come from this gen like me and others that are STILL working.. Most of these losers WANT to be government dependent, while constantly playing some bs victim card.
My ex boyfriend's daughter painted a mural on the side of the Eagles 🦅 building facing our outdoor area for her senior project, which is required here for HS graduation. That was 5-6 years ago and it's still there.
Now I want a donut!
The children can't even have good times anymore. I'm sure it was an amazing experience for them, and they remember it everytime they pass it by. This guy is a good man and I'm glad everyone is standing behind him.
They did an amazing job. It would suck if the government forces it to be taken down just because the students chose to put doughnuts on it. Freedom of expression is supposed to be protected.
Imagine the practical education the mural painters are receiving as they watch this mean-spirited attack on their art work.
The kids are getting a lesson in how close minded governments (including HOA’s) work & how not to run a government
_"...I'm glad everyone is standing behind him."_
I am, too, but it raises an interesting question....
One would think that in such a small town (pop. 10,200), with such broad community support, why can't the bakery and the local citizens get the ordinance changed?
The children who painted this sign will be proud of their contribution to their community for years and years to come. Someday those children will be able to show it to their own children as they go to buy donuts. That is valuable .
This is absolutely unbelievable.I hope his lawsuit is successful.
The same thing happened to a bakery near me. Because it was a mural of their mascot (Maggie moose) it had to come down. The town considered it an advertisement. It’s ridiculous.
"to give the town of Conway a civics lesson on the First Amendment" Way to go, Sean!
The town "leaders" are just power hungry fools and have no idea how much this is going to cost the town of Conway for their stupidity to prove their point (which will be proven to be Unconstitutional)
I agree
No... sounds like YOU need a civics lesson.
That's NOT giving a lesson in civics or the 1st Amendment. When is breaking the law a lesson IN support of the 1st Amendment? You don't violate the law or petition to be exempt FROM the law, you petition to CHANGE the law. Until the law is changed, cover the sign and obey the law. They can even have a re-unveiling of the sign/mural after the town VOTES to change the law, since the town is behind the owner. What he's actually teaching the students is that if they don't like a law, ANY law, they get to break the law! Or that they are above the law. That's NOT a lesson in civics or justice, it's a lesson in anarchy.
@@MarkLewis... good Lord I hope you don’t work in government lol. The law is unconstitutional and discriminatory. Period.
@@MarkLewis... It's through Anarchy that laws get changed!
Show us A victim in this & it may be considered a crime!
What pathetic and miserable lives they must live to try and enforce this ridiculous rule.
Libs...
Welcome to small town America.
@@NeverComplyEver lol that's the opposite of Liberals
yeah, this ain’t liberalism friend.
This straight up conservative bullshit. We dont want no bright faggy donuts on the walls and we’ll waste taxpayers dollars to battle this point.
Trump must be winning BIGLY there.
Most laws are made by miserable people, that's why there's so many (stupid) laws.
That's a Fantastic mural! Who could ever tell a donut shop they can't have donuts on their building?
thanks IJ and Sean for fighting back. it's a beautiful art, and the kids put their heart into it.
I had almost exactly the same treatment at the hands of my zoning department here in Ohio, where I owned, incidentally, a bakery (although mine was artisan breads, not sweet goods). The details are too long to get into, but the zoning department acted as if they were the sheriff, over an outside, temporary display promoting a charitable fundraiser we had held every August for years with no problem. We had had no problems until the department hired an assistant inspector, who decided he needed to teach us who was boss. He came into the shop all blustery and full of himself, and scared the hell out of my teenage female high-school counter staff, demanding that they immediately take down the display (they couldn't, physically). I was furious, and I called the head of the zoning department, but he would not budge. The board of appeals would not budge. They just dug their heels in deeper, especially when I pointed out that the same display had been OK for many years, and that other, similar displays at other businesses were not cited. They didn't like that, and issued a citation and daily fines. Fortunately, the community and our customers supported us, among whom were two township trustees, and a county commissioner, who were customers. They applied pressure. The tipping point in our favor was that the Food and Community editor of a widely read local newspaper was also a frequent customer who adored our shop. So a scathing article appeared in the paper, with the relevant names and phone numbers of the zoning inspector, assistant inspector, and township trustees, so readers could call and lodge their displeasure. You could see the mushroom cloud over the town hall from our front door. The township instructed the zoning inspector to reverse his decision, waive any fees, and draft new signage codes allowing temporary displays and signage supporting fundraisers for charitable organizations. Some zoning departments are worse than overzealous HOA boards. It seems like they are more interested in power than serving the community. Sound familiar?
I've heard several HOA horror stories. Used to live in a HOA myself, in Irvine, CA. There were so many ridiculous rules. No satellite dishes on the roof (turns out a HOA member had interest in a cable company), can't open the garage door if you're fixing your car.
Our town would not allow any banners, signs or promotion material outside on our frontage. But code enforcement only work M-F. Saturday and Sunday, up went this signs! They never caught on.
Yes. Sickening, yes it does
Read about one HOA that was formed by one person without the knowledge of the community and not even registered, just started sending out "violation" letters to homeowners.
Town C0RRUPT10N !
In Ohio the Law can make you disappear by using their Confidential Informants or SNITCHES ,
Then all of your property is SEIZED and the only thing that your family gets is the FUNERAL BILL .
This is a classic case of a minority bent on CONTROL over others, which frequently overrides "doing the right thing". Thank you IJ for taking up this case, and as the man says, give the town council a civics lesson AND, showing them, "EVERYONE has a boss."
I think you mean the majority is bullying the minority.
Amen.
@@johngalt97 lol. You're a blue lives matter bootlicker. 🤮🤮🤮🤢🤮
How about, "the community has spoken, now do your duty. This isn't about what YOU want, it's about what the community wants"
@@WindowsXP_logon_sound_25yrsago Check your premises. Upside down flag is a distress sign.
Absolutely ridiculous. With all the horrible things youth are into today...you say no to this?
Love Donuts,love your sign and the fact you hold the community together with small business and hometown values. Get those officials out of office now. Good luck praying for you.
What a NASTY thing for the town council to do. The mural is wonderful, and the young artists did a great job. We hope it STAYS WHERE IT IS!
Zoning laws like this and their rabid enforcement rob towns of characters. American politicians wants every city and town to look the same.
I hope it stays too but it technically is not art if it is being used as a sign for a business. Deciding what is art and what isnt is non controversial because there are established guidelines and definitions. It is cute and i love it, but it isnt art and that matters in a legal battle.
I would love for these students to be able to come back to their home town 30 or 40 years from now and see that nice bright mural still up there and know that they painted that.
@@Mister_Listener So, to you, The Last Supper wouldn't be art if someone put it on the side of a building that sells tablecloths?
@@PutItAway101 i dont think so, but for other 3 different reasons. I am no expert, i just wanted to let you guys know art is defined clearly and succinctly by aesthetiticians and scholars and philosophers, who should be consulted here, not us. Every lay person thinks they know what art is, and in no other arena do so many people think they are experts.
The fact that these owners are so wholesome, and children volunteered and made a beautiful painting...how could anybody take offense to this
That's why you stop serving public officials. Everyone must stand together and shut service off to them. No gas, no food, no water no nothing. Watch them panic. And if they want to settle in court lolol just revolt. No lawyer is better than my ability to block all of downtown or to protest outside the politicians houses. We the people have the power and the tools to keep that power if we use them
How could anybody take offence? Because they’re probably bigots who think it looks too similar to the gay pride flag
Agree completely. That’s absolutely infuriating. The entire town board should resign and forfeit their benefits they’ve been soaking up from taxpayers.
Taking offense is a nice cottage industry these days.
Never underestimate the power of small minded people! (This reply gets even better if you read it with Darth Vader’s voice)
What? So if I had a pet store there I couldn’t have a sign with animals?
That has got to be the most stupidest law ever ! Hold a town meeting and get that law removed!
Thank you for standing up and fighting. It will be a win for us all.
It's a beautiful mural, perfectly suited. The town should take pride in a lovely work of art that enhances the building and the image of the town. The high school students should be proud of themselves and their town, not under attack by bureaucrats.
This is a perfect first amendment issue
@@jeanieellwood324 i like this mural. but before this mural was made there were rules set that shops were not allowed to put signs up outside showing their bussiness like a billboard.
unfortunately this falls under that rule... since the ordenance officers is there to apply the rule (rule he did not make himself) this is what happens.
if he turns a blind eye. then the rule becomes ineffective for what it was set up and any shop could then use this as a reason toput up big store signs
@@sadev101 Sign ordinances typically do not restrict content but design, re: color palette, lighting, re: neon, led rope and placement, re: onsite or offsite advertising. Also the mural is not a billboard, where local government usually has a billboard ordinance. Does the town have a mural ordinance where murals must be approved? There is nothing on the sign that says “buy our donuts”. Its interpretive of mountains and the sun. If this goes to court, I predict the town will lose the case.
@@jeanieellwood324 where i come fromm they definately do control whats put outside stores... even a flag you need to pay for or get permission. a giant billboard showinng what you sell is one of those things. now i happen to like this artpiece but it does fall under that rule
If they painted the whole building, then what? Anyway...if it doesn't matter in a hundred years, don't worry about it. Many small towns have mural programs that are entries into beautifying the merchant areas. If this council dislikes this idea, they dislike the idea of tourism, the tourist dollars, and the future attention for tourism the sign brings. The students did a marvelous job. Power to the people!
Even if the business was using a mural as a product billboard, it's done quite _tastefully._ 😄
Sweet.
i like the mural. i would like it to stay on . but to people writing here the code officer is wrong and use slurs to depict him and the council as evil. you need to consider this.
if a town has rules about large signs and advertising for bussinesses as they dont want big advertisement billboards above every shop then they cant allow this.
for if they do it sets a preference, if they let this slip by then any shop can legally make big signs above their shops deicting what they sell.
now i myself would not mind that , as long as its in the same idea as this mural... but i do get that if you dont want the town to be plastered with billboard like advertisments for every shop then you cannot make an exception.
if the code officer says well you are given excemption from the rule they then cannot apply the ruebook to other stores.
i do hope there will eb a way to save this artpiece... but i also do get that once a rule is set it applies to all
@@sadev101 I agree. People have a problem with the enforcement of the law, but no one in the comments section is actually focusing on the real problem, the utterly moronic laws.
Still against the rules.
As a business, they had an obligation to know the rules.
Saddened that so many comments reflect a lack of understanding of how a civil society works.
@@miguelservetus9534 I understand the logic about it being a sign and not a mural, but what about it being a sign is an issue? Are businesses not allowed to have signs? Is is too big? Too small? Not enough words? Too far from the road? What code is this sign breaking?
All the very best to you all. This is a good representation of how people should learn about civics.
Thank you for sharing this story
This is what needs to go viral. What a miserable government we have.
Yet most people keep respecting government caused by the 12 years of brainwashing they received in K-12
Take the power back.
This is essentially where a degree of socialism has bled thru our wonderful country. And the youth seem hell bent on making it completely socialistic. You’d have these power driven petty tyrants in every town, every aspect of life.
@@oooof6861 what does town officials trying to remove a mural have anything to do with socialism?
@@oooof6861 Apparently, you've been mislead by republiCON rhetoric and buzzwords. How about researching what 'socialism' actually is.
You can't believe what jerks some people or authorities can be sometimes. I could not think any more highly of the Institute for Justice and the important work you do
I just flat out love your group! Keep fighting the good fight.
Their town officials think they're running an HOA. SMH.
Things like this have been happening forever with town officials. In 1963 I was 14 years old and the city posted a sign at the skating rink "No Hockey." So, I put together a petition and had hundreds of people who could vote sign it. I made sure there were a lot of prominent, recognizable names on the petition. I presented the petition to the mayor and city council. The sign was changed about one week later allowing hockey on one part of the skating rink.
The reasonable thing to have done was simply have certain days in which they allowed hockey and other days for general and family skating.
THE most sensible thing to do is NOT place nearly every social activity under the purview of the government. Libraries, recreation centers, museums, natatoria (swimming pools), ice rinks, playing fields, etc. can be built by either commercial entities or social clubs (or by wealthy philanthropists) -- such as the old "social libraries" (or "athenaeums" or "literary societies" or "lyceums"). It was sometime in the middle of the 19th century that some do-gooder busybodies thought that all of these "social goods" or "uplifting" and "edifying" institutions should be provided at taxpayer expense. ....Now people fight these interminable battles in town councils and county boards about what rules and what activities are to be featured at these "public" parks, libraries, pools, rinks, museums, etc., etc..
And that's exactly how a local government should function. When the locals say hey we want this thing you allow them to have it as long as there's no other reason for them not to. This is tyranny. This is a local government not giving a crap about the locals. They want the mural to stay up and there's no reason for it to come down other than some arbitrary law.
@@MrJm323 personally I think what they did was very reasonable, I agree with everything else you said though.
Mamamob
The government doesn’t “allow” you to do something.
That type of subservient mindset is why our country is like it is.
The citizens inform the government what is to happen and it’s their job to do it
@@MrJm323 Back then people wanted to build and do such things to help the community. Now they don't. Wealthy people mostly want to give money to private entities that will only host people they like. Hell, Brett Favre stole welfare money to buy his daughter's university a new volleyball court.
I am so glad that Sean has your help. I'm a native here and have seen many instances of tyrannical actions by the town of Conway. Thanks to all who raise their voices and refuse to comply to unjust laws!
It’s your town leaders and the ones who believe it’s okay to enforce these ridiculous codes that are the core problem.
That code inspector has way too much power to be pulling shit like this.
If Twitter can cancel people for all the wrong reasons, maybe we can use it to cancel this code enforcer for the right reasons🤷♂️
Now that it's hit national news I think there may be a change of heart in the making.
Don't you guys elect your officials?
@@vza423 I don't think the town code enforcement officer is an elected position but you have a point with respect to the rest. It was the enforcement officer who labeled it signage and started the whole thing off.
@@vza423 They elected democrats'! lol
Good for you! I’ve had it with this level of nincompoopery. And it’s a shame to have to litigate. I wish you success ♥️
Love it! I hope you win and the towns people elect new officials.
I was a town manager for 6 years and saw this over and over. People having an opinion about someone else's property, usually followed by calling me or the politicians I worked for, and trying to get me to do the goon work enforcement for them.
Rough job to have and a rough job being a goon enforcer as well. I'll pass
Bummer the town officials are fighting against high school students, a well liked donut place in the town, and residents. Its like beating your head against the wall🙃
People who destroy artworks and cultural icons are called barbarians.
Bunch of losers
@@carollynt maybe, maybe not, but it's not your property.
The art was a sign. It was a sign that something needed to be done to change this absurd code. I'm glad you saw the sign!
The sheriff and his buddies with their samurai swords
Art cannot serve any purpose. Signs are not art, according to the definition of art.
These city “officials” must hate their lives so much to literally choose to enforce and fight such a stupid ordinance over a donut mural. There are much bigger problems out there to put that energy into 🍩👊🏽
My question is this: even if it WERE a "sign", what is wrong with having a sign on your business? Is it meant to be a bland building of mystery until you go inside to find out what it is?
Absolutely love the commitment of the owner and despise the town officials for being so hell bent on wasting their taxpayer dollars on their inflated egos.
As an artist, I approve this message. As a human being, I ask you to consider running for your town office. Best to you, your mural and the artists who dedicated it to your bakery. I hope neighbors come far and wide in support 🙏🏼💯🔥😎🥰👏👏👏
That mural needs an additional four maple bars standing upright in a row, with one of the inner maple bars slight taller than the other three. Now that's art.
As someone who lives in New Hampshire, I am outraged by this case and others abusing their power.
I am not surprised that some code officer acted this way. I am very surprised that the local politicians are backing that decision. Generally, local businesses working with the local school on something like art would be the holy trinity of civic pride. Is there something else going on? Did the town's mayor have plans for this property?
A lot of voters view big tall signs as blight.
@@spacetoast7783 no they don't hate signs and you sound just like one of those miserable code enforcers.
Here's another thing going on.
The sign is atrocious.
I bet there are plenty of locals who want it gone.
@@gideonfyah1 Too bad. It's not their property and they don't get to tell the bakery what to paint on their building.
@@kadengundersen498 Yeah, they actually do, when it's a sign. There are ordinances for signage.
They also get to tell the bakery what to paint on their building because the first amendment does not protect obscenity or child pornography.
Fine points openly debated are the blessing of the people.
Something very similar to this happened in the town that I am from. We have a Christmas tree farm that comes out from North Carolina every year they come the week before Thanksgiving and they leave the week before Christmas and every year they bring a giant inflatable snowman that every child grown up in my town knows as frosty. The sign ordinance people try to get them to take it down for the same reason
As the saying goes, "No good deed goes unpunished". These corrupt town officials are exactly what's wrong with our country today. Please, God Help Us.
@John S. Someone took over a business, contributed to the local economy and community, then screwed up by not looking up the local ordinance and getting the proper permits, and the local govt. is holding them accountable.
@@tomm21 when the local ordinances are arbitrary with no reason to even be enforced
@@rinugeorge8024 Then you lobby to change the ordinance. If the lobbying doesn't work, then challenge it in court if you think it's unconstitutional (which is what IJ is doing but I think they are going to lose) or vote out the people that won't change it. Either way, you don't get to just ignore it. I think most speed limits are set using arbitrary reasoning, but I'm not going to be able to use that to get out of a ticket.
@@tomm21 you can’t get out of not following the ordinance but we can all agree those who set such restrictions do so for profitability
@@tomm21 laws are meant to benefit society, not make the government money, I hope a day comes where this is the reality
The real lesson here: be careful who you vote for! We are in a time when people are running for office not to support and improve their community but to acquire power over their community. This is playing out all across the country. Find smart, good people who care about your community and encourage and support them for local office. It will make a difference!
George Orwell “1984”
When ANYBODY RUNS FOR ANY OFFICE CHECK THEM OUT ! INFORM PEOPLE, FIND OUT WHY THEY WANT THAT JOB ! WHATS THEIR END GAME ! THIS IS WHY SOOOOOO MANY SCREW BALLS ARE CLAIMING VICTORYS ON SCHOOL BOARDS AND CITY COUNCIL. It's our own fault this is happening ! We got LAZY !
You get what you vote for.
100% the whole board voted for Biden
@@bobloblaw7465 nobody with a brain believes you traitors anymore.
Thank God we have concerned and knowledgeable folks like the Institute of Justice. GO IJ!
It surprises me that this happened in a small town. If our local high school had done something similar, I garuntee our zoning board would have overturned the decision. When your entire town graduated from the same school, it becomes a point of pride in the community
I applaud him for fighting it. That is just crazy! My wife is an artist and an art teacher in a public school. He kids have painted murals at the school, but never outside of it. It is actually a dream of hers to be able to do something like that.
i like the mural. i would like it to stay on . but to people writing here the code officer is wrong and use slurs to depict him and the council as evil. you need to consider this.
if a town has rules about large signs and advertising for bussinesses as they dont want big advertisement billboards above every shop then they cant allow this.
for if they do it sets a preference, if they let this slip by then any shop can legally make big signs above their shops deicting what they sell.
now i myself would not mind that , as long as its in the same idea as this mural... but i do get that if you dont want the town to be plastered with billboard like advertisments for every shop then you cannot make an exception.
if the code officer says well you are given excemption from the rule they then cannot apply the ruebook to other stores.
i do hope there will eb a way to save this artpiece... but i also do get that once a rule is set it applies to all
@Stephan de V I agree with you. And it is very nit picky if this is a sign or nit though. As mentioned, if the same mural was on a bike shop, it would be fine. If a mural of bike wheels as mountains was in the donut shop, that would be fine. But, it wouldn't if on the bike shop. I do agree with no over sized signs. I've been to town and cities that a lot of businesses have them and it looks so bad.
Yes! I particpated in painting a mural inside a new local elementary school when I was in HS. I felt so cool being a part of it. Painting a mural outside is totally a dream for a lot of creative ppl. It makes u feel like a part of a community’s legacy.
@@sadev101 how about if you buy property you should be able to put whatever GD sign you want to? This is supposed to be a free country, the government shouldn't have a say in what signs businesses put up unless it's blatant fraud or something. Same deal with houses. Code enforcement should only be a thing when something is a literal danger to another person.
@@jackdanson2 hello.... people put in the people who decide things... they decided stores cluttering the look of a town with huge billboards showing what they sell.
people had no problems with that rule untill this.
the officer enforcing the law did not make it . and the people who made this law did not intend it for this. however if they condone this then it creates a loopole for every bussiness in town to put up painted billboards showing their goods. and it would become an advertisement billboard town looking like vegas
There is nothing the government can't F up or make into a legal issue.... ffs this is ridiculous. Its an awesome mural!!! They did a great job!
Great job keep up this need work!
You all are freaking awesome!
Without the government who would destroy children's murals of donuts?
It is very encouraging to hear that you are continuing this battle. Surely the town of Conway has more pressing problems than the mural at your bakery. The young people who painted it made a beautiful sign. Who wouldn’t want to start their morning with a delicious donut? What is so outrageous is that in our current society vile and vulgar depictions on a business sign would likely be applauded.
All the best as you pursue justice and reason because it helps all of us.
Not everyone eats donuts, Sharon. (In fact, they're actually very unhealthy as food products go. Like Coca Cola.) But don't make that your point, because you don't want a governing body favoring some businesses because they like the product or service offered. That would allow them to, alternatively, discriminate vs. unpopular products or services (which would likely be unconstitutional).
@@jimreadey2743 I appreciate your reply. Point well made about not everyone eats donuts, but I think it sad that we should be required to measure the value of a food solely based on its nutritional merits. When one thinks about it, the West has the distinct advantage of having access to every form of food. That makes it relatively easy to pick and choose. I’m choosing to have balance as well as exceptions. My real point was the fact that those who elevate themselves in their own minds by demanding the letter of the law be applied in this particular situation, do not comprehend justice at all. It is possible this is nothing more than small mindedness, jealousy, greed, self-righteous following the letter of the law, or something equally repugnant.
@@sharondoan1447 First, I'm not sure what your point in saying that the nutritional merits of food is a sad measure of its value. I'd think it'd be the #1 measure. (Note: No one said anything about requiring anyone to make this the sole measure -- that was just something you injected into the conversation as a red herring. )
In your last sentence, you state,
"It is possible this is nothing more than small mindedness, jealousy, greed, self-righteous following the letter of the law, or something equally repugnant." It is possible -- but I think this is an example of you being unwilling to understand a viewpoint other than your own. I'm not saying individuals aren't being small-minded, or self-righteous. But they may also be trying to uphold an ordinance that has been in place for years for a reason. Perhaps Conway is afraid of losing all of its charm by allowing unrestricted advertising everywhere and anywhere. If they allow this, the next sign that gets erected is going to be bigger and more aggressive. I'm not saying I know the perfect place to draw the line in the sand, but a line must be drawn because there is a law on the books saying so. These officials are required by their oath of office to enforce it.
Be patient... the legal system is playing itself out. Someone is trying to get the law, itself, overturned. That sign ordinance may well be the principal source of this issue -- _not_ the individuals trying to follow its mandates.
@@jimreadey2743 Actually. You brought up the notion of donuts being unhealthy “like coke” and then railed about her saying it’s the sole measure”… then you said “it should be the # 1 measure”. You’re the one who interjected the red herring… In fact, all she said in her first comment was “Who wouldn’t want to start their day with a delicious donut”,
@@jimreadey2743 You sound like you could really use a donut.
My buddy had this exact same encounter with his very community friendly coffeeshop. The town even tried to alter the law and regulations retroactively, in order to declare it was a sign. The mural isn't even seen by the general public unless you go out the back alley entrance and turn around to see it. In the end they had to admit it wasn't a sign but a mural.
Time to get rid of town council
That's insanity...
I would now add a second painting - even larger than the first - showing the names of the city officials who should be voted out of office for this nonsense.
Eating a donut. :D^(o)
YUP! BIGGER DOUGHNUT MOUNTAINS!😂🤣
And they will use Dominion Voting machines to win the election.
Great idea 💡 👍🏻
I'll second that!
This is what's wrong with society today. What's wrong with people attacking a picture of donuts. Something that brings joy to thousands of people
Remember,,,,, anyone can do anything to anybody at any timeany where whether it's legal or illegal,,, that is until someone says NO! Elected officials are "servants" not tyrants! Now have about 1,000 people show up at the next city council meeting and see what they say!
No doubt there are other, serious issues there that need to be addressed -- yet THIS is how the local government chooses to use time and resources. 🙄
Honestly, IJ could also pick far more needful causes to back.
All this guy has to do is pay the ordinance fee for having a 'sign' and fight from the back end rather than the front.
Identify the town officials who are digging in their heels, name and shame them, and trespass them from the business. Either they'll reverse their position or they'll get voted out for people who will. And all the shop owner loses is a few hundred dollars in sign ordinance fees.
Over the last decade or more states that are known to be the safest and best place to raise kids like VT, NH and Maine are being overrun by people escaping cities and they come in wanting to change things so they take over these small govt boards like schoolboards and city councils. And just get narcissistic af like these ppl who won't budge on something goofy.
@@amzarnacht6710 The other shops in town could also trespass the officials from their businesses so they don't find fault with their businesses as well.
@@Andrew-zs5tc No, if they're there on official business a trespass will not bar them from entry.
It will bar them from patroning the businesses, however.
Imagine if all the local businesses stopped serving code enforcement and local government officials and they had to drive out of town to get anything done. Then some of these ridiculous "codes" would get changed real quick.
Yeah that's not discrimination at all.
1312
A sort of targeted strike. I like it.
@@gideonfyah1 A business can refuse service to anyone they like as long as they aren't a protected class. Code enforcement isn't a protected class
Great idea! I've heard of places in Humboldt that refused service to the military terrorists that were raiding their family gardens in the 80's.
So wait...there's a law there that prevents business owners from advertising their products....at their own business? What kind of incomprehensible foolishness led to that idea?
Hope everything goes well for Mr. Young and everyone at Leavitt’s
My goodness. What a lovely mural. Well done young artists. I hope the City doesn't force it to be destroyed.
Hope those kids got paid
@@banquetoftheleviathan1404 These kids make a priceless work of art out nothing but good will and you want to put a price on it? Since you're not getting paid for commenting how about you just stop typing and go suckle the teet of capitalism more? You make me sick.
It will go farther up the legal ladder if they want something like that. It will be national news at that point.
@@banquetoftheleviathan1404 Those kids wanted to paint a mural and the shopkeeper provided a canvas and gave them creative freedom. Not every mutually beneficial exchange involves money.
@@DyceFreak what other option do I have
The community needs to come together again and get that code inforcement person fired.
It is not the fault of the code enforcement officer, it IS his job to enforce the codes. It is the fault of the city board that would not grant a variance.
@@aebalc let me tell you a quick true story. I had a code person come to my home and say that I had a dog, just because I had the sign "beware of dog". He also trespassed onto my property without permission, and I don't even own an animal. (He was relocated. )
Respect to the owner for not backing down to those tyrants
Great artwork students! Way to go teacher! You painted a beautiful addition to the donut shop. Keep up the good work.
I’m an artist and this is the most ludicrous thing I’ve heard! Sounds like there’s a personal vendetta here!!😡 P.S…I have shared this on Facebook!!!😊
Pull your head out of your ass... If it was a strip club and they painted giant naked women and vaginas it's a sign.... You paint giant donuts on a bakery it's a f****** sign. If you paint cars on the side of an auto parts store it's a f****** sign..... If your wife has cum all over her face and it's not yours it's a f****** sign.
First thing that came to my mind. Was one of the local officials or a friend of theirs, trying to buy the place to put in a gas station?
This is what happens when government officials deem themselves as rulers and not servants.
It's human nature that government officials will do that. The problem is, Citizens just accept it, and the government officials morph into tyrants, and the behavior worsens the longer it goes unchecked. They need real consequences for their tyrannical actions, severe consequences that serve as a major deterrent for the next wannabe emperor conman that wants to take over the town.
Their time will be up when good Americans have had enough, I believe sooner than we think
@@jayandrusiak Let's hope so.
We need to stop referring to public servants as “leaders”. We need to always refer to them as “servant”. They came to use for a job. We voted them into a job. They accepted the job offer. Now, they work for us. Where else does one get a job to tell their boss what to do?
@@davidscbirdsall I've been saying pretty much the same thing, for years. We're supposed to be Free Men. Free Men do not have leaders; at least, not in the human sense.
I have a personal vendetta against code enforcers. The ones that suddenly appeared in my home town were absolutely insufferable
Having to deal with City, County, code enforcers all my life I have yet to meet one who was NOT overzealous in some way. It's a power trip for them. Their ego seems to want to place them in control over others. My observations have been that they will search and search until they can find at least one thing wrong, no matter how petty. It's why I learned to meet them at the site, and immediately address the issue they found and as such get their sign off without delay.
I found the best way to deal with them is very politely and to allow them to feel that they were the 'boss' of the world. My cases were different than this and it generally only took some small token action to appease them.
When towns have nothing else better to do
they have a huge crime problem and they pick on this business...sad
Different jobs lol. This is like being mad at a health inspector proactively looking for code violations. I work in civil engineering and we deal with this shit all the time. Often they will do the work without getting a permit and we have to save their ass.
@@banquetoftheleviathan1404 "I work in civil engineering" well you are something alright. You have made that nasty comment twice now. Why don't you save his ass then if you have such a prestigious job!
@@banquetoftheleviathan1404 Look at the savior complex we've got here.
@@banquetoftheleviathan1404 So who exactly needs to "save their ass" from people threatened by a picture of donuts?
Yep, time to get rid of EVERY town official that didn't support this man, the kids, and the ART.
Oh my god, that is the most pedantic code enforcement I've ever heard of 🙄
As someone who is in NH and Maine , the whole law/ordinance is being twisted in order to attack this bakery
Thank you IJ for taking this case. This mural is beautiful. I lived in NH for 39 years and this is not the NH I remember. People live in New Hampshire because they do not want the government sticking its nose were it does not belong, the town of Conway is overstepping the bounds of its authority.
It is very apparent Conway does not like small businesses, there was an ice cream shop that had cone shaped trash can and the town said they were signs and make the shop remove them and also a farm stand that had a mural of draft horses plowing a field and the farm stand was told by the code enforcer to remove it. It looks like IJ could have several cases to work to drive home the point to the town of Conway that art/mural is protected free speech under the Constitution.
You are so right! This is the state that prides itself on constitutional rights, etc. From a flatlander who loves NH and ME.
The problem is all the idiots from down here have been moving up there and bringing our local stupidity with them..
@@vincentengongoro2705 True, if we ever do move there I am going to behave myself.
It was not commissioned. It was done freely as a community gift from the artistic kids. It is interpretive art, not an ad. It is sweet and humorous!