Stimmelators Sign Causes Concern
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
NORTH WEBSTER - The sign on the northeast corner of Ind. 13 and Washington Street puts some people edgewise, and Helen Hoy counts herself among them.
The sign sits on property at 103 N. Main St. and advertises a limousine service, Stimmelators Gentlemens Club Cruisers Limo Service, although in the evening the "Cruisers Limo Service" lettering is difficult to read.
The sign currently advertises an event scheduled at the Stimmelators Gentlemens Club next door.
Hoy approached the North Webster Town Council Wednesday asking that the off-premises sign be removed, citing Indiana Code requiring off-premises signs to be 250 feet from a grade road intersection.
She said the sign does not reflect North Webster's reputation as a friendly town with clean values.
Hoy said she was told by Dan Richard, director of the Area Plan Commission, to come to the town council with her concerns.
She was advised the county has jurisdiction over signage.
Clerk Peg Lawrance said a permit was granted that was reviewed by the town attorney, the plan commission and the highway department.
Lawrance said she was in contact with Richard at least once a week regarding the issue.
"I'm sorry he didn't communicate that (the county's jurisdiction) to you," she said.
"Dan is fully cognizant of the situation," said council president Kay Andrews. "He's been here, the highway department has seen it. I think he is just trying to pacify you, sending you back and forth."
Mike Doom, without indicating his connection to the business, said the sign was for the limousine service, not for the club, and was in full compliance with the law.
Hoy said the matter would continue to be pursued.
"This is our town," she said, and we need to keep its values."
Matt Sandy of the plan department said today the only problem his office had with the signage is that the "Cruisers Limo Service" is not well-lit.
A letter has been sent to the limo service asking for compliance by Friday.
Sandy said his correspondence and communication have been with Sam Stimmel and addressed to 103 North Main St. Stimmel applied for the signage permits, which were approved.
"He is the proprietor over both and has spoken for the limo service to us," Sandy said. "He has never led us to believe we should be talking to anyone else."
The Sprint telephone directory shows 114 E. Washington St. as the location of both the limo service and the club. The telephone number is the same for both, too.
Sandy said he was aware of opposition to the sign.
"We don't support the business one way or another," he said. "They have to be treated equally."
Sandy said if the sign does not come into compliance by tomorrow another letter of non-compliance will be sent giving another deadline. [[In-content Ad]]
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NORTH WEBSTER - The sign on the northeast corner of Ind. 13 and Washington Street puts some people edgewise, and Helen Hoy counts herself among them.
The sign sits on property at 103 N. Main St. and advertises a limousine service, Stimmelators Gentlemens Club Cruisers Limo Service, although in the evening the "Cruisers Limo Service" lettering is difficult to read.
The sign currently advertises an event scheduled at the Stimmelators Gentlemens Club next door.
Hoy approached the North Webster Town Council Wednesday asking that the off-premises sign be removed, citing Indiana Code requiring off-premises signs to be 250 feet from a grade road intersection.
She said the sign does not reflect North Webster's reputation as a friendly town with clean values.
Hoy said she was told by Dan Richard, director of the Area Plan Commission, to come to the town council with her concerns.
She was advised the county has jurisdiction over signage.
Clerk Peg Lawrance said a permit was granted that was reviewed by the town attorney, the plan commission and the highway department.
Lawrance said she was in contact with Richard at least once a week regarding the issue.
"I'm sorry he didn't communicate that (the county's jurisdiction) to you," she said.
"Dan is fully cognizant of the situation," said council president Kay Andrews. "He's been here, the highway department has seen it. I think he is just trying to pacify you, sending you back and forth."
Mike Doom, without indicating his connection to the business, said the sign was for the limousine service, not for the club, and was in full compliance with the law.
Hoy said the matter would continue to be pursued.
"This is our town," she said, and we need to keep its values."
Matt Sandy of the plan department said today the only problem his office had with the signage is that the "Cruisers Limo Service" is not well-lit.
A letter has been sent to the limo service asking for compliance by Friday.
Sandy said his correspondence and communication have been with Sam Stimmel and addressed to 103 North Main St. Stimmel applied for the signage permits, which were approved.
"He is the proprietor over both and has spoken for the limo service to us," Sandy said. "He has never led us to believe we should be talking to anyone else."
The Sprint telephone directory shows 114 E. Washington St. as the location of both the limo service and the club. The telephone number is the same for both, too.
Sandy said he was aware of opposition to the sign.
"We don't support the business one way or another," he said. "They have to be treated equally."
Sandy said if the sign does not come into compliance by tomorrow another letter of non-compliance will be sent giving another deadline. [[In-content Ad]]