Warsaw Business Owner Voices Banner Issue Concerns, Hearing Set June 20
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Mike Clark, owner of Midway Golden Coins, expressed his concern during Monday night’s city council meeting with not being allowed to advertise his business with banner signage. City attorney Mike Valentine said the city’s hearing officer, Lawrence Clifford, will review the issue at a hearing June 20 at 1:30 p.m. at city hall. Clark read a two-page statement expressing his concerns during Monday night’s city council meeting. He also had two pages of business names with addresses in Warsaw where banners advertise their businesses. Clark is owner of Midway Golden Coins, 1301 N. Detroit St., Warsaw. He said to begin advertising his business he posted signs on a few utility poles April 3. On the following Monday, he received a phone call from Roger Long, Warsaw building inspector, informing him he needed to take down the signs. “This was just the beginning to his slew of complaints as well as a slew of insults about my shop,” Clark said. Clark said many businesses have banners including, but not limited to, Rock Bottom Furniture, Warsaw Masonry, Penske Truck, Robert’s Sign Apparel, Monteith Tire, Superior Auto, Builder’s Mart, all of which are on Detroit Street. “If a banner is a banner, then my question is why am I being attacked for mine when other businesses are allowed theirs?” Clark asked. On April 5, Clark said Long showed up at his business pointing out the different things that needed changed, including the banner for his shop needed to come down. He informed Todd Slabaugh, building commissioner, the banner is screwed to the plywood board over 12 inches. He explained that and said his banner is a fastened banner and not blowing in the wind. In April, Clark spoke with the owner of Rock Bottom Furniture who advised him to speak with city councilman Kyle Babcock about the issue. He said Babcock advised him to attend the council meeting before the June 20 hearing to state his case. “That is why I am here tonight to convey the troubles that have been occurring with me and my shop because of this city and its workers,” Clark said.
