Breaking news — Florida House Inn owners sue Fernandina
By KEVIN TURNER FERNANDINA BEACH — After more than $50,000 in fines for neon signs in their front windows and years of complaints about noise from a bar next door, the owners of the historic Florida House Inn bed and breakfast have filed a lawsuit against the city, its code enforcement board and one of its code enforcement officers. As of Wednesday, city officials had not been served with the suit, City Clerk Mary Mercer said. The lawsuit, filed in the U. S. District Court in Jacksonville last week , says the city has harassed, intimidated and unfairly treated inn owners Joe and Diane Warwick and has violated their First Amendment constitutional rights with its sign code that restricts neon signs in the city’s historic district. Cincinnati attorney Jennifer Kinsley , who represents the inn, said Wednesday the city’s sign code is tantamount to censorship. More on this story in tomorrow's Florida Times-Union and Saturday's My Nassau Sun. Related: KevinTurner's blog | login or register to post comments | printer friendly version | Tags: Fernandina Beach | fines | Florida House Inn | lawsuit | neon
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The sign ordiance is much stricter in the historic district. The neon sign looks like the district is trying to turn into St. Augustine. Fernandina is so rich in history, and such a classy downtown area.
Being a Former Chairman of the Historic Council, I know this would not flown by me in a meeting. Those restrictions are known when you purchase home or land in the district. Why change the rules now, so the city can start looking tacky.
I vote NO NEON. Just like no one would be allowed to paint their homes purple with pink flowers on the shingles. Think about it.