Encinitas issues violation notices to businessman for signs, crosses
By: North County Times | ∞
ENCINITAS ---- The city issued two notices Thursday to an Encinitas businessman for violating sign and building ordinances on his property along Interstate 5.
Copies of the notices obtained by the North County Times state that Russell Bowman, owner of American Landscape and Tree Services Inc., must "remove or reduce all temporary signage to a maximum of 16 square feet."
Multiple signs maligning Encinitas Councilwoman Maggie Houlihan face northbound lanes on Interstate 5 from the business at 556 Union St. One sign reads, "Houlihan is a whore," and others bear the message, "Vote no Houlihan." Houlihan, who is not up for re-election until 2008, lives across the street from the business. Bowman faces a $200 fine if the sign violation is not corrected by noon today.
Bowman could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Also Thursday, Bowman was cited for a violation of the Uniform Building Code for erecting three red crosses exceeding 6 feet in height. An effigy of what appears to be Jesus Christ hangs from one of the crosses. According to the notice, Bowman has until Monday to remove the crosses or reduce their height to less than 6 feet.
Records show that Bowman also faces a $500 fine for land-filling on his property without a permit. Bowman was first cited for that offense in February.
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Sic&Tired wrote on Oct 6, 2006 7:07 AM:Why did it take the City until now to issue these notices? What a coincidence that this was not taken care of until yesterday's article in the NCT. The delay in addressing this unbelievably offensive mess reeks of more dirty politics in Encinitas.
Thanks NCT wrote on Oct 6, 2006 3:16 PM:Our council only straightens up once you run a story on an issue that needs attention.
Sharon wrote on Oct 8, 2006 6:34 PM:Mr. Bowman's signage goes far beyond 1st Amendment rights and is out and out slander. In addition to his charming signage facing the freeway, he has another slanderous sign at the end of Union street. I am horrified that the City and the Sheriff's are unable to pull those particular signs down because of the profanity, even if he reduces the size to fit the regs. The No on Houlihan is not that offensive, just laughable since she is not up for election, but the other signage is offensive to everyone, and no one in the community should be allowed to have such language displayed, even on their own property. This man is a stalker and i also question his mental health. If he was my neighbor I'd be scared to leave my home. A $200 fine? That is almost as ridiculous as his signs....Thank goodness most intelligent people could recognize that even if you disagree with someones politics, we live in a civilized society where this kind of behavior should never be tolerated.
what an idiot wrote on Oct 10, 2006 11:57 AM:As if Maggie H. hasn't had enough negative public publicity anyways. What an arrogant, ignorant idiot to make these signs. Try something more tasteful, idiot!
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