Clearwater Tackle Shop Owner Still Fighting City Hook

Clearwater, Florida businessman Herb Quintero spent $500,000 renovating his bait and tackle shop and the property it’s on, including commissioning a fish mural on the side of the building. Though the mural contains no text, the city of Clearwater determined he needed a billboard permit, because the subject matter is related to his business. They began fining him $130 for each day he left the mural uncovered.

So Quintero responded (rather awesomely) by covering the mural with a banner depicting the First Amendment. All of which sets up this beautiful line from a local news report of the dustup:

Meanwhile, the city’s legal department is looking to see what, if anything, it can do about the First Amendment banner.

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