St. Petersburg's Freedom Bank isn't free to show digital flag

tampabay.com ^ | Nov. 27, 2011 | KATHERINE SNOW SMITH

[Free ThinkerNY]

ST. PETERSBURG — Freedom Bank isn't free to display the American flag on its digital sign. In fact, it got in trouble with the city for doing that very thing.

Freedom's main office at 1200 Fourth St. N is one of about 35 businesses the city has listed as violating its sign code in the last 20 months.

"We put the flag up in September in remembrance of 9/11," said Andy Williams, president and CEO of the St. Petersburg-based bank. "I think it's ridiculous that the American flag cannot be displayed on an electric sign."

Most businesses violated the city's sign code by flashing messages for fewer than the required six seconds. But Freedom was told it violated the ordinance by airing a picture instead of words.

"Whereas graphics on a static (non-digital) sign are permitted, the code currently prohibits graphics on 'electronic message centers,' " said city zoning official Philip Lazzara. The City Council has had one workshop about its sign ordinance and plans another, though the date isn't set. "During the process of their review, council may decide to pursue either tightening or loosening the current regulations for EMCs," Lazzara said.

The rules are aimed to limit possible distractions to drivers and to keep the city's streets from becoming cluttered with lighted pictures.

[dangus]

so this has nothing to do with the content of the video image, and everything to do with a simple ban on motion-picture display? Or is the bank charging that it was singled out by a much-ignored law?

[outhousepatrol]

Flags? NO! Illegals SI!

[Iron Munro]

Just cover it with a real, non-digital, cloth flag until the city authorities can pry their heads from their nether regions.

[Tainan]

Looks like its 'graphic' content being restricted and not just 'The American Flag' image alone.

I gotta be honest, some of these electronic signs are VERY darn distracting. I've seen a lot that are 20' feet x 30' feet and can light up a six-lane boulevard with their flashing graphics. Enough to trigger seizures in some people. Especially distracting at night.

[HiTech RedNeck]

if you are seizure prone you really don’t want to be out in a car at night anyhow. unless someone else is driving and you keep your eyes closed.

juxtaposition to existing traffic signs and signals might be something worth looking at, if mere subjective gaudiness isn’t the reason for these silly laws.

[Bowtie52]

Something is very wrong with this picture as Foster, the St. Pete Mayor is a Christian. I can’t see him allowing this nonsense.