Posted on 12/11/2004 2:54:35 PM PST by NormsRevenge
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) - A Democratic city councilman is demanding that a baker remove photos of President Bush from his stand in Lancaster's farmers market, saying the city needs a "healing period" following the bitterly contested election.
City Councilman Nelson Polite asked baker David Stoltzfus last month to remove the pictures. When Stoltzfus refused, Polite threatened to try to enact a city ordinance that would ban all political material from public places.
"I just feel that since it was a close election and the city's so divided, that we should have a healing period," Polite told the New Era of Lancaster on Friday.
Republican Mayor Charlie Smithgall said potential visitors have told him they will skip the old city in the heart of Amish country because of Polite's statements.
"They're saying, 'What kind of crazy people live in Lancaster? We're never coming to Lancaster,'" Smithgall said Friday.
Stoltzfus, 54, of Lititz, and his wife opened the Upper Crust Bakery stand in March 2003. A Bush photo is attached to the stand portico and a photo of the president and first lady Laura Bush sits on a shelf.
The baker said he is enjoying the attention, and other standholders have shown their support by putting up photos of the president.
"It's fun," Stoltzfus said Friday. "Even the Democrats come to me and tell me, 'Don't take that picture down.'"
This idiot can try anything he'd like but he's still only one vote. Unless he can get a majority of the council to support his desire to ban political material it'll never happen.
Aw, come on--don't be too hard on Mr. Polite. He's obviously suffering from P.E.S.T. and is therefore not responsible for the stupid things that he says.
Thanks. My email:
"It is the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, you imbecile.
If you don't like America and can't support our President, then get the hell out."
Hey! I just bought some baked goods from an Amish "Stoltzfus" in Somerset County, PA, and they were all darn good. No photos of the Prez in his shop, but I bet he voted for him! :)
Mr. Polite,I've recently read about your efforts to strongarm a local store owner into removing a picture of the President of The United States. I understand this is in the interest of a "healing period"; evidently you feel the nation is too divided.
In short, I thought I should congratulate you on your efforts. It seems your asinine public stance has united the remainder of the Lancaster County population against you, and given rise to national news articles. Democrats and Republicans alike stand together to oppose your incredible stupidity, so in one regard it would appear you've accomplished the task you laid before yourself.
Great job! Now that your reverse psychology has worked exactly as you expected, you might want to let everyone else in on your master plan. Finally, I thank you for your selfless act. It's a rare person that will sacrifice his own credibility in the interest of a greater good.
Regards,
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Polite must be blocking his email - no success.
LOL--well said!
Hahahaha......
Best part:
"Republican Mayor Charlie Smithgall said potential visitors have told him they will skip the old city in the heart of Amish country because of Polite's statements."
well...well...well....
I am also a Potential Vistor, and I think a Frep is in hand for the mayor, something along the lines of this:
"As a POTENTIAL Visitor to your lovely town, I will not visit unless there is a Picture of President Bush, his wife Laura, and their new dog in every store window in town..."
Bwahahahahha....
Funny Stuff.....
Not as funny as the guy building a fence in the middle of the street, but still funny....
regards,
Joe
I thought Lancaster was a big Republican area? Surprised this councilman would raise such a fuss if that is the case.
"He's obviously suffering from P.E.S.T. "
If he goes off the deep and and kills himself, will it be considered pesticide?
"and and" =end and
I bet he would go for a picture of Fidel, though.
I spent 4 days in Mr Polites city just before the election and found the Amish very much behind OUR President. Too bad an *ss like polite has to sully this beautiful city.
Just when I think the Democrats could not POSSIBLY get any stupider with their post-election tantrum, they go and prove me wrong.
I tried to send an email to him but either his mailbox is full or he has it blocked to all but his "polite" friends.
In your email ttell Nelson there is an old saying about Crap, The more you stir it the worse it stinks.
Whatever happened to free speech?
This is exactly the kind of political speech the Constitution meant.
"that would ban all political material from public places."
The picture of the sitting President is not "political material" covered by some ordinance, it's the picture of the PRESIDENT of the ENTIRE US.
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