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Mich. Man Fights For Right To Display Anti-Obama Signs on His Property

Mar. 22, 2013 10:10pm Becket Adams

Michigan Farmer Vern Verduin Fights To Keep Anti Obama Signs On His Property

Michigan farmer Vern Verduin. (Screen grab).

A Michigan cattle farmer is fighting for the right to display two trailer-sized anti-Obama signs on his property, according to WOOD-TV.

Authorities in Gaines Township, Mich., say the massive signs on Vern Verduin’s property violate local zoning codes, which state that all political signs must be contained to 20 square feet.

The two signs, which are clearly visible from the highway, read “Marxism/Socialism = Poverty & hunger” and “Obama’s ‘mission accomplished.’ 8% unemployment. 16 trillion debt,” respectively.

“I felt that things were going in the wrong direction,” Verduin told WOOD-TV, adding that he’s concerned about hunger and poverty.

But here’s the thing: According to the same zoning ordinances, Verduin is allowed to display a sign that covers more than 20 square feet if it for the purpose of “selling ideas.” So that’s how he plans on fighting the town.

“You can have a 32-foot advertising sign. I don’t get that,” said the cattle farmer.

“This is clearly a violation of his free speech and free exercise right,” attorney Howard Van Den Heuvel added.

“Verduin is also critical of another part of the ordinance that limits when political signs can be posted in Gaines Township — only 45 days before and 10 days after an election. Verduin said he thinks the Township is promoting aesthetic beauty with the ordinance, but he says it doesn’t promote political conversation,” WOOD-TV notes.

“I think for the good of the country, political speech is important,” the farmer said.

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Comments (204)

Richalu
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:16pm
If it were an anti-Bush sign, the town probably wouldn’t have a problem with it, and this would have never made national attention.

But… Step on Emperor Obama’s toes, and all h*ll breaks out.

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BBEV
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:14pm
They are not signs they are tailors with words on the side. He should be using them on his farm and move them a few inches every now and then and to hell with the ZBA.

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- crazyrightwingmom
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:23pm
  Good idea!!
  
  Report this comment
- galaxie_man
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 10:22pm
  Better idea….just drag it all over town.
  
  He’s already getting a one-way ticket to a FEMA re-education camp for criticizing Dear Leader, might as well go out big.
  
  Report this comment
- comforteagle
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 10:47am
  The right is great at finding loopholes. its almost a hobby i think
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 1:04pm
  COMFORTBEAGLE, You seem to talking about 0bama, who simply decides that certain federal laws will no longer be enforced. Then orders his cabinet and departments not to do so. Funny how that happened. I’ll rephrase what I said above to you, the Constitution is not a loophole. But, the courts will make the final decision.
  
  Report this comment
Proverbs17-12NLT
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:12pm
The only reason some of you system milkers are eating is because some of us are still working for a living and your halfman is still printing money. But it’s getting worse everyday the sign is 100% correct that’s why democrats hate it.

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DORA_GASBAG
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:12pm
You tell ‘em Fire. You’re my kind of people. hic…. hic…
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BARRYS_BEARD
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:10pm
You are both wrong and an idiot.

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sparkyrules
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:09pm
Vern is welcome to park his trailer on my City street anyday,in Wyoming.15 days after that,its to be removed per City ordinance.But it’ll get the attention it deserves.My neighbors will be pissed,but have at it Vern.

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- Caniac Steve
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:16pm
  we don’t even get that long here in my community..can you say Agenda 21 ?
  
  Report this comment
- BARRYS_BEARD
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:18pm
  Having been through Wyoming several times, I am surprised to hear you actually have neighbors. Are you sure you live in Wyoming?
  
  Report this comment
- sparkyrules
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 9:08pm
  BARRYS_BEARD,Wyoming, Michigan to be sure.
  
  Report this comment
- NotMyPrez
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:18am
  You’re on to something here. He should find a trucker to use that trailer for his cross country hauls so that it gets exposure on the road nationwide.
  
  Report this comment
knkberry
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:06pm
I like VERN!!!!! Just begin the sign “Smart People Know”…………………… Then it would not be political but a matter of fact. :)

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- ComingUnglued
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:24pm
  Fabulous idea. Way to outsmart them. Are you listening Vern?
  
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:05pm
I hope he wins in the end. The blatant intolerance of the leftists and the Agenda 21 groups is amazing at times, they will not stop until all dissent is crushed once and for all.

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- missdagnytaggart
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 12:17am
  It’s so easy to snuff our rights through regulations.
  
  Report this comment
garbagecanlogic
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:56pm
Give “em hell Vern!

Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

The U.N. Out Of The U.S.
The U.S. Out Of The U.N.

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- 000degrees
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:29pm
  Just pulled up 109.8 on the smart phone app……agree but not another one like him!!!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- ones-own-truth-and-ideals
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 12:27am
  hey monk!
  AHAD
  @$$-hole-asinine-disorder! /aka LIBRALISM!
  
  Report this comment
uncleherbert
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:54pm
This is the kind of man you can go to war with.

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wilbstal
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:53pm
offenders of the 1st amendment must be shot immeditaly. they are useless folks and dont do not deserve a place on this earth.

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- CatB
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:58pm
  Looks like a clear case of free speech to me .. not “political ads” .. those would be telling someone who to vote for .. that is over .. sadly.
  
  Report this comment
- knkberry
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:09pm
  EXACTLY 100% Agree!!!!
  
  Report this comment
CatB
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:52pm
Not knowing where Gaines Township is in Michigan (saw WOOD-TV and that is out of Grand Rapids I thought it was on the west side .. it isn’t) .. I looked it up .. outside of FLINT between Durand and Swartz Creek .. can’t imagine why they would have a problem with his trucks parked on HIS FARMLAND. This looks like he is out in the country. Sounds like some Fliint Democrats got their panties in a bunch! Here is their website .. along with addresses and phone number for the township …

http://www.gainestownship.org/

I was born and raised in Michigan .. thugs abound in local governments .. especially D controlled ones.

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- HailToTheVictors
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 10:04pm
  CATB,
  Actually your first thought was right. Gaines Township is on the West-side. I work near there, and have the privilege of driving by this fine Americans property every day. If you’re curious as to where it is, Gaines Township is the M-6 and Kalamazoo Ave area.
  
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- Xanderson
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 10:22pm
  I, too, grew up in (beautiful) Michigan and if the folks in Flint are still identifying as Democrats when their city, livelihood, and prospects have been decimated by union-thug criminal Democrats, then they are standing in their own sh*£!! Smash your DVDs of “Roger & Me”, stop following the corpulent dumba$$ Michael Moore (believe me, that fat fu€k is NOT your friend) and wake the H€LL up…try supporting your governor, he is the only thing standing between you and a third world existence!
  
  Sorry about getting so riled up but Michigan used to be SO NICE!!
  
  Report this comment
- Netsurfer2
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 11:06pm
  They will do anything from ever letting the truth be known! More regulations, more taxes, more spending! Less Freedoms!
  
  You can also see how inflation is taking the toll on our country! Food, Gas and other commodities have risen to knew levels not seen before!
  
  Report this comment
- power_cord
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 9:25am
  I just sent this email to the address I found at the link you provided:
  
  You know, every once in a while you do something that you wish you hadn’t.
  
  How ’bout you leave Vern alone and let the sign on his trailer that’s sitting on his property stay.
  
  It’s not a political sign. It’s a statement… some might call it a fact.
  
  I’m sure there are other things more important than this to spend your time on.
  
  Report this comment
BARRYS_BEARD
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:51pm
Any bet the “authorities” would have no problem if he simply put up a giant picture of Moochelle with a queen’s crown on her head? Some speech is more “protected” than other speech.

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- Acena
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 12:48am
  If he put a pict of mooch in a crown up MSNBC,NBC,CBS,ABC,BBC & CNN would be there in 2 hours for a live at 5:00 PM interview.
  Right now he is just an annoying,racist old white republican to the media
  
  Report this comment
nighttrainno9
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:49pm
Go Vern, The communists will resist you, the patriots will back you.
How very easy to see who’s who.

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woodyee
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:48pm
He’s got a good case. Good luck, American!

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SaturdaysWarrior76
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:48pm
Fight the Good Fight Sir, and God Bless! Patriots are standing with you!

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sparkyrules
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:47pm
Everybody keep Glenn and his Family in your thoughts this weekend.4 legged friends are the Best.Letting them go is the hardest thing…

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dave7310
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:45pm
Good for you Mr.Verduin !
It’s on wheels so I don’t think they can even call it a “Sign” ??
Keep up the fight !

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gothope
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:44pm
“Obama’s ‘mission accomplished.’ 8% unemployment. 16 trillion debt,”

I wish

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- BARRYS_BEARD
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:56pm
  Barry is well on his way; however, his goals are not entirely accomplished just yet. After he has confiscated all of our wealth and property rights and when we are living in mud huts like his brothers in Kenya, and eating dung beetles and horse flies, I will say he has accomplished his goals.
  
  Report this comment
- pissantno.10
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:31pm
  beard just one little fun note obama and family have no clue where food really comes from. right now the park service brings it for them. one day obama and his friends might get hungry
  
  Report this comment
AquamanSucks
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:44pm
A definition is not a political sign.

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- The-Monk
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:30pm
  Hi AquamanSucks,
  
  Haven’t seen Wango/Yoursensei around… have you?
  
  Report this comment
- thegreatcarnac
  Posted on March 23, 2013 at 12:43pm
  Good post…..you’re right…
  
  Report this comment
stumpygrim
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:44pm
These are not political but true statements,i dont see any sign saying vote Romney………

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Micmac
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:41pm
Just take out a biz license for a company of that name and it’s the name of the trucking company on the side of a company vehicle – simple.

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Stelex
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:39pm
Quality American………good luck to you sir.

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- gyro
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:52pm
  bingo
  
  Report this comment
- AvengerK
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:10pm
  Oh Testify STELEX.
  
  Report this comment
- Stelex
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:23pm
  Avenger”L” …………huh????
  
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sparkyrules
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:39pm
Vern’s signs are on private property for one thing AND,seeing that they are on trailers,easily moved around,to the next property…the authorities would best let him have at it.
Theres more than a few of us who will ‘borrow’ Vern’s trailers for a few months!In neighboring Townships.

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- DAYOFTRINITY
  Posted on March 22, 2013 at 8:37pm
  How about it Sparky, we go with some of our own signs and support him?
  
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spirited
Posted on March 22, 2013 at 7:36pm
What a good man.

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