December 07, 2004
Lancaster, PA councilman demands Bush photo be removed from public market stall
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David Stoltzfus runs a baked good stand in the Lancaster, PA Central Market. Above his stall is a photograph of President George W. Bush, which he placed there two years ago.
Democratic Lancaster City Councilman Nelson Polite approached Stoltzfus recently and asked him to remove the photograph, insisting that it's presence offended he and other Democrats. Stoltzfus refused the request, indicating that the photo was there to honor the office, not necessarily the man.
“If it were Kerry that won, he’d be up there,’’ says Stoltzfus, who operates the Upper Crust stand.Polite claims that he had received complaints from some of his constituents, who thought the photo's presence was inappropriate.Doesn’t matter, says City Councilman Nelson Polite. “It should come down. This is a public market.”
Besides, says the Democrat, “Bush didn’t win here (in Lancaster City). It is like rubbing salt on a wound.”
Polite approached Stoltzfus on Nov. 12 and ask him to remove the pictures. The standholder has refused to do so, prompting Polite to say he will ask City Council to change the law so that all political items would be banned in public places.
Today, Stoltzfus pointed proudly to a photo of a smiling Bush, framed in green, that hangs above his stand.
The photo, attached to the stand portico with four brass screws, has hung there for nearly two years, since Stoltzfus and his wife, Nina, opened the market stand in March 2003.
The photo's been there two years and Polite only began to complain AFTER Kerry lost the election?
Sounds like sour grapes to me.
I hope the locals tell Mr. "Not So" Polite to get stuffed.
Posted by mhking at December 7, 2004 02:00 PMIf this is the story you read - http://www.lancasteronline.com/pages/news/local/4/10147 - check the line at the bottom.
Jim Zink, the owner of the Herb Shop stand, says he is a Democrat. But he’ll hang a photo of Bush to support Stoltzfus’ right to hang his.
“He has every right to hang it,’’ Zink says of Stoltzfus. He says it doesn’t offend him as a Democrat to see Bush.
Sounds like my kind of guy.
Posted by: Gib Crosby at December 7, 2004 02:10 PMThis part struck me as interesting: "Polite to say he will ask City Council to change the law so that all political items would be banned in public places."
It seems like typical Democrat short-sightedness to me, and should should make for interesting situations come election time.
Posted by: LCVRWC at December 7, 2004 02:47 PMSilly conservatives! "Freedom of speech" is for liberals, and liberals ONLY!
If Mr. Stoltzfus had a picture of every Republican congressman (and congresswoman) hanging up, I'd think he was nuckin' futs, but apparently he isn't that obsessive-compulsive. One lone picture of the POTUS can offend a liberal? Gads. Poop-heel Polite needs to be reminded that in pre-liberation Iraq, Saddam's likeness was, quite literally, omnipresent. And Polite has the option of not patronizing good citizen Stoltzfus. If he didn't have that option, that would mean that Mr. Stoltzfus had a monopoly going on, and that IS against the law. Asshats and logic...never the 'twain shall meet.
Posted by: skh at December 7, 2004 05:31 PMIsn't this typical? The liberal temper tantrum rages on. Obviously, good sportsmanship isn't their strong suit either!
Posted by: BobG at December 7, 2004 05:56 PMNelson Polite is an idiot. I am offended by moronic people so I demand that Nelson NOT be allowed in public venues.
I need healing time from the devisive nature of his comments.
What goes around, comes around.