Judge: Sign ordinance is unconstitutional
A local farmer and his supporters celebrated in court Thursday after a judge ruled a Gaines Township sign ordinance unconstitutional.The Township had cited Vern Verduin for political signs he posted on the side of two semi-trucks in his pasture along M-6. One sign reads "Marxism/Socialism = Poverty & hunger." The other reads "Obama's 'mission accomplished.' 8% unemployment. 16 trillion debt."
The Township zoning ordinance limits political signs to 20 square feet and Verduin's are much larger. The Township does allow significantly larger commercial signs.
Verduin considered the Township's position censorship and a violation of his right to free speech.
Thursday, Judge Steven Servaas of Kent County's 63rd District Court said Verduin may keep his signs.
"In this application in this case that it is unconstitutional because of the distinction between political and commercial signs," Servaas said.
Servaas said the law has to treat commercial and political speech the same.
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