From Scope, Inc-
The Town of Hamburg, NY, a suburb of Buffalo, has issued a summons for violation of a sign posting ordnance to a 58 year old retiree and SCOPE member for posting anti-NYSAFE signs on the fence of his residence. The signs have been posted near the intersection of South Park Ave, and Scranton Road, a major thoroughfare in the Town, and have drawn the attention and support of many people.
After being harassed several times by a local Code Enforcement Officer (Building Inspector) the resident was mailed a summons and ordered to appear in the Town Court on February 21, 2014. The resident told the code officer and Town Officials that he was exercising his First Amendment rights to free speech in posting the signs criticizing the NY SAFE act. He also cited a 1994 US Supreme Court decision (Gilleo v Ladue) which prevents municipalities from regulating signs on private property with non-commercial messages relating to the exercise of free speech.
The home owner appeared in court where he was given a postponed date to hire an attorney and appear on Friday March 7th at 10:00 AM to answer the charges.
Any interested persons are invited to appear at Town of Hamburg Court 6100 South Park Ave. Hamburg NY 14075 on the above date in support of this man. The gentleman, a former Republican committeeman, believes that the summons is politically motivated by local party officials who are unhappy with the positive responses being received with the message signs against the SAFE Act. The signs, having been posted since August of 2013, were only written as a violation of the Town Ordnance after a new Town Board took office on January 1st, 2014 with a 2 to 1 Democrat majority, the previous majority having been 2 to 1 Republican. The prior Town Board did pass a resolution in 2013 condemning the passage of the SAFE Act.
Any concerned citizens or gun owners, or those supporting the Constitution and the right to free speech, are urged to contact the Town of Hamburg Chief Code Enforcement Officer, Mr. Kurt Allen at 716-649-6111 Ext. 2210 and express their opinion of this action. Concerned persons are also urged to call the office of the Hamburg Town Attorney who is prosecuting this man at 716- 649- 6111 ext. 2370 to express their outrage regarding this matter