HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974 10-09 Maplewood political sign ban ordinance will get a test DISPATCH •
Mapléwood poUtical sign ban
od. R. (Irti.
•ordinance willg et a test
By J. C. Wolfe fore Ramsey District cause he has been advised
Staff Writer Judge Stephen Maxwell in that he will be prosecuted
A lawsuit challenging quest of a temporary in- if he does place a sign on
g g junction which would stay his lawn.
Maplewood's new ordi- enforcement of the law
nance which bans posting pending a trial of the case Judget he leanednindicat-
nance -
of political signs on lawns on its merits. ed that toward
is scheduled to be tried in a denial of Kampf's in-
Ramsey District Court in There they encountered junction motion on the
the next few days. opposition from John Ban- grounds there was no
nigan, attorney represent- showing of irreparable
The action contends the ing Maplewood, who chal- harm on his part. But he
ordinance, which was lenged Kampf's right to also noted that if he did
adopted last April by the seek an injunction. that it would have the ef-
Maplewood 'City Council feet of throwing the case
and became e f f e c t i v e Bannigan argued that out of court.
June 1, is a restraint. on the plaintiff was not an
free speech and unconsti- aggrieved party in that he Instead, he suggested
is not a candidate for of that the injunction motion
tutional. be abandoned and the
The law makes it a mis- fice and that there were case tried on its merits
demeanor for any resi- no candidates seeking to for a determination of the
dent of the community to overthrow the ordinance.
validity of the ordinance.
post a political lawn sign Kampf disputed this Because of the nearness
which has been furnished point and claimed he is of the election it was
by or on behalf of any adversely affected be- agreed to place the case
candidate. on the calendar forThurs-
Bringing the challenge day morning, or as soon
is William I. Kampf, 1902 thereafter as a judge is
Adolphus St., who said available to hear it.
that he and numerous oth-
er Maplewood residents
are desirous of posting
signs in their yards to
support certain candi-
dates in the November
election. Kampf, a law-
yer. stated that he is not a
candidate himself for any
office.
Kampf and his lawyer,
Edward Towey, came be-