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 Complaints about the appearance of businesses, like this one at the corner of Elm Street and North Main Street, have the city council considering amending the city's sign ordinance. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo] |
Mayor Wallace Cartwright said he has been hearing many concerns from residents and businesses about the appearance of local Hispanic establishments in Shelbyville and wants to alter the city's ordinance to say that signs can not be painted on buildings, among other changes.
Cartwright listed several examples of Hispanic-owned businesses that would fall into that category.
"The main streets are beginning to look like Mexico in Shelbyville," councilman Lee Roy Cunningham said.
The mayor also said he wanted another topic addressed in the ordinance -- dealing with the color of the buildings in question, suggesting that they be painted in "an earth tone ... we don't need this yellow, purple and pink."
"This is not Mexico and I think some way or other, we need to tone it back down," Cartwright said.
Not every brightly-colored business in Shelbyville over the years has been Hispanic-owned, however.
Councilman Al Stephenson said that if an ordinance is drawn up, "we'll pass it."
City manager Ed Craig said the topic has been looked into and he explained that the existing ordinance currently defines what a sign is, but does not say it can be painted on a building.
A sign on a business can't take up more than 20 percent of the surface area, Craig explained. Examining ordinances of other towns, one idea would be to regulate the size of signs that are attached to buildings, he said.
"The first question you have to answer is 'what is a sign' and must it be on a building, and if it can, how much space can it take?" Craig said.
Another question Craig said would need to be addressed is how to define the 20 percent -- is it to be for one sign, or several spread across the surface of the building?
Planning and codes director Kip Green told the council he would write the amendment to the sign ordinance "however you want it," but also said the definition in the amendment "would be very technical."
"Case law is pretty stiff in that area," Green said. He said whatever the ordinance would say, it would go into effect when the building or business ownership changes hands.
Stephenson compared the issue to one the city dealt with in the 1990s with portable flashing yellow signs that were popular at the time, but considered an eyesore.
Luci Taylor, a leader in the local Hispanic community, said she believes that local Hispanic merchants would be amenable to changes and would comply with design rules if they are communicated clearly.
"They are very blessed to live in this community," said Taylor. "They know that."
Taylor is active in El Centro Latino.
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While I hope they don't use this to just target just Hispanic businesses, I do agree that the Hispanic store on the corner of North Main Street and Elm Street is definitely an eye sore and looks horrible at a busy intersection of Shelbyville. There are several businesses in town that look horrible like that that one and they all need to be dealt with.
Oh thank you for finally doing something about these eye sores. It's not just Hispanic stores, there is a tobacco store on Cannon Blvd that looks just as tacky.
I totally agree that we need to do some serious cleanup of our town! We look like slumload Mexico on many of our streets anymore. If they want to have Mexico property then go back to Mexico and paint all the bright colors they want and hang signs everywhere! Shelbyville is an old established Southern town that should strive to show the grace of the South in our town, not the Mexican boder town! Make an amendment and then make sure it's abided by! And that goes for making residents all over town abide by the code rules and have all property and yards cleaned up! And make rental property owners keep their property in decent shape! If the council is going to do it, do it right!
I will agree that Shelbyville could use a facelift and that more attractive signage could help in this regard. However, I find the tone of the comments attributed to Shelbyville's elected officials to be unkind and undignified. Our elected officials have sat by and watched as business after business has shut down or left town. Apparently they now have decided that the best use of their time is to harass those Mexican businesses that have managed to keep their doors open. We are all in this together. Let's focus on building up our community to create jobs and support business rather than using hateful comments to tear our community apart and chase away business and jobs. This sort of nonsense may get you a few votes in the short run but when the rubber hits the road, people will focus on what counts. Are you listening? Stop wasting time and bring Shelbyville some jobs!
I think Shelbyville definately could use some beautification, but this reeks of racism. Look around and see all the unsightly buildings and signs. They are not just on hispanic-owned businesses. There's been trashy looking stuff in this town since long before any hispanic business opened. It is not right to try to force people not to use particular colors just because they don't suit your taste. What if I think your house or business is ugly, just because I don't like the style or color of it? Should I try to outlaw it? Oh, please. What is called for are clear guidelines, enforced evenly, that are fair and reasonable, because there does need to be some cleaning up around here, but it shouldn't be targeted at any particular group.
I have to agree that some of the business here in town need to be toned down a bit..it may not look so bad if the writing didn't look as if it was written in crayon by a 1st grader. Have you been out Nolensville Road in Nashville lately? We surely do not want our businesses or our town to become like that on Nolensville Road, it looks terrible down through there now. But the city should make all businesses clean up their acts not just the Hispanics. The Hispanics at least contribute to the economy of Shelbyville yes they have brought some of their culture with them but I do not think it is anything that any of us can't live with..wouldn't you hate to think there was no El Mexico? I know I would ...it has to be one of the best places in this town to eat!!
I'm having a hard time here...
Which one is the tacky eye sore, the buildings or our city council?
I supose Handy Dandy and that whole corner leading into Calsonic Arena is exempt from this new ordinance as it is not "hispanic - owned"
Tacky Tacky Tacky
I didn't read anything in the article that said the law would only apply to mexican owned businesses. So why the cries of racism?
because what picture did they display as being tacky?
So are you saying the city council is racist, or the T-G photographers?
Even though I'm not a resident of Shelbyville, I don't believe I would vote for any of the members that voiced their opinions in the manner quoted above. I am personally against illegal immigration, but I would imagine that these merchants are NOT in that category since they have to be here legally to get a business license (I am assuming).
There are plenty of eyesores in Shelbyville aside from just the Hispanic shops and these ordinances would apply to them as well. Why not work on filling some of the vacant properties that dot Shelbyville before trying to harass the businesses that are still productive? How many buildings are sitting vacant and dilapidated on Main St. and Madison alone? I would consider those more of an eyesore than the businesses that have managed to keep their doors open.
That being said, if they pass an ordinance stating that a sign "cannot be painted on a building", what's to keep the business owner from painting the sign on a piece of plywood and nailing it to the side of the building? Wouldn't this look even worse than the current signage?
Regarding the mayor's comment about the buildings needing "an earth tone ... we don't need this yellow, purple and pink" and Councilman Cartwright's comment "This is not Mexico and I think some way or other, we need to tone it back down", that's a pretty broad statement. Isn't the Kangaroo gas station painted red and yellow? What about McDonald's with their red and yellow? Who do they think they are? And BP, with their bright green...they should be ashamed. Unless they are considering wording their ordinance so that it only targets Hispanic businesses, then I would be fortunate not to be a resident of Shelbyville that would be on the hook for the lawsuits that would be filed the day after this ordinance took effect.
What??? Doesn't our city council have bigger things to worry bout? In fact, what about the people complaining? As the economy is going down the drain, the last thing our business owners needs to worry about is being an eyesore. If you don't like the way the business looks, don't shop there. Just like if you don't like the way a house or neighborhood looks you don't buy or rent from that area. Hispanic/Mexican citizens should rise up above this. As well as the rest of our citizens should rise up above more government......
So are you saying the city council is racist, or the T-G photographers?
-- Posted by quietmike on Fri, Apr 3, 2009, at 11:57
I do not recall saying anyone was racist...
but according to the article this was the business that had complaints about it's appearance. Thus why the picture is of this business. I do think Mr Cunningham's statement was not only tacky but racist.
Whitey has some tacky looking businesses in town as well.
Maybe the 1st grade handwriting is part of the decoration or their signature label. Who are we to tell a company how it should advertise it's own business?
An ugly, tacky building is an ugly tacky building..... Doesn't matter who owns the building or runs the business.
I certainly don't need the likes of Mr. Cunningham or Mr. Stephenson telling me how to live my life or what color my business should be, but common people.... Wake up.
What companies are going to bring jobs to Shelbyville when the city looks like Tijuana?
The owners of these businesses may not be illegal but they certainly cater to the legal and illegal population that is sucking the life out of Shelbyville and Bedford County.
Oh yea, I forgot.... Tyson's might be willing to expand and add another 20 or so jobs, and in the process bring in another 100 refugee's for our struggling homeless shelters (that we didn't need until recently). I guess then we could add another 4-5 people at DHS to care for them, and let us don't forget we will need to hire 8 more interpreters for the court system and 25 more teachers for the 2 new school additions we will need for the After School Meals programs to take care of children for people who are not working because there are NO JOBS.
I have to agree with PoorMe. How is our town suppose to attract new businesses/employers when you drive through the center of town and every other building is covered in what amounts to graffitti written in a foreign language? Further, Hispanics are not being targeted or singled-out. It just so happens that 99% of the business being referred to in this article are Hispanic. It's not racism, it's fact. Is this America or is this America?! Folks, if we don't take some pride in our little part of the world no one else will either. The fact is, in America, we have a certain way of doing things. If these businesses truly want to be a part of or culture and communities, then they will change with the rules. If not, they get fined like every one else and/or close down. We would expect the same of businesses owned by American's, Asians, Russians, or anyone else for that matter. Immigrant-owned business should be held to the same standards as everyone else.
Take a ride down Landers Street.......is that a house or a flea market or what? I am sure these people are not Hispanic, but it is a huge eyesore.
JuJu35
I love the Handy Dandy comment. It's all in who you are! Check out the buildings behind the new Sonic on N. Main. They are painted on every square inch. Non-Hispanic though.
It's just more Shelbyville politics. What's new?
I put this quote from Teddy Roosevelt in the blog about this story, but it applies here as well:
We should insist that if the immigrant who comes here does in good faith become an American and assimilates himself to us he shall be treated on an exact equality with every one else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed or birth-place or origin.
But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American and nothing but an American. If he tries to keep segregated with men of his own origin and separated from the rest of America, then he isn't doing his part as an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any flag of a nation to which we are hostile. We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, of American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding-house; and we have room for but one soul loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people.
Made for a good news story for the T-G. I think it is a great idea....but anyone wanny bet money?????? Nothing will be done! Just like all the talk about dogs.....it was a great idea....but nothing was done! For all you people that wanted them in town........well you got your wish!
ontheoutside,
Our town has a "well known" real estate agent that has painted his "sign" on his building he has for sale. Funny my son has joked for years about how many different real estate firms he has been with as many times as the sign has changed....
Like you said,"It's just more Shelbyville politics"
Hey Leroy,
You're stepping on the wrong toes again.
Mene
While I agree there needs to be something done, the city council needs to be careful as to the exact wording of any "amendments".
"A sign on a business can't take up more than 20 percent of the surface area, Craig explained...Another question Craig said would need to be addressed is how to define the 20 percent -- is it to be for one sign, or several spread across the surface of the building?" If I understand this correctly, this "20%" is part of the existing code. If that is the case, how many of the businesses in the "strip malls" on north main and around town are in violation of this? What about Wal-mart, Kroger, Walgreens, etc...? There is a lot of signage on those buildings. What about the fastfood places in town that have the vinyl advertisements in the windows? Does that count at part of the signage for the business or is it exempt because it changes?
Choose your words wisely council, both in any sign amendments and how you represent the city of Shelbyville. You should be using your position to promote the betterment of Shelbyville, not as a venue for your personal opinions or vendettas.
I think that there does needs to be something done about the signage. It looks unsightly and does not give a good first impression to those who are coming to our town for the first time. However the comments about the color of the buildings sounds more like an attempt at a direct assault of the Hispanic community. When you talk about making business' paint there buildings earth tones. White is not an earth tone and that would affect a number of your constituents. The corporate colors of the Kangaroo Markets are Yellow and Red. Does Shelbyville have the spare dollars to fight a constitutional battle over freedom of expression with a large corporation, and the ACLU which I am sure would love to get involved with something like this, over the color of their buildings. I agree with the signage issue, but public officials keep your petty disapprovals to yourself.
gtagrp . . . the problem with your argument though is that when a town looks like a dump, new businesses tend to not want to establish their business here. When that happens, we lose new jobs and we dont prosper.
All I can say is... if the shoe fits, wear it. Looks like little Mexico to me! The city has worked HARD for this. Congradulations to the Shelbyville City council.
I just can hardley wait till they put the Semolia prayer room up in the court house so they can pray while waiting to go to court (or is it just Tysons that can "bend over backwards"?).
Does this mean I am gonna have to remove my RED tin roof?
Yea I remember when "See Rock City" on barns was a good thing of course it was nicely done.
Union
naw you don't have to remove your red tin roof but you will receive a letter letting you know which color will be accepted for you to paint it.. :>)
I don't think its about the color of the buildings so much as all the spanish writing on the buildings. The picture above looks like they printed everything they sell on the building.
Maybe,we ought to show folks how los norteamericanos do this sort of thing-at least in Toronto.
http://honesteds.sites.toronto.com/ESW/I...
"The main streets are beginning to look like Mexico in Shelbyville," councilman Lee Roy Cunningham said.
The mayor also said he wanted another topic addressed in the ordinance -- dealing with the color of the buildings in question, suggesting that they be painted in "an earth tone ... we don't need this yellow, purple and pink."
"This is not Mexico and I think some way or other, we need to tone it back down," Cartwright said.
These are two of the most bigoted statements that I've ever heard of elected officials stating. I can't believe that these kinds of Archie Bunker dinks are on the board.
Next thing you know they will want, ta git a rope and strang em up. The Mayor and Councilman that made these statements are much more of an embarrassment to the city than the Hispanic Merchants' ever could be.
"Mayor Wallace Cartwright said he has been hearing many concerns from residents and businesses about the appearance of local Hispanic establishments in Shelbyville"
Thanks for telegraphing the lawsuit for the ACLU who will eat this up. I admit, some of the buildings look bad but so do some of the buildings that are not owned by Hispanics. I was saw that used car lots all over town look just as bad. Makes us look like a junk yard. At least the Hispanics are TRYING to open businesses here.
I like the one next to the Kangaroo station on North Main that advertises a 'Big Burro' among the list of other menu items on the side of the building...
I'm not sure what a 'big burro' is, and I probably don't want to know either!
sameoldstory . . . how is the mayor's comments fodder for ACLU lawsuits? He only expressed that his constituents expressed concern about the situation . . . meaning he was only relating what has been said to him.
People have the right to express their opinions and he was expressing that . . . but hey, maybe that concept is above you.
I have read some of the comments posted on here and it really amazes me how some people think it is ok for the Hispanics to make our town look like theirs. This is not Mexico, this is the USA. In this country people speak english, and this should be the only language in our country. To see all this spanish writting everywhere is a eye sore.
We would never be able to go into their country and take it over as they have to ours.
It really dissapoints me how some people just accept and tolerate everything that is un-American.
I believe this new law is a great idea and completely approve of it. It is so sickening driving through Shelbyville and seeing all these Hispanic shops. It really makes it look like a complete dump.
"Good going Cartwright"
City council will not be able to pass this without doing a complete face list of almost every building in Shelbyville. Then, they won't even enforce it for the elite businesses. For example, there is a city ordinance againsts flashing electric signs. The city was just about to make Sonic and Calvary Baptist remove their new, very expensive signs until First Baptist put one up. Now the rule has changed. Convenient.
jaxspike.... by naming Hispanic businesses, it will look like the code that is passed will be directed towards them. He should have not pointed out Hispanic businesses. He could have just noted that there are businesses that are painted in colors and designs that take away from the character and culture of Shelbyville.
Heck.... I hope they add that no one can paint their house blue. NOW that is ugly no matter what street it's on.
horsegal305.... Not sure why you are "horsegal" but you do know that it was the horse industry that started bringing Latinos here in the first place. The industry brought them here, Tyson's kept them here and now you are surprised they opened businesses here?
Wow, yet another story by Mosely involving people of different ethnic backgrounds than he. Should we post pictures of all the eye sores around Shelbyville? I agree that the writings on the building can be viewed as "tacky" but to explicitly say "This is not Mexico and I think some way or other, we need to tone it back down," from the city Mayor, and pretend that somehow this isn't a race issue is merely pathetic.
Perhaps he should choose his words wisely, it would prevent a lot of trouble. Businesses aren't going to build here for more reasons than unsightly neighbors... I would say the largest obstacle to growth are those who control it (city council)...
sameoldstory,
I agree wholeheartedly with your assessments of this situation.
Mayor Wallace Cartwright pointed out some of the "colors" that he didn't think should be allowed. Does that mean they are going to repaint the Kangaroo stations around town. After all, red and green are in the Flag of Mexico.
And I suppose the "discount" store where the old Auto Zone used to be will be happy to remove all the painting on their windows. That's an eye sore to everyone.
Mayor Cartwright... where does it stop? I have no problem with making codes as long as they are codes for everyone.
why are you people more concerned how our local government is willing to increase taxes?
The other story, with the elderly tax being supplimented.
Then look at the national situation and wake up to socialism?
What nobody seems to care about our government spending money we dont have?
Inflation will be 20% in one year, WE cannont borrow our way out of this, DEBT was the reason we got here.
Sleep tight, and if you have children find some solice in that and hug them.
It's about time they(gov.) did something about this. You do not see buildings like that in M'boro or Franklin. This type of ordinance should have been in long ago. The signage should be in English as well, not Spanish. Last I looked this was still America, an English speaking nation, not Mexico.
Look around people I have never even thought about living in another town or county but this is rediculous at the rate we are going in this town we(American) are soon to be the minority half of the businesses in this town are already owned by other nationalities not just Mexicans we need to clean up the entire county or we want have anything left in this town. The large companies have already left and took thier jobs and our property value will not be worth having if this keeps up.
WELL WELL GOOD city bunch is going to stick together on this.... i can't and don't believe they will... Gary and Ed are always trying to think up a new way to get money from business.. WHY HAVEN'T those TWO JOKERS thought of making Mexican business pay for painting signs on the buildings..???? they must be slipping or on Drugs... we got gangs here... have for a long time... and the are not American gangs ... they are Mexican gangs AND GOOD OLE Wallace must have just got his head out of Eds ... we the people of Shelbyville Have been trying to tell them that for a while... and then there is THE AL and LEROY SHOW at least they are trying to get things done.... speaking of Ed does and one got the final dollar amount they paid the EX CODE ENFORCER it was $184,000 plus lawyers of a sum of $70,000 more and what about the final on THAT WORLD FAMOUS DEPOT STREET removable of all those building and DAMAGE TO OTHER BUILDING has anyone got that price yet... GO ED, WALLACE, AND GARY maybe just maybe when you break the city the federal government help pay the bill AND US TAXPAYERS WILL PAY THAT BILL good job city council... good job
I believe that "building is" a neutral color. The colors that are displayed, are hanging in the windows (green, white, red). What building on the main streets are the colors yellow, purple, and pink. I am beginning to see why some of these businesses do not last long in Shelbyville. The only thing southern in Shelbyville is the animals, and the UnGodly attitude amongst some.
Make them all neutral as in the high-school dress code. We don't want any accidental gang colors or codes. Lets make everything the same.....nice and BORING!