Business told to take down patriotic banner in Springettsbury Township

July 07--Rudy Kocman said he bought the patriotic banner and placed it by East Market Street in Springettsbury Township to celebrate the Fourth of July, not to advertise his business, Kocman Kunkle Insurance Group.

"It's the Fourth of July weekend -- let's celebrate our freedom," he said Thursday. "We put it up innocently and thought no one would bat an eye at it."

But he needed a permit to do so and was warned by a township zoning officer that if he did not apply for one, he could face fines of up to $500 a day, Kocman said.

Kocman, 50, who said he has owned the company since 1995, moved it to its current location at 3217 E. Market St. in 2001.

He bought the banner, which reads, "Celebrate Freedom!" for about $250 and strung it up between two posts on the front lawn by the road earlier this week.

The township zoning officer visited on Tuesday and told Kocman the banner had to come down, he said.

"I said, 'What do you mean it has to come down?'" he recalled. "He explained, if we chose to ignore him, the fine could be up to $500 a day -- that got my attention."

Kocman said the zoning officer told him the banner didn't have to be attached to the building, but it definitely could not be free-standing.

"He said that free-standing signs needed to be approved," he said.

The next day, Kocman went to the township building and paid $25 for a permit, which allows him to keep the banner up for a total of 14 days, he said.

He was a bit frustrated and called what happened "a learning experience," but the good thing is, the banner can be rolled up and used again, he said.

Township Supervisor Kathleen Phan stated in an email on Thursday that "In no means at all is Springettsbury Township saying the property owner couldn't hang it up -- we respect our Country and all of the individuals that fought for our freedom. But we do need to follow the ordiance (sic) and that was explained to the property owner.

"The property owner did come in, filled out an application, obtained a permit and the sign is now on the front of the building. It is a beautiful banner and it makes us proud to see it on his building. God Bless everyone and Happy 4th of July."

Contact Ted Czech at 717-771-2033.

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