Nancy Nemhauser and Ludomir Jastrzebski were fined $100 per day for the crime of painting their home and property fence like a Van Gough piece of art. The mural is stunningly artistic, but the city is basically claiming Nemhauser and Jastrzebski dont own their home by fining them over $8000.
The daily fines will continue until the painting, an homage to Van Goghs Starry Night, is removed from private property. Mount Dora, Florida officials say the mural violates the citys sign ordinance. The homeowners have been fighting the city for months to keep the mural on their home. But should the courts (owned by the government) declare the mural removed, it means the homeowners dont own and cannot do with their property as they see fit. They may only ask permission to alter government property. The dictatorship many fear is already here.
Its an artistic town and here we are fighting the city for this art mural, said Richard Barrenechea, the artist who painted the mural. I hope a lot of people come tomorrow to see it and we find more supporters. Art enthusiasts getting ready for this weekends Mount Dora Art Festival. Art enthusiasts have wide-ranging opinions when it comes to the mural. Its beautiful, said Rosemaire Gomez. I love it. Its heart. They [the city] shouldnt have a problem with it.
The Mount Dora Art Festival starts Saturday and runs through Sunday. As for the mural, the homeowners are expected to file a brief to appeal the citys fine.
But should the courts (owned by the government) declare the mural removed, it means the homeowners dont own and cannot do with their property as they see fit.
It says nothing about ownership, you idiot. It says the mural violates the citys sign ordinance.
It's a rather bad tribute to Van Gogh. It's garish.
If it was less awful, it might not have drawn fines from the local gestapo.
It is notable here that the city is behaving as though every house is in a homeowners' association. If they have the power to stop the bad Van Gogh house, they have all the power (and more!) that any HMA claims.
I agree. The city should not be granted such extensive power over its houses.
The busybodiness of modern city councils seems very unrestrained by courts interested in private property rights. Including the right to paint your house in as a bad tribute to a noted Dutch artist.