Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

MaineLooth t1_j83qn1w wrote

I hope this gains more attention, it’s an awesome bakery and the town official involved is a jackass.

181

Glucose12 t1_j83rwnk wrote

Ah, the article didn't make that clear. Is it the (typical) situation where there is one particular power-hungry individual on the ZB who just happens to have an issue?

36

cwalton505 t1_j83tqca wrote

As i understand it, the town statutes essentially put him in violation. It was ignored until someone made a complaint, most likely, but now the town is forced to act on their bylaws. It's how it's written and it's stupid and the rules should be changed, but for now it is what it is.

30

Glucose12 t1_j83u20o wrote

Yeah, I got that from the article, and thus the lawsuit by IJ (who I donate to, they do good work). I just didn't see in the article that it was a particular ZB member that was the problem point.

I wouldn't think that the Asst. Zoning Inspector, even if they sat on the board themselves, would have much power. It would be some other community member, probably some snobbish %1-er.

7

cwalton505 t1_j83v6a5 wrote

It could be anyone with a grievance, don't make assumptions as to why. Could be a poor transient vegan hippy living in their 1964 vw bus and doesn't like the fact they use eggs. See? We both have no idea on the source and motive..... Anyhow the key here is if people are outraged over this they should petition their local government to reassess the law and tweak it. That's how it's meant to work.

−3

twistedsymphony t1_j85q80h wrote

that doesn't mesh with the article: > Less than two weeks after the mural was painted, the inspector visited the bakery and informed Sean that because the mural depicts donuts and scones, and Leavitt’s is a bakery, the mural is considered a “sign” subject to the town’s strict regulations.

further:

>The assistant building inspector informed Sean that he could apply for a variance to keep the mural up. When Sean did so in September 2022 ... the Conway Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) voted unanimously against granting the bakery a variance. Then, in November, the ZBA doubled down, again denying the variance.

Seems to me the inspector was doing his job and the zoning board as a whole is against it.

7

GreatGrandaddyPurp t1_j8gvkk7 wrote

They were fine with granting a variance for a market basket advertisement sign though...

1

DareMe603 t1_j844wdv wrote

A fine example of perversion of justice.

5

cwalton505 t1_j84apyd wrote

The government is never more of the people by the people and for the people than in a small town. They can easily ratify and change the wording of the law if they care. This is a really simple one. As it's written it's outside the rules. What's the point of rules if we make acceptions because we like one thing more than another? Change the rule.

5

ForgotMyHeadAgain t1_j87yfm9 wrote

It’s less an exception to the rule as much as it’s a decision of what constitutes a sign.

It mentions in the article that the town allows murals but takes exception to the fact that the mural depicts baked goods. One can gather from the basis of the suit that there is nothing in the letter of the law about mural content so they should not be able to say that that is not a mural based on subject matter.

As far as small town politics is concerned, one board member absolutely can control the whole board. Think of a typical friend group and how often everyone falls in step behind the strongest most popular personality. Small town politics is typically the same way. There’s always certain individuals one doesn’t want to cross or they get iced out.

Small town politics is also strongly influenced by personal feelings. Everyone knows everyone and everything about each other. It’s always possible that there’s some bad blood involved. Long standing personal dislikes or slighted feelings making someone want to make life difficult for the owner. Total speculation but often when one an established business sells there were more interested parties than just the one who gets the place. That can lead to anger at the person who “won” and petty actions against them.

1

LacidOnex t1_j83sp0u wrote

The guy bought it from the old owners to save a local institution.

If I was him I'd fucking torch the thing and let Conway rot. Nothing up there except angry bored cops, DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH CONWAY IF YOU CAN AVOID IT

−4

Glucose12 t1_j83tjzv wrote

Lets be constructive, here.

Destroying your own property, and destroying a loved, local landmark - 0 points.

​

Letting the air out of the Asst. Zoning Inspectors tires when they're not looking - 1.5 points

Pouring sugar into their gas tank when they're not looking(hey, they're at a donut shop - they better have a sweet tooth) - 4 points.

Torching the Asst. Zoning Inspectors vehicle(only if it's an official vehicle, not personal) - 10 points (but only if at a safe distance from your donut shoppe - subtract 5 points if the blazing vehicle accidentally ignites said donut shoppe)

Drugging the Asst. Zoning Inspector, and take photos of them while in a semi-consensual act with one of the local moose population, and posting copies of the photos around town - 50 points

​

Just a few ideas. Trying to be constructive, yeah. Anybody else with some good ideas?

PS: #RESIST!

7

cat-gun t1_j852pth wrote

If he's forced to change the mural, he should repaint the donuts as giant assholes, prominently labeled with the names of the officials who voted against his variance permit.

6

Glucose12 t1_j85m4ew wrote

No need to label them with the names of the officials. Everybody there will know who the particular assholes belong to, and there's no chance of counter harassment, libel, or whatever suits(?)

Implication can be more powerful than being explicit(?)

1

LacidOnex t1_j83u2x1 wrote

Let's just replace it wolfeboro pt2

I like wolfeboro. They should make a second one.

3

Impriel t1_j83v4bc wrote

I keep expecting someone in this thread to say - come on guys calm down.

Then I remember where I am and embrace my feelings of agreement that you should bully the government

3

Glucose12 t1_j83vb6a wrote

I think it's premature for him to create a franchise. He's probably spent a lot of his cash reserves on this fight.

Lets focus on crushing town Zoning Boards to a paste, one town at a time.

You don't want to make it too hard for the IJ.

0

LacidOnex t1_j83vqzo wrote

No no I mean the town. Just... Move a bunch of shit in that says "wolfeboro pt 2 public library" and "Wolfeboro Boogaloo Elementary". Tell the zoning dorks they have no authority here.

Everyone is so nice in wolfeboro.

1

Doug_Shoe t1_j840t0k wrote

I'll take Felonies for Rest of My Life in Prison, Alex.

0

Glucose12 t1_j841n3m wrote

:-D

1

Doug_Shoe t1_j843ekf wrote

i wouldn't joke about people lighting cars on fire. Someone is apt to do it.

−1

Glucose12 t1_j8499l7 wrote

I kind of figured that the part about not lighting your own donut shoppe on fire, and the part about the moose was sufficient tip-off that this was only tongue-in-cheek.

Thanks for being the wet blanket.

2

Doug_Shoe t1_j84ao59 wrote

off the top of my head I can think of 2 people i know personally who went to prison for deliberately setting cars on fire. Also note the burned out cars in the woods around Rochester, Manchester and many etc.

Blame me. Maybe it's shell shock / exploding car shock

0

GreatGrandaddyPurp t1_j8gvukq wrote

Did both of them do it because they read a comment on the internet?

1

Doug_Shoe t1_j8ibcsy wrote

Are you leaving comments because you believe no one reads them or reacts to them in any way?

1

GreatGrandaddyPurp t1_j8j7558 wrote

If you really believe people are gonna read comments and do exactly what they say you should suck my dick.

1