An unrepentant retailer who has openly flouted an ordinance restricting the display of signs was the focus of a hearing Tuesday morning before a special magistrate.
Mattress One, at 919 N. U.S. Hwy. 27/441 in Lady Lake, has a well-documented history of disregarding the town’s sign ordinance, according to testimony from the town’s code enforcement officer, Michelle Bilbrey.
In her testimony before Special Magistrate Valerie Fuchs, Bilbrey detailed a cat-and-mouse game that the retailer has been playing with her office.
Mattress One has been placing a “torn and tattered” feather flag out in front of its store.
Feather flags can be displayed in Lady Lake, but a permit must be obtained. There also is a 45-day limit on the total number of days such a sign can be on display.
The code enforcement officer, on the recent President’s Day holiday, paid a visit to Mattress One and found the elicit feather flag back on display.
Despite a number of warnings and notices, the store’s manager refused to comply with the ordinance, Bilbrey said. She said the store’s manager told her, “This location is a top producing store and corporate wants it out there.”
The special magistrate accepted Bilbrey’s recommendation that a $100 fine be imposed and $87 in administrative fees be assessed against Mattress One.
No one from Mattress One attended the hearing, even though management had been given notice that it was being held at Lady Lake Town Hall.
Commissioner Paul Hannan, who was at the hearing, said the small fine would not be a deterrent to Mattress One. He said the violations will almost certainly continue.
“Is there any possibility of us shutting the business down? I see no end to this because they are making money,” Hannan said.
Fuchs indicated that shutting a business was not within her authority as the town’s special magistrate. She suggested that Hannan might want to pursue the discussion with the town’s attorney.
