In a small town in New Hampshire, a federal judge will be deciding whether the free speech rights of a bakery owner are being violated due to a mural displayed over his business. Leavitt’s Country Bakery, located in Conway, has drawn attention for a colorful painting on its exterior, depicting a mountain range made of doughnuts, muffins, and pastries. The town’s zoning board deemed the mural as advertising rather than art, citing its size as violating local sign codes. The bakery owner, Sean Young, was asked to modify or remove the painting, leading to a legal battle over free speech rights.
The case has sparked interest among residents, with concerns raised about overdevelopment in the tourist town. Arguments have been made that restricting the size of signs serves the government interest of preserving aesthetics and promoting safety. Young, represented by the Institute for Justice, argues that the town’s definition of a sign is too broad and that the mural poses no harm. Despite attempts to revise sign regulations, the issue remains unresolved as the trial approaches. As the case progresses, the outcome could have implications for the intersection of free speech and commercial expression in small-town America.
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