What a Pickle!

Attention sign-spinners and mascots: Franklin city leaders are not amused by your wacky roadside antics.

Picture by: JOSH ANDERSON / FOR THE TENNESSEAN
Noshville employee Benjamin Reed, dressed as the Noshville Pickle, waves at passing cars outside of the new Noshville location off Carothers Parkway in Franklin in December.

In Franklin Tennessee there appears to be some debate about the constitutional right of a pickle to stand in front of Noshville Deli off Carothers Parkway "spinning" a sign. For those of you unfamiliar with "sign spinning" it is a new advertising trend where companies hire people to spin signs (signs are held or mounted on a pole that can be twisted or turned in a circle) while dancing, waving, etc. on a busy corner or in front of a business. I'm sure you have all seen them... those people dressed in mascot costumes dancing on the side of the road with a sign waving at you to get your attention. Sign laws in Franklin do not permit sign holders to stand in a public right of way, even if it happens to be on their "legal" property.

MGM business events hires people to spin signs all over the Nashville area. And while Mike Mello intended to take this concept national, it appears that he may be spinning his thumbs instead. He said city officials threatened his team with fines this year and said they consider the spinning signs the same as a moving sign — which Franklin does not permit. Mike Mello, owner of MGM Business Events, says, "It's unconstitutional. If we're on private land, why can't we spin a sign? What's next — we can't wear a shirt with Nike on it? I'm really frustrated with this particular city."

Assistant City Administrator, Vernon Gerth, intends to see that the sign laws are more clearly defined in an attempt to "provide an ordinance that provides for an equitable display of signage by all of our businesses". According to Gerth, current sign ordinances "do not adequately define and regulate the different types" of temporary signs. In basic English this means that the sign laws in Franklin, Tennessee are about to get stricter. How does this tie in with the sign pickle? Obviously Mr. Pickle is considered a temporary or moving sign and, by Franklin sign laws, temporary and moving signs are taboo. It appears that Mr. Pickle is breaking the law by standing in front of Noshville Deli! In an attempt to comply with the temporary sign ordinance, Glen Smith (the restaurant's director of operations), escorted Mr. Pickle from the sidewalk in front of his establishment.

All I have to say about this sign quandary is: watch out Vlasic Pickles! Make sure the stork returns home because if he's caught standing in front of a business or the side of the road in Franklin, he'll become a criminal. Oh, and Mr. Peanut... hobble on home... you are not welcome in Franklin, Tennessee. I know, I know... you're both accredited with international acclaim but, with all due respect, you're both mascots that move. By law you are now considered temporary moving signage.

Gwynn~

Based upon "Franklin sign laws have businesses in a pickle
Placard-spinners, characters irk leaders" By Kevin Walters • THE TENNESSEAN • January 14, 2009