CONCORD — The protracted legal dispute over the Leavitt’s Country Bakery baked goods mural in Conway came to a head at a federal bench trial last Friday.
In a bench trial, the judge decides the verdict, not a jury.
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(3) comments
So, a short drive along the combined US 302/NH 16 in North Conway includes views of several iconic nationally known commercial, retail, hospitality chains, all of which have easily recognizable color schemes and building designs, all part of their brand. Are we now going to consider the sloped roof with red border of Burger King a "sign"? How about the tan/green building and green roof of Starbucks? Dairy Queen? Christmas Tree Shops (if it were still open)? Friendly's (same thing)? McDonald's? Get the picture? These nationally known brands convey a message with their entire site plan. Give the local business owner/operator the same opportunity.
You know I work in North Conway but live outside the valley. Normally I come into town through Redstone but on bad weather days I stay on 16. The only time as a driver that I look at that mural is after reading about it... so the claim that it could distract drivers is null in fact when I do look that way I'm looking to see if the farmstand might be open or during the summer I'm looking to see how busy saco river tubing might be. So no it's not distracting at all.
Does anyone know how much this lawsuit is costing the Town of Conway. Sometimes prudent action is to "look the other way", I have not heard of any complaints about this mural (that is what it is) from any of the town's citizens.
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