Expletive in wording on flag raises question about what should be in public view
National politics have prompted another round of talks about political speech in North Wales.
Borough officials heard a request from a resident Tuesday night asking what, if any, limits they can put on signs or flags in the town.
“I’m asking tonight for your consideration to impose a new ordinance, if one doesn’t exist, regarding signs and flags displayed on lawns in the borough,” said Chris Toto of Smith Street.
As he spoke, the resident gave council photos of two houses on Church Street, one on the 800 block with “about 20 signs on the lawn,” and another on the 1000 block, with a flag sporting a message about President Trump with an expletive.
“In one case, the amount of signs on the lawn is excessive. In the other case, there’s an obscenity displayed on the flag, which is visible from the street, which I find to be inappropriate, especially for children in the neighborhood,” Toto said.
National politics visited the borough last fall, when residents organized a vigil in a borough park in September that was meant in part to memorialize late activist Charlie Kirk. Several hundred area residents gathered in the park, and heard speeches by local officials, clergy, and activist Scott Presler. The gathering drew several rounds of debate afterward over whether the town could or should limit such gatherings. This time the debate centered on displays at private homes.
“I pass by the house with the excessive signs just about every day, going to and from work, and I see the flag on the other house when I’m going for a walk or a bike ride in the neighborhood,” Toto said.
His suggestion? An ordinance or regulation that would limit signs or flags to a certain number — his suggestion is no more than four — if the house or business is adjacent to a street or public property, along with size limits, and a time limit of displaying a sign for no more than 90 days since he suspects some have been displayed since around the November 2024 election.
“And finally: no profanity should be allowed on signs or flags that are visible to the public,” he said.
Council President Mark Tarlecki thanked the resident for the comment, then asked solicitor Greg Gifford for input; the attorney then said any such discussion would need to tread carefully.
“We do have ordinances currently on the books with regard to certain signage,” he said, before adding that any restrictions on political speech may be vulnerable to challenge on First Amendment grounds.
“It’s not a simple thing. There’s certain stances that are dictated mostly by federal and state law. But certainly it’s something that can be looked into,” he said.
Resident Andrew Berenson of Washington Avenue made the next comment, saying he was “adamantly opposed to strengthening any of the rules or regulations currently in place, to prohibit people from putting in, in general, signs.”
“I think, if it’s on their property, they should be able to do what they want — with certain exceptions that are probably already on the books,” he said.
Tarlecki replied that he appreciated the feedback, and hopes to hear more in future meetings.
“We appreciate both sides. This is why we’re in a democracy: people are entitled to their opinions,” he said.
The solicitor added afterwards that he would have to research the town’s current codes and any case laws regarding political speech and obscenities, and report back to council with his findings.
“The problem is, it could be considered political speech — I’m not sure whether anything can be done, but I’ll do the research on it,” he said.
North Wales borough council next meets at 7 p.m. on May 12 at the borough municipal building, 300 School Street. For more information visit www.northwalesborough.org.
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