City repeals sign ban following lawsuit

COLDWATER, Mich. (AP) -- The Coldwater City Council has repealed its ban on signs in a public park as part of an effort to settle a federal lawsuit by a group called Common Sense Patriots. The Daily Reporter recently reported that City Attorney John Hutchinson says the ordinance was aimed at unattended signs but lacked that specific language. The group had said Coldwater's policy at Four Corners Park violates the First Amendment. It was adopted in a 5-4 council vote last fall. The Common Sense Patriots is part of the national tea party movement. It holds events at the park, sometimes drawing more than 200 people. The group's signs include one that says: "Born Free ... Taxed to Death." Coldwater is 70 miles southwest of Lansing. Published: Thu, Apr 28, 2011