NOTE: Below is satire, as defined satire is ”the use of humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.”
The yankee in this satire is someone that I talk to, as I do MOST everyone. He is one that I can say ”yankee, NO, I disagree with you“ he tells me the same (sometimes I may use words, that my Momma wouldn’t like. however, I have known and dealt with a lot of yankees in my life) and in this case he and I move on BUT we can, do and have conversations on something else later. It is never personal.
WARNING: If you might be triggered over extreme Free Speech or the Town of Farragut government operations. Read at your own risk.
Any sane East Tennessean knows Farragut has always been a “special” place. Well, the last 2 years has been quite entertaining.
A certain Yankee arrived 4 years ago and the powers that be in Farragut decided it was a good idea to start a war with him. This reminds me of when water was poured on Gizmo in the Gremlins movie. What has gone on since will become lore in Knox County. Said Yankee has a long history of parody and savage mockery. A well known former elected official personally witnessed this when said Yankee water boarded someone at a Tea Party rally many years ago. We have proof that there are Yankees that are not bringing liberal politics here.
This is the first display that started it all. On the left is now former Vice Mayor Louise Povlin as the Mad Queen of Hearts. On the right is Farragut Mayor Ron Williams. In the middle is current Farragut Vice Mayor Scott Meyer, who laughed at his depiction because well, he has a sense of humor.
Our yankee neighbor calls his work yard art. He has since named his home, The Center for Yard Art and Civil Disobedience. I have been at the Center and it sure was an experience. There are now 4 (four) displays up. The yankee is offering classes now on civil disobedience and offering free consultation if you would like to decorate your yard.
Farragut thought it was a good idea to sue him for his display and this is where it gets fun. The town said he violated an ordinance prohibiting temporary parcel signs of greater than 6 sq ft. A parcel sign is defined as covering an event or activity. As The Yankee loves to say, “Stevie Wonder can see this is not a parcel sign.”
He went to Farragut court where it only got crazier. Farragut’s Town Attorney Tom Hale stated that The Yankee (I think we will stick with this) did not violate the ordinance he was summoned to court on. This should have ended it. However, he was fined $1,800 for his work.
Article VI, Section 14 of our Tennessee Constitution prohibits fines over $50 without a jury trial, so this fine was unlawful. Farragut has been fining business and residents more over this allotted amount for years. Someone finally stood up to this, it is safe to say that the yard art has upset the apple cart. Unfortunately, not everyone who lives in Knox County knows how to stay in their lane. To add further entertainment to this story, The Yankee had a friend compose and sing a song called If You Don’t Like It, Look the Other Way. Sound advice if you ask me. The Yankee also designed the official flag for the town. This is on the second yard art display posted below.
All of this mess, and a whole lot more, ended up in federal court. The rest of that story is for another time. Last September, the Town of Farragut, or as The Yankee calls them the Democratic People’s Republic of Farragutstan, sued The Yankee to get a court order to tear down the yard art and ban him from putting up more. Request was denied and rightfully so.
Farragut has been out of control for years. They are the worst of an out-of-control Home Owners Association. We have a First Amendment and it is cut and dry that this is protected speech.
I have been following this from the beginning and this whole thing is simply entertaining. More later.
