NEW GLOUCESTER – A Maine town and longtime local government critic are clashing over whether the town can use a zoning ordinance to force the man to remove political signs from his front lawn.

The Sun Journal reported Frank Staton Jr. is involved in an effort to recall New Gloucester selectmen Steven Libby and Linda Chase. Months ago he put signs on his lawn calling for the pair to be booted from office. Code enforcement is ordering him to remove the signs by Sept. 6 because multiple signs violate a local zoning rule.

Staton’s attorney says the rule doesn’t apply because the signs aren’t commercial.

Libby and Town Manager Paul First reported life-threatening messages from Staton to the sheriff’s department in May. Deputies investigated but didn’t file charges.


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