Update re: Confederate flag salesman occupies abandoned gas station

[Cheese Sandwich]

A couple weeks ago I posted about how a confederate flag salesman had occupied the parking lot of an abandoned gas station.

Two weeks later he is still there with even more flags. He may not be there every day but quite often. It's not clear whether the property owner knows about it. And yes people are buying flags there and these flags are popping up around the area.

This is the abandoned Clark gas station at 2343 E Wheeling Ave, Cambridge, OH

What can be done about this?











http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026930634

[jberryhill]

1. What can be done about this?

Well, the first thing I'd do is find another abandoned gas station, since he's already got that one.

Dang, I'd love to buy up a mess of cheap Made In China rebel flags at $5 per gross and sell them at $10 a pop to idiots.

Remember how everytime they hear Obama is going to ban guns, they go out and buy some more?

I'd get a big sign: "Get yours before Obama takes them all!"

Put the mess in a rented U-Haul truck and move to the next town when the sales drop at that location.

It's kind of a public service really. The more money you can get out of their pockets on something like this means there's less to go around for liquor and ammunition.

[Cheese Sandwich]

11. Imagine if this guy popped up two doors down from your house.

If he's breaking any laws, the law should be enforced.

If a legal business is doing this, then the business should be publicly associated with this, so people can chose to avoid that company.

He's spreading hate. That's all it is.

[jberryhill]

13. Well, I wouldn't want to live two doors from an abandoned gas station either

"If a legal business is doing this, then the business should be publicly associated with this, so people can chose to avoid that company."

It seems to be some guy who bought a mess of flags wholesale and is selling them out of the trunk of his car.

It's legal to buy and sell stuff.

But, this operation doesn't require much of a "company" of any kind.

As far as use of the property, that's up to the property owner. If the property is owned by some ex-franchisee of the gas station chain, then it's up to them whether the guy can hang out and do that.

But in vast stretches of non-urban America, it's pretty common for people to sell stuff out of cars and trucks on unused commercial property.

That used to be pretty much 100% of the oil-on-velvet painting market - and don't tell me that wasn't a crime against humanity:



You know that saying "A Fool and his money are soon parted" doesn't just work by itself. Someone out there has to supply the opportunity.

[Cheese Sandwich]

16. You don't understand man

His flags are starting to pop up on people's front porches around here.

It's creating a hostile atmosphere. It's racist. He's making it socially acceptable to fly this flag. Because nobody is complaining.

These are not velvet Jesuses. This guy is selling hatred and it's spreading. I'm all for the first amendment. But if he's breaking laws he should be kicked out.

[Travis_0004]

30. He is selling a legal product

Don't like it don't buy it.

[Cheese Sandwich]

31. If he starts selling swastikas it will still be legal. But he'll be kicked out in 5 minutes.

Because it's socially not acceptable.

The cops would be down there right away, checking if he has permits, calling the owner to have him trespassed.

I'm not asking if he has the right to sell racist flags. The question is what legal and social tools can be used to evict this squatter or socially shame him.

[yeoman6987]

33. Remember we are trying to get it out of government

Areas first. Part 2 will be more difficult since the first amendment and all.

[Cheese Sandwich]

34. I'm not trying to ban it.

I just think it should be socially unacceptable in this neighborhood and people should use already existing legal tools to evict and/or embarrass this racist flag dealer.

[Captain Stern]

46. You said he's been there two weeks, and people are buying the flags.

And the people are erecting them in the area.

Seems like maybe it's not socially unacceptable in this particular area.

[randys1]

79. Cant ban it, you can SHAME these motherfuckers somehow, maybe. Not sure how

[LibertyLover]

48. Sorry, but it's not illegal to sell or display the battle flag

of the Army of Northern Virginia at a privately owned residence. What might be illegal is the salesman's use of the gas station property, but that's for the owner of the property to decide and not anyone else. The salesman and his customers have the 1st Amendment right to sell, purchase and display whatever they like on their property. You have the 1st Amendment right to disagree and to urge people to stop, but you do not have the right to prevent individuals from engaging in legal actions or legal speech.

[Snow Leopard]

22. No I don't buy that

We don't know his motivation. Looks more like spreading freedom to me at face value.

[Cheese Sandwich]

23. Spreading freedom?

How's that?

[Snow Leopard]

57. because there is no law against it

despite the rather ironic lynch mob out there on this issue. This is a free country remember, he is free to do this. He may be a racist, he may be an asshole, he may be an opportunist (or all 3), but his is ultimately and act of freedom in the face of some serious public scorn(from some) and obviously some public support (some). It is a piece of cloth. Same thing I say to people that freak out about flag burning. I may not 'like' it, but they are free to do so.

[randys1]

80. Lynch mob? Nah, you got that backwards, these piles of shit racist asshole rightwing teaparty

assholes do the lynching.

[msanthrope]

75. posts like this are why I adore you. nt

[Warpy]

77. I have to agree, the guy is making money off morons and assholes

because the real jobs all went to China. If he could get a real job to support himself and a family, he wouldn't be out there in a nasty ass abandoned gas station selling those things.

As for not living near one of these jerks, one of them is near me at a flea market nearly every weekend. The KKK flags don't do very well around here, but the Jolly Roger flags do, for some inexplicable reason. He also sells dinner plate sized belt buckles and other asshole tchotchkes.

[arcane1]

2. Nothing needs to be done, IMO

He's selling a legal product. It makes him look like an asshole, but he's free to do that too

[jberryhill]

3. IMHO, makes him look like a classic American genius

Wish I'd thought of it.

I'll bet he's making a great margin with pretty much zero overhead.

[Facility Inspector]

52. You could probably get those out of china

for about $5 each at 1000 pcs. Probably cheaper.

Dye sub nylon flags with stitching and grommets?

After transit (you can get something from China quicker than you get it from L.A. - at least to the Midwest) and shipping (a lot of times Chinese manufacturers will absorb shipping cost if you buy enough product). if you sell for $15 or $20 each, it's all upside.

[randys1]

81. I wish I had enough money to buy all of them around the world and burn

them in a ceremony

[Cheese Sandwich]

5. Is it legal though? Does he need a permit? Does he have it? Is he paying tax on this?

Is he squatting? Maybe the property owner should be informed.

And If the property owner already knows about it and supports it, that's fine but then he can accountable to public opinion if people choose not to shop at his other properties.

[arcane1]

6. I neither know nor care.

[jberryhill]

15. Odds are...

Not only does the property owner have no idea, but the property owner might be difficult to run down in the first place.

Could be owned by a company that's tied up in bankruptcy, and nobody is really accountable anyway. The receiver isn't going to spend billable time bothering about some guy selling stuff out of the back of his car.

Since there is no posted "No Tresspassing" sign, the only thing that would happen, even if the owner were motivated, is that he can call the police, have them go down there and say "Shoo!".

That's why this kind of business is run out of the trunk of a car in the first place.

He'll just tool over to the next spot and set up again.

[Cheese Sandwich]

17. have them go down there and say "Shoo!"

Yes that would be good result.

[jberryhill]

59. Do you have an address for this parcel?

[Cheese Sandwich]

62. yah

2343 E Wheeling Ave, Cambridge, OH

[jberryhill]

65. My goodness, your tax maps are a mess

http://www.guernseycountymaps.org/upload/documents/2013_TAXMAPS/CAMBRIDGE/CAMB32_47.pdf

[jberryhill]

67. Here ya go

http://guernseycountyauditor.org/Data.aspx?ParcelID=060008455000

Owner Name: RKDJ PETROLEUM LLC
Address: 212 WESTBURY DR
City State Zip: GREENVILLE OH 45331

http://www2.sos.state.oh.us/pls/bsqry/f?p=100 :312616392210922::NO 7_CHARTER_NUM:2078867

Registered Agent:
SUKHDEV SINGH
770 PLUMRIDGE TRAIL
SIDNEY,OH 45365
Effective Date: 01/31/2012
Contact Status: Active

(He's just the guy that filed papers to incorporate it, and in all likelihood has no connection with the company)


http://www.buzzfile.com/business/Rkdj-Petroleum-740-432-1432

Contact Information
Rkdj Petroleum
2245 Southgate Pkwy
Cambridge, OH 43725

Contact: Paul Bath
Title: Principal
Phone: [phone]


There you go. Call 'em up and see what they say.

That address also corresponds to the Marathon by the Cracker Barrel.

[cwydro]

47. Why are you asking DUers?

IF he's in your town, get up from the computer and start making calls to get your questions answered.

My guess is he's breaking no laws.

As another poster pointed out, it's not unusual to see people selling junk at these abandoned properties.

[jberryhill]

60. He might need a vendor's permit

It costs $25 and can be done online:

http://www.tax.ohio.gov/sales_and_use/license.aspx

Transient Vendor

$25

Retailer who transports stock(s) of goods to temporary places of business in order to make sales. The license is issued by the Department of Taxation and valid throughout the state.

-----

But that's probably not an issue the cops enforce. My guess would be that one would have to make a complaint to the Ohio revenue department and they'd look into it when they get around to it. For $25, it's probably not a high priority.

[cwydro]

61. Yeah, I think you're

probably right.

[ladyVet]

72. I think you need to quit worrying about it.

Not your circus. Not your monkeys.

If you feel you must "do something", then drop a report to the department that handles vendor licenses, or permits or whatever. They may chose to do something about it, but after you report it let it go.

You can't make your neighbors be sane. If they want to fly a flag and display their true selves, count yourself lucky and don't associate with them.

[hifiguy]

9. Leave him be to make his core

douchebag nature apparent to one and all. Whatta maroon.

[Cheese Sandwich]

25. But this shouldn't be socially acceptable

anymore. This is not even a big confederate flag area. There's a little bit of it, but not a ton of it. This guy is spreading it. Spreading hate. The vibe is very racist.

[Glassunion]

49. So just setup shop at the other end of the parking lot.

Sell nothing but American, Peace, and Pride Flags.

I understand that you are upset, but your upset at something that you feel shouldn't be socially acceptable. But, as a nation, state or locality cannot enforce feelings. That would be like charging someone for jealousy.

So you could in turn exercise your freedom of speech muscles, go down there and spread the love right next to this bag of shit spreading hate.

[KamaAina]

4. Ohio?!

[Botany]

7. Ohio has some really red areas. As bad as anyplace in America too.

S.E. Ohio although very pretty has many dumb ass red necks.

I know of a Jewish Family that moved from Columbus, OH to the Mt. Vernon, OH
area and had to move back to around Columbus after their daughter (<12 years)
and invited some local children and some African American kids that were friends
of the family because of the local backlash. It was really ugly.

[jberryhill]

14. You gotta balance your market factors

I mean, sure, you might have more interested buyers left in Alabama, but in Ohio, there are still some people with money left.

[madinmaryland]

20. Yeah. I work with a couple of guys who think this

is just a joke. We live in sw Ohio and they don't find it offensive? No. They are just plain racists and have no clue that they are. Southern heritage my ass. Fuck them They are god damn racists.

[1939]

44. Southern Ohio was a hotbed of Copperhead Democrats during the Civil War NT

[olddots]

8. the guy will probably get his own show on Fox

then he'll get a movie deal and speak at the Republican convention .

[Ilsa]

10. go over there,

Make redneck talk with him and look around for a sales tax permit. Ohio probably requires one to be on display. If there isn't one, report him to your state comptroller's office for operating without proper permit.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

12. No racism at all. These Ohioans are just celebrating their southern heritage

[arcane1]

18. Exactly!

[LiberalElite]

19. Just for info here's the Clark Brands website link

http://clarkbrands.com/

[Cheese Sandwich]

21. I don't think they own the property. It was a franchised thing.

The old sign is still up.

[Throd]

24. Don't buy one. Problem solved.

[Cheese Sandwich]

26. Not really because other people are buying them.

[Throd]

27. They get to.

[Cheese Sandwich]

28. We're talking about different things.

You're talking about whether this guy should be able to sell flags and people should be able to buy them.

I'm talking about how to get rid of him. He's fucking up the neighborhood and making it socially acceptable to be a public racist.

My question is not whether to leave him alone or not. The question is what legal and social tools can be used to run him out.

Specifically who can we call and what's the phone number. Who owns the property and what is their email address. Call ABC, NBC and the NAACP. This yard sale has gone on long enough.

[Throd]

29. I understand your annoyance.

I don't think his is a business model that has any real legs. Once the hoopla dies down he will have to move on as I don't see a big pool of repeat customers.

My reaction to your OP is that it seems that people are too quick to stifle, ban or silence any speech or choices they don't like these days. Instead, put a sign on your own car that reads "Racist traitor flags for sale>>>" and park it in front of the gas station.

[jen63]

35. Where you at Cheese?

I'm on the West side. Ya know this is Jamboree weekend too. He may go away after the festivities are over. I DO wonder if he has a permit. I'm sure we require them.

[Cheese Sandwich]

36. I'm very close to this location.

I'm all for the first amendment, free speech, all that stuff. Really and truly. And I know jamboree weekend is here and there's going to be rebel flags. We've always had some of that and I understand it's part of life. But I'm sick of seeing this guy every day. Also how does a property owner just abandon a gas station?

[jen63]

37. Well with those two across the street,

I didn't figure he'd be there long. I'm surprised Marathon is still open. I wonder if I know who it is. I feel the same about the free speech stuff, but ya know, people need to do some research. That flag never had one single thing to do with us. In fact we're smack dab in the middle of the underground railroad. It's ridiculous.

[Cheese Sandwich]

38. Thanks for chiming in.

At least I'm not totally crazy.

[jen63]

39. I think any one flying or

displaying that flag up here is a fool and looks like a total hilljack; but, they're proud of that.

[Cheese Sandwich]

40. LOL ya that's a big group

We're in the border zone of where these cultures bump into each other.

[jen63]

41. Floating in a sea of red.

I spent 15 years in Columbus; I don't know what I was thinking coming back here!

[Cheese Sandwich]

42. Same way here.

I was up there too for several years, now back here.

It is what it is, I can't change it. But I also don't want it to get any worse.

[jberryhill]

58. "Also how does a property owner just abandon a gas station?"

It can be tied up in bankruptcy proceedings for years.

I live next to a golf course that went out of business about five years ago, and has been entangled in litigation since.

It's a lovely meadow now, and is likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future.

[GeorgeGist]

32. Only stupid people would want to fly the LOSERS flag.

[alphafemale]

43. Even though vacant, someone owns that property.

And would possibly be legally responsible for any accidents or incidents that occurred there.

Most communities make it pretty easy to look up the property owner online, Contact them, and let them proceed from there.

[1939]

45. As far as the police are concerned

Chasing down people selling stuff out of the trunk of their cars is pretty low priority. You chase them away, they just set up somewhere else. It is like shoveling flies across the room. At least he is off the road. The flower sellers here in Florida set up their car on a corner then walk down between the lanes of traffic displaying their wares at the red light.

[jen63]

71. Trust me, our cops

got nothing better to do, unless it's coming across town to rustle up some revenue from the poor folk.

[Orsino]

50. An abandoned gas station? A monument to a harmful and outdated instiution?

I don't know how much finer a metaphor he should seek.

[unblock]

51. going out of business sale!

[tularetom]

53. I think he's doing you a favor

If those flags are popping up all over your area, you now have a means of determining who among your neighbors are frigging idiots.

[NCTraveler]

54. Start selling them at the next closest abandoned gas station.

Take their racist money and put it toward a good cause.

[951-Riverside]

55. He should be scooped up and placed in a mental facility until he comes to grips with his racism

The only way of solving this problem is by removing people with his mindset from society and placing their children in foster care so they can be deprogrammed and permanently placed with another family.

We also need to have a constitutional convention to change the first amendment so hate speech isnt included as "free speech".

[Glassunion]

64. You forgot the sarcasm thingy

[EX500rider]

74. God i hope he forget the sarcasm thingy...

[Capt. Obvious]

56. The more accurate Gadsden flag

[JustAnotherGen]

63. That's a municipal problem

You should notify your town council - I also wonder if it is safe there? We have an old gas station in our town and had to do extensive environmental testing before allowing the spot to be occupied by another business. I would think they would want business/property taxes from the guy? That's the best way to shut him down.

[struggle4progress]

66. Complaint letter to the property owner: "I was shocked to see that you are now allowing

confederate flags to be sold on you property." Send copies of letter to local media

[Aristus]

68. What can be done about it? Well, never visit fucking Ohio again as long as I live.

For starters...

[Glassunion]

69. Ohio can be a very beautiful place.

Don't let two shit-heads dissuade you.

[Aristus]

70. I went there a couple of times when I was in the Army.

We were there to provide funeral details for deceased veterans. Everybody I met was very nice and hospitable. Very Mid-west. It seemed like I was in the middle of a cliché or something. I really grew to like Ohio. But unless the good people of Ohio land on this douchewad like a runaway planet, I can't help but feel like Ohio is not a place I want to re-visit.

[jberryhill]

73. I had no idea we invaded Ohio

[olddots]

76. supply and demand

Is anybody buying this shit he is selling ? If so he is a dope dealer .

[davepc]

78. It's a free country, if the property owner dosen't care then so what?

I thought Democrats were for free expression (even if they may personally disagree with that expression).

I'm not a Democrat because I believe in thought police. That's an ugly road to go down.