Town officials relent, allow store owner to post 'Geno is God' sign

By The Associated Press

11.15.02

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EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — East Hartford officials have yielded to a store owner in a dispute involving zoning, religion, the First Amendment and UConn basketball.

The Connecticut Civil Liberties Union threatened to sue East Hartford officials over their order that Ken Bernacky, owner of a stereo repair store, remove a sign in his window stating that "Geno is God."

The message referred to Geno Auriemma, coach of the University of Connecticut's women's basketball team.

Town officials cited zoning regulations that call for temporary signs celebrating a specific event to be removed after two months.

Bernacky has posted the sign each year during the NCAA women's basketball championship.

Parishioners at nearby St. John's Episcopal Church complained to town officials.

Mayor Timothy Larson said the town's lawyer advised officials they may regulate the sign's size. Larson said Bernacky can replace the sign if it covers no more than 25% of the window.

Bernacky said on Nov. 13 that he was notified by town officials that he may put the sign back up. The size limits are acceptable, he said.

"That's the law," Bernacky said. "What's not acceptable to me is for them to tell me what to say."

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Church, town force shop owner to ditch 'Geno is God' sign
University of Connecticut fan complies with East Hartford order, saying he can't afford $25-per-day fine.  10.26.02

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