Nashville, Ind. - A business owner who installed two blue light bulbs in front of his office to show support for the Indianapolis Colts was forced to remove them because of the tourist town's restrictive lighting ordinance.
Tracy Bock installed the blue bulbs Jan. 19 in the fixtures outside his realty office, but removed them a week later after receiving a letter from the town of Nashville letting him know he was in violation of the ordinance.
"I had no idea I had done anything wrong," Bock said Friday.
Nashville's ordinance prohibits lighting outside businesses in any color "other than white, clear or natural." Violating the ordinance could lead to a $1,000 fine.
Since removing the lights, Bock said he has received support for backing the Colts. He thinks the town has gone too far in enforcing its code.
So does his neighbor, Larry Coy, proprietor of Health For U.
When Bock removed his blue bulbs, Coy put one in a fixture outside his store. He had it out there in December, which is legal under the town's holiday lighting statute.
"I think it's a silly law. That blue light bulb is not causing any trouble. And it is staying there until after the Super Bowl," he said.
"I am not a lawbreaker. I'm a Colts fan."
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
