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Tackle Shop Owner On Hook For Fish Mural

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By KEITH MORELLI

kmorelli@tampatrib.com

Published: January 7, 2009

CLEARWATER - When code enforcement officers went fishing for violators, they hooked Herb Quintero, owner of the Complete Angler tackle shop.

The result was a monthslong battle over a 400-square-foot mural flush with game fish. Quintero calls the mural on the side of his business public art; inspectors call it an illegal sign.

The fight has landed in court, and Quintero continues to stir public opinion in his last-ditch effort to shake the code enforcement hook. One city official wants the ordinance retooled.

Quintero said he bought the run-down building, 705 N. Fort Harrison Ave., in December 2007 and invested more than $500,000 in renovation. Just after opening in February, he commissioned local artist Matt Evanson to paint a mural.

"This is a blighted area of Clearwater," Quintero said. "I tried to improve it by adding artwork and cleaning the place up in general."

Within a couple of months, city inspectors cited him for double signage.

"It depicts what he's selling, and that's considered signage," city spokeswoman Joelle Castelli said. "If it was a mural of kids playing in a park, that would be acceptable."

In December, Quintero pleaded no contest and was fined $700. The city gave him 30 days to paint over the mural; the deadline is Sunday.

"I'm planning on just leaving it up," he said. "It doesn't bring any business to us."

Castelli said Quintero may be able to keep a portion of the mural if he gets a permit. It's unclear what the city will do if Quintero doesn't comply, but he could be cited again.

Vice Mayor George Cretekos hopes that doesn't happen. He will meet today with business leaders to discuss a committee to review the ordinance.

"You have to reward creativity sometimes," Cretekos said. "When you're driving down Fort Harrison Avenue and you see that mural, it's exciting."

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

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