Undeterred by freezing rain and cold temperatures Saturday afternoon, local residents gathered to express their frustration over what they claim is an unfair Albemarle County bureaucracy.
Sponsored by the Charlottesville-based Jefferson Area Libertarians, "Rally 'Round the Flag" was held in support of businessman Tom Slonaker, who has been engaged in a zoning dispute with county administrators since August.
Slonaker, owner of the Arby's restaurant in Forest Lakes, was issued citations for flying an Arby's flag on a flagpole outside his store, posting store advertisements in windows and parking an Arby's van in view of Rt. 29 North.
Rather than pay fines amounting to $4,000, Slonaker chose to contest county sign ordinances as being unconstitutional, and the Rutherford Institute offered to fund and organize his legal defense.
"This battle is not about the Arby's flag," Slonaker said. "It is about promoting the values that we share together."
Though county attorneys recently dismissed the charges against him pending a review of current zoning ordinances, Slonaker and other speakers focused Saturday on what they described as a larger, ongoing struggle between county administrators and business owners.
About 30 residents attended the rally, which included speeches by members of the JAL, the Rutherford Institute, the Albemarle County Republicans and several local business owners.
The national anthem kicked off the protest, followed by a prayer led by Rev. Peter Way, a former state delegate and member of the Conservative Coalition.
"Many of the origins of the American Revolution lie in these fights over property rights," said John Munchmeyer, a JAL member and rally organizer. "Our founding fathers warned us that it takes great vigilance to preserve these rights, and over the past century we have not honored that which was bestowed upon us."
Echoing the call for action, John Whitehead, president of the nonprofit Rutherford Institute, emphasized the responsibility of citizens to keep their government in check and encouraged the audience to read their complimentary pocket Constitutions.
"The right of Tom Slonaker to fly a banner in front of his business, the right to conduct yourself on your own property without unreasonable government interference, the right to protest and speak freely without undue government restraint -- these are not small matters," Whitehead said. "The problems we face in our local communities are a reflection of a much larger problem that is threatening to engulf everything that our forefathers fought and died for."
Slonaker accused county officials of driving away prospective entrepreneurs with excessive regulations.
"Albemarle County government has a well known reputation of being anti-business," Slonaker said. "They have forgotten how we got here."
Business owners in the audience were urged to fill out petition forms indicating their disapproval of current ordinances and to suggest alternate resolutions.
"Singularly, we can be picked off very easily," he said. "Together we have a chance."
Several residents and business owners took the podium to share their experiences with the county.
Karl Mansoor said he was reluctant to share his story for fear of retaliation by the county but claimed his civil liberties were being eroded.
"Our constitutional rights are important," Mansoor said. "And I didn't realize just how important until I started to lose mine."
JAL Secretary and University Engineering Prof. James Lark stressed the need for universal concern over property rights.
"This is not just a Libertarian Party issue," Lark said. "This is an American issue."
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