I think Tallmadge officials get really bored and have to think up stuff to do.

What's wrong with a dancing chicken?

OMG will be out of a job.

Why does Tallmadge always have to find ways to P&^% off businesses. The mayor and council need to spend more time watching their finances AKA the "Headrick Fiasco" and less time worrying about chickens and what color paint your home is. Start trying to be stewards of our city and less time being hinderances.

HUH ??? Old Man Grump, you wanna weigh in on this one ????

Some people will find anything to "B" about. People get a life. They are trying to drum up business. Kudos to them. Leave them alone. What? You can't glance, laugh and drive at the same time? I guess you're idiots then.

They better also think about all the other activities that this so called legislation may affect. Such as the kids and community groups that advertise for donations from car washes at circle businesses. Just plain ridiculous.....Donovan is just mad because the chicken is right next to his funeral home. Chicken vs Death......Which one wins?

If you can't drive with someone dressed u as a cartoon character than you are stupid and shouldn't be able to drive.

Just moved here and find the dancing chickens and coffee cups a little off-putting. But I'd happily trade, let the "advertising as performance art" stay, and don't build any more low-to-"moderate" income housing, which is considerably more likley to "junk up" the area than any costumed employees.

If you cant drive without carton characters waking u and down the street without getting int an accident you shouldn't be driving.

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After fielding complaints from residents and city council members about aggressive and distracting advertising, Law Director Penny Taylor said she plans to introduce an ordinance that may limit temporary signage and employees who dress in costumes.
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Are the skimpy tops and short shorts used to tout the multiple fund raising "car wash" promotions that occur each weekend for schools, sports teams, dance groups, etc. considered "costumes"?

Based on the way cars swerve when the drivers heads are turned by these young ladies, it is certainly "distracting advertising".

I do not mind dancing chickens, waving gorillas, or kids in bathing suits tying to lure me in for a bad car wash. On the other hand, I do mind those tall inflatable things that move about in the wind. It occurs to me that if the Tallmadge council outlawed every sight that offended someone's sensibilites, there would be nothing left to look at at all.

just trying to "drumstick" up business, it could be a carnival in the summer, all the different animals, Zippy, Aero's mascot, and an Ostrich Mendenhall with his head in a hole.

why doesn't the tallmadge prison guards find something else to do.. geeezzzz... I think its funny when they dress up in there chicken outfits and dance around... doesnt bother me one bit.. and i drive that circle at least 3 times a day on average... are the kids that are dressed up getting into trouble? stealing stuff? breaking things? our after curfew? NOPE they are working.. making money!!! LEAVE THEM ALONE!!! Tallmadge officials make a skeptical of our town... NOT the citizens... or the Teens out making money.... Come on let the businesses advertise.. they aren't hurting anyone! what I think is more distracting is the stupid walls around the circle... what a waste of money!!!

@ OMG - Where are you when all these important issues come up? We really need to know how you feel about this...we are talking about putting chickens out of work in already slow economic times.

Chickens can dance, as long as they do not break the "6 foot rule" with their customers.

Good Lord it Tallmadge for heavens sake not the Garden of Eden. Ya'll need to vote out the councel members and mayor and start over with a fresh bunch.

Well people of Tallmadge, Mendenhall isn't all that busy these days. Maybe he can help you out.

We do need change in Tallmadge... I guess they want to chase more businsses out of Tallmadge!!! I guess they like the empty buildings around the circle...

"Taylor said she will research how other cities, such as Akron, have controlled outdoor advertising."

Doesn't Akron continually have a "Gorilla" outside the "MATTRESS FACTORY at the corners of Arlington and Market and what about the "Statue of Liberty" that stands on the corner of Brittain Rd. and Tallmadge Ave. I don't think you can site Akron as controlling such "outdoor advertising!"

Albeit, annoying advertising, quite harmless and I agree with the majority here. Tallmadge has other concerns it should be worrying about.

Disturb the appearance of Tallmadge Circle? The Circle is an eyesore in itself! I know ... let the dancing chickens dance in front of OMG's house! I'm sure it would enhance its appearance! I think Tallmadge has a heck of a lot more to worry about than dancing chickens! Tallmadge citizens better think long and hard when election time rolls around!

WHAT!?! This is the solid proof of what we all suspected....Tallmadge officials are bored AND idiots.

I agree with all...are the council members that bored that they are attacking dancing chickens?

They may have a point though. I read all the posts with everyone complaining how hard Tallmadge Circle is to navigate. I understand it now...the circle isn't too difficult to navigate...it's those distracting chickens!

Maybe OMG can "choke" the chicken......

Mr Mendenhall - please consider saving Tallmadge from officials who clearly do not have the city's best interest. Tallmadge needs new business, but council makes it extremely difficult with planning, zoning, and appearance committees overseeing everything. These potential new businesses can travel in any direction only a few miles and be welcomed by surrounding cities. Do we really need more churches in Tallmadge? Let the businesses who have established themselves, and who have met the the requirements imposed by Tallmadge advertise. Didn't Tallmadge start a "Shop Local" promotion? Or, was that just a disguise to make it look like they supported local business? The dancing costumes on the circle do not distract drivers any more than the city event signs posted on the circle or the car wash teen girls jumping around. We need a new mayor and council who is willing to promote the good of the city.

who is OMG? i live in Tallmadge and have never heard any called OMG.... ;o)
LET THE CHICKENS AND THE DONUT SHOP CHARATERS DO THERE THING!!

Overtaxed Voter : What do you have against charity car wash girls ?

Tallmadge Sucks!!! I can't wait to get out of this goofy town.

I know...we can take all the dancing chickens and put them in the weedy, blighted looking Bob's Big Boy parking lot. They can dance all day there without causing major pileups on the circle.

I was just going to say basically the same thing, Jordan ... I really am starting to hate living in Tallmadge. I've never seen any dancing chickens on the circle though - just the kids waving pizza signs in your face. This city is turning into a big joke.

Yes lets get the dancing chickens away from the circle. They consantly back up traffic in that area. It has nothing to do with the fact that semi use that route even though those turns are designed for 18wheelers(they are encouraged to find an alternative route, but often back up traffic significantly since it as hard to come by a four car lenth opening in traffic to pull a semi onto). It probably has nothing to do with the fact that a lot of drivers dont seem to understand that the rules of merging properly. The traffic congestion around the circle has nothing to do with special events held at the church in the cirlce where traffic is routinely slowed to a crawl because every other minute a policeman stops traffic to let pedestrians cross. Yup the traffic problems around the circle are most definitely due to outside advertising. Its not teenagers distacted by their friends, or other drivers on their cell phones causing problems; but that darn guy holding up a sign advertising for Little Ceasers.... Hes gonn get someone Killed.... what a joke

Yes, it is tacky, but we cares? And I agree why is Tallmadge trying to P*(& off business? Let the kids keep their jobs.

Also, where is the group to make change in the next election, if that is going to happen, it is time to start now.....

Dancing chickens etc. who cares if it brings business in? Tallmadge has to find something other than raising property taxes to get funds into this city. We're getting as picky as Hudson & Stow. Now were going to develop a shopping plaza like Hudson & we already have the "Tallmadge Univ. Campus" sight like Stow. I'd prefer bringing in something like the Falls has with Rockin On The River only do it monthly. Believe me folks, Falls has got the greatest Mayor & the best run city in Ohio.

Overtaxed- those young ladies are out in the hot sun AND they are washing cars that is why they dress that way. I am not sure where you are going with that remark and what effect a bunch of underage highschool "kids" dressed for washing cars on a hot summer day has on you but I formally request that maybe you should just avoid those areas. Least you be tempted.

Just in case.

I live in Tallmadge, and my kids love the dancing characters on the circle..and that dancing character is also a job for someone..isn't that a good thing? Every weekend there is a group of young girls out there doing a carwash...ban them too then. Stupid!! Nothing wrong with the dancing characters, and Donovan is just way too uptight...go out and have some fun and quit worrying about the dancing coffee cup next to your business.

I have to agree with Ohio Problems. Cuyahoga Falls is able to really do it right. Their Natatorium shames our rec center. My family can join their Nat for less than the rec center. The Nat has so much more to offer, too. Rockin on the River - the place attracts folks from all over. This puts $ right back into their city. They have contracted to provide the cheapest electric rates to its residents. Perhaps our mayor can take a little time out of photo opportunitiess and get some pointers from a neighboring city.

I must travel that circle 5 or 6 times a day, those characters are not something I see on a regular basis. The pizza shop generally only does it on the weekends and I can honestly say I have not had the pleasure of seeing the dancing cup of coffee (I'd love for my kids to see it). If Tallmadge coucil members have nothing better to do then pick on dancing cups of coffee..then I agree it's time for us to elect people that will bring business into the area instead of making them regret building in Tallmadge...btw....what the heck is going on with the old Bob's Big Boy building?? I consider that more of an eyesore then anything else on that circle.
I think I might be in attendance at the next council meeting in Tallmadge, I encourage other Tallmadge residents to attend as well!!

((chucklin')) Good lord, what are the Tallamdge officials thinkin' of?

Tallmadge officials arbitrarily enforce the "appearance codes" in this city. If the business puts enough money in the city's pockets they usually leave it alone. They like to give the little guys the most hassle. I've lived in Tallmadge my whole life and it's embarrassing what a joke we've become to other communities. We are NOT the be all end all! Let the characters dance!

You all need to lay off Old Man Grump! He hasn't posted because it was too warm today, under them feathers, so he's in the rocker in front of the fan.

Tallmadge, you aren't Hudson, and you may not want to be that uppity. Worry about not having the most roundabouts in the USA. Get your area a Fuddrucker's or Friday's where the Big Boy was. Keep your young people out of trouble and in school. Keep trying to have a nice, clean city. Let your wonderful residents live and listen to them. You have a nice community so try and keep the govermental fingers out of everything.

I have never seen the dancing chicken or the coffee cup but do enjoy waving at the pizza guy! If Tallmadge Council wants to get rid of anything they need to raze the old Bobs Big Boy building it is disgusting! Also when is Mr. Barber going to be able to tear down the falling/blown up laundry building behind the Grotto? That in itself is and should be considered a safety issue!

@RicoSuave

Nothing against car washes, but if this Tallmadge councilperson is so worried about "distracting advertising", scantily clad young ladies waving neon posterboard are just as distracting as someone in a chicken suit.

While council is working on this issue, include the sandwich board and twirling signs on poles carrying, perpetual 'going out of business' sale people.

Oh my! Tallmadge needs to recall their mayor.

Regards,
A non-Tallmadge resident sticking their nose in internal business

((chucklin')) what're they thinkin'?

OMG isn't a chicken. He was a big hot dog in front of the A&W stand.

NEWS FLASH FOR TALLMADGE CITY OFFICIALS: It isn't the dancing chickens that make a cartoon show out of Tallmadge. It's the daily clown show at City Hall. Anybody ever figure out how much Headrick actually stole? Everybody happy about taxpayers forking over $70,000 to pay off the auxiliary police officers for the MANDATORY "volunteer" time illegally required by the city? And is it music but no dancing or billiards, or billiards but no dancing or music, or music, but only "the right kind" and dancing but no billiards?

I'm sure the supreme court will have something to say about this.

I think the Tallmadge City officials are down right Un-American!!! They may want to consider a little thing called "The First Amendment to the United States Constitution" This is United States of America,in this country we have FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!! Which includes dressing up like a Chicken or a Gorilla and holding a up sign on a public street to promote your business. This is what makes United States of America the greatest country on earth

WHAT?!!! No mo’ dancing chickens! Whats this world comin’ to? Watchin’ them there chickens and go-rillas is what gives folks a break from TEXTING AND TALKING ON CELL PHONES.

OMG is here, just not posting :( I guess no laughs for the day

If anything is tarnishing the look of the circle, it's the abandoned Big Boy and the ancient Taco Bell...

Ahh yes...since Stow doesn't want to enact new taxes to make up for the money they don't have...we'll just pass a new law which eventually lead to permits, fees, and fines...wrap it all under the "it's for safety" banner, and nobody will no the difference!

Maybe the heat is making the chickens aggressive....dunno.

Penny Taylor & James Donovan ..your such snobs! You going to pay these people that wont have a job? Please these people have nothing to do with the look of the circle....give me a brake, are you people slow at work or what. gzzzzzzz, come off that high horse!

Stow is broke too? i did not know that... It seems tallmadge has a ton of money since they build walls for no apparent reason and they are constantly planting crooked trees.. that is way more of a disturbance to me than the dancing characters..
some of the roads you drive down in Tallmadge it looks like its in a constant wind storm... All the trees are leaning.. i don't know who plants them and why they are ALL CROOKED!!! weird....

maybe they should have the chickens direct traffic at the circle. -

I have agree, if the chicken suits go, the screaming car wash kids have to go.

I drive the circle a lot and have never noticed a coffee cup or anything but I doubt it would be distracting.

Waiting in line at the circle while kids scream into your car is distracting and annoying.

Those are paying jobs, as silly as they may be. What's the harm? Surely the tallmadge city officials have bigger things to worry about!

Perhaps a dancing chicken wandered over into Mr. Donovan's funeral home parking lot and disrupted a somber time. I dont know this to be true, but can actually envision that possibility. I too, dont mind the dancing pizzas, coffee cups, but would also note that had I just walked out of a very sad good-bye to someone and see a dancing chicken, I might not think it all too amusing or attractive.

Hey wait a minute! No dancing chickens in Tallmadge!

I will rest easy now that I know there will be no more dancing chickens so close to me.

Isn't that what Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder were in "Stir Crazy"??

@Ohio Problems said:"We're getting as picky as Hudson & Stow."

That's a bad thing? Name the big problems either one of those Burbs have.

Are Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm-Flailing Tube-Men allowed on the circle?

I'm sure Old Man Grump will comment as soon as he gets home from work and out of his chicken suit. I bet it was hot in that costume today.

why did the chicken cross the road?

To find another job

*sighs* so sad that this is an issue...

I think the chicken costume adds fun to the Tallmadge Circle. You would think with the coming budget crisis the mayor and council would have better things to worry about.

Why did the chicken cross the road? To get on the other side. Tallmadge is a joke these days.

Nothing more important to do in Tallmadge?

Why not find your convicted drug felon employee who has a hidden record?

Why not get rid of the felony drug convicted employee who has a hidden record and stop wasting tax payers money on chicken s*** ?

They considered having dancing Minkeys, but then they thought that would be racist.

OOPS...Monkeys, better get that fixed before the Typo Police arrest me. Besides, the web site probably blocks out the word "Monkeys" anyhow.

Headline: 14 TEEN CHICKEN DETAINED IN TALLMADGE

Maybe Mr. Donovan could advertise his funeral home with a dancing corpse.

Could Tallmadge have more of their noses in the air? God, this sounds so snotty.

to change the subject for just a second, how about ALL CITIES outlaw the massive wave of "homeless" (?) men freakin EVERYWHERE holding the token cardboard sign with chicken scratch messages like "HUNGRY" "WILL DO ANY WORK" I am outraged by this and sick of it. I know a law was passed in akron where they had to be registered panhandlers. (WTF?!!!!!!!!!)

as a social worker i can tell you there are more than enough services and options for the actual hungry and homeless wanting to work to eat.

I fear that a small percentage of these people are mentally ill and are in need of help but refuse it, which is heartbreaking. The rest of them my gut instinct sees scam, con, addict, vagabond.

TALLMADGE PEOPLE ARE BORED. THAT IS WHY I MOVED AS SOON AS I TURNED 18 AND HAVENT BEEN BACK SINCE.

koalas67, I agree about the pan-handlers. I was leaving from a restaurant in Montrose, and watched the homeless guy who was pan-handling when we drove in, hop into his car and drive away. Granted, not the best car, but it was better than mine!!

Here We Go Again...people get your fingers out of your bee-hind, and stop picking your nose. If businesses use signs or dress up employees as cartoon characters to advertise that is fine, they are trying to get noticed. I don't mind the local sports teams, cheerleaders,etc. tryin' to advertise for their car washes, so they can earn a buck or two. They are not hurting anyone. I swear people do nothing but complain about anything and everything, these people need to stay home if these little things bother them, and they can't drive a car because they are to stupid to pay attention to where they are going. These people make me sick.

Man our Mayor, Council, and everyone who works at city hall needs to take some classes in business. If they curb the dancing chickens and that chicken loses its job the city will lose that income tax. If the business loses business because of the chicken losing its job then they lose sales tax. How stupid are they?

It is time for a change in Tallmdge starting with the BOE and then City Hall. Change is coming.

Mayor Grimm get as much press in the Tallmadge Express as you can before you are out of office!!!!

@OMG said:"You would think with the coming budget crisis the mayor and council would have better things to worry about."

Who do you think was complaining? All the crusty old gasbags like you. They don't like the "distraction". They shouldn't be driving.

I'm hoping that house values go up enough to let you escape your h3ll on earth.

You act live you live in Compton.

Seen the Pizza and the coofe cup but not the chicken-who's he for?

coofe=coffee. Sorry haven't had any yet.

spd333=how do you tell if a 'Monkey' is pregnant?

you stick a drumstick in it,and if when you pull it out,it is half eaten=shes prego !

@BillyBob:

Another good Christian stepping up for tolerance and peace?

No, another faceless bigot showing his patriotism with his big eagle and small tail feather.

HAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHA = Dancing corpse...

what is america coming to? when you cant dress up in a grilla suit and make an honest buck?
maybe tallmadge would rather they stand at the circle with cardboard signs saying its my 10 year olds birthday need money for a present (and the guy is 22 years olds at the most?
I say we start a SAVE THE GORRILLA'S campaign

According to the Tallmadge Express, one of the complaints was made by the owner of the Erie Station, saying he didn't want the circle looking like Cedar Point.
Hmmmm....the Erie has a circus tent awning over the pation and train cars with Christmas Tree lights. Yeah...that must be classy, not cedar point like at all!

the owner of Erie station is friends with the Mayor... i believe... Also the mayor eats at Erie station nearly EVERYDAY!!!

the owner of Erie station is friends with the Mayor... i believe... Also the mayor eats at Erie station nearly EVERYDAY!!!

All those people with signs asking for money, homeless, 4 kids, need work should set up shop at every intersection in Tallmadge and see how the residents like that!

methinks this law won't stand up to a court challenge. As distracting and annoying as these promotional characters and signs can be, there's still a little legal detail in the US Constitution called the First Amendment.

Hoo boy, OMG, my side is aching from that incredible "chicken crossing the road" joke.

I have to agree with that pretty-avatar girl, a massive recall effort must be initiated on all of Tallmadge's elected officials, post haste! Indeed, that is the answer.