Tim Weber defends small business against city inconsistencies.

Tim Weber defends small business against city inconsistencies.

Tim Weber of Weber, Crabb & Wein, P.A.  began defending  The Sweet Sage Café of 16725 Gulf Blvd.

A local restaurant owner, John Messmore, just filed his fourth active lawsuit against this small beach town in a years-long legal battle over allowable number of seats and signage.

“Messmore claims town officials and Sheriff’s deputies violated his business’s First, Fourth and 14th Amendment rights by allegedly trying to “punish” the restaurant for its successful First Amendment lawsuit filed in 2015 and won two years later, a ruling that cost the city $30,000 in legal fees. Messmore is claiming the town, and specifically Mayor Bill Queen, are pursuing a vendetta against him.”
The city Mayor vehemently denies the town is trying to harm Messmore or his business, but rather is just trying to enforce the rules.

All the town’s subsequent actions against Messmore are based on “sour grapes,” according to Joe Kenny, one of his attorneys.

“The town is now in the process of adopting two ordinances for no purpose other than getting the Sweet Sage Café,” says Timothy Weber, Messmore’s attorney. “The conduct of the town seems to be orchestrated by the mayor (and the city’s attorneys). My client has never been found in violation of a single city code”.

The courts will have the final say.

See the full article below –

* As reported by the St. Pete Times News article, “Restaurant takes beach town to court for answers” by Sheila Mullane Estrada.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/crime/when-is-a-seat-not-a-seat-restaurant-takes-beach-town-to-court-for-answers-20180920/