A North Carolina man is facing hundreds of dollars in fines per day because he painted on his home, “Screwed By The Town of Cary.”

William Bowden claims that his disagreement with the town started years ago during a road widening project. The road in front of his house was raised several feet. Bowden had to move his driveway, lost some trees and several feet in his front yard. The worst part was that the road work altered the flow of water, causing damage to his house.

For several years, Bowden and Cary have argued about the road work and ensuing damage with no resolution. Finally, Bowden had enough.

In July, Bowden hired a painter to place his message in orange florescent letters across the front of his house. On the same day, Bowden was informed that the sign was a zoning violation. He was ordered to remove the sign. Bowden refused, pointing out that was the only way he was able to get the town’s attention. Bowden said that once the damage caused by the road widening was resolved he would take it down.

Bowden claims that the only reason the town is now interested in resolving matters is because it is embarrassed by his sign.

Six months later, the dispute is before a court. Bowden is threatened with $500 a day fines. The ACLU has interceded by claiming that the town’s zoning regulations are unconstitutional because it regulates political speech but not artistic work. The town claims that the only resolution acceptable to Bowden is if they buy his house.