posted January 14, 2009
Residents of Concord Road in East Brainerd say they don't know what to make of a variety of garish and bizarre items that have shown up at a duplex at 1535 Concord.
City Councilman Jack Benson said he began receiving calls on Tuesday from neighbors about items that included two mannequins heads atop the roof, mannequins buried in the yard with the top of the head showing and duct tape over the mouths, and a mannequin's head atop the mailbox with a corncob shoved down the throat. There's also a commode and a sink. The items are painted bright red.
Councilman Benson said at the front of the duplex a sign was erected that said "Private Club."
The councilman said, "For young children seeing these heads that appear to be buried bodies, it can be very traumatic."
He said one neighbor believes the corncob in the mannequins's mouth is meant to portray a vibrator (sexual toy).
Councilman Benson, who visited the duplex on Wednesday afternoon, said, "It's all frightening and grotesque."
A bevy of city inspectors went to the site on Wednesday and police officers were there as well after inspectors found barricades they said appear to belong to A1 Barricades.
Richard Hutsell, city zoning official, said he went to the scene. He said, "It's one of the strangest ones we've ever been called out to investigate."
He said the first inspector at the duplex saw a car in the driveway, but could not get anyone to the door. But inspectors were able to get a phone number after checking out the tag on the car.
He said he was able to get the occupant of the rental unit, Chaya Anavi, on the phone.
Mr. Hutsell said she was "very articulate. She seemed very prepared and was not surprised that we called."
He said Ms. Anavi maintains she is working on an art project under free speech rights and is no different than public art downtown or a nativity scene. "She said she was well within her rights," he said.
Mr. Hutsell said he informed Ms. Anavi that the sign was in violation of the city sign law and she had been cited to City Court on Jan. 29. He said she agreed to take the sign down.
Councilman Benson said the city attorney's office is researching what charges can be brought against Ms. Anavi, including a charge of littering and creating a public nuisance.
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