Borough says there's nothing it can do about racially charged billboard

WORTHINGTON, Pa. — UPDATE 10:45 p.m.

Sunoco will stop fuel deliveries and remove signage and trademarks from an Armstrong County gas station after the owner posted controversial messages on a digital billboard, according to our news partners at TribLIVE.com.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A billboard in Worthington, Armstrong County is causing more controversy after messages over the weekend zeroed in on the Michael Rosfeld verdict, and other racially-charged messages.

It’s drawing criticism, complaints and even damage to the sign itself.

>>PREVIOUS: Billboard about race sparks controversy along Route 422

"The messaging is toxic. It’s in my opinion it’s racist and divisive and no good is going to come of it," Mary Lou Mitsch told Channel 11 after driving by the billboard.

People were so outraged, someone pulled the electrical wiring down causing the billboard to go completely dark.

Download the WPXI News App for local news in your neighborhood

Worthington Borough officials said they've been swamped with complaints, but the council president says there is nothing they can do legally.

"It’s out of our control. The borough has no control, no authority to control the sign or anything else. It’s a privately owned sign," George Kerr said.

The owner of the sign, John Placek, told Channel 11's Melanie Marsalko over the phone he realizes he pushed the envelope.  Placek says he was trying to highlight the dialogue of race issues.

TRENDING NOW:

Cox Media Group