Business owner defends 422 billboard
The man who built the billboard along Route 422 in Summit Township defended his messages, which many say are inappropriate.
John Placek, who owns a business in Butler County, said he paid $150,000 to erect the electronic billboard on leased property at the intersection with Bonniebrook Road that began displaying his messages on Monday, Jan. 9.
He said he did so because God gave him a mission to reset the country’s path.
“I believe our country has run amok and is heading in the wrong direction,” Placek said. “I have a calling to make it right.”
He said he will do everything in his power to spread the word that “God is alive and well, and anyone who does not repent will pay the price.”
Regarding the messages on the billboard, which include “FBI corrupt & dangerous THE GESTAPO” with a large swastika; “Whites are under attack stop it now!!” with “Stop teaching critical racist theory to our kids”; “God’s law ‘marriage’ one man-one woman”; and “God prohibits same sex marriage,” Placek has advice for parents who are concerned about their children reading the billboard as they ride past on the school bus.
“That’s why you have parents, to explain what that sign means,” Placek said. “Tell them ‘That’s one man’s opinion.’”
He said today’s parents do not understand the trouble the country is in because of the tenets he says are being taught in public schools.
“We’re teaching our kids the wrong stuff,” Placek said. “Tell (parents) to go sit in the classroom for a week and see what teachers are doing to their child, and then tell me I’m wrong.”
A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To read the full story, subscribers can click the link below. Support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe at butlereagle.com.
