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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend December 13, 2006 Ownership of J'Ville Tavern sign in dispute By Sanne Specht Mail Tribune JACKSONVILLE — In the ongoing battle over who will ultimately claim ownership of the J'Ville Tavern historic neon sign comes another request to cover up the 52-year-old sign. Current J'Ville Tavern owners Bud and Andy Gough and Redmen Hall building owner Jeff Chamberlain are mired in an ownership dispute over the city's only permitted commercial neon sign. The Goughs say they are trying to protect their trademark rights. Chamberlain says Bud Gough is making it difficult to be a good neighbor. "He's just kind of festering this thing," said Chamberlain. The sign had been tarped earlier this year at the Goughs' request. But the city ordered the gray plastic tarp removed from the J'Ville Tavern sign in time for the city's Victorian Christmas celebration. Advertisement "I realize that the unresolved ownership of the sign is a hardship to you and your business. However, the Planning Commission has voiced objection to the visual aspect of the large sign wrapped in the plastic tarp and the length of time in this condition," wrote Scott Clay, city planner and historic preservation officer, in a Nov. 1 letter to Gough. In a letter to the city dated Tuesday, the Goughs asked that the sign again be draped before Chamberlain opens his new business today — an upscale pub — at the site of the old J'Ville Tavern. "It has come to our attention that the new business at Redman (sic) Hall is set to open this Wednesday," Andy Gough writes in the letter to City Planner Scott Clay. "We have been informed by our trademark attorney that opening a business with the J'Ville Tavern neon on the building (no matter who the ownership is eventually awarded to) would constitute a trademark infringement and a lawsuit should be filed immediately." City Administrator Paul Wyntergreen said late Tuesday afternoon that he had not had time to review Gough's letter. Clay said earlier that the Historical and Architectural Review Commission initially approved the sign's move. But city leaders decided to steer clear of the issue once the legal battle began between the Goughs and Chamberlain, said Clay. The sign might not retain its protected status if it is changed, said Clay. It is recognized as a landmark and can continue as such if it remains the same. Otherwise it will probably come under HARC review, he said. When Gough moved the J'Ville Tavern two doors down on California Street to a property he purchased, he thought the popular watering hole's familiar sign would move with the business. Gough said he has owned the business for seven years and requested the sign be covered in July, stating he would sue if it was displayed. He has trademark rights to the name and the little miner image on the large neon sign, Gough said. The landmark should be where the business is, he said. Chamberlain has owned the circa-1880 building where the sign is attached for 15 years. Chamberlain said he agreed to cover the sign in order to be a good neighbor. He wants to keep the historic sign, but he doesn't want it to confuse people about his building's new business — The Stage Coach Saloon. Chamberlain said he removed the tarp to comply with the city's request. He is not about to cover the sign again, he says. "Of course not," said Chamberlain. "We never plugged (the sign) in. And we have a sign in our window stating the J'Ville Tavern is two doors down. We're doing everything we can to be a good neighbor." The two sides have set a tentative mediation date for Jan. 2, Andy Gough said. "I'm so tired of all this fighting," said Andy Gough. "I just want it over." Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or at [email protected] Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com