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The Sign Flipper Appears on 'Ellen' After Video Goes Viral

The Cartersville man not allowed to flip, toss and twirl his signs on public property in Cartersville is headed to Germany to train a group of sign flippers, according to his Facebook page.

 
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The man who was at odds with the city of Cartersville over his sign flipping business for some time has gained national, and even international, attention for his tossing and twirling abilities.

Cartersville native Julian Falkenstein started his business about four years ago, advertising for other businesses in Cartersville by flipping their signs on sidewalks or busy roadsides. Two years in, citizens' concerns for safety prompted officials to take a look at ordinances governing The Sign Flipper's main activity, The Daily Tribune News reported.

Although Falkenstein addressed city leaders several times, the council, by a 5-to-1 vote, finally decided last year that the twirling or rotating of signs would not be allowed on public property. While signs may be flipped on private property, they must be held, worn or balanced on public property, according to minutes from public meetings.

Falkenstein's sign flipping shows in Cartersville apparently ended sometime in 2011, but have proved a big hit with a viral YouTube video that's had more than 5 million views. He appeared on 'Ellen' to talk about it, laughingly blaming "ADHD" for his inability to simply hold a sign.

"After doing the Ellen Show last week with Marquis Scott the Sign Flipper is on to Germany for national TV appearance and to train a group of German Sign Flippers," Falkenstein said on his The Sign Flipper Facebook page.

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Related Topics: Cartersville Business, Julian Falkenstein, The Sign Flipper, and cartersville government

Nea

5:23 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013

I live in Cartersville, and personally I think if this is all our city counsel has to worry about they really need to get new jobs......what a waste of time worrying about his sign flipping.......they are idiots.

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Beachbum

9:46 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Absolutely! Like the biggest public safety threat is the sign flipper!

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Alex Mason

10:27 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

This is part of the job of the City Council. The Council has to set policy, and when issues come up like this one, they have to address it. It's likely that "sign flipping" which is a relatively recent phenomenon wasn't in our local codes as legal or illegal. There are rules and regulations about signs which keep this place from looking like a messy collection of competing signs (and thank goodness we don't have big ugly billboards everywhere). You wouldn't want appointed government workers making up the rules - they are there to enforce them. The Council is there to establish the policies - this is their job.

In this case, I think they came to a fair decision. I believe it was brought before council initially because of possible safety issues. The city has to limit it's exposure to liability, and if they allow sign flipping on public right of way (i.e. sidewalks) and someone gets hit in the head by the sign, it could be an expensive proposition for the City, believe it or not.

Anyways, this is great for this guy. I'm happy for him as he's taking advantage of his unique talent!

Elizabeth Hudson

8:06 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Good for the sign flipper! Great lesson in what can happen when you don't allow people to discourage your dreams.

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steve

10:33 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

City of cville wtf. In a day and time people need jobs u hhave found one stupid way of eliminating one are more. There must be a liberal majority on the board cause only liberals are notorius for swallowing the camel and straining at a gnat.

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mato chante

3:29 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

All Republicans on that board. And just a little FYI the only job the Republican party helped create over the last 4 years was Obama's job for the next 4..

steve

1:41 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013

City of cville why dont u ban pornography sales in our city? What about alcohol? These two destroy lives not a man waving a sign.
@mato dems havent created much unemployment in cville near 9.5 national 8..... but in the dems fantasy world i guess 8 means 5...

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