Paul Bellinger is spending 30 days in the Douglas County Jail, because he built a tall, white metal structure in front of his home and refuses to take it down. the city of Omaha said it was not the code. The documents show that since June 2020, Bellinger has received numerous notices and rule violations from city inspectors. if he removes the structure, but Bellinger says it’s there to protect his house. Bellinger’s attorney will not tell KETV Newswatch 7 if she will appeal the ruling. Bellinger and his girlfriend, Linda Davis feel they are being targeted. “Our city doesn’t like free speech,” Bellinger said. The two decided to visit their neighborhood before their court date to ask for their neighbors’ support. “I personally don’t agree with that,” said Haverman. their job.” Haverman said she doesn’t support Bellinger’s prison sentence, but she feels uncomfortable being dragged into the fight against his city. ,” said Haverman. “He’s just swarming with signs. It’s annoying and reflects badly on us as neighbours.” But, Bellinger said, he won’t back down. “I’m going to jail today,” Bellinger said.
Paul Bellinger is spending 30 days in the Douglas County Jail, because he built a tall, white metal structure in front of his home and refused to take it down.
Bellinger says the structure acts as a sound containment and water collection system, but the city of Omaha says it’s unsatisfactory. The documents show that since June 2020, Bellinger has received numerous notices and code violations from city inspectors.
“We couldn’t stop the traffic, the trucks, the pickups from shaking our house,” says Bellinger.
The judge told Bellinger he would reduce his sentence if he removed the structure, but Bellinger said it was there to protect his home. Bellinger’s attorney will not tell KETV Newswatch 7 if she will appeal the ruling.
White signs with political messages and appeals against heavy traffic were posted in front of his home near 102 and West Center Street. Bellinger and his girlfriend, Linda Davis feel they are being targeted.
“Our city doesn’t like free speech,” Bellinger said.
The two decided to visit their neighborhood before their court date to ask for their neighbors’ support.
“[I] Davis told all of our neighbors in leaflets about what was going on, what he was accused of, “here’s his attorney’s number”.
Kelsey Haverman has been Bellinger’s neighbor for five years. She says she’s never experienced walls shaking from traffic.
“I personally disagree with that,” said Haverman. “I think the truckers are trying to do their job.”
Haverman said she doesn’t support Bellinger’s prison sentence, but she feels uncomfortable being drawn into the fight against his city.
“I think this is the only way for him to calm down,” Haverman said. “He’s just swarming with signs. It’s annoying and reflects badly on us as neighbours.”
But, Bellinger said, he won’t back down.
“I’m going to jail today,” Bellinger said.
