(Betsy Bloom/Daily News photo) A “Trump Tower” banner has been displayed on a former mine tower on Iron Mountain's northside since Oct. 9.

IRON MOUNTAIN — A “Trump Tower” display on a former mine tower that city officials say violates a local sign ordinance is drawing fines, despite the objections of supporters.

Roughly 100 people packed the city council chambers Monday, the majority of whom raised their hands in support of the display. Criticisms, however, were heard as well concerning the huge banner that went up Oct. 9.

The council offered no comments after hearing about 30 minutes of input from citizens.

“Thank you for your opinions,” Mayor Dale Alessandrini said.

The red-and-white sign, which city officials say appears to exceed 900 square feet, was installed on the privately owned structure along Kimberly Avenue without any attempt to secure a permit. It reads TRUMP vertically and TOWER horizontally.

After Monday’s council meeting, City Manager Jordan Stanchina confirmed that a first-offense notice was sent out Friday to property owner Francis Rittenhouse. Under the fine structure, the first-day offense is $100; second day, $300; and each day after is $500.

The violation, he said, is based on the banner’s material and quantity and its location within a residential district. In an interview last week, he emphasized the Trump message is not a factor.

That’s in keeping with court decisions that say content is not a legitimate reason for government restrictions on signage. Regulations based on the interests of aesthetics, blight, and traffic safety are, however, acceptable, some legal experts say.

Some of the speakers at Monday’s council meeting said the First Amendment should supersede other considerations.

“He owns that structure, he should be free to put whatever he wants on that structure,” Chuck Lantz said.

Angela Hall described the banner as “great art.” Hall said she finds “great joy” in seeing it, prompting dozens in the audience to show agreement by standing or raising their hands.

But Darren Tavonatti said the banner is a “defacing” of “a local historical monument,” which drew boos from some in the crowd.

George Wiedenhoeft, meanwhile, said citizens should support ordinances rather than abiding by them only “when it suits your nature.”

Pamela Trask said it’s good to cover up the “unsightly smokestack.”

According to Stanchina, under the city’s ordinance the sign is considered a banner. Banners are only allowed as temporary signs and by permit. Failure to obtain a permit is a civil infraction.

The tower structure is known as the Hamilton Shaft smokestack, one of the few remaining remnants of the Chapin-Ludington-Hamilton Mine dating to the late 1800s.

In an interview earlier this month with WJMN-TV, Dan Rittenhouse said he and his brother Francis have owned the tower for several years. He said he believed it was built by Hamilton Mine Company in 1928 and served as a venting tower for the mines.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.