Nooses and Confederate flag found hanging in Livonia neighborhood; Family responds

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

LIVONIA, Mich. (WXYZ) - Confederate flags and nooses hanging in Livonia have neighbors upset. They first noticed them at a home on Purlingbrook Street, but after complaining, a second noose was placed at a nearby property.

Both properties are owned by the same man, Robert Tomanovich. One is used for his business, Robert's Discount Tree Service.

"Its a tree that is easily climbable," Nicole Behrendt, a neighbor said. "Any kid could climb the tree and hang himself."

Mary Greer lives next door to the homeowner's business, which has the second noose.

"150 years after Abraham Lincoln's death, we are still going through this kind of atrocities. A hangman's noose and a Confederate flag?" Greer questioned.

Another neighbor was so fed up, he circulated a flyer to the neighborhood, urging residents to stand up to the owner and boycott his tree cutting service.

When 7 Action News reporter Jonathan Carlson approached Tomanovich for comment, he quickly went inside. Instead, one of his longtime employees at the tree service talked.

When asked if he thought the nooses were offensive, the employee replied, "No not at all. I love it."

In fact, he admitted he was the one that hung the second noose. The employee said it was hung in retaliation over the complaints.

"Screw 'em," he said of those offended.

http://www.wxyz.com/news/nooses-and-confederate-flag-found-hanging-in-livonia-neighborhood-family-responds

[BaronB 42]

Is it in poor taste? Absolutely.

Is it illegal? Probably not - some people in the US seem to feel it is their right to offend anyone else. The comment "screw em" sums up that mentality to a tee.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Is it in poor taste? Absolutely.

Is it illegal? Probably not - some people in the US seem to feel it is their right to offend anyone else. The comment "screw em" sums up that mentality to a tee.

It's not illegal to hang a noose, although everyone with a quarter of a brain knows that a hangman's noose doesn't represent anything positive. His excuse for hanging it is even more reprehensible.

[BaronB 42]

It's not illegal to hang a noose, although everyone with a quarter of a brain knows that a hangman's noose doesn't represent anything positive. His excuse for hanging it is even more reprehensible.

I agree with you 100%.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I agree with you 100%.

You honor your friend's memory in a positive way, by achieving something. Even something funny would be poignant in the right context.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/15/barry-delaney-funeral_n_5824658.html

But I don't buy his reason for hanging it, not for one second.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

LIVONIA, Mich. (WXYZ) - Confederate flags and nooses hanging in Livonia have neighbors upset. They first noticed them at a home on Purlingbrook Street, but after complaining, a second noose was placed at a nearby property.

Both properties are owned by the same man, Robert Tomanovich. One is used for his business, Robert's Discount Tree Service.

"Its a tree that is easily climbable," Nicole Behrendt, a neighbor said. "Any kid could climb the tree and hang himself."

Mary Greer lives next door to the homeowner's business, which has the second noose.

"150 years after Abraham Lincoln's death, we are still going through this kind of atrocities. A hangman's noose and a Confederate flag?" Greer questioned.

Another neighbor was so fed up, he circulated a flyer to the neighborhood, urging residents to stand up to the owner and boycott his tree cutting service.

When 7 Action News reporter Jonathan Carlson approached Tomanovich for comment, he quickly went inside. Instead, one of his longtime employees at the tree service talked.

When asked if he thought the nooses were offensive, the employee replied, "No not at all. I love it."

In fact, he admitted he was the one that hung the second noose. The employee said it was hung in retaliation over the complaints.

"Screw 'em," he said of those offended.

http://www.wxyz.com/news/nooses-and-confederate-flag-found-hanging-in-livonia-neighborhood-family-responds

I see a gofundme page in his near future. If Glenn Beck decides to pick this up and blame people disgusted by this conduct for destroying the man's business.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

It's not illegal to hang a noose, although everyone with a quarter of a brain knows that a hangman's noose doesn't represent anything positive. His excuse for hanging it is even more reprehensible.

You're hanging the bar too high there, Marv. People that do this kind of thing usually are not that well endowed.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I see a gofundme page in his near future. If Glenn Beck decides to pick this up and blame people disgusted by this conduct for destroying the man's business.

What's funny is, I could see this happening. Folks outraged that this dude can't hang a flag or noose in his yard. We shall see how it plays out.

You're hanging the bar too high there, Marv. People that do this kind of thing usually are not that well endowed.

I'm trying to be nice and set the bar as low as I can without being insulting...

[spookyturtle 9,466]

You're hanging the bar too high there, Marv. People that do this kind of thing usually are not that well endowed.

Especially in the brain department. I wouldn't doubt that this would be right up a few VJ'ers alley.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Especially in the brain department. I wouldn't doubt that this would be right up a few VJ'ers alley.

You know NB will come in later declaring this has nothing to do with race. Lib is going to try and FB this dude so they can swap stories.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Especially in the brain department. I wouldn't doubt that this would be right up a few VJ'ers alley.

I can think of a name or two...

You know NB will come in later declaring this has nothing to do with race. Lib is going to try and FB this dude so they can swap stories.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

You know NB will come in later declaring this has nothing to do with race. Lib is going to try and FB this dude so they can swap stories.

This was extremely offensive in this day and time and I applaud the residents who stood up to this idiot

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

This was extremely offensive in this day and time and I applaud the residents who stood up to this idiot

What? NB denouncing such an abhorrent action without any sarcasm or back handed compliments about racism? It's the end of times I tell you...

Sadly enough, there's no law for being stupid or a bigot.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Hanging nooses in trees is in poor taste period.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

This was extremely offensive in this day and time and I applaud the residents who stood up to this idiot

I know this must have really hurt you to say this. I applaud you for taking this step forward. I am really proud of you.