Worthington businessman defends billboard messages some consider hate speech

The man behind a Butler County billboard displaying what some consider disturbing messages said his intent is to rally “Americans to take back the country.”

John Placek of Worthington rented an electronic billboard at the intersection of Route 422 and Bonniebrook Road in Summit Township to lobby against issues he said go against God: critical race theory, same-sex marriage and corrupt government. The billboard shows images of a swastika alongside script that likens the FBI to the Gestapo.

“I’m tired of watching TV where men are kissing each other,” said Placek, who owns three pool supply stores in Buffalo Township, Butler and Worthington. His longtime Country Pools & Spa store in Harrison burned to the ground in late November.

He erected a similar billboard along Route 422 in Worthington several years ago and has faced backlash and applause for its messages, he said.

“Marriage isn’t about Billy and Bob. It should be a man and a woman, period,” Placek said. “Same-sex marriages are being approved by (President Joe) Biden, and it overrules the laws of God.”

Route 422 is a heavily traveled road where thousands of people see the bright, scrolling messages every day.

Some people expressed their disdain to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI, saying the messages are hateful.

“I think it’s disrespectful, and I think it should be taken down,” Laura Mitchell said.

“Keep it in your house and with friends or family. You don’t need to bring it out into the community.”

Nearby resident Heidi Priest said she believes in free speech, but, “when it’s hate speech, it’s hard for me to understand that someone would have so much hate in their heart to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to display that on a highway.”

Placek, a 22-year Army veteran, said his intent is not to hurt anyone.

“There’s no malice here,” he said. “I want people to stand up and be counted. I want God back in our government and in our schools. The FBI is in cahoots with Twitter. There was election interference. Look what they did to Trump.”

Placek said proof of voter fraud “is all over the news.”

There has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud that would change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

FBI Pittsburgh said the office is aware of the billboard.

They had the following message:

“The men and women of the FBI work hard every day to protect the American people and to uphold constitutional rights, including the right to free speech. Free speech, however, cannot be misconstrued to include directed threats toward another individual, group or location. We will take action when the activity crosses the line into criminal behavior.”

Placek said he knows “I come across strong. I’m passionate. I’m a steward of God. Every American needs to stand up with me.”

Despite the expense, Placek said the fight is worthwhile to him. He plans to rent four more billboards in the coming months with similar messages. He declined to say where they will be located.

“I’ll keep doing it every day until I see positive change in our society,” he said.

Placek said that while some people are riled by the messages, others have thanked him.

“I hear a lot of positive feedback,” he said. “People shake my hand and tell me it’s great.”