Originally posted on: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 by NBC2 News
COLLIER COUNTY: The oldest bar in Collier County has posted a controversial message on its sign, one that is taking aim at the immigration debate.The sign outside the North Naples Country Club says, "If you don't think immigration control is a problem, ask the American Indians."The bar is located on US 41 in Naples Park. It's a busy stretch of road so the sign is seen by thousands of drivers every day.
The business' owner said it is an attempt at political humor, but with a twinge of reality."We've never been real politically correct here, so we did it. I would say that's more my twisted humor than anything, I mean, look at the Indians, they were here first and didn't control immigration - look where they ended up," said Mike Combs, owner of the North Naples Country Club.
He hopes his attempt at "humor" will make people think about a very serious and divisive issue. Combs says illegal immigration is out of control and something needs to be done.
"I have nothing against people from other countries, but do it the right way. If you're not paying into the system and you're not helping pay for everything you are using - it's weighing down the working man. It's hurting us," said Combs.And he has the support of many of his customers.
"It is America. We have free speech and you don't have to read it," said Glenn Savage, customer at North Naples Country Club.
But not everyone agrees with the sign's message.
"They have the right to express themselves, but this is no good for nobody. I don't agree with this," said Victor Valdes, who is a member of the Legion of United Latin American Citizens or LULAC.
Valdes agrees there is an immigration problem, but says many illegal immigrants are hard working people and kicking them out of the country won't solve anything.
"They make contributions to this country," said Valdes.
Collier County Code Enforcement says the sign is perfectly legal.
Combs says he will keep it up for a few more days until "something else pokes me in the side" and he decides to send a new message.
COLLIER COUNTY: The oldest bar in Collier County has posted a controversial message on its sign, one that is taking aim at the immigration debate.The sign outside the North Naples Country Club says, "If you don't think immigration control is a problem, ask the American Indians."The bar is located on US 41 in Naples Park. It's a busy stretch of road so the sign is seen by thousands of drivers every day.
The business' owner said it is an attempt at political humor, but with a twinge of reality."We've never been real politically correct here, so we did it. I would say that's more my twisted humor than anything, I mean, look at the Indians, they were here first and didn't control immigration - look where they ended up," said Mike Combs, owner of the North Naples Country Club.
He hopes his attempt at "humor" will make people think about a very serious and divisive issue. Combs says illegal immigration is out of control and something needs to be done.
"I have nothing against people from other countries, but do it the right way. If you're not paying into the system and you're not helping pay for everything you are using - it's weighing down the working man. It's hurting us," said Combs.And he has the support of many of his customers.
"It is America. We have free speech and you don't have to read it," said Glenn Savage, customer at North Naples Country Club.
But not everyone agrees with the sign's message.
"They have the right to express themselves, but this is no good for nobody. I don't agree with this," said Victor Valdes, who is a member of the Legion of United Latin American Citizens or LULAC.
Valdes agrees there is an immigration problem, but says many illegal immigrants are hard working people and kicking them out of the country won't solve anything.
"They make contributions to this country," said Valdes.
Collier County Code Enforcement says the sign is perfectly legal.
Combs says he will keep it up for a few more days until "something else pokes me in the side" and he decides to send a new message.
December 13, 2007
Business Owner Draws Attention With Vick Sign
Filed under: Dogs, National Dog, Cat & Pet Info, News for Cats, Dogs & Owners - Emily Huh @ 6:00 amMichael Combs, owner of the North Naples Country Club in Florida, has a lot to say about Michael Vick and he wants everyone to know what he thinks.
He uses the sign outside his building off a major road to express his opinions, and he wants the public to know that Vick deserves a harsher punishment.
The sign reads, "Every dog has its day. Michael Vick 2 years in prison. Is that in dog years?"
Combs said, "I do consider this issue a little more serious than some of my signs. Michael Vick kind of disgusts me at this point."
He is an animal lover and a volunteer with a local animal rescue mission.Source: NBC2
4 Responses to "Business Owner Draws Attention With Vick Sign"
1. If only.
2. Freedom of speech at it's best. Thank you Dear Sir.
3. LOL, good for him!
4. I agree!
Business Owner Draws Attention With Vick Sign
Filed under: Dogs, National Dog, Cat & Pet Info, News for Cats, Dogs & Owners - Emily Huh @ 6:00 amMichael Combs, owner of the North Naples Country Club in Florida, has a lot to say about Michael Vick and he wants everyone to know what he thinks.
He uses the sign outside his building off a major road to express his opinions, and he wants the public to know that Vick deserves a harsher punishment.
The sign reads, "Every dog has its day. Michael Vick 2 years in prison. Is that in dog years?"
Combs said, "I do consider this issue a little more serious than some of my signs. Michael Vick kind of disgusts me at this point."
He is an animal lover and a volunteer with a local animal rescue mission.Source: NBC2
4 Responses to "Business Owner Draws Attention With Vick Sign"
1. If only.
2. Freedom of speech at it's best. Thank you Dear Sir.
3. LOL, good for him!
4. I agree!
Woman caught on video stealing donation box
NAPLES: New surveillance video shows a woman at a bar on Thanksgiving night, swiping donations set aside for Toys For Tots.Now the bar's owner has a message for that woman. It's posted in huge letters on the sign in front of his business.
"To the lady who stole the Toys For Tots money, I have you on camera. I suggest you come see me." the sign reads.
Mike Combs, owner of the North Naples Country Club, discribed how the woman managed to sneak the donation box out of the bar.
"She just draped the jacket over it, snapped the small chain, broke the chain, put her jacket over it and walked out the door," Combs said.
He also added " She decided she needed it more than the kids needed it...She put it in her car, came back in, finished her drinks."
Toys For Tots volunteers say this couldn't come at a worse time.
"The toys are not coming in anywhere near last year. It's just a bad year," says volunteer Jerry Bray.
"Last year we had one thousand families sign up, and we're expecting probably 1,500 this year," he says.Without donations families won't get the help they need this year.
So with a new donation box already in place, Combs is urging the woman in the video to come forward."It will be a lot better for her if she comes forward. If we have to find her it's going to be worse," said Combs.
NAPLES: New surveillance video shows a woman at a bar on Thanksgiving night, swiping donations set aside for Toys For Tots.Now the bar's owner has a message for that woman. It's posted in huge letters on the sign in front of his business.
"To the lady who stole the Toys For Tots money, I have you on camera. I suggest you come see me." the sign reads.
Mike Combs, owner of the North Naples Country Club, discribed how the woman managed to sneak the donation box out of the bar.
"She just draped the jacket over it, snapped the small chain, broke the chain, put her jacket over it and walked out the door," Combs said.
He also added " She decided she needed it more than the kids needed it...She put it in her car, came back in, finished her drinks."
Toys For Tots volunteers say this couldn't come at a worse time.
"The toys are not coming in anywhere near last year. It's just a bad year," says volunteer Jerry Bray.
"Last year we had one thousand families sign up, and we're expecting probably 1,500 this year," he says.Without donations families won't get the help they need this year.
So with a new donation box already in place, Combs is urging the woman in the video to come forward."It will be a lot better for her if she comes forward. If we have to find her it's going to be worse," said Combs.
Charity thief turns do-gooder to make amends
By RYAN MILLS (Contact)
Originally published 5:36 p.m., Monday, July 7, 2008
Updated 8:58 p.m., Monday, July 7, 2008
Many people who donate to charity shun the spotlight.
On the other hand, people who steal from charity completely abhor it.
That became evident in late June when Mike Combs, owner of the North Naples Country Club bar and restaurant, released surveillance footage to local media featuring a woman stealing a jar of aluminum tabs from his bar. The tabs, from soda and beer cans, were being collected for recycling for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida.
A day after the footage aired on local television stations, Combs said the woman called him asking how she could make it right.
Now, the Ronald McDonald House is $100 richer and Combs has a table full of tabs to replace the stolen ones.For about a year and a half, the North Naples Country Club has been collecting the tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, Combs said. The charity then takes the aluminum tabs to recycling centers and trades them for cash."We probably get about $5,000 a year, which we (use to) supplement supplies we use around the house," said Debra Newman, executive director of the charity.
On June 24, Combs estimates that he had less than 10 pounds of tabs in a jar at the end of the bar. It was after 10 p.m. that night that the tabs disappeared.
"A lady was sitting at the bar and when the bartender went around the corner to pick up a food order, she grabbed the jar ... off the bar, draped her jacket over the jar and left," Combs said.
Combs contacted the Collier County Sheriff's Office and released surveillance footage to local media. When the footage aired on television, Combs added a message to his business sign, reading "To the lady who stole our charity collection, congrats. We made you famous. P.S. The Sheriff wants to see you."
The thief, whose name wasn't released, contacted Combs the next day, saying she wanted to resolve the issue, Combs said. She told Combs she took the tabs to give to someone else who was collecting them for charity, he said."She was very apologetic. I think she was more embarrassed than anything," Combs said. "I'm sure she didn't think there were cameras watching her."
Combs agreed not to pursue charges against the woman if she donated $100 to the Ronald McDonald House. On Monday, the charity confirmed that it received a $100 check from the woman.
"We got a better dollar amount from her than the tabs that she took," Newman said. "I think it all turned out pretty positive. At least the people have an increased awareness of the Ronald McDonald House Charities and particularly the pull-tab program."
After learning about the theft, customers also have done more than their share to replace the stolen tabs."In a month, we might do two gallons," he said. "We did 35 gallons in one week."
By RYAN MILLS (Contact)
Originally published 5:36 p.m., Monday, July 7, 2008
Updated 8:58 p.m., Monday, July 7, 2008
Many people who donate to charity shun the spotlight.
On the other hand, people who steal from charity completely abhor it.
That became evident in late June when Mike Combs, owner of the North Naples Country Club bar and restaurant, released surveillance footage to local media featuring a woman stealing a jar of aluminum tabs from his bar. The tabs, from soda and beer cans, were being collected for recycling for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida.
A day after the footage aired on local television stations, Combs said the woman called him asking how she could make it right.
Now, the Ronald McDonald House is $100 richer and Combs has a table full of tabs to replace the stolen ones.For about a year and a half, the North Naples Country Club has been collecting the tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, Combs said. The charity then takes the aluminum tabs to recycling centers and trades them for cash."We probably get about $5,000 a year, which we (use to) supplement supplies we use around the house," said Debra Newman, executive director of the charity.
On June 24, Combs estimates that he had less than 10 pounds of tabs in a jar at the end of the bar. It was after 10 p.m. that night that the tabs disappeared.
"A lady was sitting at the bar and when the bartender went around the corner to pick up a food order, she grabbed the jar ... off the bar, draped her jacket over the jar and left," Combs said.
Combs contacted the Collier County Sheriff's Office and released surveillance footage to local media. When the footage aired on television, Combs added a message to his business sign, reading "To the lady who stole our charity collection, congrats. We made you famous. P.S. The Sheriff wants to see you."
The thief, whose name wasn't released, contacted Combs the next day, saying she wanted to resolve the issue, Combs said. She told Combs she took the tabs to give to someone else who was collecting them for charity, he said."She was very apologetic. I think she was more embarrassed than anything," Combs said. "I'm sure she didn't think there were cameras watching her."
Combs agreed not to pursue charges against the woman if she donated $100 to the Ronald McDonald House. On Monday, the charity confirmed that it received a $100 check from the woman.
"We got a better dollar amount from her than the tabs that she took," Newman said. "I think it all turned out pretty positive. At least the people have an increased awareness of the Ronald McDonald House Charities and particularly the pull-tab program."
After learning about the theft, customers also have done more than their share to replace the stolen tabs."In a month, we might do two gallons," he said. "We did 35 gallons in one week."
North Naples
Pop Top Thief Turns Herself In
Posted: July 7, 2008 07:48 PM
A little security tape can go a long way. At The North Naples Country Club owner Mike Combs keeps his restaurant under close watch with security cameras scattered all over.Because of the cameras, Combs got a grainy look of the woman who stole a jar of pop tops from the bar. The jug only had about $10 worth of donations inside but it was meant for The Ronald McDonald House.To catch her, Combs shared the video with Fox 4 News and we showed it to you. "After you aired the video I guess she saw herself on TV and wanted to get out of it," Combs says.
The woman called Combs to confess. "I think the first thing out of her mouth was, 'I did something really stupid,'" Combs says.
She told Combs she took the tops to donate to another charity. With the tops long gone they knew she had to do something to make things right. "We agreed that she would make $100 donation to Ronald McDonald House and we would drop the charges."
After she turned herself in...something else turned up. People donated tons of pops tops to Combs- way more than the woman stole.
It's an outpouring Combs never saw coming. "We had 35 gallons donated in a week and compare that to a normal month when we a get two gallons," he said.
Combs says it as a negative situation turned positive.
To donate to the Ronald McDonald Charities visit: www.ronaldmchouse.com
Pop Top Thief Turns Herself In
Posted: July 7, 2008 07:48 PM
A little security tape can go a long way. At The North Naples Country Club owner Mike Combs keeps his restaurant under close watch with security cameras scattered all over.Because of the cameras, Combs got a grainy look of the woman who stole a jar of pop tops from the bar. The jug only had about $10 worth of donations inside but it was meant for The Ronald McDonald House.To catch her, Combs shared the video with Fox 4 News and we showed it to you. "After you aired the video I guess she saw herself on TV and wanted to get out of it," Combs says.
The woman called Combs to confess. "I think the first thing out of her mouth was, 'I did something really stupid,'" Combs says.
She told Combs she took the tops to donate to another charity. With the tops long gone they knew she had to do something to make things right. "We agreed that she would make $100 donation to Ronald McDonald House and we would drop the charges."
After she turned herself in...something else turned up. People donated tons of pops tops to Combs- way more than the woman stole.
It's an outpouring Combs never saw coming. "We had 35 gallons donated in a week and compare that to a normal month when we a get two gallons," he said.
Combs says it as a negative situation turned positive.
To donate to the Ronald McDonald Charities visit: www.ronaldmchouse.com
New push against Alligator Alley privatization
By Althea Paul, WINK News
Story Created: Aug 2, 2008 at 11:11 PM EST
Story Updated: Aug 3, 2008 at 1:31 PM EST
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. - A greater push Saturday against the privatization of Alligator Alley - as one business owner is taking the highway issue right to the streets.
"I'm hoping they can stop in, come in and sign the form," said Michael Combs.
It's exactly what the marquee for the North Naples Country Club sign says. A new way to get the word out on the privatization of Alligator Alley. It's an issue the club's owner is against.
"Your traffic on 41 is going to pick up cause the tolls are going to go up. You'll probably be paying $20 and up if this goes through," said Combs.
The state wants to to sell the Alley to a private company to raise money for other road projects through out Florida.
"It's your children, your grandchildren, your great grand children, who will be paying for a private company to make a profit off a road we paid for with our tax dollars," said Gina Downs, with Citizens Transportation Coalition.
The group originally started the push against the issue last month, passing out petitions for people to sign and mail to Governor Charlie Crist. They've faxed in more than 2,000 petitions, and after seeing the Country Club's sign, is adding this business in their fight.
"We're just thrilled. We never came in to ask for their cooperation at all. That's just an indication of how outraged the public is," said Downs.
And whether the public is outraged or not, the Country Club's owner just wants people to know about the issue.
"People are stopping and they're asking questions. What's this about," said Combs.
State officials say it will likely be sometime after the first of the year before any deal on leasing the Alley would be finalized.
By Althea Paul, WINK News
Story Created: Aug 2, 2008 at 11:11 PM EST
Story Updated: Aug 3, 2008 at 1:31 PM EST
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. - A greater push Saturday against the privatization of Alligator Alley - as one business owner is taking the highway issue right to the streets.
"I'm hoping they can stop in, come in and sign the form," said Michael Combs.
It's exactly what the marquee for the North Naples Country Club sign says. A new way to get the word out on the privatization of Alligator Alley. It's an issue the club's owner is against.
"Your traffic on 41 is going to pick up cause the tolls are going to go up. You'll probably be paying $20 and up if this goes through," said Combs.
The state wants to to sell the Alley to a private company to raise money for other road projects through out Florida.
"It's your children, your grandchildren, your great grand children, who will be paying for a private company to make a profit off a road we paid for with our tax dollars," said Gina Downs, with Citizens Transportation Coalition.
The group originally started the push against the issue last month, passing out petitions for people to sign and mail to Governor Charlie Crist. They've faxed in more than 2,000 petitions, and after seeing the Country Club's sign, is adding this business in their fight.
"We're just thrilled. We never came in to ask for their cooperation at all. That's just an indication of how outraged the public is," said Downs.
And whether the public is outraged or not, the Country Club's owner just wants people to know about the issue.
"People are stopping and they're asking questions. What's this about," said Combs.
State officials say it will likely be sometime after the first of the year before any deal on leasing the Alley would be finalized.
Toys for Tots donation box stolen from North Naples restaurant, owner says
By Naples Daily News staff report
Originally published 6:56 p.m., Saturday, November 29, 2008
Updated 6:56 p.m., Saturday, November 29, 2008
NAPLES - A Toys for Tots donation box was stolen from the North Naples Country Club on Thanksgiving, the restaurant's owner said Saturday.
Around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, a woman and two men were sitting at the bar and disconnected the chain on the clear, cash box and then walked out the door with it, owner Michael Combs said.
"The general consensus of most of my patrons is mostly anger," Combs said.
An estimated $200 was in the donation box at the restaurant on U.S. 41 North in Naples Park.
Combs has reported the theft to the Collier County Sheriff's Office, he said.
This isn't the first time that patrons have stolen a donation box at the bar. Earlier this year, a Ronald McDonald House charity drive box was stolen, Combs said.
The Ronald McDonald House donation was recovered after the patron returned it, he said.
Donations are low due to the economy.
Combs said he hopes the thieves return the Toys for Tots money for the children.
By Naples Daily News staff report
Originally published 6:56 p.m., Saturday, November 29, 2008
Updated 6:56 p.m., Saturday, November 29, 2008
NAPLES - A Toys for Tots donation box was stolen from the North Naples Country Club on Thanksgiving, the restaurant's owner said Saturday.
Around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, a woman and two men were sitting at the bar and disconnected the chain on the clear, cash box and then walked out the door with it, owner Michael Combs said.
"The general consensus of most of my patrons is mostly anger," Combs said.
An estimated $200 was in the donation box at the restaurant on U.S. 41 North in Naples Park.
Combs has reported the theft to the Collier County Sheriff's Office, he said.
This isn't the first time that patrons have stolen a donation box at the bar. Earlier this year, a Ronald McDonald House charity drive box was stolen, Combs said.
The Ronald McDonald House donation was recovered after the patron returned it, he said.
Donations are low due to the economy.
Combs said he hopes the thieves return the Toys for Tots money for the children.
Stealing from a charity
FOX 4
The search is on for a woman who stole $200 in donations from a children's charity.
The economy is hitting all of us, but it's driving some to some new lows. Surveilance cameras caught a woman stealing $200 from a Toys for Tots donation drive at the North Naples Country Club late Thanksgiving night. "I would have more respect for a purse snatcher," said County Club owner Michael Combs. The woman broke the chain off a donation box, placed it under her jacket, and walked out of the bar calmly.
"She has been sitting here drinking cocktails and she wasn't stealing for her kids," Combs said. "She was stealing out of just greed."
Police are on the look-out, but, until she's found, Combs is using his own method - embarrasment. He's posted her photo on his website www.northnaplescountryclub.com and placed a bulletin outside the bar.
A woman stole Ronald McDonald Charity donations from the bar just five months ago, but came forward after plenty of publicity.
And there is some good that came from all this. Angry customers donated $1000 - that's 5 times more than what was stolen - to the Toys for Tots drive by Monday afternoon.
FOX 4
The search is on for a woman who stole $200 in donations from a children's charity.
The economy is hitting all of us, but it's driving some to some new lows. Surveilance cameras caught a woman stealing $200 from a Toys for Tots donation drive at the North Naples Country Club late Thanksgiving night. "I would have more respect for a purse snatcher," said County Club owner Michael Combs. The woman broke the chain off a donation box, placed it under her jacket, and walked out of the bar calmly.
"She has been sitting here drinking cocktails and she wasn't stealing for her kids," Combs said. "She was stealing out of just greed."
Police are on the look-out, but, until she's found, Combs is using his own method - embarrasment. He's posted her photo on his website www.northnaplescountryclub.com and placed a bulletin outside the bar.
A woman stole Ronald McDonald Charity donations from the bar just five months ago, but came forward after plenty of publicity.
And there is some good that came from all this. Angry customers donated $1000 - that's 5 times more than what was stolen - to the Toys for Tots drive by Monday afternoon.
Sign language: Michael Combs, 39, owner of North Naples Country
Club, bought the establishment with his parents after moving to the area from
Edwardsville, Ill. in 1995. He says the bar has been in operation in one form or
another since 1938. Combs came up with the idea of the off-color messages a
couple years back by ribbing the power company after a hurricane.
Club, bought the establishment with his parents after moving to the area from
Edwardsville, Ill. in 1995. He says the bar has been in operation in one form or
another since 1938. Combs came up with the idea of the off-color messages a
couple years back by ribbing the power company after a hurricane.
Our World: Sign Language
Naples Daily News: By DAVID ALBERS
7:02 p.m., Sunday, June 21, 2009
You could drive past the sign at the North Naples Country Club and it might blend in to the mélange along U.S. 41 heading south into Naples. The physical sign itself doesn't jump out at you, but when you catch the message cursing felon football quarterback Michael Vick to a very uncomfortable fate, you take notice.
"Michael Vick may the fleas of 10,000 dogs infest your groin you piece of trash."
Owner Michael Combs, 39, proudly argues that his is the oldest bar in Naples. He bought the establishment with his parents after moving to the area from Edwardsville, Ill. in 1995. He says the bar has been in operation in one form or another since 1938.
Combs came up with the idea of the off-color messages a couple years back by ribbing the power company after a hurricane.
"We had a sign up there that said 'FPL where are you?' I guess my sense of humor doesn¹t roll into everybody's. It was what it was and it wasn't intended to be sadistic. I wouldn¹t have wanted to work for FPL but we actually had some of the FPL guys come in and they took it the way it was meant to be."
The reaction to the original sign gave Combs the idea to create a shtick for his business.
"We were in the paper. We were in the letters to the editor. Love us or hate us, you are not going to get everyone to agree with what you say. I get a lot of e-mails. A lot of them are good but I welcome the bad ones, too.
"They are quite humorous at times. It¹s gotten to the point now that we get a lot of e-mail suggestions for signage. Some are ones you wouldn¹t even want to write on the bathroom wall of a strip bar."
The biggest reactions usually come from the most sensitive subjects.
Combs says there is one issue in particular that always gets a big reaction.
"Every time you put something up about immigration. We had the Spanish news network set up outside for about four hours one day on the corner across the street.
"'If you think illegal immigration is a problem, ask the American Indians' is what his sign said that day."
There isn¹t much moderating to the debate on the NNCC's sign. Whatever is on Combs' mind becomes fodder for the sign.
"Michael Vick, it was an easy fight to pick with him. Not every fight we¹ve picked have we been on the right side. George Bush was such an easy target for so many years. That was a comedian¹s dream. Yet on the other side, I don't play favorites. So, Obama is a fair target."
Among all the exclusive memberships and the faux Mediterranean architecture in Naples, the patrons of the North Naples Country Club know that it may not be the most fashionable place in town. A sense of humor and an appreciation for diversity is all you need to secure a seat in Michael Combs' bar.
"Why be like everybody else, because obviously we are not."
Naples Daily News: By DAVID ALBERS
7:02 p.m., Sunday, June 21, 2009
You could drive past the sign at the North Naples Country Club and it might blend in to the mélange along U.S. 41 heading south into Naples. The physical sign itself doesn't jump out at you, but when you catch the message cursing felon football quarterback Michael Vick to a very uncomfortable fate, you take notice.
"Michael Vick may the fleas of 10,000 dogs infest your groin you piece of trash."
Owner Michael Combs, 39, proudly argues that his is the oldest bar in Naples. He bought the establishment with his parents after moving to the area from Edwardsville, Ill. in 1995. He says the bar has been in operation in one form or another since 1938.
Combs came up with the idea of the off-color messages a couple years back by ribbing the power company after a hurricane.
"We had a sign up there that said 'FPL where are you?' I guess my sense of humor doesn¹t roll into everybody's. It was what it was and it wasn't intended to be sadistic. I wouldn¹t have wanted to work for FPL but we actually had some of the FPL guys come in and they took it the way it was meant to be."
The reaction to the original sign gave Combs the idea to create a shtick for his business.
"We were in the paper. We were in the letters to the editor. Love us or hate us, you are not going to get everyone to agree with what you say. I get a lot of e-mails. A lot of them are good but I welcome the bad ones, too.
"They are quite humorous at times. It¹s gotten to the point now that we get a lot of e-mail suggestions for signage. Some are ones you wouldn¹t even want to write on the bathroom wall of a strip bar."
The biggest reactions usually come from the most sensitive subjects.
Combs says there is one issue in particular that always gets a big reaction.
"Every time you put something up about immigration. We had the Spanish news network set up outside for about four hours one day on the corner across the street.
"'If you think illegal immigration is a problem, ask the American Indians' is what his sign said that day."
There isn¹t much moderating to the debate on the NNCC's sign. Whatever is on Combs' mind becomes fodder for the sign.
"Michael Vick, it was an easy fight to pick with him. Not every fight we¹ve picked have we been on the right side. George Bush was such an easy target for so many years. That was a comedian¹s dream. Yet on the other side, I don't play favorites. So, Obama is a fair target."
Among all the exclusive memberships and the faux Mediterranean architecture in Naples, the patrons of the North Naples Country Club know that it may not be the most fashionable place in town. A sense of humor and an appreciation for diversity is all you need to secure a seat in Michael Combs' bar.
"Why be like everybody else, because obviously we are not."
