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By Tiffany Y. Latta

Staff Writer

MASON — The Ohio Civil Rights Commission on Thursday dismissed discrimination charges against a Mason tavern owner who for months refused to remove a sign that stated "For Service Speak English."

Housing Opportunities Made Equal asked the commission to dismiss the charges after Pleasure Inn owner Tom Ullum signed an agreement Nov. 3 saying he'd remove the sign by Thursday, which he did.

"We're very happy with the outcome," said Elizabeth Brown, executive director of HOME. "Our intention all along was that we wanted the sign removed because it violated discrimination laws."

HOME, an agency in Cincinnati that handles fair-housing issues for eight counties including Warren, filed a complaint with the commission in July 2005 after receiving calls about the sign.

The issue drew national attention after commissioners unanimously ruled in October 2005 that Ullum "engaged in discriminatory practices" by posting the sign.

Ohio law says it is unlawful for any proprietor of a place of public accommodation to deny the full enjoyment of the accommodations based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or ancestry.

Brown said the sign unfairly targeted Hispanics and indicated that the tavern would refuse service to people based on national origin.

Ullum, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, had adamantly denied the charge and insisted he's never denied any customer service.

His attorney and ProEnglish Executive Director K.C. McAlpin said HOME blew the issue out of proportion. ProEnglish is Virginia-based group who wants English as the official language.

McAlpin said Ullum was merely expressing support for proposed legislation for English as the nation's officials language, but his message was misconstrued.

"He rejects that his actions were discriminatory," said McAlpin of Arlington, Va. "But he didn't want to go into a long, drawn out legal process to fight that. He's at an age when he wants to go on and do other things."

McAlpin said Ullum, who is in his 60s, does have the freedom to put up signs that read, "This is America Speak English" or "English is the Language of Our Country."

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4542 or tlatta@coxohio.com.