Political Yard signs
[UPDATE 5/29/08] For many people this is a non-issue. Placement of signs is just a nuisance that will soon go away. Getting what we need from elected officials is a much higher priority.
I spoke with Charlie Tomlinson, head of code enforcement, who said this year is especially bad for the number of signs getting placed in the wrong places. It seems almost every candidate is guilty. Some signs that are removed are replaced by the next day. The code enforcement people are staying busy trying to keep up.
Home owners are reporting harrassment by campaign workers to get opponent's signs removed and their own signs put up. Two people reported seeing uniformed sheriff's deputies in county vehicles delivering and placing signs.
This is more than annoying. It is abusive and proves lack of respect for ordinances and residents.
[UPDATE 5/27/2008] Kudos to the county Code Enforcement Department! The complaint lodged against one misplaced sign was met with a thorough sweep of East Lake Road. I spoke with the enforcement officer today and was informed that many sings were removed, and tomorrow the job will be completed.
This is the result of non-partisan, dedicated employees doing their job.
[Original Post 5/25/08]
I have noticed signs in the right-of-way in several locations around the county. Some are obviously in violation of county code, and others are within a margin that I would call "no harm / no foul". A conversation with the head of Code Enforcement once again proved his non-partisan dedication to enforcing the ordinances.
Something else that seems to be a common sign-placing tactic: Find a vacant lot or abandoned house and post the sign on that property. That is legal under the ordinance, and provides advertising without the hassle of actually getting the owner's permission. Although no indication of support can be made.
On East Lake Road I have noticed two signs for my favorite candidate - both placed in front of vacant houses. A photograph of one can be seen here.
When the original plan for the East Lake Extension included road widening from Hwy 155 to Elliott Road one long-time resident knew he would have to move. His old house was so close to the road the right-of-way would take his front porch. He convinced the county he was not getting any younger and could not "wait for someday - he had to build a new house further back into his property." The County purchased the right of way and the new house was built. The old house was abandoned at the corner of East Lake and John Elliott Roads.
Since this right-of-way was acquired by the county for a road expansion that apparently will not happen, maybe consideration could be made that it is not really a county right-of-way. But only a candidate or campaign worker eager for a prominent location would overlook the fact - IT IS COUNTY RIGHT-OF-WAY, and the sign violates county ordinance.
Of course "my favorite candidate" has never allowed silly facts like 'county property' to hinder her agenda or assumption of personal privilege.
Code Enforcement has been notified. If the sign is not removed fairly quickly, I will volunteer for the job.
Comments
I have seen so many other candidates who have their campaign signs in violation as well. I could send you endless photos of sign violations from other Chairman candidates and others running for other positions as well, with a few placing their signs in a 25' state creek buffer zone and all other signs being clearly within county right of way.
I would say that the majority of the candidates running HAVE violated the sign ordinance. They all live in glass houses as far as I am concerned regarding this matter and I can take photos as well of their signs too which are in violation of R.O.W laws and even state water buffer violations. They ALL need to adhere to the County codes.
The way I feel about it is 'why should I vote for someone, any one of them running for office, when they too clearly violate the codes and laws they wish to govern over?
Posted by: not just one in violation | May 25, 2008 12:18 PM
Dear "Not Just One" -- I talked with the head of Code Enforcement about this very thing on Friday. You are correct!
County employees are directed to remove such signs where and whenever they are found.
By the way, citizens are within their right to remove the illegally placed signs. As the department head told me, "Well, that is just what we would do."
Since I make such an issue of things like this, a call to Code Enforecement is appropriate before taking personal action.
My position is this: I live on East Lake. I will patrol my community and report violations. Everyone should do the same.
Posted by: Larry Stanley | May 25, 2008 12:31 PM
I see sign violations all over the place from most candidates and I am not talking about just the Chairman race either. If while I am driving around town I clearly see violations of campaign signs in the ROW then how are the Code Enforcement employees not seeing these violations and removing them? I was told that a taxpayer has to call in the violation for the sign to be removed. I have no problem calling in violations but my issue is why can't Code Enforcement, while they too are driving around town and see a sign violation just stop and remove the sign(s)? Why do taxpayers have to continually call in to report every violation when some of these violations are so obvious that the darn sign could jump up and smack them in the face.
All candidates must adhere to the codes and laws of this County or I feel that their blatant disregard for the county codes will cause me to vote for someone else who is running against them that chose to obey the laws of this county.
Posted by: not just one in violation | May 25, 2008 02:43 PM
Your favorite candidate has
put signs as you said in places that are on the right of way. And yes it looks like just about all the folks running for office are doing the same. It is interesting they would like to use abandoned property