Politics sometimes gets a little messy. This year seems a little messier than others. I’m not referring to the differences between the candidates, or their passion for what they believe is right for our community, state, or nation. I’m referring to the quantity of political signage this year…..the signage that has become litter….and the way campaign signs make our landscape look this time of year.
This is in no way a “rock” thrown at any candidate or any party. To have supporters that will put your sign in their yard, or supporters to put signs along roadways (where permitted), is an important part of campaigning. I put up several hundred yard and street signs myself during my campaign, and will probably be putting them up again in 2009.
If you are going to put up a political sign, please do not put them in the right-of-way. If you do, city crews may remove the sign for being out of code. Place your sign behind the street light poles or behind the water meter tap. Both of these areas are out of the street right-of-way and your sign should not be bothered. If you do have a sign picked up for some reason, it can usually be found leaning against the back wall of the Federal Building on Carthage Street.
Four more weeks of campaigning. I wish every candidate good luck and thanks for trying to make a difference……win or loose. I for one was glad to see election day in 2005, regardless of the outcome. I hope everyone involved with installing signs will help remove them quickly after the election.
For more information on street right-of-ways and signage, please call Street Superintendent Magna Halloway at919-775-8326 or Steve Brewer at 919-770-9587.
It seems that there should be a limit of one sign per candidate at each location.
Not a bad idea.
Two things I’ve found ‘interesting’ and disappointing as the election approaches, are the poaching and obfuscation of campaign signs via ‘sheer quantity’ strategies.
It is unfortunately to see signs damaged, kicked over, or covered by other candidate’s signs or the organizations supporting them.
While I support every candidate’s effort to advertise, the ‘line is crossed’ when other candidates(or their proxies) infringe upon another’s right to do so. And I’m not talking about a reasonable and organized high-impact group of signs, but more to the cases of a mass dumping of signs at a location to overwhelm all other signs in the same location.
Case in point: There is a certain candidate, or his supporters, putting out volumes of negative message red signs, usually 10 to 20, in one location practically(and in some cases literally) blocking many other candidate’s signs. This isn’t right. Further, the sheer volume of signs while perhaps politically expedient and arguably effective, turns off many voters as it clearly seems orchestrated to overwhelm the other candidates’ signs.
I’m not going to suggest more regulation, but supporters or detractors should learn to show some restraint and balance the ‘impact’ of signage with sensitivity to other candidates and the voting public. There may be unintended consequences at the polls by going too far. Sometimes more is not better.
Al
Those who actually doubt I am a conservative will have a field day with this one. As a rule, I don’t like government limits on things like signs, but it was clear to me that folks had gotten out of hand.
While both parties had plenty of signs, it was as if he thought was the election was who had the most signs at certain intersections. And one could tell who had put them up by the number per candidate and the placement. The “favorites” of whatever group of volunteers were evident.
Now as to solutions. I try to think of solutions first in terms of the basic purpose of the matter at hand. I believe the most effective yard signs are the one in people’s yards or businesses They say, “My neighbor supports the candidate, that must be a good person.” Or in some cases vice versa. People ought to be free to put up all the signs they want at their residence and business.
But I think a “piece of land” and certainly the right of way can be treated differently or that the total number of signs allowed per candidate on right of ways, at ball parks, etc. are things for careful thought.