| Election
Sign Rules Could Change |
By Rebecca Plevin
Observer Staff Writer |
| According to current town law, campaign signs cannot be
erected on private property more than 60 days before an election.
But if the Town Council approves a resolution at its public
hearing Tuesday, that time limit would be removed. |
| At the council's work session on Tuesday, Town Attorney
Richard Kaufman recommended the council remove the time limits
on campaign signs and apply the same set of rules to both
campaign ads and political and issue signs. |
| He recommended amending the definition of "political sign"
to include those expressing support for, opposition to, or
information about a candidate or public office, as well as
those stating a position regarding a public figure or issue.
|
| Kaufman recommended that both types of signs be treated
to the same regulations on size, proximity to the street,
aesthetics and safety. He also said that the signs would be
subject to the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, to
ensure that the signs are safe and secure. |
| Kaufman said he drafted the ordinance in response to requests
from the mayor and Town Council. |
| "I see major problems with making these changes," said council
member Connie Hutchinson. She said the 60-day limit is "more
than sufficient" and she was concerned that residents, "might
see any type of sign in people's yard all year long." |
| Councilman Bill Tirrell suggested that town staff review
the rules on political signs in surrounding jurisdictions
to prevent problems with other towns and localities. |
| Councilman Dave Kirby said there is currently a "gentleman
and ladies agreement" among Town Council candidates that political
signs do not go up more than 30 days before an election, even
though the law allows for 60 days. If the council approves
the ordinance, he said he hopes candidates continue to respect
the unwritten agreement and "all play fair." |
| In other business, Cindy Roeder, director of parks and recreation,
recommended the council increase fees at Bready Park Indoor
Tennis Center for the 2008 season, beginning in September.
She suggested increasing the fees by $1 per hour for residents
and $2 per hour for non-residents to cover increasing operational
costs for the facility and projected performance increases
to salaries and benefits. The fees for youth and seniors would
not change, she said. |
| Tirrell asked how many residents and non-residents used
the facility, and said he would prefer to not raise the fees
for town residents, if possible. Roeder said she did not know
the breakdown of how many residents and non-residents used
the tennis center, but she could find out that information.
|
