Above is pictures of  candidates signs that are out of compliance because they are sitting on city owned property.
If there is one area of the political sign season I will try to defend candidates on is the confusing and complicated political sign rules. Almost every election cycle someone if not all candidates are out of compliance. Four years ago Huether had signs in the boulevard. A no-no. For awhile this year, Entenman had signs in the boulevard (and apparently still does). And in the last school board election, Mickelson was even posting signs in the Tea School District. Not sure if that is against any ordinances, but kind of just funny.
A few weeks ago candidate Brekke had some issues with compliance on her yard signs and was told to bring them into compliance by City Clerk Tom Greco. While time consuming, Brekke spent a bundle of time last week bringing her signs into compliance. I can’t imagine what kind of task that was.
Like I said, it plagues all of the candidates equally. A lot of times it has nothing to do with the candidate, but the mistake of an advisor or a printer (yes, us printers are not perfect).
While some of these non-compliance issues can be against city ordinance, are they really worth all the hoopla at the end of the day? I know I’m guilty in the past of making a big deal out of it, but after seeing so many violations this past election cycle I’m more concerned about what a candidate STANDS for and not whether they know how to STAND up a sign in someone’s yard.
Nothing to see here. Move along. VOTE TUESDAY! For a person, not a sign.
I like Tom’s signs. They’re original. Although, he might have used a “BatHaken” black background (That’s hard to say). They’re still refreshingly different. 😉
This subject always comes around for elections. I’m not sure it matters. When you see big signs at prominent locations, some assume big money and vote for the underdog. On the day after the election, all signs make for a spring bonfire. The bigger more frequent signs are the best fire starters. It’s to bad a 100k freight train pickup (Entenman) is not insendiary.
This should be an agenda for the new mayor and city council to address after the election/runoffs are done. While citizens need to embrace campaigning as an aspect of the right to vote, we’re also entitled to an uncluttered city year ’round. . . and year in & year out. Separate the campaign sign ordinance from commercial signage guidelines. Revise & simplify the codes. Specify the size and materials allowed for temporary free standing campaign signs, separate and distinct from commercial billboards. A good start would be to mandate that all such temporary campaign signs be anchored in the ground. Currently, some candidates always take their lead from sleazy commercial real estate agents who assault our city with their homemade wood frame 5′-6′ tall “For Lease/Sale†signs. These need to be weighted down w/ sandbags or concrete blocks to keep them upright, but frequently aren’t…creating a hazard if they’re blown away by strong winds. Whether constituting a real estate or campaign sign, these unpainted lumber-framed signs are primitive clutter, and make Sioux Falls look like hicksville.
Blas- I agree and I have heard it from others. They look like SH*T!
When you’re this obnoxious, can it be controlled? City ordinances have proven to be unenforceable. When the big sign in streets right-of-way causes an accident casualty, that candidate can be sued. Court decisions matter while city ordinances are just foolish context.
POSIBLY GRECO IS READING THE RIGHT PAPER WORK AND RULES THIS TIME