Mayor William Stortz is aiming to rein in the proliferation of political signs.
Stortz said he would like to see a city ordinance that would block candidates from putting signs on city property.
The goal isn't to keep politicians from putting up signs at Page Park or South Side School, which doesn't happen.
Instead, it would keep signs off the city-owned right of way strips that line municipal roads all over town.
Stortz said the law could bar signs between the sidewalk and the street or could order they be placed at least 6 to 8 feet back from the curb.
He said the main problem with the signs now is that many of them inadvertently block the line of sight for drivers at intersections or pulling out of driveways.
It's not just political signs, either, the mayor said.
He said the ones that bother him most are temporary signs lining the roads that plug a sale in a surrounding town, which doesn't even help a Bristol business.
Stortz said imposing a rule that doesn't discriminate against anyone or prevent political signs from going up would pass legal muster and address a problem.
He said requiring "a little more uniformity" in the placement of signs would keep them away from the pavement, keep them out of vacant lots owned by the city and enhance the safety of residents.
"It will make the city a little neater," Stortz added.
He said he hopes the new law could be in place before next year.
A side benefit, the mayor said, is that political signs placed further from the road would be safer from thieves and vandals.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Showing posts with label signs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label signs. Show all posts
September 20, 2007
August 29, 2007
Signs that primary's getting down and dirty
BRISTOL – Perhaps it’s a sign of the times.
Democratic mayoral nominee Ellen Zoppo said this week that she has asked the police to investigate the “systematic removal and destruction” of her political signs all over town.
Two Federal Hill buildings, a former coffee shop and scaffolding around the entrance to the First Congregational Church have been painted on by Zoppo critics.
“While it appears that my signs are the only campaign signs being targeted,” Zoppo said, “my primary concern is for my supporters who are having their properties trespassed on, and for the public spaces that are being vandalized.”
City Councilor Art Ward, who is taking aim at Zoppo in the Sept. 11 mayoral primary, said neither he nor his supporters had anything to do with the missing signs.
“I really believe it’s not something we should be tying up police resources with,” Ward said.
“As much as it’s not right, and it’s frustrating, ever since I’ve been in politics, you’re always going to experience that,” Ward said.
He said he’s had between 30 and 40 of his 750 lawn signs vanish in recent weeks.
Zoppo said that her campaign has seen 200 signs disappear during the past three weeks, along with “two large banners cut from people's private fences.”
“It happens every night, in a different neighborhood,” she said.
“Anyone who has been involved in Bristol politics will tell you that the rate of Zoppo sign destruction is unprecedented,” said city Councilor Craig Minor, a Zoppo ally.
“I do not think these vandals are connected with the Ward organization,” Minor said.
But, Minor added, “That makes it all the more incumbent on him to publicly denounce these acts as undemocratic and frankly unhelpful to him, because they reflect on him.”
The councilman’s wife, Laura Minor, is offering a $100 reward for anyone who can help police catch the culprit or culprits.
Ward said he doesn’t like sign stealing either. But, he said, there “a million reasons why people do it” and many of them have nothing to do with politics.
“I can safely say that with the people who are working on my campaign, I cannot envision any of them out there doing that,” Ward said.
Zoppo said the police nearly caught someone stealing signs this week.
“A resident of Prospect Place called the police after midnight” on Tuesday “to report three people wearing black masks on the street trespassing and stealing campaign signs,” she said.
“The police found and pursued one individual on foot, and subsequently recovered a number of my campaign signs that were dropped by the suspects as they fled,” Zoppo said.
“I don't know who is doing it,” she added, “although we have been giving a very intriguing description of a person and a car that we are trying to follow up on.”
Zoppo said she believes her own signs are being targeted.
“I do not see the Ward signs, some in close proximity to my signs, being subjected to the same tactics,” Zoppo said.
“It is disappointing that people are resorting to these tactics,” Zoppo said.
“Political involvement and disagreement are good things. Criminal activity in the name of politics is not,” she said.
“I encourage those supporting either me or my opponent to express that support by voting, and discussing the issues and election with their family and friends,” she said.
“I would also like to thank my supporters for maintaining their composure and conducting themselves in a positive manner,” Zoppo added.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Democratic mayoral nominee Ellen Zoppo said this week that she has asked the police to investigate the “systematic removal and destruction” of her political signs all over town.
Two Federal Hill buildings, a former coffee shop and scaffolding around the entrance to the First Congregational Church have been painted on by Zoppo critics.
“While it appears that my signs are the only campaign signs being targeted,” Zoppo said, “my primary concern is for my supporters who are having their properties trespassed on, and for the public spaces that are being vandalized.”
City Councilor Art Ward, who is taking aim at Zoppo in the Sept. 11 mayoral primary, said neither he nor his supporters had anything to do with the missing signs.
“I really believe it’s not something we should be tying up police resources with,” Ward said.
“As much as it’s not right, and it’s frustrating, ever since I’ve been in politics, you’re always going to experience that,” Ward said.
He said he’s had between 30 and 40 of his 750 lawn signs vanish in recent weeks.
Zoppo said that her campaign has seen 200 signs disappear during the past three weeks, along with “two large banners cut from people's private fences.”
“It happens every night, in a different neighborhood,” she said.
“Anyone who has been involved in Bristol politics will tell you that the rate of Zoppo sign destruction is unprecedented,” said city Councilor Craig Minor, a Zoppo ally.
“I do not think these vandals are connected with the Ward organization,” Minor said.
But, Minor added, “That makes it all the more incumbent on him to publicly denounce these acts as undemocratic and frankly unhelpful to him, because they reflect on him.”
The councilman’s wife, Laura Minor, is offering a $100 reward for anyone who can help police catch the culprit or culprits.
Ward said he doesn’t like sign stealing either. But, he said, there “a million reasons why people do it” and many of them have nothing to do with politics.
“I can safely say that with the people who are working on my campaign, I cannot envision any of them out there doing that,” Ward said.
Zoppo said the police nearly caught someone stealing signs this week.
“A resident of Prospect Place called the police after midnight” on Tuesday “to report three people wearing black masks on the street trespassing and stealing campaign signs,” she said.
“The police found and pursued one individual on foot, and subsequently recovered a number of my campaign signs that were dropped by the suspects as they fled,” Zoppo said.
“I don't know who is doing it,” she added, “although we have been giving a very intriguing description of a person and a car that we are trying to follow up on.”
Zoppo said she believes her own signs are being targeted.
“I do not see the Ward signs, some in close proximity to my signs, being subjected to the same tactics,” Zoppo said.
“It is disappointing that people are resorting to these tactics,” Zoppo said.
“Political involvement and disagreement are good things. Criminal activity in the name of politics is not,” she said.
“I encourage those supporting either me or my opponent to express that support by voting, and discussing the issues and election with their family and friends,” she said.
“I would also like to thank my supporters for maintaining their composure and conducting themselves in a positive manner,” Zoppo added.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
August 28, 2007
Zoppo speaks out on sign thefts
Democratic mayoral candidate Ellen Zoppo issued this statement today:
Since volunteers for my campaign installed lawn signs, there has been a systematic removal and destruction of the signs city-wide. Every night, it seems an entire neighborhood would have their signs vanish. This is both needless and costly, and unfortunately, its what some people do come to expect with the political season.
Last weekend, large banners that were hanging on the fences at private properties on Route 229 and Route 69 were cut down. Saturday morning, political graffiti was spray-painted on the wood scaffolding encasing the entrance to the First Congregational Church, the second act of vandalism on public property in the last two months.
Last night, a resident of Prospect Place called the police after midnight to report three people wearing black masks on the street trespassing and stealing campaign signs. The police found and pursued one individual on foot, and subsequently recovered a number of my campaign signs that were dropped by the suspects as they fled.
After the events of the last week, I have made the decision to file an official police complaint in the hope that more attention on this matter by the public will stop the activity. While it appears that my signs are the only campaign signs being targeted, my primary concern is for my supporters who are having their properties trespassed on, and for the public spaces that are being vandalized.
Laura Minor, wife of Councilman Craig Minor, had also publicly offered a reward of $100 for information concerning the signs that have been stolen. Through those efforts, we have a physical description of a person and their car who was seen removing signs on the night of August 19 and the police are pursuing that lead. The financial reward still stands for additional information and leads.
It is disappointing that people are resorting to these tactics. Political involvement and disagreement are good things. Criminal activity in the name of politics is not. I encourage those supporting either me or my opponent to express that support by voting, and discussing the issues and election with their family and friends.
I would also like to thank my supporters for maintaining their composure and conducting themselves in a positive manner. I believe that a candidate’s campaign is a reflection on the candidate, and I am proud that my campaign has been a positive, issues based effort. We will continue our campaign to bring positive, professional management to Bristol.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Since volunteers for my campaign installed lawn signs, there has been a systematic removal and destruction of the signs city-wide. Every night, it seems an entire neighborhood would have their signs vanish. This is both needless and costly, and unfortunately, its what some people do come to expect with the political season.
Last weekend, large banners that were hanging on the fences at private properties on Route 229 and Route 69 were cut down. Saturday morning, political graffiti was spray-painted on the wood scaffolding encasing the entrance to the First Congregational Church, the second act of vandalism on public property in the last two months.
Last night, a resident of Prospect Place called the police after midnight to report three people wearing black masks on the street trespassing and stealing campaign signs. The police found and pursued one individual on foot, and subsequently recovered a number of my campaign signs that were dropped by the suspects as they fled.
After the events of the last week, I have made the decision to file an official police complaint in the hope that more attention on this matter by the public will stop the activity. While it appears that my signs are the only campaign signs being targeted, my primary concern is for my supporters who are having their properties trespassed on, and for the public spaces that are being vandalized.
Laura Minor, wife of Councilman Craig Minor, had also publicly offered a reward of $100 for information concerning the signs that have been stolen. Through those efforts, we have a physical description of a person and their car who was seen removing signs on the night of August 19 and the police are pursuing that lead. The financial reward still stands for additional information and leads.
It is disappointing that people are resorting to these tactics. Political involvement and disagreement are good things. Criminal activity in the name of politics is not. I encourage those supporting either me or my opponent to express that support by voting, and discussing the issues and election with their family and friends.
I would also like to thank my supporters for maintaining their composure and conducting themselves in a positive manner. I believe that a candidate’s campaign is a reflection on the candidate, and I am proud that my campaign has been a positive, issues based effort. We will continue our campaign to bring positive, professional management to Bristol.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
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