Is public property the place for election...
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By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEA VER Are election signs messy, but important indicators of a vital democracy? Or wasteful and out-of-control eyesores that block sight lines and endanger public safety? Oakville councillors argued both sides of that position when a proposed ban on election signs on town property was consid- ered by the town’s Administrative Services committee on Tuesday night. Under the proposal, brought forward as part of a package of updates to the town’s Sign Bylaw, election signs would still be allowed on private property but would be banned on public lands owned by the town and region. That would put an end to the often large collection of signs that sprout up along town roadways and at busy street corners during every election campaign. B urlington and Mississauga have imposed similar bans on election signs on public property . Although the committee voted 4-2 to defeat the pro- posal, the arguments will likely be rehashed with equal passion at next Monday’s council meeting. Opponents of the ban suggested that the signs are an important part of the democratic process and free speech, and allow political newcomers to build name recognition among the elec- torate. “Incumbents have an advantage in elections by name recognition,” said Janet Haslett-Theall, presi- dent of the Joshua Creek Residents’ Association, who argued that the signs should be allowed for the benefit of political newcomers. Mayor Rob Burton agreed, saying, “I cannot be com- fortable voting for raising barriers for challengers.” But Ward 5 councillor Jeff Knoll argued that get- ting the signs off public property would simply be a reasonable restriction, in keeping with many other restrictions imposed on how elections are conducted. “We put lots and lots of controls on what you can and can’t do during an elec- tion process,” he argued. “Good governance includes regulation.” Knoll also suggested a ban could benefit challeng- ers more than incumbents, as newcomers have a more difficult time raising cash to purchase signs and rallying volunteers to install them. The proposal was also supported by Ward 2 coun- cillor Cathy Duddeck, who said she believes the signs create safety concerns when they obstruct sightlines or blow over , and are also a source of dissension among candidates and a target for vandals. “It’ s become somewhat of an election game,” she said, noting the candidates are often trying to ‘top’ one another by building taller signs, which can effectively result in a virtual wall of signs at some intersections. As part of the package of proposed changes to the Sign Bylaw, councillors were urged to reconsider the town’ s ban on the use of colour on mobile signs. Lawyer Scott Snider, who spoke on behalf of Advantage Signs, said the decade-old ban appeared to be imposed as a way of ridding the town of large fluorescent letters on mobile signs. However, new technology has allowed for the creation of full-colour signs that are at least as attractive as the black and white models cur- rently permitted, he said. “Our complaint with the current bylaw is that it is using a sledgehammer pro- hibition to crack a fluores- cent lettering nut,” he argued, suggesting the town could simply ban the uses it doesn’t want, not all colour on mobile signs. The proposed new Sign Bylaw will be considered by the full Oakville council on Monday June 20. “I cannot be comfortable voting for raising barriers for challengers.” Oakville Mayor Rob Burton
Transcript of Is public property the place for election...
C H I R O P O D I S T
J. Richard Werkman
Sore Feet, Sports Injury, Painful Ingrown Toenails? Plantar Warts? We can help!
11449955 CCoorrnnwwaallll RRdd..,,, SSuuiittee 3333,,, OOaakkvviilllleelocated on the north/west corner of maple grove dr. and cornwall rd.
T: 905-845-4817 T: 905-845-4817 www.werkman.cawwwwerkman ca
Exceptional footcare for all ages.
SSPPPP
Visit our website for free information on What You Need To Know About Orthotics
• Routine footcare • Corns & calluses • Plantar warts • Heel/arch/foot pain• Diabetic footcare and education • Thick or ingrown nails • Nail surgery • Sports related foot problems & injuries • Custom made orthoticscs• Sigvaris® compression stockings • Evenings and saturday appointments available• New patients welcome!
UPSCALE DESIGNER DECORAT A PRICE
YOU CAN LIVE WITH.
www.joshuacreekfurniture.com
MAIN LOCATION 1029 SPEERS RD, OAKVILLE (SPEERS & 4TH LINE)
905.842.3739
PREMIUM OUTDOORFURNITURE SALE!
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Is public property theplace for election signs?By Kim ArnottSPECIAL TO THE BEAVER
Are election signs messy,but important indicators of avital democracy? Or wastefuland out-of-control eyesoresthat block sight lines andendanger public safety?
Oakville councillorsargued both sides of thatposition when a proposedban on election signs ontown property was consid-ered by the town’sAdministrative Servicescommittee on Tuesdaynight.
Under the proposal,brought forward as part of apackage of updates to thetown’s Sign Bylaw, electionsigns would still be allowedon private property butwould be banned on publiclands owned by the town andregion.
That would put an end tothe often large collection of signs that sprout up alongtown roadways and at busystreet corners during everyelection campaign.
Burlington andMississauga have imposedsimilar bans on electionsigns on public property.
Although the committeevoted 4-2 to defeat the pro-posal, the arguments willlikely be rehashed with equalpassion at next Monday’scouncil meeting.
Opponents of the bansuggested that the signs arean important part of thedemocratic process and freespeech, and allow political
newcomers to build namerecognition among the elec-torate.
“Incumbents have anadvantage in elections byname recognition,” saidJanet Haslett-Theall, presi-dent of the Joshua CreekResidents’ Association, whoargued that the signs shouldbe allowed for the benefit of political newcomers.
Mayor Rob Burton agreed,saying, “I cannot be com-fortable voting for raisingbarriers for challengers.”
But Ward 5 councillorJeff Knoll argued that get-ting the signs off publicproperty would simply be areasonable restriction, inkeeping with many otherrestrictions imposed on howelections are conducted.
“We put lots and lots of controls on what you canand can’t do during an elec-tion process,” he argued.“Good governance includesregulation.”
Knoll also suggested aban could benefit challeng-ers more than incumbents,as newcomers have a moredifficult time raising cash topurchase signs and rallyingvolunteers to install them.
The proposal was alsosupported by Ward 2 coun-
cillor Cathy Duddeck, who said she believes the signs create safety concerns when they obstruct sightlines or blow over, and are also a source of dissension among candidates and a target for vandals.
“It’s become somewhat of an election game,” she said, noting the candidates are often trying to ‘top’ one another by building taller signs, which can effectively result in a virtual wall of signs at some intersections.
As part of the package of proposed changes to the Sign Bylaw, councillors were urged to reconsider the town’s ban on the use of colour on mobile signs.
Lawyer Scott Snider, who spoke on behalf of Advantage Signs, said the decade-old ban appeared to be imposed as a way of ridding the town of large fluorescent letters on mobile signs.
However, new technology has allowed for the creation of full-colour signs that are at least as attractive as the black and white models cur-rently permitted, he said.
“Our complaint with the current bylaw is that it is using a sledgehammer pro-hibition to crack a fluores-cent lettering nut,” he argued, suggesting the town could simply ban the uses it doesn’t want, not all colour on mobile signs.
The proposed new Sign Bylaw will be considered by the full Oakville council on Monday June 20.
“I cannot becomfortable voting forraising barriers for challengers.”
Oakville Mayor Rob Burton
