Political signs

OK, maybe I missed it but who is going to enforce this ordinance? Are they going to seek bids to remove signs that are not picked up and what if the bid is higher than what is currently funded through the fees? How will there not a cost be associated with the stamping and regulation of the signs? Its not that I think this is a terrible idea, but for those of you who believe in making government smaller and reducing government regulation, and enjoying the freedom of speech (so to speak) I think this may be a step in the wrong direction. IMO. As someone who has placed signs and even picked up other folks signs after elections, for free, this is interesting to say the least.

On the agenda for the Oct. 26 county commission meeting is an ordinance proposed by a member of the business community to regulate campaign signs, establishing fees and deposits in connection with political signs.
Here is a link to the ordinance:

http://fl-waltoncounty.civicplus.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=2830

The full meeting agenda is at:

http://www.co.walton.fl.us/archives/47/October 26 2010 bcc agenda w links.pdf

The 26th meeting is going to be a hoot then.

$5,000 deposit? That's more than some of the candidates spend on their entire campaign. This seems a little burdensome, but I agree the 26th will be interesting.

Well the link is dead so it looks like they might be reworking the agenda.

This ordinance seems good in theory, but it doesn't cover non-filing political committees such as the Tea Baggers.

This is nothing more than an attempt to aid incumbents in being re-elected and suppress speech and dissent. My guess is all the RINOS will leap on the bandwagon.

Signs item removed

I checked, and you were right, SWGB, the agenda has been revised. The political signs item has been removed. This link to the agenda should work, at least if and until it is revised again:
http://www.co.walton.fl.us/archives/47/October 26 2010 bcc agenda w links r1.pdf

I checked, and you were right, SWGB, the agenda has been revised. The political signs item has been removed. This link to the agenda should work, at least if and until it is revised again:
http://www.co.walton.fl.us/archives/47/October 26 2010 bcc agenda w links r1.pdf

Maybe they are going to stop listing unconstitutional items on the agenda, but then would that in itself be unconstitutional?

Which amendment to the US Constitution gives you the right to litter?

I know it isn't in the first 10. :roll:

I have to agree that anything limiting the ridiculous amount of signage is a potential good thing. Who really looks at the bloody things anyhow? I seriously doubt any sign or quantity of signs has ever changed anyones mind on who they were voting for.

Which amendment to the US Constitution gives you the right to litter?

I know it isn't in the first 10. :roll:

They can't be litter. Litter is illegal. And if they were illegal they would be picked up and the offender cited. Since they are being allowed, they must be legal, and if they are legal, that 1st amendment thing gets in the way.

I have to agree that anything limiting the ridiculous amount of signage is a potential good thing. Who really looks at the bloody things anyhow? I seriously doubt any sign or quantity of signs has ever changed anyones mind on who they were voting for.

I agree, I am going to run for something in two years and only buy 100 signs to test out this theory.

Florida state law already says you've got a very tight time frame to remove signs after an election. I'm with the camp that agrees this would place an unfair additional burden on those running for office and discourage political participation.

Florida state law already says you've got a very tight time frame to remove signs after an election. I'm with the camp that agrees this would place an unfair additional burden on those running for office and discourage political participation.

Another law that is not enforced. I can take you to a sign I know has been out for two years.

Another law that is not enforced. I can take you to a sign I know has been out for two years.

So go pick the damn thing up and put it in the trash!

My solution to the signs - you have "x" number of days to remove the signs after the election is over. If you do not, the signs (which I am told are expensive/have some redeeming value as scrap) are free game AND you can be fined for littering.

Another law that is not enforced. I can take you to a sign I know has been out for two years.

You mean one of yours? :floor:

So go pick the damn thing up and put it in the trash!

My solution to the signs - you have "x" number of days to remove the signs after the election is over. If you do not, the signs (which I am told are expensive/have some redeeming value as scrap) are free game AND you can be fined for littering.

It is actually in a pretty good location and going to be time to put out signs for 2012 in a couple of weeks anyway.

You mean one of yours? :floor:

And I am always running for or away from something.

The political signs ordinance is back on the BCC agenda for Nov. 9:

http://fl-waltoncounty.civicplus.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=2889

The full agenda is at:

http://fl-waltoncounty.civicplus.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=2895

I would think the only way to stop this ridiculous idea would be for both political parties to come together and sweep the county before November 9th.