More information on sign issue (08/04/2008)

To the editor:

I am writing this time to clarify a few things that I thought were obvious in my previous letter printed in the July 25 edition of The Commercial Review regarding sign policies.

First off, I am not trying to start an argument or create any ill feelings with Mr. Harker or anyone else. But, as my last letter stated, our signs were neatly painted on wood and staked. These were freestanding signs and were not attached to any utility poles. The members of my church are well aware that the city ordinance prohibits the posting of rummage sale signs on utility poles. Therefore, we had no intentions of violating the ordinance by attaching any of our "bazaar" signs to these poles. One of our signs was placed on the Arby's corner of Meridian and Votaw streets amongst the Hollow Block signs. There is no utility pole where this sign was. Each and every sign was stuck in the ground, but our sign was the only one removed.

Our sign was the only one that wasn't commercially printed.

Mr. Harker, did you see or remove any of our signs from utility poles? No, because they were not attached to them. Besides, I'm sure that as superintendent of the Street Department, some of your employees were told to remove all the rummage sale signs.

This brings up another point; we were not advertising a rummage sale. Our signs stated that it was a bazaar and bake sale at the River of Life Church. I have included a photo of one of our signs that was posted outside the city limits and therefore did not get confiscated by the Street Department.

With the ordinance in full-force, does this mean that from now through November, any and all signs that are hand-painted will be removed from any grassy areas in the Portland city limits? Will that include the signs for all bazaars, pumpkin fests and politicians?

Glenda Clay

Pennville[[In-content Ad]]