As the Five Man Electrical Band song moans, "Sign, sign, everywhere a sign. Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind."
Tonight, a report will come before council dealing with election signs on city property but it's likely to be sent to the circular file next to the desk.
The recommendation from the General Government Committee looking at the issue recommends that a report to Council dated August 2, 2011 "relating to Election Campaign Signs be noted and filed."
The by-law to restrict and regulate signs defines an “election sign” as a temporary sign used to advertise a name involved in the current political municipal, provincial or federal election.
Temporary signs are not allowed on municipal property, but the past practice has been to allow election signs as the City does not have a by-law that specifically regulates election signs.
The City does not have a by-law that says when election signs may be displayed or erected.
The report says it is the municipality’s responsibility to regulate signs within its municipality for candidates to follow and should be consistent in applying the restrictions to all three levels of election candidates.
"Each election, we receive numerous complaints from residents regarding the number of signs in parks and along road allowances. In addition, complaints are received regarding the erection of signs on a resident’s property, without consent," continues the report.
Some of the recommendations are:
- Election signs shall not be erected or displayed on any road allowances or public property under the jurisdiction of The Corporation of the City of North Bay (billboards on leased lands would be excluded).
- Election signs shall not be erected or displayed on a public utility pole, light pole, bridge, official sign or overhanging a public highway.
- The use of the municipal logo on any election signs, brochures or other election materials is prohibited.
- Election signs are permitted on private property only with the consent of the property owner and provided that the signs do not interfere with the safe operation of vehicular traffic or impair the safety of pedestrians. Signs that constitute a safety hazard shall be immediately removed.
- Election signs shall not be erected or displayed prior to the close of Nomination Day before a municipal election. (“Nomination Day” is the last day that a candidate may file their Nomination Paper. For a regular municipal election it is the second Friday in September in the year of the election).
- All elections signs shall be removed within seven days after the completion of voting on Voting Day. The candidate shall be responsible for the removal of his or her signs within the prescribed time.
- If a sign is erected or displayed in violation of the policy, it will be removed, at the candidate’s expense.
- Any signs not claimed and retrieved by the candidate within thirty (30) days of the election will be destroyed without compensation to the sign owner.
