Stop The Billboard Scam!

[thelakelander]

Richard Clark was the Clear Channel representative?

[Dog Walker]

You thought otherwise!!!?  Or are you being sarcastic? 

The lawyer for Clear Channel, who wrote the proposed legislation, was at the Southwest CPAC meeting this evening.

[Charles Hunter]

Did they take any action?

[thelakelander]

You thought otherwise!!!?  Or are you being sarcastic? 

The lawyer for Clear Channel, who wrote the proposed legislation, was at the Southwest CPAC meeting this evening.

Yes. What's the Richard Clark connection?  Is he the sponsor of the bill?

[Charles Hunter]

Richard Clark is the sponsor of the bill (authored by Clear Channel lawyers).
He spoke about "capitalism" and "free enterprise" and that we have so many fewer billboards than we used to have, it is OK to put them in areas that don't have them now. 

[sheclown]

The billboards we have now are not that well maintained. 

[thelakelander]

Richard Clark is the sponsor of the bill (authored by Clear Channel lawyers).
He spoke about "capitalism" and "free enterprise" and that we have so many fewer billboards than we used to have, it is OK to put them in areas that don't have them now. 

That's a horrible argument.

[Dog Walker]

This is a pure special interest bill designed to benefit the outdoor advertising companies.  Any argument that it will benefit the community is BS.  The whole thing carries the stink of corrupt dealings.

Do you see citizens standing on the street corners collecting petitions to allow more billboards?  Me either.

[thelakelander]

Maybe it's just me not being familiar with the local fight two decades ago. Nevertheless, I do see value in certain types of billboards and signage.  There's value in digital billboard technology and leveraging that can happen when two opposing sides work together (bus shelter funding for example).  I can also see value in not allowing billboards to be expanded to corridors where there are none today, at the expense of removing older billboards form lesser traveled arterials.

Since it appears no one is willing to find the balance of a middle ground, what happens if Clark's bill fails and the terms of the decades old agreement expire later this year?  What lies behind the door that opens at that point?

[vicupstate]

I was born and raised in the small city of Florence, SC.  Growing up it was a pretty nice looking city, people took pride in their homes and yards, we had a 'beauty trail' that showcased our most azalea/oleander/dogwood foliaged streets. 

Billboards were modest in number and size, and did not dominate the landscape.  There was a 'gentleman's agreement' that allowed just one company to erect them in this 'territory'.

That is completely changed now.  Lots of billboards, many of which are double-decked and/or as tall as 6 or 8 story buildings.  Now the state DOT is forcing the city to butcher trees that were planted with tax dollars to beautify the primary roadway into the city.   Why?  So as not to block the views of billboards. 

Some of these 'massive' trees are Crepe Myrtles that supposedly can grow to Sequoia size.

http://www.scnow.com/news/local/article_e2786ffc-1d95-11e3-a539-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=image&photo=

[Charles Hunter]

Don't be too hard on the state DOT, if those billboards are along Interstates or other Federal Highways, federal law requires a (I believe) 500' "view zone".  Inserted into law by the billboard industry. What is a popular way to run campaign ads?  Oh, yes, on billboards!

[HisBuffPVB]

Approving more billboards is a slippery slope, those former elected officials and the current proponent on the council, a man who left council meetings with business still on the table to have dinner with business mean, and when ask said he paid for his own meal in cash!!! And if you believe this, I have a bridge to sell you over the St. johns, and Suzanne Jenkins, whose record alone is questionable at best, and these people you think are going to help make the city a better city? No more billboards, they can advertise with direct mail, newspapers, etc. What road to the beach do you find more pleasant, Butler, Beach, Atlantic or Wonderwood, and which has the least billboards.

[tufsu1]

I have no problem allowing more digital billboards....if they agree to remove 10 old signs for every new one they put up,,,and if you think that the billboard companies won't agree to such extortion, check out what the rules in St. Petersburg are

[Charles Hunter]

But the proposed bill only has a 2:1 swap out.

[Scrub Palmetto]

This thread has been a fascinating read for a sleepless night. I was wondering, however, if anyone has some old visuals laying around of what the billboard/trailer sign situation looked like in Jax in the '80s, for us youngins who were too caught up in the playground drama and plastic-food-filled mini-kitchen gossip of preschool at the time to pay any attention to the greater landscape.