Reader Spotlight: 'Campaign Litter'

Last week, Tarpon Springs Commission, Seat 4 candidate, Jim Bouldin posted a blog about campaign signage around the city. 

The blog yielded a slew of comments, including fellow candidates, David Banther and Tim Keffalas as well as a few other locals. 

David Banther wrote: 

"Mr. Bouldin, the City of Tarpon Springs has sign ordinances in place, I encourage you to review them if you haven't already. The issue is enforcement of these laws via Code Enforcement. Also, I would caution you on your concern for "[signs] as they seem to have declared some local abandoned homes and empty lots to be open campaign territory". Owners of such properties might very well have given candidates permission to put signs at those locations. Political signs are considered freedom of speech, protected under the first amendment (to best of my knowledge). If you are successful on March 12th, I would caution you on your efforts to limit them." 

While, Tim Keffalas wrote: 

"Candidates  should be more concerned about getting the voters to vote rather than  sign discussions.  While signs make us feel good about who has been "asked" to put up our signs , the real issue is it has been suggested that only 17% of those eligible voters will actually vote.  It is unfortunate that not all potential voters exercise their right to vote."

Residents chimed in on the discussion too. 

Reader, Jacqueline Evans wrote: 

"My thought is, in these hard times having a yard sale not only helps the seller but also the buyer.  I suggested awhile back to the city that you have to have a permit for a yard sale & sign combined. The sign must contain the dates of the sale and the address.  If the sign is not taken down the last day of the sale then the address on the sign gets a ticket. That way the city also wins because the person is paying for the yard sale and sign permit but also a ticket if they don't comply.  I was told the city vote no signs because they deter from the beauty of the city. So the city is saying when I drive down US 19 and see 8-10 signs lined up down the side of the road for the same candidate, or 10-15 signs for different candidates the helps beautify the city.  Where is the logic in that?"

And Tarponite, Karen Cousin wrote: 

"Again the signs????  Are signs that important in Tarpon Springs?   Is it really necessary to CHARGE for a Yard sale permit??  I agree making people take their signs down after the sale.. but Please.. are Signs the biggest problem we have in Tarpon Springs? Once the elections are over.. then so are the signs.. soo for the rest of the year... what are we going to address.. how are you going to improve Tarpon Springs.. for the business', for tourism... for Elderly,..for store closures.. for crime in the area.. lets hear about this." 

Read the full blog and the comments in their entirety here. 

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