Smart Growth. Dumb Placement.
The public right-of-way is not your campaign lawn.
The “Smart Growth” slate appears to have discovered an enthusiastic new supporter: the road shoulder.
Unfortunately, gravel cannot vote.
A photograph supplied to TRFNP shows signs promoting Melody Axe, Anna Warrington and Don Weber clustered around a stop sign at Jackson School Road and West Union Road, on the county roadside identified by the contributor as public right-of-way. Other questionable roadside placements have also been reported.
A stop sign, for the record, is not an endorsement.
The best part? The slate’s own campaign website tells supporters where signs belong—and specifically says: “Not in the public right-of-way, medians, or on utility poles.” Apparently, someone needs to circulate that instruction beyond the website.
The actual rules deserve a quick refresher:
Washington County: Unauthorized campaign signs are prohibited in county right-of-way. The county cites ORS 368.942 and R&O 98-197 as authority to remove unauthorized signs in unincorporated areas without notice. Political signs and signs attached to signposts are expressly included.
North Plains: City Code §92.19(B) prohibits distributing placards or advertisements on streets, sidewalks and other public places. Separate portable-sign provisions allow limited placements, including certain city-controlled rights-of-way, but require an annual permit and prohibit placement within 20 feet of a property corner adjoining two rights-of-way. That is hardly an invitation to turn intersections into campaign displays.
A sign in a willing neighbor’s yard demonstrates support. A sign beside a public stop sign demonstrates access to wire stakes.
Don Weber and Anna Warrington: we’re tired of higher-tax pitches. We’re tired of the automatic speeding-ticket-camera idea Warrington raised at the October 5 council meeting. And we would like your slate to stop littering our town.
Whoever installed these signs, the campaigns can help get them moved. Find willing property owners. Get permission. Follow the placement rules—including the ones on your own website.
The big red sign in the photograph offers a helpful starting point:
STOP.
