It’s election season and campaign signs are sprouting all over the city like daffodils in spring.
I’m announcing the launch of the Village 14 2015 Election Sign Competition. We’re looking for the property in the city with the largest number of different campaign signs. Between the aldermen, the School Committee, the Charter Commission, and the Area Councils this appears to be a bumper year for campaign signs.
If you believe you may have a contender, send me a photo, a sign count, and an address. I’ll post the photos here.
The lucky property owner will win this priceless and rare Richard Nixon “sculpture”.
OK, we have our first contender. Shawn Fitzgibbons submitted the photo above. There’s a total of 11 signs on the lawn although the Marcia Johnson sign is obscured in this photo.
Clearly Shawn is either a big Nixon fan or a lover of fine ceramic art.
There was an edict (not mine) in my household that we could only allow a couple on our lawn because, next door, Chris Steele has at least 10 (I think). But I suppose given that he is right next door and we support largely overlapping candidates, it would be a bit redundant.
@Bill Humphrey – You better tell Chris that he’ll need to find two more signs if he wants to be in the running for the Richard Nixart
A new game while driving: Spot the sign violations! It seems that many candidates for Charter Commission are not up on the rules regarding campaign signage. Many signs in inappropriate places (berms), oversized signs and multiple signs for the same candidate. I’m not going to squeal but I’ve got champions in each category. See if you can find them!
@Jerry: Is there any residue on that Richard Nixon “sculpture” that might get folks in trouble or at least give one’s teenage children the wrong idea?
@Greg: Ugh. You sure that comment didn’t break Village 14’s commenting rules?
Ok, I only have one sign left…if you want to beat Shawn, email me with your best cash offer by noon today!!
🙂
And @Gail once again proves the need for a “like” button for comments on V14.
In my house, we have always had a strict rule that no political signs would be placed on our lawn. We are in a very visible location and did not want to turn into a sign “forest.” But there are some very crucial decisions this year so we broke our own rule. We are up to 7 now and expecting the 8th to be delivered this weekend… glad to say that we are NOT in the running for the Nixart, though!
Not to put a damper on a fun competition, but Newton’s sign ordinance stipulates that that the total area of all election signs on a lot shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet. I think that translates into 5 or 6 signs depending on the size.
Chapter 30; Section 20(h)(6)b)
(6) Election signs. Except as otherwise provided in these ordinances, election signs on a single lot shall be allowed in all zoning districts and shall conform to the following:
a) The face of the sign shall be no higher than and no wider than three (3) feet;
b) The total area of all signs on the lot shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet;
…..
h) No more than one (1) election sign per candidate or per ballot issue shall be erected on a single lot.
@David Olson: Thanks for that reminder. It appears Rhanna may have a few more signs to dole out once she gets some returned to her by any of a number of homeowners who have more than 5 or 6 on their lawns. 😉
The requirements are unfortunate because I always figured some of those multi-sign lawn owners weren’t doing this so much to support their favorite candidates but to aerate their lawns before the winter.
At least that’s the excuse I’ve always used when my significant other notes how much nicer Chris Steele’s lawn is than ours.
Ok, someone check my math…a standard lawn sign is 18″ x 24″, or 3 square feet. So 32 square feet allows for 10.6 signs.
Just put them in the windows, instead.
Arbitrary government restrictions on (non-threatening/violent) political signage on a private lawn at a homeowner’s residence seems like a first amendment violation…
Rhanna, if the sign is two-sided, you get 6 sq. ft. per sign. That must be how David comes up with 5 or 6.
@David,
What is the fine?
@Greg Reibman – I’m shocked, shocked! I recoil at the idea that you would imagine defiling both the 37th president and the artist by imagining this brilliant obj d’art being used as drug paraphenelia.
What’s next? Michalengelo’s David as a door stop?
@Jerry: Cool, so this is going to be the prize for the next competition?
@Jerry
Given the rather artistic nature of the prize maybe and in light of David’s post maybe the competition should changed to the most appealing set of signs?
Or maybe participants could get around the ordinance by dressing them up in the up coming festive attire?
How about the most eclectic group of signs? That’s what I’m always looking for.