The proper place for signs
City said political signs shouldn’t be in devil strip
Residents should place political signs in their yard and not the devil strip. Photos by EMILY CANNING-DEAN
Political signs should stay out of the devil strip as to avoid inhibiting visibility for motorists.
WADSWORTH – City officials are asking residents to be sure to place any political signs in the proper areas.
“It’s OK to voice your opinion and have a sign, but that sign should be in your yard and not the devil strip area,” said Councilor Bob Titus. “That is the grassy area between the street and the sidewalk. Placing the signs there can mean cars have a hard time seeing.”
Councilor Patricia Haskins said she saw at least three signs in the devil strip on Woodlawn Avenue. Service Director Robert Patrick said the signs were quickly removed.
“How are we able to enforce our rule about signs,” Copley asked during a committee of the whole meeting earlier this month.
Copley said he received a call from a resident on Woodland who wanted to know why it seemed the sign rule was enforced in certain areas and not in others.
Safety Director Matt Hiscock explained many of the complaints the city receives are about signs that are placed off state Route 261.
“But a lot of those aren’t in the city, they are actually in the township,” Hiscock added. “That makes it sticky in terms of what we can do.”
Patrick said there isn’t one particular person on city staff who is assigned to remove yard signs that aren’t properly placed.
He said that both he and Hiscock do a lot of the removals and also contact folks about said removals.
Patrick said the removed signs are taken to Fire Station No. 2 and placed in the dumpster enclosure. People then have a couple of days to go to the fire station and retrieve their signs.
“It is an annual issue,” Patrick said. “We try to contact businesses and candidates where there has been a problem and explain the city’s policy and that it isn’t appropriate.”
“It’s OK to voice your opinion and have a sign, but that sign should be in your yard and not the devil strip area,” said Councilor Bob Titus. “That is the grassy area between the street and the sidewalk. Placing the signs there can mean cars have a hard time seeing.”
Councilor Patricia Haskins said she saw at least three signs in the devil strip on Woodlawn Avenue. Service Director Robert Patrick said the signs were quickly removed.
“How are we able to enforce our rule about signs,” Copley asked during a committee of the whole meeting earlier this month.
Copley said he received a call from a resident on Woodland who wanted to know why it seemed the sign rule was enforced in certain areas and not in others.
Safety Director Matt Hiscock explained many of the complaints the city receives are about signs that are placed off state Route 261.
“But a lot of those aren’t in the city, they are actually in the township,” Hiscock added. “That makes it sticky in terms of what we can do.”
Patrick said there isn’t one particular person on city staff who is assigned to remove yard signs that aren’t properly placed.
He said that both he and Hiscock do a lot of the removals and also contact folks about said removals.
Patrick said the removed signs are taken to Fire Station No. 2 and placed in the dumpster enclosure. People then have a couple of days to go to the fire station and retrieve their signs.
“It is an annual issue,” Patrick said. “We try to contact businesses and candidates where there has been a problem and explain the city’s policy and that it isn’t appropriate.”
