Election signs staying up

Photo: Paul Cousins

There is a bylaw in Vernon that states election signs cannot be placed on public property, but one quick look around the city will show you that no one is following that law.

As it turns out, the bylaw itself is one of debate among city councillors who rely on the signage to get their own faces and names our there for public viewership.

When complaints of current signage came up to council, things quickly got heated as city staff's recommendation to enforce the sign bylaw was suggested.

Showing his displeasure in the discussion itself was Councillor Brian Quiring, who says he was surprised it was even a discussion.

“I don't even know why we were talking about it, it's ridiculous,” notes Quiring, who says the last time they tried to enforce it, it was useless.

“The last time, so much time and energy was wasted because bylaw officers would take the signs down. You would pick them up, you would put them back up, they would take them down again and it was like a revolving door. It was an absolute waste of time and energy, and we have better things that bylaw could be doing.”

He believes signs should be expected during an election and that it would too hard to enforce fairly.

“You just can't, so all it is, is like Christmas for by-law officers,” says Quiring.

Photo: Paul Cousins

Councillor Bob Spiers also joined in on the discussion, saying the bylaw had never really been followed before in Vernon.

“I have no problem with signs being out there during an election campaign. They were never enforced in prior campaigns so why would it be enforced now?” he asks. “This was just much-ado about nothing I think.”

Mary-Jo O'Keefe also notes the signs have been placed all over during previous elections, whether municipal, provincial or federal.

“Election signage does happen every few years, and I think whatever people can do to engage the public to participate and get to know the candidates is a good thing,” she says. “The whole debate is sort of too bad, because it takes away from the excitement and fun that elections should be. I was disappointed in that debate.”

O'Keefe understands election signs are a form of litter and cannot be left up all year, but they should be allowed, without issue, during the weeks leading up to an election.

“It is litter, it is awful, but is only for four weeks. So, during the election we should be calm, and let everyone get excited, and put up their signs and try to get people to participate. The more people we can get to participate, the better off we are. So, I think we just need to use a little bit of patience during an election campaign.”

Mayor Rob Sawatzky and Councillor Juliette Cunningham were the only two to support the bylaw, which restricts all election signs to private land.

Cunningham felt that for equality reasons, current politicians should have to follow the same bylaw that new political candidates have been asked to follow.

“All of the new candidates that came in to get their nominations papers were told by city staff that we have a sign bylaw, and that we would be enforcing that bylaw for this campaign,” explains Cunningham. “While others were already putting up their signs knowing it has never been enforced in the past, so I just thought it was an unfair advantage for those of us with that information versus the new candidates trying to play by rules.”

Cunningham wanted to ensure that all the candidates running in the election were called and told the bylaw would not be enforced, unless there were complaints or safety concerns. Council agreed and city staff ensured all candidates were called immediately after the meeting.

Photo: Paul Cousins