Election sign 'free for all'

Photo: Paul Cousins

File photo of past Vernon election signs.

There should be plenty of election signs up during Vernon's municipal election next year.

In a 4-2 decision Monday, city council approved a motion put forward by Coun. Brian Quiring to allow signs on public property as well as on private land, if the owner has given permission.

In the past, a bylaw that disallowed election signs on public property was ignored by many candidates.

“The signs are going to end up everywhere anyway,” Quiring pointed out during the council session. “It's a free-for-all.”

The only exceptions would be if the signs were a safety issue, such as in a driver's sightline.

“It benefits newcomers to council more than incumbents because that's a name recognition issue,” said Coun. Scott Anderson.

Coun. Catherine Lord and Mayor Akbal Mund opposed the motion.

“I want to warn the public there will be a lot of littering around town,” said Lord. “Last time, we had a lot of complaints.”

“I didn't display any signs on public property,” said Mund of his election run. “There could be 30 or 40 signs in a row.”