Post by rangemaster on Sept 7, 2009 11:39:23 GMT -6
Is incumbent Myrtle Beach City Councilman Wayne Gray, and/or his campaign, in violation of a city ordinance? Decide for yourself.
The following sign appeared this past week. It is located at Pine Island Plaza, along Pine Island Road between Robert Grissom Parkway and Highway 15. The sign faces both directions, and its size is evident when you view the photos.
Here is the view during daytime, approx 6PM, facing westward:
And during daybreak, approx 6AM, facing eastward:
Here is the City of Myrtle Beach Ordinance regarding political signs:
Political Signage
Local Laws and Ordinances
Section 902.5.2. u of Article IX of Appendix A (to exempt temporary political signs from any permitting process)
Temporary political signs erected in connection with elections or political campaigns provided that:
Such signs are prohibited on any public land, publicly owned land, right of way, or utility poles, and further, such signs may not obstruct partially or fully any drivers' vision clearances at an intersection. Such signs shall not be posted earlier than 45 days prior to a primary, general or special election and are to be removed within 5 days after the election by the owner of the property or the candidate. Such signs shall not exceed 4 square feet per sign and not exceed 4 feet in height.
ORDINANCE NO. 2007-79 (2/12/08)
www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/politicalsigns.html
A few personal thoughts:
- Is THIS considered a “temporary sign”? Or is Wayne Gray - once again - trying to be evasive with terminology and attempting to “get away with something” regarding signs?
- The 45-day window for political signs during the campaign has not started yet.
- This sign also far exceeds the size limits specified in the ordinance.
- This sign (by coincidence?) is located directly in front of a motorcycle parts shop located in that plaza.
- The sign does NOT read “Wayne Gray FOR City Council”; it states “Wayne Gray City Council”. Will he ridiculously claim that this sign merely means that he is a member of city council - and is NOT a political campaign tool?
- Is this the ONLY sign like this, or are there more?
- Is this sign within Myrtle Beach city limits - or in one of those small Horry County sections surrounded by the city? According to a city map, it MAY be in the county?
- REGARDLESS, even IF it IS in Horry County - it STILL appears to be a violation of THEIR ordinance:
------------------------------------------------------------------
Excerpt from Horry County Zoning Ordinance:
1005. Signs for which a permit is not required.
(h) Political or campaign signs subject to the
following:1.Such signs shall not be placed within a
public right-of-way.2. Such signs shall not be attached
to trees, fences or utility poles.3. Such signs shall not
be larger than thirty-two (32) square feet in
area.4.Such signs are allowed no sooner than forty-five
(45) days prior to an election and all such signs shall
be removed within three (3) days after the election.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottom line: If this IS a violation, WILL he be cited for it?
After all, if you or I violate a city - or county - ordinance, we would surely be cited for it and told to “explain it to the judge”.
But, maybe Wayne Gray - ONCE AGAIN - just has to explain signage to US first.
The following sign appeared this past week. It is located at Pine Island Plaza, along Pine Island Road between Robert Grissom Parkway and Highway 15. The sign faces both directions, and its size is evident when you view the photos.
Here is the view during daytime, approx 6PM, facing westward:
And during daybreak, approx 6AM, facing eastward:
Here is the City of Myrtle Beach Ordinance regarding political signs:
Political Signage
Local Laws and Ordinances
Section 902.5.2. u of Article IX of Appendix A (to exempt temporary political signs from any permitting process)
Temporary political signs erected in connection with elections or political campaigns provided that:
Such signs are prohibited on any public land, publicly owned land, right of way, or utility poles, and further, such signs may not obstruct partially or fully any drivers' vision clearances at an intersection. Such signs shall not be posted earlier than 45 days prior to a primary, general or special election and are to be removed within 5 days after the election by the owner of the property or the candidate. Such signs shall not exceed 4 square feet per sign and not exceed 4 feet in height.
ORDINANCE NO. 2007-79 (2/12/08)
www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/politicalsigns.html
A few personal thoughts:
- Is THIS considered a “temporary sign”? Or is Wayne Gray - once again - trying to be evasive with terminology and attempting to “get away with something” regarding signs?
- The 45-day window for political signs during the campaign has not started yet.
- This sign also far exceeds the size limits specified in the ordinance.
- This sign (by coincidence?) is located directly in front of a motorcycle parts shop located in that plaza.
- The sign does NOT read “Wayne Gray FOR City Council”; it states “Wayne Gray City Council”. Will he ridiculously claim that this sign merely means that he is a member of city council - and is NOT a political campaign tool?
- Is this the ONLY sign like this, or are there more?
- Is this sign within Myrtle Beach city limits - or in one of those small Horry County sections surrounded by the city? According to a city map, it MAY be in the county?
- REGARDLESS, even IF it IS in Horry County - it STILL appears to be a violation of THEIR ordinance:
------------------------------------------------------------------
Excerpt from Horry County Zoning Ordinance:
1005. Signs for which a permit is not required.
(h) Political or campaign signs subject to the
following:1.Such signs shall not be placed within a
public right-of-way.2. Such signs shall not be attached
to trees, fences or utility poles.3. Such signs shall not
be larger than thirty-two (32) square feet in
area.4.Such signs are allowed no sooner than forty-five
(45) days prior to an election and all such signs shall
be removed within three (3) days after the election.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottom line: If this IS a violation, WILL he be cited for it?
After all, if you or I violate a city - or county - ordinance, we would surely be cited for it and told to “explain it to the judge”.
But, maybe Wayne Gray - ONCE AGAIN - just has to explain signage to US first.