Residents question sign law (For heaven's sake!)

Boston.com ^ | 3 October 2002

[SheLion]

AUBURN, Maine (AP) Auburn police are pulling political signs from people's yards and Bob Nixon isn't happy about it.

Police said they removed about six or seven political signs from people's yards this week following complaints from neighbors. Auburn has an ordinance that allows political signs, on either public or private property, only within 30 days of an election.

[SheLion]

First time I ever wanted to shoot a COP!!!

[SheLion]

MAINE PING

[terilyn]

TAKE BACK THE SENATE!

VOTE OUT THE DEMS!
SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC

Donate Here By Secure Server Or mail checks to
FreeRepublic , LLC
PO BOX 9771
FRESNO, CA 93794
or you can use
PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com

STOP BY AND BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD

[metesky]

Nixon, though, doesn't think the ordinances are quite right when he sees hundreds of political signs in neighboring communities.

''So why is it that Turner or Mechanic Falls have more rights than I do?'' he said. ''They can put up signs any time they want and we can't. I don't think that's fair.''

Mr. Nixon is correct, it is unfair. Not only that, but the city ordinance is probably illegal.

There have been many of these cases around the country and almost without exception the courts have come down on the side of political free speech.

Sue the bastards, Mr. Nixon!

[SheLion]

This is rediculous! If someone pulled MY signs out of my yard, I would beat the CHIT out of them! (If I CAUGHT them that is).

[cinFLA]

"30" is just a number. It is fairer to the voters to allow the posting of the signs earlier. Perhaps they should take this to their supreme court.

[Schmedlap]

There are lots of good reasons for legislation at the lowest possible level.
1. Local officials are more responsive to the people that they are supposed to represent.
2. Officials are more accountable to the people.
3. People can have more direct say in matters that they think are important.
4. People can leave, if the laws are intolerable.

This is a dumb law. It would be a dumber law, if it were made by the state. It would be dumber yet, if it were made by the federal government. Unless Mr. Nixon thinks that he can convince his fellow residents to change the law, I would suggest that Mr. Nixon move to another town, where private property owners don't so willingly surrender their property rights, as the residents of Auburn have so clearly done. Then Auburn won't have Nixon to kick around anymore.