Friday, April 20, 2012 —
Boston Public School Athletes Featured on Billboards The Boston Scholar Athlete program just launched a billboard campaign to spread the word about its work in nineteen of the city’s public schools. A total of fifteen billboards featuring photographs of the scholarship program’s participants went up around Boston this past week. The program has established learning centers for athletes called Zones, which are intended to help the students accomplish more academically and receive tutoring and SAT preparation. Its billboards have already drawn lots of attention to the organization — and its participants. Johanly Garcia, a volleyball player whose photo was on one of the larger billboards, said she’s been approached by classmates telling her she’s “famous” since the launch of BSA’s campaign.
A sign like this can prepare drivers for the blinking stop sign ahead.
New Mexico Department of Transportation Installs Blinking Stop Signs The New Mexico Department of Transportation introduced blinking stop signs at an intersection near Almagordo, at the crossing of US Highway 82 and North Florida Avenue. After researching the traffic volume at the site, NMDOT officials decided not to install a traffic signal, which is often the route taken for more congested intersections. Instead, it will have stop signs that will be solar-powered with LED flashers around the edges. This new technology will work in both energy reduction and accident prevention, as it will make signs more easily seen by night drivers. The Department hopes to expand the introduction of blinking stop signs in the coming months, as an eco-friendly and simple solution to the many mildly busy intersections around the district.
One of Oceanside’s five existing billboards.
San Diego Community Votes to Allow Billboards, Sign Spinners and Feather Signs In Oceanside, California, residents voted in a City Council meeting on Wednesday to allow more digital billboards, sign spinners, and feather signs to be used to advertise local businesses. Despite traveling with possible aesthetic damage, the signs, billboards and banners will draw in more customers to local business, say residents. It’s certainly not a rarity in this day and age for towns to reconsider the implications of abundant advertising on city streets, but in the current economic climate, these townspeople are willing to sacrifice some of their ocean views for a few extra dollars.
Just a note on digital billboards, from RecycleReminders.com.
Arizona lawmaker cites compromise on billboards The Arizona governor who previously banned digital billboards is now reversing her stance. Governor Jan Brewer will allow digital billboards to be installed, given the revenue they’ll bring to the city, but under highly regulated conditions. Citing safety concerns, energy concerns, and attempts to keep Arizona’s observatories operational (as the observatories provide an estimated 3,000 jobs), the law will require that electronic billboards only be installed in certain locations, and be turned on only during certain hours.
some warning signs of their own.
Political Sign Confiscation Sparks Controversy in Oregon Town In Shady Cove, Oregon, residents are protesting the police department’s removal of political signs from privately owned property. Officials have cited their city’s sign ordinance, which requires permits to be purchased for $25 before a sign is posted. Citizens have taken issue with the route authorities have taken, citing this as a controversial crossroads of free speech and the town’s aesthetic maintenance. Accusations have also been made that overzealous officers have taken the original ordinance out of context by applying it to campaign signage, when it should only concern public businesses and non-political postings. Should these townspeople be forced to pay a fee in order to share their beliefs on their lawns? Let us know your take on this sign controversy in the comments section below.
– R. Sapon-White