Perrysburg Twp. points to signs

Trustees discuss proper size of political signage

10/16/2013

Signs were a talking point at the Perrysburg Township Trustee meeting today, from the proper size of candidates signs, to commercial signs being put up in force along U.S. 20. 

Township resident Lynn Hunter used the public comment portion of the meeting to express her displeasure with the township over the size of candidates signs. She referred to a resolution the township previously had on the books that asked that signs be limited to a certain size.

"We can't regulate political speech," Township Administrator Walt Celley said during the meeting. "We are not enforcing it."

Ms. Hunter, who is running for township trustee against current trustees Bob Mack and Gary Britten, said that the only people aware that the size resolution isn't being enforced "are those in office."

Mr. Celley said they are going to get rid of the resolution sometime next year, and that it has never been enforced.

"Then why have the policy?" Ms. Hunter asked Mr. Celley. 

"It is a resolution," Mr. Celley responded. 

Kelly Hemminger, township zoning administrator, also is having a problem with signs. She said lately businesses are putting signs up all over right-of-ways, and asked the trustees if she can be more aggressive in trying to have them removed. Mrs. Hemminger said business owners need permits to post the signs. 

"Commercial signs are more and more a problem," Mr. Celley said. "They are temporary [signs], but they put them up every day. Particularly on route 20."

Trustee Craig LaHote said the township should be more aggressive notifying the businesses via letters or verbally to take down the signs. Trustee Bob Mack added that they wouldn't be taking down garage sale signs; the problem is with commercial signs. 

Contact Matt Thompson at: mthompson@theblade.com, 419-356-8786, or on Twitter at @mthompson25.