[Durham INC] Pls send short email by Wed (industry sprinklingaround $100 checks; replacing gun show billboards with PSAs for stray pets)

[M. W. Shiflett - Hotmail]

At the risk of being flamed.....

There are some legitimate reasons for us to look at the options available
during these billboard discussions.

The first of which is the potential of getting rid of the old dilapidated
and 'Fugly' billboards that are in and around (or shining into) our
neighborhoods removed rather than waiting a few hundred years for them to
eventually be taken down by their owners (consequence of the current
ordinance).

By allowing replacements to be positioned very carefully into locations that
do not shine into peoples homes, places of worship, parks, schools etc (or
within line site of them) there's a possibility to get rid of a number of
these olds one and bring in a few new modern ones away from these sensitive
areas.

These 'new' billboards are more efficient than the old ones (less
maintenance) and there are provisions in the wording of the ordinance (from
what I understand) that includes opportunities for charities and non-profits
to get advertising space that is sorely needed in these financially strapped
times.

As an advantage to people who like the Bulls, DPAC or other Durham
venues.....opportunities might exist for them to provide timely and up to
date schedules of events or special notices that would NOT be as cost
effective for them in the past.   How good is a billboard that advertises
the Color Purple two days after it's last presentation in Durham or a
Championship Game at the DBAC  after it's already has been played?

You could learn about what's playing this (and every) weekend at the BPAC,
Carolina and the Man Bites Dog Theatre along with local events all on one
billboard over the course of a few minutes.

I see these as distinct advantages.

But let's be clear about this........Electronic Billboards are NOT FLASHING
or blinking in their messages as some have portrayed them.  The messages
'switch' almost instantaneously from one message to another.   And from what
I understand their 'illumination' is calibrated so that they are no more
'brighter' or blinding than what's currently in place (high intensity
lighting vs. LED's), plus there's less of an opportunity for bleeding of
light out into the atmosphere like you see on some of the older types of
billboards along our highways.

While a number of people feel that these new electronic billboards are
distractions,  I don't.

The current ordinance was enacted years before Electronic Billboards were an
option.  It might be worth looking at every faucet of the advantages and
disadvantages of either allowing them or limiting their locations to
specific criteria and considering the benefits to us as a community before
taking a position.

For instance, there are advocates for children, the handicapped and crime
fighting groups that see potential in using electronic billboards for
'alerts' that are much more meaningful than 'call 411 for more information'.
Situations where a kid is abducted or a disoriented senior lost are just two
examples.  Emergencies or a potentially dangerous situations that electronic
message boards will help get out the message faster (with pictures) than
what's available now is definitely something that's a plus that is not and
can not be duplicated any other way.

Do we want to pass up the opportunity to talk about them first?


Mike Shiflett

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Schelp" <bwatu at yahoo.com>
To: <inc-list at DurhamINC.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 8:02 AM
Subject: [Durham INC] Pls send short email by Wed (industry sprinklingaround 
$100 checks;replacing gun show billboards with PSAs for stray pets)


> folks,
>
> Bumped into a couple of friends yesterday who said they sent emails last 
> year and can't believe the billboard industry is back at it. They asked if 
> they needed to send another?
>
> Yes! Industry is counting on citizens to get tired and disengaged. Kindly 
> send a short, positive note asking officials to "please not tinker with 
> our successful sign ordinance."
>
> You can send email (before March 3) to Council at DurhamNC.Gov, 
> commissioners at durhamcountync.gov, DurhamPlanningCommission at durhamnc.gov
>
> Seeing the recent poll showing 9:1 support in all segments of the 
> community for Durham's successful billboard ban, industry has been 
> sprinkling $100 checks on incumbents and quickly replacing its billboards 
> in East Durham -- for gun shows in Raleigh -- with cute PSAs for stray 
> pets.
>
> --> See letter in today's Herald-Sun (below).
>
> On Wednesday, March 3, the Joint City-County Planning Committee is meeting 
> to decide if we even need to start messing around with Durham's sign 
> ordinance in the first place. Our current sign ordinance is a strong and 
> effective measure that doesn't need to be changed to accommodate a 
> billboard company in Georgia.
>
> We don't need to start messing with an ordinance that's worked so well 
> over the years -- especially since it'll be very difficult to start 
> changing things without inviting litigation.
>
> Please don't let the billboard industry overturn Durham's successful 
> billboard ban -- to allow big, bright billboards on tall metal monopoles, 
> blinking more than 10,000 ads/day -- on roadways near our homes, 
> playgrounds, schools and parks.
>
> with many thanks,
> John
>
> ****
>
> Letter: Keep billboard ban
> Herald-Sun, 28 Feb 2010
>
> In pressuring elected officials to overturn Durham's successful ban on 
> billboards, industry is offering free billboard ads to local non-profits 
> (a common tactic industry uses in other communities).
>
> For weeks, a billboard near NC-147 and Alston Avenue advertised a gun show 
> in Raleigh. The billboard stood less than a mile from two recent 
> homicides, including one that was a block away.
>
> Just in time for elected officials to decide about overturning Durham's 
> billboard ban, the gun show ad has suddenly been replaced by a PSA showing 
> cute little stray dogs and cats.
>
> Showing excellent journalism, The Herald-Sun reported that lawyers from 
> the K&L Gates law firm, along with others tied to the billboard industry, 
> "gave heavily toward the end of the race" for City Council.
>
> Several candidates received $100 checks from different attorneys and 
> associates at K&L Gates.
>
> Employees of the Georgia billboard company, trying to overturn Durham's 
> successful billboard ban, contributed $550 to the incumbents. The 
> company's manager in Raleigh, gave $250 to City Council incumbents. Two of 
> his subordinates, a sales manager and an art director, wrote $100 checks 
> to Council members. Steve Toler, a local consultant working with the 
> billboard industry, also sent a $100 check.
>
> Let's not start messing with our successful sign ordinance just so a 
> Georgia company can stick big, bright, blinking electronic billboards on 
> our roadways -- near our homes, schools and parks.
>
> To see video clips of electronic billboards and letters of support from 
> folks in the Durham community, visit supportdurhambillboardban.com
>
> John Schelp
> Durham
>
> ****
>
> Letter: Support billboard ban
> Durham News, 02 December 2009
>
> I support Durham's current ban on new billboards, and I'm writing to urge 
> you to resist the billboard industry's attempt to overturn our ordinance. 
> Please support the current ban in upcoming votes.
>
> The last thing we need is big, bright, blinking billboards on I-85, 147, 
> 15-501 and 70. These would look trashy, waste energy, and might very 
> possibly cause safety problems. Most outrageous of all, if Durham wanted 
> to remove an electronic billboard for any reason in the future, Durham 
> taxpayers would have to compensate the owners for lost revenues.
>
> When it banned new billboards in 1984, Durham made a statement about 
> community pride and self-determination. The very small amount of money 
> these billboards would add to our tax revenues would be vastly outweighed 
> by the negative message they would send about our community--that we are a 
> bunch of dumb yokels willing to give up important community values, such 
> as aesthetics, for next to nothing.
>
> Mike Morris
> Durham
>
> ****
>
> Letter: Dangerous billboards
> Herald-Sun, 16 Nov 2009
>
> Allowing digital billboards can cost lives. Already, drivers speed along 
> major corridors using cell phones, texting and even using computers. It is 
> natural for colorful, moving lights to draw the eye. That is exactly what 
> an advertiser wants. During this moment of inattention, a lethal crash may 
> occur.
>
> Fairway Outdoor Advertising wants more of these attractions along 
> corridors including U.S. 15-501, I-85 and the Durham Freeway. Here, 
> traffic ignores the speed limit, and is ripe for accidents. In addition to 
> ads, advertisers will display public service announcements, again 
> distracting drivers.
>
> As a much-much older, but used-to-be-teenaged driver, I know the dangers 
> of distraction on high-speed or even low-speed roads. Georgia's Fairway 
> Outdoor Advertising should not profit by cluttering and threatening our 
> area.
>
> Burdette Connell
> Durham
>
> ****
>
> Letter: Keep billboard ban for better Durham
> Herald-Sun, 31 Dec 2009
>
> The day after the InterNeighborhood Council voted to support Durham's 
> current ban on billboards, Fairway Advertising's local rep told a 
> Herald-Sun reporter there wasn't widespread opposition to electronic 
> billboards.
>
> He was wrong. In a Durham Convention & Visitor's Bureau poll, support for 
> Durham's existing billboard ordinance was nearly 9 to 1 overall (see 
> results at supportdurhambillboardban.com). It should come as no surprise 
> someone in advertising is trying to sell us a bill of goods.
>
> Support for our successful billboard ban is widespread and strong across 
> the community. Seeing all this support, industry is trying to pick off 
> local nonprofits with free PSAs (a common industry tactic). Does anyone 
> really think it's a good idea to get drivers to take their eyes off the 
> road so they can be distracted by ads for cigarette outlets in 
> Burlington -- and PSAs about teenage smoking?
>
> If local officials ever wanted to remove an electronic billboard for any 
> reason, Durham taxpayers would have to compensate billboard companies for 
> all future lost revenues. For a digital billboard, flashing more than 
> 10,000 ads/day, that's a lot of money taxpayers would have to send to a 
> company in another state.
>
> As we head into 2010, one certainly hopes no local official would take 
> such an irresponsible risk with taxpayer money.
>
> Keep in mind that the billboard industry lawyers are the same lawyers 
> suing the county on another matter. If industry lawyers are this sue-happy 
> now, think what will happen once they overturn Durham's ban on billboards.
>
> John Schelp
> Durham
>
> ****
>
> Letter: Tacky billboards
> Herald-Sun, 20 Nov 2009
>
> My husband and I recently spent a week in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., which is 
> highly commercialized.
>
> The main street through the town is lined with stores, restaurants, 
> hotels, and entertainment venues. There is a constant stream of signs and 
> billboards, but the things that stood out above all else were the 
> electronic billboards, which were so bright that I felt as if my eyes had 
> been assaulted.
>
> I was struck by how tacky they looked.
>
> I would suggest that before our county officials seriously consider 
> approving digital signs in our area, that they take a good look at the 
> real things and consider how garish and distracting they really are. I am 
> enthusiastic about most new technology, but this is something we are 
> better off without!
>
> Ann Rogers
> Durham
>
> ****
>
> Letter: Keep electronic billboards out
> Durham News (N&O), 31 Oct 2009
>
> Having just driven back from Watauga County on Sunday evening, 
> specifically picturesque Blowing Rock, I witnessed one of three electronic 
> billboards. How unsightly and distracting it was.
>
> There on the side of the road, in front of large gray boulders covered 
> with moss, and surrounded by rhododendrons, was a flashing sign 
> advertising the stores located at Boone Mall. I've always been 
> disappointed having to look at the traditional billboards on the side of 
> the road while driving up 321 from Boone to Blowing Rock. The electronic 
> billboard reminded me of why I spent the weekend in Ashe County, adjacent 
> to Watagua, an area not full of homogenous housing developments and 
> overgrown with strip malls.
>
> Let's keep electronic billboards off of Durham's highways. Durham has too 
> much charm and character to be undermined by these distractions.
>
> Myers Sugg
> Durham
>
> ****
>
> --> See many more letters of support from the community here... 
> http://supportdurhambillboardban.com/letters.html
>
> ****
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