[Durham INC] Urgent: email Commissioners to keep electronic billboards out of County (advertisers want to pack hearing)

[John Schelp]

folks,

The American Advertising Federation-RDU sent out an alert yesterday -- urging advertisers to show up at Monday's public hearing on billboards to try and influence our County Commissioners. Here we go again. :)

Please send a short email asking County Commissions to: "support Durham's current billboard ordinance."

You can email all Commissioners at: commissioners at durhamcountync.gov


Several points emerged this week on industry's attempts to overturn Durham's successful billboard ban. Feel free to use some of these bullets in your emails to Commissioners:

* If the County were to approve the billboard industry's measure, it would only be effective outside the City. All of Durham's digital billboards would be in the County.

* The cost of text development, implementation and enforcement of the billboard industry's measure requires money. We'd need to find more funds for schools, sheriff and other important County services. The last thing we need to do is shift away funds to implement and enforce the billboard measure.

* Fairway admitted they have no employees from Durham on its staff. None. And they've hired no staff in local offices over the past five years.

* Why is a Raleigh-based billboard company (whose manager lives in Wake County) targeting Durham County -- instead of starting with Wake?

* While industry talks a lot about PSAs for non-profits, you don't see them in areas with digital billboards. And if the ordinance were to pass, we'd be unable to enforce Fairway's assertion to provide PSAs. Fairway (or subsequent managers) could decide not to provide PSAs -- and we wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

* Nonprofits and local businesses that advertise on digital billboards tend to reduce budgets for advertising in local newspapers and other advertising outlets. This will take additional monies out of local economy and reduce support for local businesses, especially Herald-Sun, N&O, Independent & other media outlets.

* Local businesses are most likely to be supported by locals (who are most effectively reached through local advertising in local press and media).

* Why erect big blinking billboards in Durham that would send passing drivers to businesses in the next county? (Blue highway signs point drivers to restaurants and hotels near highways in Durham; billboards send motorists to exits that are miles down the road.)

* The chair of the Durham Committee supports the current billboard ordinance (and called industry's presentation nothing but "spin").

* Local nonprofits reported no increases in client referrals or donations while their ads were posted on Fairway billboards (per Council member during hearing).

* If only we can get the Chamber of Commerce to work as diligently on violence, affordable housing, clean air, jobs, Shop Local campaigns and youth issues -- as they worked trying to get digital billboards in our community.   

* Fairway has located multiple "Gun & Knife Show" billboards along our roadways and abutting Durham neighborhoods.

* Industry lawyers continue to tell officials half-truths when they say their measure will allow them to move billboards away from homes. They neglect to say the measure (which they wrote) allows industry to leave billboards right where they are -- next to homes, churches, parks, schools and the R. Kelly Bryant Bridge.

* Historian R. Kelly Bryant supports Durham's current billboard ordinance.

* The billboard industry has exaggerated its support. During Council's hearing, the City Manager said that, contrary to Fairway's assertions, the Durham Police Department does not have a position on digital billboards.

* In addition, turns out that City-wide Partners Against Crime do not support industry's measure (a facilitator later apologized on listservs) and the Museum of Life & Science rescinded its letter supporting digital billboards. (We may learn of another nonprofit rescinding its support later this week.)

* Commissioners have received more 1000 emails supporting Durham's billboard ordinance. Hard to recall the last time officials have seen 1000 emails agreeing on a controversial issue in Durham.

* Fairway's most recent op-ed claims "hundreds" of supporters (08/04/10 Herald). The fact is Council members received nine letters, and only seven emails, pushing for digital billboards. Industry failed to back up its claim for "hundreds" of supporters at the Council hearing.

* Council members received no messages of support from industry's own billboard, which drove traffic to a website for people to offer support. None.

* The N&O reports that the American Advertising Federation-RDU just sent out an alert, urging advertisers to show up at the County Commissioner meeting (08/04/10 N&O). Here we go again, more out-of-town industry lobbyists trying to influence our elected officials.

* Fairway employees (who do not live in Durham) and proponents (who do not live in Durham) do not vote in Durham. Durham residents, who do vote in Durham, overwhelmingly support the current ordinance.

* Billboards for national companies and businesses outside Durham will not direct resources to Durham businesses or contribute to Durham's economy.

* Unanimous support for current ordinance by City Council, planning staff and Planning Commission. County Commissioners who support Fairway's measure will face Durham voters -- not voters in Raleigh and Greensboro.

* Billboards display 24/7, while Amber/Silver alerts are rare. Police departments are already trying to opt out of billboard alerts elsewhere.

* The State has its own series of official message signs for Amber Alerts. They're designed to provide the information for motorists to react with the least possible distraction from their driving task, because they are designed in accordance with safe highway practices as mandated by the U.S. Department of Transportation... In contrast, the Amber Alerts on billboards have no official sanction, and often display useless and unnecessary information. As a result, rather than communicating an important message in a non-distracting way, they require the motorist to take his/her eyes off the road for extended periods to read the material on the billboard. (Scenic Michigan)

There's a reason our City Council voted 7-0 against industry's measure. They found no compelling benefit for Durham.

Hopefully, our County Commissioners will also stand with the Durham community.

Heartfelt thanks to Bill Bell, Farad Ali, Gene Brown, Diane Catotti, Howard Clement, Cora Cole-McFadden, and Mike Woodard.

with appreciation,

John Schelp
supportdurhambillboardban.com

Durham City Council votes unanimously to keep current ordinance banning digital billboards (today's Indy)...
http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/durham-city-council-votes-unanimously-to-keep-current-ordinance-banning-them/Content?oid=1578308