[KHTS] – Arguments for and against the city of Santa Clarita’s controversial billboard measure are online, giving residents plenty of time to decide whether they want to remove dozens of billboards throughout the city in exchange for adding three electronic billboards along local freeways.
A ballot measure being presented to Santa Clarita voters in November will ask:
“Shall Ordinance No. 14-02 adopting a Development Agreement with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (METRO) for the removal of 62 advertising structures, within the City, by METRO or any other means, and construction and operation of three digital billboards, adjacent to the Interstate 5 and State Route 14 freeways, and the dedication to the City of revenue received from digital billboards, which creates an ongoing revenue stream, be adopted?”
Santa Clarita City Council members voted 3-1, with TimBen Boydston objecting, to put the deal to voters, after a referendum effort seeking to stop the city’s billboard deal between Metro and Allvision garnered more than 11,300 signatures.
Those in favor say Measure S will beautify the city, and add a 50-year revenue stream of up to $1 million per year to Santa Clarita coffers, in addition to other benefits.
Critics of the measure scorned the “backroom deal,” calling Measure S a symbol for the abuse and arrogance of an insulated government.”
City Councilman Bob Kellar said he took the referendum to mean voters want the measure on the ballot.
Opponents of the referendum effort, which was backed by a billboard lobbyist that funded the drive for signatures, flatly disagreed.
“Many people had different reasons for signing the referendum,” said Alan Ferdman, a Canyon Country resident and leader for an eastside advisory group, but the idea behind it was not to seek a ballot measure.
“The whole object of the petition was to stop the deal — it wasn’t that we wanted it on the ballot, it was that people felt the whole arrangement had been done behind closed doors, without giving all interested parties the opportunity to bid,” he said.
Kellar defended the city’s process at the June meeting when the vote approving the measure took place. He said the referendum effort was responsible for putting out falsehoods about the deal, a claim made by both sides of the billboard debate in Council Chambers.
“I believe they ignored the concerns of the residents,” Ferdman said.
The cost of the election is $204,000, according to city officials.
The city of Santa Clarita put together a website with a frequently asked questions section about the billboard measure.
Los Angeles County officials received more than 16,000 signatures in opposition to the city’s plan to put up three giant electronic billboards in Santa Clarita. Of those, 11,370 were deemed sufficient, which exceeded the 11,170-signature threshold.
Mayor Laurene Weste recused herself from the vote because she owns property with value that w
ould be affected by the billboard deal.
Here is the argument in favor the measure, which was authored by Kellar.
Here is the argument against the measure, which was authored by Boydston, Rena Newhall and Patti Skinner-Sulpizio.
The city of Santa Clarita also created its own analysis of the measure in accordance with state law, which is not intended to support or oppose the ballot measure.
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21 Comments
Better next to the freeway.
The digital billboards don’t seem to get shredded by weather and look bad until they are replaced!
They’re distracting. Just asking for more accidents.
I don’t think it’s really that big a deal. I doubt they’d be any more distracting then existing signage, and besides, the 21st century has been a f***ing disappointment as far as seeming futuristic. Having digital billboards would at least FEEL like we’re actually living in the future. I can’t help but notice that everyone in this picture is an old dude/lady.
There’s got to be better uses for the money wasted on this argument!
There’s bigger issues in the world than arguing over billboards. Get a life people.
My thought exactly!
This issue has received way too much attention that past few months. Still, I’m glad we can vote on it in November and be done with it.
What the Hell difference does it make. Get Real!
Why does it really matter!?
First World Problems.
It’s all old people. Sorry. Move over for the new generation. LET GO
I spent a week in Huntsville, AL this summer. They had many digital billboards and they are way too BRIGHT, blinding and distracting. Until they figure out how to put a dimmer on those things I would rather have regular billboards. The regular type were much more pleasing on the eyes in that obviously unregulated billboard town.
Who gives a rats ASS!? There are students getting killed, and young teenagers threatening to KILL! REALLY?
Lame petty issue.
How about the city’s citizens focus on less-fascist ways to conserve water?
Lame petty issue.
How about the city’s citizens focus on less-fascist ways to conserve water?
Really ???? You people are arguing over billboards? ?
From someone who got rear ended by a distracted driver on the 14 fwy and my back has never been the same, I see their point. However, it’s about the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen to rally in front of city hall over.
And even so, I still wouldn’t vote against it unless the light was shining in my bedroom window.
From someone who got rear ended by a distracted driver on the 14 fwy and my back has never been the same, I see their point. However, it’s about the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen to rally in front of city hall over.
And even so, I still wouldn’t vote against it unless the light was shining in my bedroom window.
Hate the ones I drive by daily that are weathered and falling apart half the time. But do I care enough to stand in front of city hall for this issue no.
but hand held “billboards” are okay??? LOL. Actually, I am against all Bill Boards, and the big problem with digital bill boards (DBB) ‘s are as I’ve experienced with the DBB in front of COC on Valencia Blvd. and the SCV DBB along I-5 is that the brightness at night and diversion of attention factors make them out and out dangerous. So, If the City gets it’s way on the subject, will they take down the SCV and COC Digital Bill Boards???? Or, will it be, “Do as I say and not as I do”????