Every election year seem to be similar in that blossoms start appearing all over town about a month before Election Day. These are not your standard flower blossoms that would be visually delightful, but rather the kind of visual pollution that shows up at highly visibility intersections and streets anytime there is an election approaching.

The scientific name for these blossoms that appear on fences and lawns is “Signage Politico”; or more commonly known as the Political Sign. These political signs are not affiliated to just one party but are attributable to all political parties and organizations. The signs thrive in all matter of climate or as the horticulturists like to say any “zone” with in North America. They also come in a wide array of colors, shapes and sizes.

Although lately, there are non-political signs popping up frequently throughout the year and not just the weed like realty signs that sprout every weekend. I guess it is part of the entitlement mentality that has permeated the Santa Clarita Valley over the last decade or so. You know, the folks that think because they live in an affluent neighborhood they can do whatever they want regardless of the laws, community rules, or just plain old common courtesy.

That is what’s happening with these political signs that are being placed on every fence, intersection, greenbelt, post, pole and anywhere else they can be affixed. Essentially it appears that the persons posting are entitled to put up those signs anywhere they please.

The political candidates and their disciples are actually disregarding the County General Regulations, Chapter 22.52 -22.52.990 Prohibited signs designated code which states clearly; “Any notice, placard, bill, card, poster, sticker, banner, sign, advertising or other device calculated to attract the attention of the public which any person posts, prints, sticks, stamps, tacks or otherwise affixes, or causes the same to be done to or upon any street, right-of-way, public sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, lamppost, hydrant, tree, telephone pole or lighting system, or upon any fixture of the police or fire alarm system of the county, with the exception of public transportation signs specifically permitted by this Part 10.” The candidates are breaking the law!

That states it very clear and many of those signs are being removed by County employees who are being paid with our tax dollars. A number of these signs that have been cut down on some of the fences along Pico Canyon have been replaced in the same spot just days later. In essence, these political workers are thumbing their noses at the County code and the candidates they work for seem to be looking the other way.

Of course, the politicians will deny any knowledge of this and will claim that it was done without their permission. They’ll immediately demand that their signs be “taken down wherever they have been illegally placed and pledge to never to allow this to happen again!”

Wouldn’t it be nice if the effort was made to actually comply with the rules and regulations in our community? If people want to put up some signage maybe the regulations can be modified and certain areas could be designated to accommodate these signs during certain periods, like elections or on weekends. It is just a shame that political candidates display such hypocrisy when it comes to being a law abiding citizen.

I’m Dave Bossert and I approved this message!