The Big Sign Controversy: Signs go to Committee Regulations & Definitions "The Sound Of Truth"3/19/08 Save the Date Dave Gardner Sounds off on "Signs of Business" Signs of Business 2/28/08 David Gardner-His Side of the Sign Debate 2/28/08 A Small Win for Downtown Business Owners 2/21/08 The Moratorium 2/21/08 Abuzz 2/20/08 The Law The Blog Sound Off - tell us what you think or want others to know!

The Writing is on the Wall & Now it Can Be on Sandwich Boards: A Small Win for Downtown Businesses By Ben Gauthier David Gardner was a busy man today; instead of handing out fines or notices of illegally placed signs, he was handing out a piece of paper which announces, “…a moratorium on enforcement of sandwich boards sign placement in the Downtown Business district. The moratorium is effective immediately and will continue to March 24, 2008.” The reasons stated for the decision to, at least temporarily, allow sandwich board signs are the concern business owners had about the continued success of their business without such signage as well as the fact that business had invested in the signs with the idea that they were allowed to use them. There are, however, some restrictions in place, this notice applies only to sandwich board signs in the downtown business district, no new signs are allowed only those which have been “chronically displayed.” Also it should be noted that if no noticeable effort has been made to change the bylaws by March 24, enforcement will resume. Most importantly the notice of the moratorium does not curtail the demands of any other city department regarding sandwich board signs. Tonight, there will be a meeting of the EDIC to set up a public forum for a discussion on the bylaw regarding proper sign placement. In the meantime, it appears that Mr. Gardner will continue to enforce the bylaw in regards to other types of signs as well as sandwich board signs displayed in areas other than the downtown business district. One of the local business owners opposed to the crackdown on signs, “Commends Mr. Gardner on his sound judgment in this instance,” in reference to the moratorium. Mr. Gardner could not be reached for comment. We will have more information regarding this story as it unfolds.