Signs

Blocking out the scenery, breaking my mind. Or so the song goes, anyway. No one can argue that signs are abundant, be it a city center or the hinterlands. Traffic signs and advertising signs make up the majority and those we must deal with, I suppose. There are other signs, though, that are similar to weeds in that they provide little benefit and last way too long. These types I’d like to explore further.

It is common to find signs announcing some event that lies in the not-too-distant future: county fairs, fun runs, bake sales. The list goes on and the spreading of the word is a good thing. Right up until the date of the event, though, and then, literally overnight, the sign represents an intrusion into our visual world. While an upcoming event may be of use to some people, absolutely no one has an interest in yesterday’s bake sale, last week’s fun run or, god forbid, last month’s county fair, do they? I didn’t think so. Why is it, then, that all these signs linger on our roadsides and store windows long after they have served their purpose? Laziness? A good bet, for sure. The zeal of publicizing quickly wanes when it comes to the clean-up duties.

And this year we have a bumper crop of signs. It is election year and the true menace to our pastoral scenery is the sign urging support for who’s-its and what’s-its. “VOTE FOR.....” signs dot every yard, store, vacant lot, and any other available space. They are repetitive and, much like Christmas lights, are exhibited far too long. And for the next six months we will be inundated by them. Primary season is in full swing and the fall elections will soon be cranking out their vinyl and cardboard as soon as the candidate’s name is decided. Where the hell do they come from, anyway? Supporters, I’d guess, but where are these folks on the Wednesday morning after election day? Celebrating or mourning, perhaps, but, win or lose, they owe the rest of society a speedy removal of the signs that are no longer relevant.

My plea goes out to the friends, neighbors, supporters, and publicity folks working on campaigns or fundraisers or community events. Someone has to put up these signs and that same someone needs to remove them in an equally expedient manner. Is that too much to ask? There’s more than enough out there to block our scenery and break our mind. Take down the damned signs!