STREET TALK

We asked shoppers at a 17th Street strip mall where Halloween banners

are flying: What do you think about the decorations and should the city

enforce its ban of signs on light poles and make the store take them

down?

--Compiled by Amy R. Spurgeon

Photos by Sean Hiller

1. It’s not Halloween. It’s a little early. We are still in the heat

of summer. But I also think that the city of Costa Mesa is a lot fussier

than other cities.

KATIE PICCO

Costa Mesa

2. They don’t bother me. If you’re a retailer, you’ve got to get your

stuff up. These retailers are just keeping up. And it’s not like it’s a

political sign ... This stuff just starts earlier every year.

MICHELE POWER

Newport Beach

3. I think they are neat, but it’s too early. I don’t know why they

are up; it’s only August. But the signs do make me start thinking about

what I want to be this Halloween.

ELIZABETH SCHIFANO

Costa Mesa

4. Well if the signs are for a new store, then I think it’s OK. People

need to start thinking about where they want to go to get their costumes.

I’ll probably come here to get my costume.

KELSEY PFEIFFER

Costa Mesa

5. It’s definitely too early. They don’t do things like this where I

live. It’s rushing the season like they do with everything else.

CARL JENSEN

Seattle