Another form of pollution

Each winter we are reminded of the ugliness of pollution as the rains

push the flotsam and jetsam of urban cities onto Surf City beaches.

Once pristine stretches of sand become clogged with every

conceivable piece of trash. It’s an ugly sight to behold.

But newly elected Councilman Keith Bohr reminds us of another

source of pollution that has gone unchecked in recent times --

political signs that litter the landscape long before and long after

elections.

Bohr’s suggestion to clean up the environment is to limit the

signs being posted to 45 days before the election, paring 30 days off

the current 75-day rule. The signs also would need to be removed 12

days after the polls close, giving politicos two full weekends to

take them down.

If this proposal is any indication of Bohr’s future decisions,

Huntington Beach residents are clearly in good hands.

Anyone who drives by city intersections during the height of the

political season would be hard-pressed to argue that the infestation

of the multi-colored signs adds to the town’s decor. We don’t think

it does, and neither do many city residents, Bohr says. “Right after

the election, I got three voice mails reminding me it was my civic

duty to remove my signs,” he said. “Obviously people want these down

as quick as possible.”

Limiting the time the signs can go up and remain is a big step

toward getting rid of at least one piece of pollution that has dogged

this city for years.

Councilman Dave Sullivan said while he is in favor Bohr’s

proposal, he wants to make sure potential 1st Amendment issues are

addressed first. Obviously we agree with that, but giving political

candidates 45 days to advertise their name hardly seems an

unreasonable restriction on free speech.

Now if only Bohr could do something about the foam cups, car

tires, planks of wood and other debris that wind up on city beaches,

he’d be a shoo-in for reelection in four years. Or at the very least,

the darling of the environmental crowd.