Illegally Placed Campaign Signs

Last Thursday I noticed these two large campaign signs placed next to the sidewalk in Beaumont. The one showing all the incumbents was placed on fence at 1^st and Michigan Ave, belonging to Andrew Garner who is running for the Hospital Board. The 2^nd one was place next to the sidewalk at the southwest side of the intersection of Beaumont Ave and 6^th St. Both of these signs violate the current sign ordinance that was put in place and approved by the two incumbents running for re-election. The current code requirement requires signs larger than 18” x 24” to have a one million dollar insurance policy with the city as an additional insured. In addition signs cannot be more than 48” x 48” and they cannot be hung on a fence. Both of these signs violate the ordinance which all candidates signed an agreement to abide by the ordinance.

I immediately called the Beaumont PD to speak with Code Enforcement. I was not allowed to talk to them. The dispatcher took the information and told me she would let them know. I called again the next day and I was told that the Code Enforcement folks were off today and that they wouldn’t be in on the weekend. I asked her to have an officer take a look at it since the one on Beaumont and 6^th street was hanging over the sidewalk restricting access. I called back on the weekend to see what was done and I was informed that a officer drove by and didn’t see a problem, even though the sign was blocking the sidewalk and violated the city ordinance (Selective Enforcement) I went to City Hall on Tuesday after I was informed that this issue was being handled by Mercedes, and she would have to take care of it. Talk about a run around. I went to speak to both the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager, who were not in at 9:00 am in the morning. I had to leave my complaint with their administrative assistant. The signs are still up. I spoke with Mr. Santos and kindly informed him his sign was in violation of the ordinance. (I spoke to him last Friday) He said he didn’t know about the ordinance. What is going on, the signs are still up.

I doubt if they have the required insurance policy. Also why can’t the Police enforce the ordinance, code enforcement works for them? Apparently the current council members running for election and re-election feel the law does apply to them.