Lafayette's Street Pole Banners Will Continue To Fly

In Lafayette, where the spending of even the least amount is being carefully scrutinized as it is in most California cities, the City Council voted to keep its  downtown street pole banners flying.

The banner program announces town events and highlights holidays and most folks agree they lend a festive feel to downtown. But, they also cost about $25,000 a year to put up and take down and that kind of money will buy a lot of... stuff the town needs right now. So the banners were on the "chopping block," as City Manager Steven Falk said.

But after much thought and a 3 to 1 vote last week, the City Council opted to keep the banners in place, saying they do much to define the character of the city and add value to it.