3 of 4 Controversial Tourism Signs Taken Down In Orient, Size Reduction Slated for 4th

The landscape in Orient just became a little less cluttered.

Three of four controversial signs placed on New York State Route 25 to promote tourism have been removed— and the fourth, the largest of the quartet, is slated for a size reduction, according to Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell.

"My understanding is that the fourth will be replaced by a smaller one," Russell said. "I'm reserving judgment on it until I see it. Regarding the other three, Senator Ken Lavalle took immediate action to help and we're very grateful."

In Montauk, seven of eight signs have been removed. "While I appreciate New York State removing seven of eight signs and replacing this sign in the next week or so with one half its size, it is still inappropriate," said East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell. "My thanks to everyone who has voiced their objection to the state and I want thank Assemblyman Fred Thiele and Senator Ken LaValle for their support."

LaValle has worked with the towns to have the signs on the East End removed. “The signs do not fit with the character of our towns and villages and were installed no notification or input from local officials," he said. "I have met with the State Department of Transportation and asked them to immediately remove the signs from our communities. The DOT is in the process of removing signs and designing smaller, more appropriate signage. I am hopeful that the new signs are more in keeping with the rural nature of the East End.”

The signs are part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's efforts to amp up a tourism marketing campaign. In November, Cuomo pledged $25 million of a $50 million campaign to be utilized for tourism marketing, featuring the I LOVE NY, Path Through History and Taste NY initiatives, Cuomo's website states.

The Empire State Development Office, which helms the "I Love New York" campaign, responded with a statement: "The goal of the I Love NY road signs are to promote the state's world-renowned tourism attractions and to continue to invest in the success of every region. Tourism generated an economic impact of more than $100 billion across the state, supporting over 870,000 jobs and generating nearly $8 billion in state and local taxes in 2014. ESD will work with state and local officials to ensure any concerns they have are addressed."

When they were first placed, Russell said the four signs were all clustered within a short distance of one another.

The signs, he said, have been sited across the state but many municipalities, including Southold, never received any communication from the state that the signs were coming.

Russell said he even spoke to Lavalle when the signs first popped up. "No one even told him," he said.

Russell worked with the senator to have the signs taken down.

"I don't think they serve any purpose," he said, adding that the signage alerts people that they are in New York State, "after they just got off a ferry . . . in New York State. It seems pointless to me. I don't want to sound cynical but it sounds like some major donor owns a sign company."

The state's program, he added, is pricey; the signs are proliferating on the Long Island Expressway, and "they all say nothing. But the LIE doesn't come through Southold so it's not my concern."

The signs, he said, do not focus on Southold's unique features as a tourist destination or spotlight local businesses or attractions.

Southold Town Councilwoman Jill Doherty said if they said, "Welcome to Southold," it might be a different story.

And Councilman Jim Dinizio said there are already an abundance of signs in Southold.

"People in Southold don't need signs to tell them how great" the North Fork is, Russell said. "We have scenic vistas."

The new marketing campaign features TV ads and other media at airports, on roads, on railways, on the web and on mobile devices to promote tourism opportunities throughout New York State.

The signs placed in Orient, including the one that remains, are part of the state's "Path Through History" initiative, urging guests to "Explore New York History" and visit ILoveNY.com or utilize an app for information.

But residents agree with Russell that the signs, which were erected recently, won't do much to bolster the North Fork's efforts to preserve its rich and vibrant history.

Bob Hanlon, president of the Orient Association, expressed concerns.

"The scenic appeal of Orient and all of Southold are very important to the community. And while we surely appreciate efforts to alert people to the benefits, wonders and opportunities in this community, those activities have to be sensible and proportionate."

In addition, Hanlon said any tourism bolstering efforts should be "especially sensitive" the North Fork's community character. "We have a community with more than 150 historic houses. This is a very rural area. Signs that scream 'commercial' are not something we have here. And those signs, in my personal opinion, are very much out of place."

The four signs first erected, which Hanlon said were approximately 6 by 3.5 feet and 3 by 4 feet, were also "much larger than any sign anywhere in Southold."

In addition, Hanlon said he couldn't see that the signs served any meaningful purpose. "They don't direct anyone to any particular place. They're self promotional in a way that doesn't seem to add anything for the people who are coming out here."

Hanlon said his goal is to find out how they came to be placed in Orient. "At first blush, they seem out of character with the general tone of the community and seem to be of little benefit," he said.

Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski was similarly outraged. "The proliferation of road signs is a problem. One, it's aesthetic, and two it's a safety issue because you can't really safely navigate traffic, and attempt to read those signs. You can't do both safely."

Similar fury was sparked recently when blue billboard-sized "Welcome to New York" signs appeared in Montauk, causing a public outcry as residents demanded the "hideous" signs be taken down.

Cantwell agreed with his angry constituents: "Thruway-size billboard signs have no place in the community," he said.