Large Blue New York State Tourism Signs Erected in Orient Spark Ire Among Neighbors, Town

Orient, NY — Four large blues signs erected in Orient by New York State to promote tourism have raised serious concerns among neighbors.

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 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 in Orient 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 not everyone feels the signs, which were erected recently, will help bolster the North Fork's efforts to preserve its rich and vibrant history.

Bob Hanlon, president of the Orient Association, said while he has not yet discussed the signs with the board — he just learned of the signs Thursday — he has 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, which Hanlon said were approximately 6 by 3.5 feet and 3 by 4 feet, are also "much larger than any sign anywhere in Southold."

In addition, Hanlon said he can't see that the signs serve 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.

What's also troubling, Hanlon said, is that local elected officials were unaware of the signs being put up. "We have local officials who try hard to protect the character of the community, and in the case of something as big as this, with such visual impact, it seems as if the town should be put on notice. This is very troublesome."

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said no one had reached out to tell anyone on the town level that the signs were coming. "We weren't notified. Signs promoting New York, the target audience of which is people who got off a ferry . . . in New York. Shrewd move. I assume a major donor owns a sign company," 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."

A request for comment to the Empire State Development Office, which helms the "I Love New York" campaign, was not returned.

Similar outrage was sparked last week 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.

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

Krupski said he's working with Russell and Cantwell, reaching out to New York State "to try and minimize some of those signs."