PennDOT Says No to 'Vote on Tuesday' Banner

Who knew the word “Vote” had so much political clout?

At the council work session this month, resident Jean Fritz requested council adopt a banner that says “Vote on Tuesday.”

“It’s not political, it’s not intended to be political, it doesn’t say ‘Vote Republican’ or ‘Vote Democrat.’ The banner needs a sponsor,” said Fritz. “I would hope council would take some consideration into taking the banner, adopting it and hanging it up during elections.”

She said the banner would be a "reminder" for people to vote in Lansdale, citing how 30 percent of residents voted in 2011 and 43 percent voted in 2010.

A suggested idea was to hang the banner at the only place in Lansdale where a banner can be hung – over East Main Street near Line Street, where two posts are situated to accommodate such an item.

However, such an item must get approval from PennDOT since East Main Street aka Route 63 is a state road and not a borough-owned road.

However, it was revealed during Tuesday night’s open town hall forum at the parks and recreation building that PennDOT will not allow the banner over East Main Street.

While PennDOT did not give a reason as to why it denied the proposal for the banner, the group at the informal town hall had an idea – it is political.

“This is my personal opinion,” said Director of Community Development John Ernst, “but the word ‘vote’ is political. It’s part of the process; it’s not partisan.”

Borough Manager Timi Kirchner added that PennDOT will not approve anything over state highways that is political in nature.

That didn’t sit well with Fritz.

“When you tell me ‘no’ and there’s not a logical explanation, I’m determined to find out why,” said Fritz.

“Good luck,” said Ernst. “Let me know how that turns out.”

Fritz said that the thought process on it doesn’t make sense. She said we live in a two-party system and the word “vote” shouldn’t have such a designation.

Resident Mary Jones, of Fifth Street, said it’s not about a political party; PennDOT doesn’t want ot be involved in any political affiliation at all.

“They don’t want to endorse any type of political action,” Jones said.

She said she had another plan: ask council or administration to hang the banner on borough hall, facing Broad Street.

The banner was previously hung for a while on the side of , facing Broad Street. Fritz said councilman Jack Hansen told her that putting the banner up and taking it down numerous times would do damage to the building.

Both Ernst and Kirchner said hanging the banner on borough hall wouldn’t be a good idea for the same reason. (No one had mentioned the smaller-in-length "Classic Towns" sign hanging on the other side of borough hall).

Ernst said hanging such a sign could set a precedent. For instance, an organization could come and request a banner that says “Pray on Sunday” -- It may not be promoting a religion, but the word “pray” has a connotation.

“And once you’re down that slope …” said Ernst.

Kirchner said it is voting is viewed as a political act. If Lansdale Borough endorses such a sign, it could cause debate over the borough’s inability to remain neutral on politics.

It’s the same reason certain news organizations won’t endorse a candidate for political office.

“It’s part of America,” Fritz contended. “It’s B.S. It’s too much of trying to make an issue of something.”

Ernst said the issue was being made that evening; PennDOT was simply making a statement.

Kirchner said PennDOT would usually approve signage over Main Street for nonprofit organizations applying for approval as such to promote a charitable event.

said the banner could cause someone to assume somebody else paid for it, and thereby is trying to make influence in the town.

Business owner Russell Rickert, of Russell Rickert, CLU, said a similar thing happened after 9/11. Veterans' organizations were putting flags across state highways, and they were told to take the flags down.

“Though it is absolutely against our grain, they felt it was not appropriate,” Rickert said of PennDOT.