didja know…
There’s a birthday coming!
There will be no cake.
There will be no party.
There will be no balloons.
No presents, nor beer…
These posts may be the only acknowledgement of it you hear from anyone.
On May 5th 2005, The City of Great Falls, over the protests of a majority of citizens and business owners, many of whom actually showed up at Commission Meetings to make their voices heard, passed the new Sign Code.
This banner was used as an exhibit by the Sign Review Commitee. Evidently, it is permanent, temporary signage.
One of the main issues disputed was the enforcement effort concerning the old code, and the possibility that the new code would not be enforced to an extent that it made three years of work by the Sign Code Review committee virtually worthless.
After a year and a half of working with the new rules, the City brought Ordinance 2957 to the Commission. The Ordinance was to clean up “housekeeping issues” and provide clarification. The issues the city deemed noteworthy were, primarily, related to home occupation signs. The Ordinance was, of course, passed, and everything is all better.
Well, maybe. As mentioned above, the old code was not well enforced. Repeatedly during the Review Process, and Commission Meetings, this point was brought up. Individuals, business owners and members of the sign industry all agreed, a new code was useless without consistent, impartial, enforcement.
Have these fears come true? Is there a legitimate, organized effort from the City to enforce all aspects of the Sign Code?
And is it Promoting a positive economic and business climate through distinctive and effective signage?
Is it Improving Great Falls’ community image by eliminating sign clutter?
Does it Provide a comprehensive and cohesive code that is readily understood and consistently applied?
Does the City Provide effective and binding code implementation and enforcement measures?
4 Responses to “didja know…”
1 free thought 26 April 2007 @ 9:51 am
No cake or beer? Lousy party you are throwing.
Of course the law should be enforced equally and fairly. But very few are. This one never will be.
Now, as to the whole new blog. When I first checked it out, all the posts were way down low. Then I thought it was fixed. Now, I have to scroll down to get to the posts again. Is it browser related? I have newer software on my laptop that I use at home, and it seemed fine. Now today, on my work computer, it looks messed up again.
2 free thought 26 April 2007 @ 6:47 pm
Ok, I’m checking this out from home now, and it loads fine. I think there is a compatibility problem with the older browser I have at work.
3 firefly 29 April 2007 @ 10:09 am
I appreciate your input, but I have no idea how to fix anything. I do find it funny that my blog and your work computer have compatibility problems.
4 free thought 30 April 2007 @ 11:40 am
That’s ok. I’m sure your wisdom is worth scrolling down.
Leave a Reply