Tony White Communications Director 332 City Hall Baltimore, Maryland 21202 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 410-396-9520(VM) 410-685-6495(fax)
City agencies join community partners to launch assault on illegal signs New bill stiffens penalties, 10-day blitz intensifies focus City agency heads, community associations and civic program representatives will gather June 7, 2006 to announce a City-wide all-out assault on illegal signage that is defacing communities around the city. A rally will be held at 5 p.m. at the intersection of Longwood and North Avenue to draw attention to the various methods of illegal posting that takes place in practically every city neighborhood. In particular, unlawful posting of the predatory "We Buy Houses" signs have blanketed gateway corridors, transforming clean, trash free avenues into cheap bill boards lanes. Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke will be on hand to discuss the merits of a new bill recently passed by City Council and signed by Mayor Martin O'Malley that stiffens penalties for illegal posting and provides a mechanism for private enforcement. As sponsor of the bill, Councilwoman Clarke directly responded to opposition to the illegal signage voiced by her 14th District constituents. Examples of illegal posting will be on display at the press event to inform the public of sign postings that constitute violations, which could result in a citation and subsequent fine. Following the rally, City workers and representatives from community associations around the City will work side by side to remove illegal signage along W. North Ave. Beginning June 7, the City Department of Transportation will launch a 10-day blitz during which staff will closely monitor service request calls regarding illegal signage, that come through the 311 call center. Those service calls will then be processed for immediate abatement. Since January, DOT has removed illegal signs from over 1,600 locations. During Super Spring Sweep Thing 7, the citywide cleanup held April 22, five City agencies worked together to collect 1,097 signs. All accredited members of the media are invited to attend the rally. For more information contact Tony White at the numbers listed above or Adrianne Barnes at 410-361-9296. _______________________________________________ Chat mailing list [email protected] http://charlesvillage.info/mailman/listinfo/chat_charlesvillage.info
