BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FORT MITCHELL -- With nearly as many political sign regulations as there are Kenton County cities, some officials think it's time for a countywide campaign sign law.
Besides the visual pollution that some of the larger signs create, proponents say a uniform sign law would reduce the confusion for candidates and their supporters, especially in races that cross city lines.
"It's a hassle each election to enforce the sign (regulations)," said Fort Mitchell Administrator Bill Goetz, who is one of the leading proponents of a uniform sign law. "You have people in the state and county races who don't know where the various city boundaries begin and end."
At least six Kenton County cities have no political sign regulations. And while others have regulations, the guidelines vary. Mr. Goetz said he would like to see a countywide sign law adopted by Aug. 1, in time for the fall campaign featuring a record number of candidates.
Most of the members of the Kenton County Mayors Group informally endorsed a uniform sign ordinance at their meeting Saturday. However, their approval hinges on whether lawyers find the proposed ordinance to be constitutionally sound and whether individual city governments approve the measure.
"We believe we can regulate political signs, as long as the regulations are not unreasonable," Mr. Goetz said. He added the proposed political sign regulations are less restrictive than laws for other types of signs, such as real estate and garage sale signs.
"If we do pass this ordinance, I think we should give copies of it out as candidates file for election, so that we clear up any confusion," said Crescent Springs Mayor Ken Robinson.
But in Erlanger, Bill Scheyer said he has received only two or three gripes about political signs in his nine years as city administrator. "We just figure it's political speech," Mr. Scheyer said. "They can put up anything they like, as long as it's not profane." Under the proposed Kenton County sign law:
There could be only one sign per candidate per yard.
Signs could be no larger than 12 square feet, and could stand no higher than 5 feet off the ground.
The legislation would establish how far political signs would have to set back from roadways, sidewalks and adjacent property lines.
Political signs could not be placed in the right of way, such as on utility poles.
Political signs could not be put up any sooner than 60 days before an election, and they would have to be removed within 10 days of an election.
