[UPDATED] Two Governor Candidates (and a Governor) Snagged

by the Lee County Sign Ordinance.

Driving around town over the past few days, I’ve noticed three rather large signs for two Governor candidates that have already had personal run-ins with the law: John Oxendine and Ray McBerry. There is also a similar sized sign from current Governor Sonny Perdue’s 2006 campaign.

Ox’s is in downtown Leesburg, roughly 50′ off the railroad tracks and within 5′ or so of Walnut Ave at the redlight in front of the Lee County Courthouse. It was erected within the past 48 hours, as it was not there when I was in town Weds, but was there when I came through town last night. McBerry’s is on a dilapidated billboard maybe 30-50′ off Hwy 82 in southern Lee County, near the Oakland Plantation area, and has been there for at least a few weeks now. It is on top of a 2006 sign from Governor Perdue.

Here’s the problem: all four signs violate the law, the Lee County Sign Ordinance.

Section 70-645(b)(13) regulates political signs, and paragraph (a) states

The sign shall not be displayed earlier than 60 days prior to the primary election, general election or referendum it concerns.

60 days prior to the July 20, 2010 primary election is May 21, 2010 – meaning that political signs are prohibited in Lee County prior to that date.

Furthermore, paragraph (d) of the same Section states

The sign shall be located entirely on private property. It shall not be located, in whole or in part, on any public lands or public right-of-way and shall not be located on any trees, rocks or like objects.

One of Oxendine’s signs is within the right of way of both Walnut Avenue AND the railroad tracks through downtown Leesburg, and the other may or may not be in the right of way of Main Street.

Finally, the Ordinance, in section (b) of the same section, says that

The sign must be removed no later than seven days following the date of the primary election, general election or referendum it concerns.

Mr. Governor, isn’t 3.5 years PLENTY enough time to take down your sign?

Now, these are very minor issues relative to Oxendine’s $120K in illegal contributions he accepted from a man he claimed not to know, but with whom he has gone on international hunting trips or the allegations of McBerry’s molestation of young girls. But they are still yet ANOTHER instance of these two men, who both seek to be the top enforcer of Georgia Law, BREAKING the law.

But these signs typically cost anywhere from $50-$100, sometimes more. Meaning that it is likely that the campaigns in question (particularly the one with very little money) at least knows who they gave the signs to, and quite possibly put them up directly. Of course, I’m also hearing one rumor on twitter that if true, is a colossal waste of money and not a good indication of true fiscal conservatism from one of the candidates in question.

My own feelings about the Lee County Sign Ordinance are somewhat well known, depending on how often you read this site. Quite frankly, I think it sucks and needs to be completely redone to allow both politicians and businesses to do more of what they wish with fewer, if any, restrictions.

But just as I tell people to not smoke pot even while advocating for an end to the Drug War, here I must hold candidates accountable for following the law, even as I – and maybe even they – seek to have it changed.

Closing, here’s a couple of pics of the signs in question, just for verifiable proof that they were there at the time I wrote this:

[UPDATE]: Found another Ox sign which I believe was posted AFTER this post was online. This one is on the Leesburg Bypass near the intersection with Ga-32. Pic of it below the others.

Ox Illegal Sign on Walnut Ave in Leesburg

Ox's Illegal Sign on Main St in Leesburg

McBerry and Perdue Illegal Sign on US 82 near Oakland Plantation in Lee County

Illegal John Oxendine Sign on US 19 at Ga 32