City crews remove more than 1,000 Locke campaign signs

If you’ve driven on Houston’s highways at all recently, you probably have seen those orange Gene Locke for Mayor signs.  Most are on highway esplanades, over bridges and in some fairly precarious locations, including merging ramps.  Putting campaign signs in public right of ways is illegal.  However, over the years, many campaigns have done so.  You’ve seen them near side walks, around street corners, and near voting locations.

So, since all candidates tend to violate the law with their campaign signs, why are the Gene Locke signs such a big deal?  Simply put, because there have been so many of them, and often in very dangerous locations.  According to Andy Icken, the Deputy Director of Public Works, his employees have been picking up more Locke signs than any other candidates, by far.

“As of last Saturday, we picked up approximately 1,000 Gene Locke signs,” Icken told me over the phone.  “We picked up somewhere around the neighborhood of 10 Annise Parker signs.”

Icken also said he’s received several emails complaining of the signs.  In addition, he’s had to send out crews two to a truck to pick up signs in some of the more precarious locations.  He said he needs one guy to pick up the signs, and another to watch out for highway traffic.

Icken does point out that he believes the sign problem is easing.  “We’ve talked to the Gene Locke   campaign,” said Icken.  “Since we talked to them, we’re seeing fewer signs.”

Locke campaign spokesperson Kim Devlin says she's not aware of the city speaking with the campaign. Devlin says they have immediately removed any signs that are put up inappropriately as soon as they become aware of them. "We have taken several measures to inform our supporters to not put signs up illegally, including a note on our website," said Devlin.

The City of Houston can fine candidates, but they have not done so.  In reality, Icken points out that all candidates break the rules when it comes to campaign signs.  His department hasn’t written any tickets.  They would just prefer that candidates stick with the rules, and not put signs in potentially dangerous locations.

Comments

[PixieGirl]

Well, there's fiscal conservatism for you: The city is having to use tax dollars to pick up signs! We can do better in picking our next Mayor!

[Eric]

There were way more signs in the mayoral election in 2003 with White and Sanchez. I think there was more than that in 2001 with Chris Bell, Sanchez, and Brown. I remember there being articles about signs up on telephone polls.

Regardless, I imagine that you see more Locke campaign signs is because Parker didn't buy a whole lot of them. The whole sign ordeal isn't anything abnormal.

[michael]

Every year you see these signs. The good thing is it reminds you to vote. So the more signs the better. They all get picked up when its over.

[John Cobarruvias]

1000 Locke signs to 10 Parker. Wow.

[Randy L]

Wow, important issue. Thanks for spending our time reading to see there's no value in your post.

Parker obviously made a decision to forgo the use of signs. Good for her. Her grassroots organization is much better than her public persona, so it makes sense to not create a stir and increase turnout.

Ah duh.

[Allison]

The issue here isn't the fact that Locke is plastering signs all over the city - yes candidates always do it.

The issue is that he is putting both city of Houston employees AND the general public at risk by doing so in his paid sign program.

I live in the Houston Heights and driving down I-10 we were seeing his signs on overpass after overpass. More than that, the signs have been hung by his campaign OUTSIDE of the safety fences. Meaning that his campaign puts people in jeopardy by placing them because they could fall into oncoming traffic. That same threat exists when city employees do their jobs and remove the signs.

Devlin's excuse about the signs is laughable considering I watched a COH crew remove 2 signs from an overpass and their replacements were BACK UP the next afternoon.

The placements are a violation of city of Houston ordinance and a violation of State Law, it's a waste of OUR tax dollars having to assign a special crew to remove Locke's litter.

[micheal]

Again this happens every campaign season. Sounds like your a Parker supporter and do not like so much attention that turnout may increase. The bigger the turnout the greater the chance of getting the right candidate we all support. As I said they all get picked up when it is over. It is just not one candidates signs. I have seen all candidates including Parkers signs in illegal right of ways so what is the big deal like I say just leave all alone till it is over and only pay for one pick-up. The more signs you see the bigger the turnout and the more attention to the campaigns. This is good for getting the best candidate!

[elle]

To the comment about a paid program I believe the Locke spokesman has said that statement is not true but people continue to spread such words. I am sure Anise Parker has not told her staff to put those signs in illegal places too. This is just part of the season why spread such false rumors. You must be another Parker Supporter. I am still undecided but it seems to me that the most negative people are Parker supporters they seem to have an attitude and I am not sure if I want to be part of that team.

[Martha]

I've been in Parker headquarters numerous times when staff told volunteers, as they were taking signs, "do not put them in the right of way, do not put them on private property without permission." Parker herself told her staff to make it very clear to everyone - no illegal sign placement is condoned by this campaign. That doesn't mean over eager volunteers ignore that directive, but I do believe that leadership from the top - Parker - has made a difference in cutting down on hers being placed illegally. I was in HQ one day with a friend who wanted to take a bunch of the big signs (and they've had plenty), and when he got the talk about how he couldn't put them on property without permission on in right of ways, he sighed, and put most of them back, because that's exactly where he always puts candidate signs in his part of town.

[Alan Blakley]

This is not some random event by overzealous volunteers. The signs are EVERYWHERE again. I think Locke is a liar and I think that he and his campaign should be fined the maximum amount for every sign.

[tatti]

There is no way that I can vote for an active gay that is open in such a high respectable position. It is against our life and well being. Yes they have all rights but how do my children come out in the long run. All people become gay and life lives in a test tube. Children can not fair well from this. If all were gay life would end without the test tube. That just crazy. I do not care about signs I care about our children.

[Chris]

How come Locke supporters Michael and Tatti have such poor grammar? Learn the difference between 'your' and 'you're'. Learn when to use commas. Use an apostrophe for once in your life, and do it correctly. And Tatti, are you saying you'd rather vote for a closeted gay? Yea, that makes sense. Your post is the most inane and ignorant post I've ever seen on the Chronicle.

[A Bennett]

Accepts benefits of Bigoted endorsements. Accepts benefits of dangerous and illegal signs. (Please dont tell me he sees them and wishes they were not there). I fully believe if Annise Parker saw one of the overpass signs with her name on it she would do what ever was necessary to have it removed). I wouldn't trust Gene Locke as far as I could throw him. I could be wrong, but likely I won't be persuaded otherwise until after the election. Ive seen too much of Gene Locke already.

[A Bennett]

SO . . . you cant vote for an active gay. I see, you care about the children. I assume you also care about gay peoples children. And your own. Care about your children by not be part of the losing side of history. Support peacefully, rights for gays and leasbians. Otherwise stick around for the revolution. How nice for your kids then. Think about ut.

[michael]

Chris,
How do you spell insane. Also is it in or on the chronicle?.......do you call this grammer?

[Jo]

The signs reminded me to vote on Tuesday. Otherwise, I would have completely forgot.

[tatti]

If we lived in an all gay world all children would be test tubes. If not for that life would cease to exist. Do you call this natural. Yes, I believe all have equal rights but we also have the right to continue to live in a normal world. It is not natural and I will protect my children from that lifestyle. Yes, I do have gay friends and I respect and like them but I still do not consider it natural.

[Ryan]

That there are campaign signs in inappropriate locations is nothing new. Campaign supporters often don't understand the laws or feel that they can get away with it. What we have here though is more than just a few random signs, its on a scale that indicates its a deliberate and coordinated effort. The campaign or its supporters doing this can not pick and choose which laws it will follow. If these signs were advertising a business instead of the Locke campaign, there would be no question of whether there would be fines. Though I realize many people think its a petty issue, enough do take this seriously that it seems to me that these signs are counterproductive, for every voter gained, one is lost.

[michael]

This is ashame. So many signs in 2004 when White ran. His sign were everywhere, the same overpasses and crosswalk. White had plenty of signs. It looks to me like because of the of somebodies mistake not to order enough sign, all of you tend to cry wolf. White supporters were a master at illegal sign placing nothing was said then. There was no problem Sanchez supporters had enough signs for there over enthused supporter to do the same. They were put up and down sometimes twice a day on those same overpasses. I remember so well. No one was complaining then they had plenty of signs. Was no votes lost just more to COUNT.

[KH]

Michael: Chris was saying your post was inane, as in insipid and dull. Insane is different than inane. For instance, your posts are inane, while Tatti's posts are insane.

[John]

It appears that no one cares about the signs except for Parker and her supporters. People in my office think this blog is silly as silly can be. Thanks for distracting me from work.

[tatti]

I almost forgot to vote. I looked up and there was my reminder. Went straight to the polling area and voted for Locke. Thank you whoever.

[Royko]

I object to your assertion "since all candidates tend to violate the law with their campaign signs,..."

I never violated the law, and there is no excuse that should be accepted for allowing volunteers to place "bandit" signs in the rights-of-way.

I would hope you appologize to all the candidates who did endeavour to follow a simple law.

If Locke would condone this crimanal activity, what does that say for the character of Mayor the public would again be fored to endure?

[Toby]

Royko,

No one care about bandit signs except for the candidates and their supporters.

[asigurari auto]

The point is that someone then they raise will not remain so.