Sign Ordinance

After carefully reading and re-reading the proposals put forth by the sign ordinance review committee in the Sept. 20 Citizen, I couldn't help but detect a subtle but unmistakable vile stench of socialism/communism.

I can't understand why the town would waste $10,000 of taxpayer money to pay an out-of-stater to create a business environment that emulates a Norman Rockwell painting. It may look nice, but it is a still-life that stagnates economic development and tramples individual freedom.

Instead, let's show the rest of the state that Bethel is a vibrant, prosperous, business-friendly conmunity concerned about job creation, by repealing the sign ordinance as requested by several petition signers last spring.

Otherwise, maybe we should just simplify the ordinance and have it read “No signs are allowed that are big enough or distinctive enough to attract attention, draw customers or create new jobs.” This would effectively be the same ordinance we are currently burdened with and the proposed changes will only make it worse. Let's repeal the sign ordinance and restore individual freedom.

Rick Whitney

Bethel