AUBURN — Most city councilors Tuesday said they had no problem with city rules allowing election signs on public property.
Councilor Tizz Crowley championed a change to city rules that would keep the signs off city medians and other property during elections, treating them as an eyesore.
She included a memo she sent along to councilors arguing for the change.
“I think this impacts safety and the appearance of the city,” Crowley said. “For me the opposition is an issue of free speech.”
That’s where some of her colleagues disagreed with her.
“For people that are not known in the community and may not have access to greater visibility, and getting their name out, I think this creates an advantage for people that are well known,” Councilor Mary Lafontaine said.
Auburn allows the signs on public and private land for 30 days before an election and seven days after. Crowley suggested during Tuesday’s workshop meeting adopting an ordinance similar to the town of Brunswick. Brunswick’s zoning rules specifically ban political signs on public property. It allows them to be placed on private property 60 days before an election.
Councilors put Crowley’s idea aside until their next City Council workshop.
Comments are no longer available on this story