Welcome To The Era

Of Obnoxious Sign Pollution

To the Editor:

In last week’s Newtown Bee, there was a letter [“The Back Room Sign Deal,” Letter Hive, 11/13/09] published which provided an interesting twist when alluding to an understanding among political parties and the people of Newtown regarding political lawn signs. This issue, however, goes far beyond the knee jerk opinion of whether or not lawn signs are appropriate on private properties or legal on state, and/or polling site properties. In the past, the Republican and Democratic parties in Newtown have focused on issues during political campaigns. They have respected the physical appearance of our one-of-a-kind beautiful New England town during the political campaign cycle. Therefore, to refer to self-restriction of political lawn signs as some sort of Tammany Hall, smoke-filled-back-room, sneaky and dishonest political agenda, as the aforementioned letter suggested, is delusional at worst and grossly inaccurate at best. This interesting Tea Party-like focus is complete with inaccurate constitutional reference.

Perhaps the real focus should be on how to bend rules and understandings, and therefore bring Newtown into the modern era of obnoxious sign pollution and annoying, inaccurate robo-calls, and more things of that ilk. Or, perhaps the focus should be on how to employ a win-at-all-costs strategy which compromises the history, appearance, and overall ethic of our town. I imagine both scenarios are plausible. One could argue that the appropriate focus in Newtown sign-mania is that although the upfront issue is political lawn signs and the placement of same around town, the deeper and more poignant issue is not as much the actual signs, but the dynamics and operational style of the campaign by the involved political entity. The net effect of this political strategy on the quality of life in Newtown both in and out of the campaign cycle needs to be considered.

It was logical to assume that the signs were coming this campaign season since they were introduced, for the first time ever in the long (and I mean long) history of Newtown, two years ago in the last election. The Democratic and Republican Parties simply decided to maintain the dignity and respect they have shown the town over the years and were not interested in challenging local ordinances or laws. Not all, apparently, have such ideals or concerns. Newtown has, in essence, acquiesced to political signs. As important, if not more so, is the increasing antagonistic and confrontational nature of political campaigns in Newtown during the last two election cycles. In the past, campaigns could get somewhat heated, but were rarely wrestler-jumping-from-the-turnbuckle nasty!

The bottom line, Newtowners, is: Welcome to political signs all over town, and what that represents to campaigning and quality of life beyond actual signs! Another piece of Newtown’s long and proud Connecticut Yankee, New England heritage and history of caring and common sense seems destined to disappear, only to be replaced by signs, lotsa signs.

Sincerely,

Richard English

3 Curry Drive, Newtown                                         November 16, 2009