Mayor asks sign posters to be 'responsible'

Illegal signs at

South Columbia &

Marshall Richardson.

(Photo by John H. Walker)

Originally posted 5/17/2011
Updated 5/22/2011
Signs down on 5/24/2011

Bogalusa Mayor Charles Mizell this week asked sign posters in the community to be responsible, reminding them that unless they had permission to place a sign on private property, all were illegal.

"Yes," he said when asked after Tuesday's city council meeting by wpnews.com, "A citizen can remove any illegally posted sign without getting in trouble."

There are dozens of homemade, as well as commercial signs, staked in the ground, nailed to trees and tied to state highway signs. The small signs promoting commercial businesses are called "bandit advertising" signs.

Two big offenders include a daiquiri shop located off Marshall Richardson and a former business run out of a storage unit near Western Sizzlin'. That business, which now operates in the former Estelles, had "going out of business" signs up for over a year, refreshing them when they became weather worn.

Two hanging banners currently serve as eyesores at the intesection of La. 10 and La. 21. One is for an Easter Egg hunt held a month ago, while the other is for a horse ride on May 7 at Ponderosa Ranch in Crystal Springs, Miss.

And there are signs all over the community for commercial businesses located outside of Washington Parish, including Mississippi businesses.

"Take 'em down," Mizell said. "They're eyesores."

Illegal signs at corner of Highway 21 and Highway 10.

Most recent of the two events was three weeks ago.

(Photo by John H. Walker)

For locals posting garage sale signs, he asked that persons "be responsible" and clean up after themselves if they choose to break the law.

"We're trying to do some things to help the community look better," he said, "and we're asking out citizens to help."

(Posted first at www.wpnewsblog.com)