28/9/08

Candidates Join in ‘Signs Out’ Push

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Two Tauranga election candidates have issued a joint appeal for others to join a ‘signs out’ push – and give local people a break from the visual pollution for the final two weeks before the close of voting.

Environment Bay of Plenty candidate Grant Dyson kicked things off by challenging other EBOP candidates to show environmental leadership - and join him in taking take down campaign signs that are visually intrusive, environmentally polluting (bits of plastic!), and a distraction road hazard.

‘I might have expected other EBOP candidates to weigh in, and it was an agreeable surprise to get a call from Tauranga Mayoral candidate, Councillor Murray Guy. In his typical plain speaking way, he described the signage as ‘environmental crap and pollution. I applaud Murray for his support and environmental ethnics. He told me that from a newspaper ‘feedback’ story alone, it seems the public have had a gutsful of signs, and we should respect their wishes.’

The pair say that with two weeks of voting left, if other candidates join the ‘signs out movement’ there’s still time to make a real difference to our streets. Councillor Murray Guy urges at the least, current sitting members to withdraw their signage, acknowledging the fact the ‘playing field’ far from level, with most new entries into the political arena not having an established presence in the community.

Grant Dyson and Murray Guy say that it is perhaps ironic that easily the greatest number of signs have been erected by two sitting Environment Bay of Plenty candidates. ‘ Aren’t these people supposed to be showing leadership where environmental matters and ethics are concerned? We find it disappointing they are leaders of the pack in the signs contest. Come on EBOP people, show some environmental responsibility. ’

Grant Dyson says that he’s had comment from people that they are sick to death of election signs. One friend’s comments show clearly the traffic hazard aspect. She reports a near crash while looking at signs by the roadside.

‘I have never used street signage in the past and only did so only following significant pressure,’ says Councillor Guy. ‘Supporters of my mayoral nomination felt every effort should be made to clearly emphasis my commitment to change - to be seen to be taking this election as seriously as possible.’

ENDS

(EDITORS NOTE: Signs removal begins in Totara Street, Mount Maunganui, Monday Oct 1, at 8 am - in front of Works Infrastructure tank farm (Round corner into Totara from Hewlett’s/Totara intersection. Dyson and Guy will also clean up broken signage, plastic etc)

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