Let’s limit new billboards

by Darryl Wilkinson

One of the amendments printed for your evaluation elsewhere in this issue is Proposition A. It is placed on the Nov. 2 ballot by over 130,000 Missouri registered voters who want you to have the opportunity to control the number of billboards along selected roadways in this state. The proposal is designed to reduce the number of outdoor advertising signs particularly in scenic and historic areas, and to reduce the number of large signs. Existing signs in certain areas would be allowed to remain, but could not be replaced.

Daviess County will not be dramatically affected if this proposal passes, even though I-35 bisects the county and we have other federal-aid primary roads involved. Signatures to put the proposal on the ballot weren’t even collected in the 6th Congressional District which includes our county. But this doesn’t mean we have no interest.

Tourism is one of the top three industries in Missouri, generating $12 billion a year and employing over 200,000 people. Tourists come to Missouri to see great sporting events, attend a conference, spend time at the lakes or visit Branson. They enjoy our beautiful natural scenery, but those special views of our state are increasingly hidden behind a dense wall of giant billboards. We do not believe a control on one type of advertising will destroy tourism. Some of America’s premier vacation destinations are in states which prohibit or tightly control billboards. Maine, Hawaii, Alaska and Vermont have removed or prohibited all billboards.

Proponents of this measure say Missouri has more than 13,500 billboards just along our interstate and primary highways. That is nearly three times as many billboards per mile as our eight neighboring states. Many new billboards are up to 120 feet tall where sign faces cover up to 800 square feet — the size of many one-bedroom apartments! Places where a drive through Missouri appears like a ride through the Yellow Pages are on I-70 heading west into Kansas City, Highways 54/63 in Jefferson City (view of our state capitol), downtown St. Louis (view of the arch), Highway 54 at Lake Ozark, and Highway 50 at Union among others.

Current state law allows billboard companies to go onto highway rights of way, which are public property, and cut down trees for the sole purpose of improving the visibility of their signs. No other industry is allowed to destroy public property for personal gain like this. Proposition A will eliminate this special interest provision in the law.

Proposition A will not cost taxpayers any money. Proposition A stops new billboard construction on interstate and primary highways and otherwise allows for local controls. It is no coincidence that the number of billboards in Missouri is excessive. Approximately 15% to 20% of all billboards in the state are currently vacant. Many new billboards have been erected, trying to beat the voter imposed restraint they fear will pass during the Nov. 2 election.

Missouri does not need more billboard advertising. Little communities like Laurie as well as large towns like Lee’s Summit and cities like Springfield have all been sued by billboard companies for trying to impose restraints. Proposition A will grant local governments the ability to control their own environment and appearance of their communities. Proposition A is one of the very few issues upon which the leadership of both Missouri Democrat and Republican parties agree.

So, if you’re driving along interstates during this time before the upcoming election, we suggest you disregard what billboard companies are saying. Their interest is not Missouri tourism. They are solely interested in making more money by building more and more billboards. We say vote yes on Proposition A.