Friday April 26, 2024 
Troy council chief seeks to keep ads off public property
Campaign signs for some candidates are an ego boost, while for some voters they’re cluttering the landscape. One city politician wants to outlaw posting the minipolitical billboards on public property.
The penalty for violators would be up to 15 days in jail, a $250 fine or both under the proposal made by City Council President Carmella Mantello.
“It’s a blight in our city,” Mantello, a Republican, said about signs that crop up at the entranceways to the city where traffic is the heaviest.
Mantello has submitted legislation requiring that “no election campaign sign shall be placed on public property within limits of the City of Troy” by any candidate or campaign committee.
“The existing code regarding campaign signs on public property needs to be clarified. Hence, my proposed legislation … which would specifically prohibit campaign signs on public property. This would cover from right-of-ways to public parks,” Mantello said.
City code enforcement would be required to police and enforce the law if it’s adopted. The measure will go before the City Council’s Finance Committee on Nov. 1. It would not affect this year’s campaigns running up to the Nov. 6 election.
Councilman Anasha Cummings said Mantello’s measure should be discussed by the council, but he would rather see the city’s limited resources targeting trash removal and other programs that are important to residents.
“I’ve never used a sign in my campaigns. It’s eye clutter,” said Cummings, the council’s ranking Democrat.
One issue would be how to hold candidates accountable, Cummings said. Anyone could take a legally mounted campaign sign and move it to public property without a candidate knowing.
“We’ll discuss it in committee,” Cummings said.
The city has always had a colorful political history. Signs are just part of it. Retired Public Works Commissioner Bob Mirch built a collection of campaign signs that appeared across the city landscape over the decades.
In the past, city public works employees have removed signs on public property and have even removed signs from around the city immediately after Election Day so candidates wouldn’t have to do so. But those practices have fallen away.
The city offices on the 2019 ballot include mayor, council president and the six council seats.
The current city code for election signs says a work permit is not needed as long as a campaign sign isn’t bigger than 16 square feet; only two campaign signs are displayed on a property; and the signs must be removed within 14 calendar days of Election Day.
A person convicted of violating the amended sign ordinance would be guilty of a violation that’s outlined in the city code. If convicted of a violation, a person could be punished by a fine of up to $250, up to 15 days in jail or could receive both penalties.
kcrowe@timesunion.com – 518-454-5084 – @KennethCrowe