POTTSTOWN PA – Lighted, digital billboards approved Tuesday (April 19, 2011) by the Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township Zoning Hearing Board, to be seen by drivers on U.S. Route 422, are expected to be colorful and eye-catching. What if, township resident and former commissioner Thomas Troutman wondered aloud, they were eye-popping too?
A controversial billboard for a Gucci perfume, which appeared last October in Los Angeles
Is there any guarantee the advertising signs will not show sexual or offensive content?, Troutman asked board members and representatives of owner Lamar Advertising of Penn LLC, during their hearing at the township municipal building, 2199 Buchert Rd., Pottstown.
Two chances of that, Lamar Director of Real Estate Melissa Nye quickly replied: slim and much slimmer. Her company, she said, follows strict guidelines to prevent such displays. “I know my manager would never allow it,” she said.
“I’m sure that’s so now,” but companies, policies and managers change, Troutman contended. What will keep unappealing, or maybe overly appealing, images off those oversized, television-like screens in the future?, he asked.
Possibly nothing, hearing board attorney Robert Brant observed.
In fact, Brant added, imposing any such restriction would violate the First Amendment – the one that ensures the right of free speech – of the U.S. Constitution. “We can’t limit free speech,” Brant said of the board, whose members must deal only with applicable township laws.
The best Troutman might hope for, apparently, is that good taste will prevail.
Related:
- Sex Sells … But, He’s Hopeful, Not In Lower Pottsgrove
- Lamar Wins Township Approval For TV-Like Billboards
- Hearings Scheduled For National Penn’s Sanatoga Sign
- Lower Pottsgrove, Lamar Negotiating Over Sign Request
- All Signs Point To More Township Signage Talk Tonight
- Anticipated Township Billboard Battle Gets A Reprieve
- Legal Fight Shapes Up Over Signs In Lower Pottsgrove
- Advertisers Propose Colorful, Electronic Sign In Township
Photo from Daily Billboard
