The Region - News from Feb. 26, 1986

Reacting to a proliferation of Chinese business signs, the Monterey Park City Council introduced an ordinance that would require all manufacturing and commercial businesses to also post signs in English “describing the nature of the business conducted on the property.” The ordinance is aimed especially at an estimated 16 to 19 businesses whose signs are entirely in Chinese characters. But City Atty. Richard Morillo said the ordinance also would affect businesses without signs and businesses that use only a trade name or logo. All would be required to post signs, readable from 100 feet, describing the business in English. Morillo said the ordinance would not restrict the use of foreign-language signs, but that requiring each business to post at least one sign in English would help police and fire agencies as well as the general public. The proposed ordinance, introduced on a 4-1 vote, is scheduled for final council action in March.