Pole Signs Not Needed

My wife and I just returned from a two-week trip in New England, during which we drove more than 1,000 miles through New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and New York state. We were struck not only by the God-given beauty of the countryside, but also by the man-made beauty of the turnpikes and scenic expressways.

We drove hundreds of miles at a stretch without ever seeing a single pole sign or billboard visible from the highway. Did we run out of gas and go hungry because we couldn’t find a gas station or roadside restaurants? Did we see boarded-up gas stations and abandoned McDonald’s, forced out of business because motorists couldn’t locate them?

Guess what? Rather than ugly pole signs, there were frequent, conspicuous and legible logo signs that directed us to off-freeway businesses. The logo signs were placed about a mile before an exit, giving us plenty of time to decide which gas station or business to choose. The logo signs were easy to read but unobtrusive, and did not degrade the scenic qualities of the highway in any way.

Our local businesses argue that they need pole signs to attract customers. This is simply false, if logo signs are installed in their place. The many gas stations and restaurants we saw were identified only by logo signs, yet were packed with customers and clearly prospering.

We can all see with our own eyes that pole signs blight the landscape. They are “vertical litter.” Now we also know they aren’t an economic necessity. Logo signs (because grouped together) provide the same information in a more convenient forat, are easier to comprehend and don’t despoil the scenery.

Pole signs are indefensible from both a business and aesthetic standpoint. The Agoura Hills City Council is right in forcing the owners of these repulsive contraptions to cut them down. Then the “scenic corridor” might finally regain some of its scenic qualities.

LES HARDIE

Calabasas