People are used to pulling weeds around this time each year. But pulling political endorsement signs? That’s usually an every four-year occurrence.
Orion Township Building Official Tom Berger said Jim Seibert, one of his code enforcers, is out picking up illegally placed signs almost on a daily basis.
Berger said most of the candidates, and all of those running for township office, are aware of the rules.
‘When they hire people to put the signs up, they don’t always pass on the rules and regulations that go with it,? he said.
Political signs do not require a permit, but signs are not allowed in the right-of-way or on private property without permission of the property ower.
The township has asked candidates to provide contact information, and Berger said they tried to place calls at first, informing candidates of signs in violation. As the Aug. 5 primary nears, however, and the number of signs increases, courtesy calls are now a thing of the past.
‘The right-of-ways are the worst ones,? Berger said. ‘We’ve given everybody more than enough fair warning.?
But picking up the signs doesn’t end the struggle. Instead, signs are taken to a holding area at township hall, and Berger said many just get picked back up by the candidates or their workers and end up right back in an illegal location.
‘It’s like a dog chasing its tail,? Berger said. ‘It’s very time consuming. It costs us somebody five days a week.?
Berger said the problem is not limited to one or two candidates. A majority of the candidates that have signs, and most do, have violated the rules, he noted.
‘Every four years it’s like this,? he added. ‘You’ve got everybody running around. I wish I was in the sign business right now.?
Berger said property owners that see a sign on their property they didn’t approve are welcome to just pick them up. Most of the issues have centered on vacant locations, where the township doesn’t always know if permission has been granted.
The intersection of Joslyn and Clarkston Roads, for example, is one that has kept code enforcers busy. The four corners there include a county park, a Lake Orion Community school, a private school and a vacant property.
Berger said the owner of the vacant corner has not given any permission, nor have the owners of the other corners, making it impossible for a sign to be lawfully placed at that intersection. But that hasn’t stopped signs from appearing, he noted.
‘People keep trying to put them up there,? Berger said. ‘It’s really puzzling.?
Some accusations have been made about sign stealing, but Berger and Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk said the township plays no role in that.
‘Our code enforcement officers just go by the book,? Dywasuk said. ‘It seems like every election, someone complains about signs being stolen.?
Berger said the signs probably help the candidates in name recognition, while Dywasuk questioned their effectiveness in the end. One thing both men agreed on, though, was that the situation won’t get any better until the election is over.
Signs must be removed by 14 days after the election, but those still in the running after the primary will have until mid-November to remove their signs.