Fountain Could Rein In ‘Opinion’ Signs

The city is updating its sign ordinance and may start reining in ideological, or opinion-oriented, signs.

At the present, Fountain has no standards on ideological signs, even though there are many standards for political signs. Political signs require a permit, and must conform to regulations on size, total number displayed and length of time displayed.

City officials agree that the difference between ideological and political is unclear.

“It’s kind of confusing because they are one in the same,” said planning director Dave Smedsrud. “That’s why we’re looking to change the sign code, because you really can’t separate the two out.”

The sign code overhaul comes after a former city council member erected some controversial signs; one billboard sized that calls two current council members “bums” and a “disease,” and another with a toilet saying a council woman should be “flushed.”

The man behind them, Al Lender, said he believes he had something to do with the changes the city is considering. He said any new limits could violate freedom of speech.

“It’s one more step of governments taking rights away from people,” said Lender.

Smedsrud said the city had planned to update its ordinance and pointed out that there would be no regulation on content displayed. He said the city is looking closely at legality.

“To make sure all of these sign regulations are reasonable and legal to do,” said Smudsrud.

The city council is expected to vote on the revised ordinance in December.