September 18, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Ray Masters
Phone:     717-476-1530
website:   http://www.angelfire.com/pe/gail4rep/
e-mail:     gail4rep@mailexcite.com
 

POCONO TOWNSHIP, PA  -  Libertarian Pennsylvania House Representative candidate Gail Mastroberte asked residents of the 189th District to "think twice" before they answer a Special Report survey concerning Off-Premise Signs sent recently to them by incumbent Democrat State Representative Joseph W. Battisto.  She categorically characterized any restrictions placed on off-premise signs "against  First Amendment rights of free speech, expression and association."

"I have some very serious constitutional concerns about this purposed regulation," said Mastroberte.  "One of our most precious rights of association would be further eroded with passage of this law."

An off-premise sign is defined in the Battisto literature as "any outdoor advertising sign not located on the premises owned by the person whose business or product is being advertised."  Such legislation is intended to "regulate the size, distance between signs and the conditions of the signs."

Mastroberte cited that passage of such restrictions would give rise to new bureaucracies.  She said that according to Powerline Reports, a publication of the Sign Association & Sign Users Council of California, tickets were issued to Los Angeles merchants who did not comply with their local sign code. They received 20 days to remove the signs, called for a $250 investigation fee, and called for the merchants to go through the Los Angeles Building and Permits Department for sign permits.

"Sign police would have to comb the entire county from Blakeslee to the Delaware Water Gap, from Mountainhome to Kunkletown to catch violators of these regulations.   It is not the proper role of government to restrict signs that someone else may deem "unsightly."  "We equally don't need a "good-taste squad" inspecting every sign in Monroe County to see whether or not it conforms to someone else's idea of "good taste."   It is a costly idea, both in terms of enforcement, tax money and our freedoms."

"Politicians will be the first to exempt themselves from any law that they might craft," noted Mastroberte.  "We are all waiting with baited breathe to look at all the campaign signs along the roads and highways this season. Sign put on top of sign, squeezed together on various corners.  Many people tell me, those types of signs are more offensive and unsightly, than the ones who represent a person trying to earn a living, who needs to advertise and promote their business or product to pay the bills for their family."

"The only time a government should step in, is when someone places a sign on a person's property without the owner's permission.  The majority of the billboard space along the Pocono highways and roads are private property.  One could not just put up a sign on those sites without the owner's consent.  That would constitute criminal trespass.  Those who do not own billboard space would contract with the owner to rent the space for a given amount of time, as per agreement."

Other localities, such as Vancouver City, British Columbia, Canada has amended its sign laws to let outdoor advertising companies put up new billboards. The other option before their council was to totally ban such advertising. For over two decades, Vancouver has had the most restrictive laws regarding outdoor signs in Canada.

"Other American cities have enacted strict control over outdoor advertising, and while this county is asked to consider such legislation, our northern neighbor Canada is making their laws less restrictive.  Free speech is our American birthright, it is a shame that we are going down the slippery slope of more government control over free speech," said Mastroberte.

Mastroberte concluded with, "the property rights you restrict today, may be yours tomorrow."
 
Gail Mastroberte is a registered nurse employed at Pleasant Valley Manor in Syndersville.  She is the lone challenger to incumbent State Representative Joseph W. Battisto who is seeking his 9th term in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.  She has been a resident of Pocono Township since 1986.