Those would ban election signs are party poopers

Sep 21, 2017 | 6:55 AM

KAMLOOPS — I’m a fan of election signs. Always have been.

A lot of people aren’t. They say they’re a blight on the landscape, that they pollute urban boulevards, that they should banned, and that they’ll vote for any candidate who doesn’t use them.

Well, then, I ask you, which candidates do you intend to vote for?

Because I’m willing to bet that in the upcoming Kamloops civic by-election, the chances of knowing who’s running are pretty slim if you haven’t seen their campaign signs.

In this rather confusing by-election, I submit that signs are more important than ever in identifying those whose names are on the ballot.

They’re a visual reminder that, first of all, there’s a by-election going on, and, second, here’s a candidate who wants your vote, who wants to serve badly enough that he or she is putting in the effort necessary to be considered.

And, in the case of lawn signs, when they’re actually planted on a lawn, they let you know that somebody supports that particular candidate, that a voter endorses him or her with a piece of real estate.

Besides, campaign signs add some bling to election campaigns, which is something this by-election is much in need of. Elections should be exciting; they should get the heart rate up, get the juices flowing, get debates going on the issues of the day.

Elections aren’t won by the candidate with the most signs, but they certainly help. They assist voters in becoming familiar with the slate.

Candidates need to be reminded, of course, to follow the rules and to understand that the election is over on Sept. 30. It doesn’t end Oct. 1 or 2 or 3 — in other words, get those signs down promptly on the Sunday after voting day. Not just some of them; all of them.

Otherwise, enjoy the privileges of running for office, including election signs.

Those who say those signs should be banned are basically party poopers who would have election campaigns become dull, uninteresting affairs.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.