• NEWS
    • INVESTIGATIVE NEWS
    • Coronavirus Live Updates
  • LIFE & SOCIAL
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • POLITICS
  • CRIME
  • BUSINESS DIRECTORY
  • SHOP
  • LOGIN
    • My Profile
    • My account
    • Register
  • ABOUT US
    • Contact Us
Saturday, January 23, 2021
Register
Login
No Result
View All Result
TurlockCityNews.com
COVID-19 News Updates
No Result
View All Result
TurlockCityNews.com
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Turlock Struggles with Sign Twirlers

by TCN Staff - info@turlockcitynews.com
March 14, 2013
in News
0 0
3
Alex Cantatore

Jacob Fischer twirls a sign outside of Mr. Pickles on Geer Rd. in Turlock. 03-13-13

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Be they dressed as oil cans, pickles, chickens, or monkeys, the myriad sign-twirlers across the City of Turlock have one thing in common: They're illegal, under the city's sign ordinance.

The ordinance bans all “animated” signs – including those animated by human muscles.

But not only are the sign-twirlers continuing to twirl, they're doing so without any threat of a fine as the city reworks its dated sign ordinance, which has gone largely unchanged since 1944.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Why are we not fining them?” asked Turlock Planning Commissioner Soraya Fregosi, during a sign ordinance workshop on Thursday.

“It's the direction we have been given by management,” said Turlock Deputy Director of Development Services Debbie Whitmore.

While sign twirlers are included in the “animated sign” definition, the worlds of law and advertising have changed significantly since 1944. Until the ordinance has been updated to more specifically address sign twirlers, Turlock management has chosen to take a different tact to dealing with sign twirlers.

Rather than doling out fines, Turlock Police Neighborhood Services staff have been approaching sign twirlers and attempting to educate them about safe practices. When twirlers stray too close to the street, they can put themselves – and drivers – at risk by distracting traffic too much.

Cities with more current sign ordinances rarely permit sign twirlers because of the risk. But at the same time, the advertisers can't be banned entirely due to free speech laws.

“Largely, most of the agencies don't even want to touch this,” Whitmore said.

As an example, Rancho Cucamonga's sign ordinance bans sign twirlers who bear signs. But because of free speech laws, the city's ordinance makes a very specific exemption for people in costume who are not holding a commercial sign, regardless of whether the costume is closely affiliated with a business' identity.

“So if he's just a man dressed as a pickle…” Planning Commissioner Elvis Dias said.

Some solution to the sign twirling epidemic will be drafted in the coming months, as Turlock Planning Commissioners near the conclusion of a sign ordinance update process which has already taken more than six months.

“It's a very complex issue,” Whitmore said. “I think we're at the point where we need to just start drafting an ordinance and get it in front of (the planning commissioners).”

Members of the public and the business community will have an opportunity to comment on the updated sign ordinance before it is adopted.

Tags: AdvertisingBusinessCityCommissionCouncilDancingDevelopmentgovernmentMarketingNewsOrdinancePlanningPoliticsPolliticssignTurlockTwirlers
Previous Post

Irrigation Season Off to Quick Start

Next Post

Wellington’s Closes, 10 East Kitchen and Tap House To Open

Next Post
Alex Cantatore

Wellington's Closes, 10 East Kitchen and Tap House To Open

Comments 3

  1. Dulce says:
    8 years ago

    People who have time to question why sign twirlers are not being fined must not have more important things to worry about.

    Reply
  2. Ted says:
    8 years ago

    Maybe some nutjob told him to back off

    Reply
  3. John Welte says:
    8 years ago

    I’m unemployed and my car windows have been smashed in 3 times in the last 30 days! Not even a courtesy call from the police department about the vandalism. Leave these sign guys alone and let them make money in this hard economy. It means jobs in an area that is still at 15% unemployment.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Comments

  • 안전카지노 on Kaepernick Loses in Semifinals of Madden Cover Vote
  • koi cbd zen on THS Class of 2014 Looks to Build On Experiences
  • Lamadrid on Subject Found in Shoplifter’s Vehicle with Meth, Both Arrested
  • film on Harder Campaign Denies Alleged Slander Against Howze, But There’s a Recording

Facebook Twitter Instagram

© 2019 TurlockCityNews.com | Anything & Everything Turlock

No Result
View All Result
  • Register
  • Login
  • Coronavirus Live Updates
  • Home
  • News
  • Life & Social
  • Crime
  • Around Turlock
  • Events & Entertainment
  • Obituaries
  • Lost Pets
  • Job Watch
  • Campus News
  • Local Vocals
  • Investigative News

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In