We don’t need or want billboards
According to Wm. May, the Director of the Missouri Outdoor Advertising Association (Tues,13 Oct) -the beauty of Missouri is enhanced by the billboard industry! But then this is the same mentality that identifies all the citizens concerned about the devastation of billboard blight they see across this state, -as “a few extremists”.
Nebulous “statistics” are referenced proposing businesses “believe” they would suffer 20%business loses without billboards. Further noted are the public service aspects of evolving digital billboards that can change a series of messages. There is no clarification why, then, has the industry continued to erect monster, static billboards at a record pace. What drives the disregard in trashing the landscape of our state, then attempt to pass it off as an enhancement and service? Self serving, corporate greed fits!
Finally, Mr. May refers to “a responsible industry -and sensible regulation” to continue bringing necessary information to the motoring public. That sounds good, -but that is hardly the reality we see out there along the road.
Ron Pohle
Mehlville
I thought that was satire when I read it. What? He was serious??!?!?
Mr. Pohle, what color is your hair. I detest looking at brown hair. If your hair is brown, please dye it purple. We don’t need or want brown hair.
Your proposal means unborn generations would NEVER see messages such as ‘See Rock City’, or ‘Reverse vasectomies—100% Guaranteed’.
How could you be so heartless??
I’m for billboards. I want to know where biz’s are. I’d like to see the monster of all monster billboards - right above my house would do - showing the national, state, county, school-district and city debts in rotation. We could also quantify the [stupid] laws (300K pages federal) too.
Billboards serve a good purpose. The interstates would be so boring if we didn’t have billboards to read. How else would you know if the next exit has a Subway or an antique store? And it’s even better when they have an address or number so we can text them or call as we’re cruising along. On top of that, they probably reduce speeding because if you’re going too fast you can’t read them all. The new digital signs are so cool, with flashing lights and pretty images and I love to just staaare at them. On Sundays we pile the family in the car and drive out into the country and try to see as many billboards as we can. I’d love to show you our collection of slides sometime.
For the billboard industry to state that there are no billboards in scenic areas is a truly preposterous and imaginative claim.
Also, traffic safety experts have concluded that digital billboards do pose a distraction to motorists; industry funded research claiming otherwise has been thoroughly debunked. In addition, the digital billboards are energy hogs, using as much energy every day as 14 homes.
Enough is enough!
Scenic - where do you get your facts? L.E.D. Billboards use less energy than one average household uses in oneday and some of these billboards are even solar powered. At least the digital billboards can be changed at a moments notice if there is an Amber Alert or some other emergency. I’m more worried about the derlict cars driving the streets of saint louis with coat hangers supporting the exhaust system, or duct tape holding the windows up…I always wondered how my car doesn’t pass inspection for having “bad” wiper blades and these cars are driving the streets with exhaust systems hanging under the car with coat hangers. F’ing stupid!