A motion about election signage at the Bracebridge general committee grew to include a debate about when potentially profane political messages should be removed.
During Tuesday’s meeting, councillors receive an update on the Town’s election signage bylaw. However, it was another type of political messaging that had some councillors concerned.
Without, referencing anything specific, Coun. Don Smith said he’s been contacted by several constituents about profane messaging regarding federal politics.
“I’m sure you know the signs I’m talking about,” Smith said to Michael Mayer, the Town’s manager of by-law enforcement, who provided the update. “I find it deplorable, regardless of your political background. They need to be gone”
Smith said the bylaw states that election-related signage cannot be displayed outside of a designated election period.
Lori MacDonald, the Town Clerk, said that the signage stating political opinions posted outside of an election is not captured under the election signage bylaw.
“I realize there are some potential grey areas…but a personal opinion about someone in politics is not necessarily an election sign,” said MacDonald.
Mayor Rick Maloney said he’s also concerned about the potentially profane signs and has heard similar concerns from residents.
Cheryl Kelley, the Town’s director of planning and development, said that there are rules surrounding profanity on general signage. However, many of the signs in question do not actually spell out anything profane specifcally.
The debate surrounding the signs in question went no further although it was agreed the matter could be brought up for further discussion at a future meeting.
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Dana Viking says
SAVE OUR LOCAL DEMOCRACY. The proposal before Town Council is anti democratic. They want to ban election signs and POLITICAL ISSUE SIGNS LIKE THE HOSPITAL FIGHT on boulevards and everywhere except a front lawn. Even that is severely restricted.,This is a further and continuing attempt by Town bureaucrats and certain politicians to stop free expression and squelch democracy.
They can’t take the scrutiny. They want to do what they want when they want. Let your councillor know we live in a democracy and are fed up with the special interests running the town.
Don’t let them get away with this!!!
Charlotte Engerer says
It seems Dana Viking has interpreted the story to mean free speech is under attack, that there has been a motion to ban election signage – I read no such statement. The message I gleaned from the story is that many residents have complained about profane (explicit or implied) signage posted around town, which, as with profane language, should be reserved for private spaces, and should not be posted roadside; such signage only serves to bring down the image of the town and it’s residents – I am reminded of the old saying “you are the company you keep,” and on a larger scale, the town’s residents will be judged on the quality of such signage. Freedom of expression has its limits, which we all need to respect to live harmoniously, and I believe we need a new by-law to ensure that harmony.
Dana Viking says
Charlotte Engerer is incorrect in interpreting my comment. My comments have nothing to do with the discussion on profane signs. This proposed bylaw says nothing about them. However the bylaw is dramatically attacking election signs and public interest signs such as the SOUTH Muskoka hospital protest signs and election public interest signs.
This is the attack on democracy that I object to and that the residents of the Town should object to. Dont be fooled by the conflating regarding signage that some consider profane.
Norm Raynor says
Is there really any need for the F Trudeau signage? I think not. I won’t be voting for Trudeau because of his track record but I won’t be displaying signage that displays my displeasure for him. I choose to ignore the signage and so should everyone else, especially our town council.