It looks like the City of Santa Ana’s NICE Committee has actually accomplished one of its goals, regarding what the committee refers to as “human signs.”
According to today’s O.C. Register, “The city has been looking for ways to regulate the oversized, hand-held signs for several months. But courts have frowned on outright sign bans, ruling that they violate the constitutional guarantee of free speech.”
If you have not heard of this City Committee, here is some background: The City of Santa Ana brought back the Neighborhood Improvement Code Enforcement (NICE) Committee this year. They meet quarterly to talk about problems that were identified by Santa Ana neighborhood activist Julie Stroud, in a post she put up on a local Yahoogroup, as “Human Signs; Shopping Cart Program Update; Graffiti Program Update and Door Hangers.”
So how did the City of Santa Ana figure out a way to go after the “human signs?” According to the Register, “the city decided to go after sign holders using existing laws and codes. One says you can’t obstruct streets or sidewalks; another says you need a city permit to put up an off-premise sign.”
No one can find legal loopholes like the Santa Ana City Attorneys! Here is what one of them had to say about the Santa Ana jihad against human signs, “This is a serious problem,” said Benjamin Kaufman, the chief assistant city attorney. “We’re going to treat this criminally.”
Who is Kaufman kidding? A “serious problem?” To who? Our city is awash in gang violence and so far this year the city has gone after: barking dogs; massage parlors; and now innocent people who make a living holding up signs. Unbelievable.
However, when you take a look at who the sign holders are, this all starts to make some sense. Again, according to the Register, “a 48-year-old immigrant from Mexico named Antonio who declined to give his last name
Background of these sign-waivers has nothing to do with it. They are a distraction to traffic, add to already extreme visual clutter, and should be elimiated. As for the “struggling businesses”, they have a Constitutional right to succeed and a Constitutional right to go bankrupt due to bad business decisions. Good for Santa Ana.
Poster 1,
I would argue that the HUGE billboard on top of the “Original Mike’s” restaurant is a bigger distraction to traffic. Isn’t it weird that this restaurant is the only building on that busy downtown intersection that sports its own billboard?
I guess annoying signs are OK if you are buddies with Mayor Miguel Pulido and his anti-immigrant henchmen.
As for struggling businessmen, the fact is that Pulido and his amigos pump lots of tax money into the Bowers and into the Santa Ana Chamber, when those entities ought to make it on their own.
Let’s be clear about this…going after the human signs is all about going after Latino immigrants! To say otherwise is to buy into the City’s usual B.S.
#2
If these sign holders were blonde NICE committee members would not be targeting them for removal from the city’s landscape.
One of Pulido’s greatest strengths is playing the *usual suspects* against the Latino residents. And the *usual suspects* are too blonde to get it — they’re being played.
The NICE committee should be disband.
Poster 3,
EXACTLY! Do you remember when the Santa Ana firemen were pimping around in north Santa Ana during last year’s City Council election, in an antiquated fire truck? They had a huge banner on it touting Pulido and his puppets. Wasn’t THAT a distraction and a visual nuisance?
When it comes to our City Hall, there is no fair play, only double standards and Mexican bashing. Shameful!
i always shake my head at you guys .immigrant bashing . you ALWAYS LEAVE OUT THE KEY WORD ILLEGAL.. ILLEGAL .ILLEGAL . IMMIGRANT . you slant the issue like we are against immigrants . the holder of sign didnt want to use his name why .?? hmmmmmmm
Poster 5,
Maybe he knows that Santa Ana is run by a bunch of anti-Latinos? Can’t blame the guy for remaining anonymous. Just like you by the way.
If you are going to attack this worker for not giving his name, at least have the cojones to use your name when you do that!
Seems to me that this issue is yet another distraction from the real issue of neighborhood improvement- fixing our streets. I just had my usual bone jarring trip down Standard.
Quick fix to the sign holder problem- have the businesses give them a uniform and grooming. That’s the way sign holders are in other O.C. cities. Then leave them alone.
By the way, there are graffiti tags on First St. between Grand and Main that have been up since the late 90’s.
Fix the steets and paint over graffiti. Concentrate on these issues- City of Santa Ana. You have yet to accomplish those two goals.
ANTI LATINOS what a crock .santa ana is 80% latino . im sure the 20 percent who is LEGAL to vote in that city voted their leaders in . ohhh im so scared to give my name . we know why . illegal . illegal .perhaps ??/ oh by the way my name mark lavine canojes big enough now . .
Poster 8,
Careful what you wish for. There are THOUSANDS of Latino immigrants in the process of becoming citizens right now. Over 4,000 have received help with their paperwork right here in Santa Ana.
They will be voting in the next and future elections. Pulido and company know that their reign is coming to an end…
and im sure when they registered to vote im sure the helpers showed them where to mark the spot on wich party to belong too . nice down the middle independent workers . was the form in spanish . or did they have to translate everything .
Poster 10,
I would expect most Latinos to become Democrats. Unless someone tells them that Pulido is a Democrat, in which case they most likely will file as independents.
Why would they join the GOP – when it has become the Latino bashing party?
.
once again the famous latino bashing party . the G.O P . most latinos as far as values have more in common with the .G .O .P .than the dems . who stand for socialist issues . entitlements . welfare states . santury cities . higher taxes . we are not against latinos . we are against ILLEGAL people entering this country . do it the right way . get in line like eveyone else and we have no problems .
Poster 14,
I hate to break this to you, but YOUR CA REPUBLICAN PARTY recently got in trouble for hiring immigrants from Canada and Australia, and one of them was a felon!
Nice. I guess it’s OK to hire white immigrants but not brown ones?
ohhhh they enforced the law . what a shock . if the did . santa anas population would drop by 50 percent
While some may aruge that people standing on street corners holding or spinning merchant signs add to blight let me report that I see these human signs all over the county promoting new housing tracks as well as food establishments.
As somenone who has stood on these corners holding candidate signs for the past 15 years I will support these human sign holders who perform a marketing service for the firms which employ them.
What a NICE name for this oversight. NOT!
#9 Art: “They will be voting in the next and future elections. Pulido and company know that their reign is coming to an end…
I don’t get it. I thought they were applicants. How can they legally vote in the next election if they are not yet citizens? I keep reading how the 4k applicants are going to vote, but unless there is something I don’t understand about the process, these people won’t be voting until all the immigration hurdles are cleared. Any other info?
And I agree with Larry – Human signs are people with a job. Human signs are everywhere else in the county, so why is Santa Ana getting snobby about employed workers trying to get patrons?
I also buy flowers from the people who walk the center dividers. They could be some trashed out beggar with a sign, but instead, they choose to show iniative by investing in some flowers and selling them for a small price to help support themselves.
I give money to beggars, but I would much rather reward work by giving money to the flower sellers.
This is no. 1 again. I have to say Art, you see racism in almost everything – I just can’t buy that most everything in Santa Ana is driven by anti-Hispanic, anti-immigrant, thinking. It makes for a nice whipping post, but it is also a convenient way to avoid change, or compliance with land use laws and regulations. As for Mike’s sign, if it is not permitted, it should come down. If it is permitted, then it is legal. All those developer sign waiving distractions are equally offensive and it would be nice to see them go away too. Then there is the blight of garage sale signs and “open house” signs that spring up like dandelions that have been over-watered. Down with them too!
I noted the photo in the paper apparently deals with a Subway business. Seems to me too many Subways have been established in the city in the first place – do we need or want a Subway every few blocks? Geeze. Surely some of them must fail financially to produce a supply that more closely equals the demand. Me, I prefer Togos and there are 4 of them within 4 miles of my house too.
Before anybody else gets going on the billboard on top of Original Mike’s….. It’s gone
Way to pay attention Art
Also Art, all that grandstanding gas about Pulido’s friends getting special favors etc, etc, that billboard was in place YEARS before Harrah ever came to town
So unless you are just trying to start trouble, do your homework before you play on your blog
Poster 20,
Is that what the work crew was up to the other day? I figured they were just putting up a new sign. Well, good riddance.
BTW, speaking of eyesores, the One Broadway Plaza tower, should it ever be built, will be the biggest visual nuisance in the county. It’s shadow will envelop a good chunk of our city. But of course Pulido and company bent over for Harrah. Hawaiian condos anyone?
Art –
I vivdly recall when the Recall Nativo proponents were standing on street corners with oversized signs waving and shouting to passerbys RECALL NATIVO LOPEZ.
And I recall a very large military truck snaking its way through the neighborhoods with a blaring horn screeching RECALL NATIVO LOPEZ.
What I don’t recall is Kaufman’s concern for compliance. And that’s because Pulido was devoting city resources to the recall effort.
If the dog barking ordinance is the best our city attorneys can do, then we are all in a heap of trouble, because the city’s attorney office continues to eat away at the U.S. Constitution.
And if that’s the case, the NICE committee should consider banning all fat men from being seen in public. When these fatmen use the sidewalk, they impair my vision from clearly seeing the road. These fatmen add more clutter to our city, and promote an unhealthy lifestyle. And please, ban the fatmen from wearing shorts in public!!!!!!! Nothing worse than seeing a fat man in a pair of shorts sporting pasty white legs.
“the NICE committee should consider banning all fat men from being seen in public”
How do you suggest we outlaw Ben Kaufman?
It’s just racist to suggest that the sign enforement has anything to do with immigrants. I see all kinds of people holding these signs, but somehow Art has that super power that allows him to tell an origin or citizenship status just by looking at them.
This is not a race or immigrant issue. In fact, the Latino city council (including Michelle Martinez) directed staff to move forward with this action.
The signs are a nuisance. Many of them are not even “human signs” since they are propped up on boxes or stolen milk crates and just held upright by a person. The people waving them block sidewalks, they obstruct the view of drivers generating safety concerns, and they have little campsites set up on sidewalks. All of this is already illegal per the city codes.
When a company sets up shop in any city, the planning commission reviews the plans and approves all signage for the building. The waving signs are in violation as unapproved signage. Let’s have the businesses come in and get permits if they want an extra sign. If that sign was going on the building they would certainly have to get a permit.
So you see, there are no first amendment issues. The city is not trying to regulate the size of the signs or the content.
All they are doing is enforcing laws that have been on the books for a long time.
They are trying to make the city look nicer, eliminate traffic obstructions, and improve the quality of life.
If anyone has a problem with that, they should attend NICE committee meetings and offer their input.
To do as Art does, and try and imply that this is somehow an immigrant issue, is just playing the race card, and it is sleazy.
When Ben Kaufman goes after Shea Homes for the display of human signs littering North Santa Ana and cites all realtors for cluttering our city with open house signs, then I might be convinced that the city’s motivation is not a race or immigrant issue.
Is the city going to go after Floral Park for their display of banners and signs for their annual home tour? Will Washington Square be forced to abandon their signs promoting events and monthly meetings?
C’mon Benny, let’s have it. Are you going to bring criminal charges against these offenders?
Shea Homes is one of the biggest offenders and should be cited. The difference may be that they are not promoting a brick and mortar business like most of the other sign offenders.
The same applies to neighborhood associations. Not only are they not a brick and mortar business, but many are 501 c3 non-profits. Also, their signage is not blocking sidewalks or being propped up by people. Most are banners or legal temporary signage.
Political signs appear to be exempt from most sign ordinances.
Floral Park & Washington Square NA’s post their promotional signs in the parkways at very busy intersections. No posting of temporary signs is permitted in parkways and this clutter does impede visibility for the driver.
The only difference I see with Shea, is that the Shea sign twirlers are promoting the $1 million Retreat homes in the north end of Santa Ana. And most know Shea Homes is one of Miguel’s special projects.
Why isn’t Kaufman going after Shea Homes?
I hear it only takes a complaint to get Benny off his arse.
Over at the OC Register blog Mr. Pinoy asks ….
Human signs” are a growing drag on the city’s quality of life? Sometimes I wonder who is making decisions in the city of Santa Ana. Is it the elected officials or a group of 7th graders? A few weeks ago it was barking dogs. This week it is people holding signs on street corners. And these are the major issues that are affecting the quality of life in Santa Ana. What a lousy city council. Come on folks, wake up and smell the coffee. Don’t you think that you have some more major issues that are really affecting the quality of life in Santa Ana? Why don’t you tackle the real problems that are destroying the city? Are those too hard to handle, so you go after the easy stuff? I think the citizens of Santa Ana need to elect a city council that has the balls to actually work on the “meat and potatoes” issues and not the little nilly-willy stuff. It’s bad enough that I have to work in Santa Ana. I am sure glad I don’t have to live there!
Mr. Pinoy – Santa Ana’s city manager Dave Ream is calling the shots. His style is to enlist the usual so-called activists from the NICE Committee and ComLink to stir up the dust and file complaints.
This group of malcontents should move elsewhere where it’s a Walgreen perfect world.
JeJo asks …
Why go after the one’s carrying the signs? They’re not the one’s making all the money in advertising fees. I’d be curious to know if the corporations that do the actual hiring, hire these people as independent contractors, so they don’t have to offer normal benefits. Additionally I’m curious who’s responsible if they faint or pass out in the heat? These poor souls are out there day in and day out, hot or cold.
JeJo – Jul 29, 2007 10:46:37 AM
JeJo – Julie Stroud and her NICE Committee members aren’t smart enough to figure out who they should target their frustration at. They are merely interested in obliterating all the Hispanics from Santa Ana. Stroud did not target Shea Homes as an example of violating city code because they are the developer of the month and a closely connected to the mayor.
Stroud and her crowd publicly profess that this is not race based, but behind closed doors they readily admit their desire to rid Santa Ana of Hispanics.
JeJo-
Let me clarify a few things for you.
1) Julie Stroud is NOT a NICE committee member. City Council members Carlos Bustamante, David Benavides and Michele Martinez are NICE committee members.
2) I have actually heard people say that the only reason people are against graffiti is because it is done by latino’s.
Yeah, we all love graffiti by all the other races and encourage them all to do it all over because we love it so much-NOT
It’s about blight.
Graffiti, signs, trash, homes in disrepair, potholes, shopping carts, crappy parks, abandoned cars.
Do you like those things?
We need to stop the color of skin arguement and focus on the content of character. Not everything is about race, but it sure gets folks riled up.
Interesting. The guys holding the signs appear to be a variation on ‘sandwich board operators’. These are people paid to walk around with two big signs on a harness (one front, one back) to advertise local businesses. The rig is known as a ‘sandwich board’ because the signs look like slices of bread on the outside of a sandwich. They used to be quite common here in England until businesses started using other advertising media. Most of the people with such signs now tend to be religious eccentrics declaring the end of the world.