Those "Love Oregon?" signs demystified
An alert reader has tracked down the source of the "Love Oregon?" signs that are popping up around the western half of the state -- including the two that I've been seeing along I-5 at the Rose Quarter. It turns out that indeed, it's a group of "Yes on 49" supporters.
I enjoy and support Oregon's long tradition of political lawn signs during election campaigns. But by the same token, I automatically think less of a candidate or a ballot measure when supporters break the rules by posting signs on public property -- particularly where it's a distraction from freeway driving.
In this case, the offenses are ironic. For some of us, a big calling card of Measure 49 is to limit the proliferation of billboards, which clutter up the visual landscape we encounter every day. When "Yes on 49" people add to that blight -- even on a temporary basis and even for a greater good -- they look bad.
| Posted at 2:29 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (11)
Synchronicity strikes again....just as I wrote to you about Measure 49, here's another item in the Oregonian about Dave Adams....
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/rick_bella/index.ssf?/base/metro_southwest_news/1189616029134080.xml&coll=7
Posted by kathe w. | September 12, 2007 3:10 PM
Spotted several of those marring the otherwise beautiful countryside between Eugene & Florence last week. Assumed they were the handiwork of misguided Pro 49 forces.
Posted by Joe12Pack | September 12, 2007 3:10 PM
When "Yes on 49" people add to that blight -- even on a temporary basis and even for a greater good -- they look bad.
I agree.
I have and will put a lot of my time and resources into the "Yes on 49" campaign, but placing temporary signs all over public roads is 'cheesy', for lack of a better word. This comes from someone who couldn't decide what was worse in Nov. '04, M-37 or Bush.
Posted by jimbo | September 12, 2007 3:28 PM
*****Spotted several of those marring the otherwise beautiful countryside between Eugene & Florence last week. Assumed they were the handiwork of misguided Pro 49 forces.****
Like maybe local farmers trying to remind you that if you thought this is bad....... unless 49 passes this could be a full size billboard.
Greg C
Posted by Greg C | September 12, 2007 4:24 PM
Like maybe local farmers trying to remind you that if you thought this is bad....... unless 49 passes this could be a full size billboard.
Somewhat Edwards-esque, that channelling farmers thing. As if they all spoke with one voice...
...nice try though.
Like maybe (some?, many?) local farmers would prefer to have full-size billboards in their fields adjoining major arterials and freeways. Helps with the bottom line, don't you know; and we ALL want to preserve that "high-value farmland" so frequently cited as "disappearing". Small farmers need all the help they can get and otherwise, they'll sell their land to corporations and it'll all go to hell...
Oh wait... it's already all gone to hell.
I'm so conflicted.
Psssh!
Posted by rr | September 13, 2007 9:40 AM
I would just like to know how many of you that are fighting for this actually grew up in Oregon and are or have been farmers!?
Posted by 3rd generation oregonian | September 14, 2007 9:59 AM
"people add to that blight -- even on a temporary basis and even for a greater good"
A small price to pay... a very small price to pay.
Posted by Jeri | September 14, 2007 4:31 PM
"I would just like to know how many of you that are fighting for this actually grew up in Oregon and are or have been farmers!?"
My family has 5 generations in Oregon and at least three in agriculture.
But does that really matter?
Since the Euro-American settlement people have been coming to Oregon to live the good life in this beautiful country. It started in earnest during the California Gold Rush when some 30,000 pioneers came to the Oregon Territory. During same period some 300,000 emigrants went to California chasing get-rich-schemes. Before Measure 37 came along, every generation has added to the legacy of stewardship that helped define the unique Oregon tradition that conserves and values the special beauty of this place.
Are we now prepared to sell the farm and despoil beautiful Oregon by not fixing Measure 37... a piece of poorly written legislation which has proven itself to be just another California get-rich-quick scheme?
If we do, we'll give up on the good life and something special that makes us all Oregonians.
Posted by Jim Labbe | September 14, 2007 5:02 PM
I'm mystified. These signs are the product of one person's efforts on behalf of Oregon's land use system. It is something that arose from the base and is not top down driven. There is a strategy behind the signs and some, in their eagerness to support Measure 49, are putting them up too soon.
I think they are creative, and get the message across. They may seem cheesy, but I compliment Oregonians willing to take up the battle on their own.
Posted by Red Cloud | September 15, 2007 3:28 PM
I would just like to know how many of you that are fighting for this actually grew up in Oregon and are or have been farmers!?
Posted by 3rd generation oregonian | September 14, 2007 9:59 AM
_______________________
I'm a native Oregonian, and I live on a timber farm. We have two Measure 37 claims on our road, which is primarily made up of other timber farms and/or small agricultural ventures. If both of them were to be approved, we would have 40 extra homes on our road. FORTY. In an area where law forbids more than 1 home on less than 40 or 80 acres. It's ridiculous. I'm hoping that Measure 49 is approved - up to three homes seems much more reasonable, and much more in line with what the original intent of Measure 37 was.
Posted by Melanie Smellanie | September 19, 2007 3:25 PM
I've seen the signs along Highway 101 on the Oregon coast and thought they were placed there as a way to stop people from littering!
Which, by the way, seems to be working...
Posted by Laura | September 22, 2007 3:57 PM