City leaders asked to back off sign rules

The refrain from the old song goes something like this, “Sign, sign, everywhere sign.”  These days that’s no longer true in Westminster now that the city has a full-time code enforcement officer.  But Tamy Sanford’s aggressive enforcement of the rules against portable signs has riled up a portion of the citizenry that filled city council chambers.  The deacon chairman at a local church last night said “the hornet’s nest had been poked.” Larry Holbrooks of the FirstBaptistChurch was the first of seven speakers to appeal for council to fast-track a relaxation of the rules while the city undertakes a comprehensive study of its regulations.  Councilman Yousef Mefleh quickly registered his support for the crowd’s position.  Later Mayor Rick McCormick said he was concerned about some of the things he heard during last night’s public comment session and indicated he will call a special meeting.  City leaders have said they are interested in improving the looks of their city as a way to make it more attractive for future business development.  But last night a tire dealer and officials of two churches, the First Baptist and the Westminster Church of God, were among those who argued that forcing them to remove signs advertising cancer benefits and church events, such as vacation Bible schools, is going too far.