BaltCo citizen sign complaints skew toward Ehrlich
One Baltimore County supporter of Republican Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. for governor has filed a federal lawsuit over his right to display a political sign, and others complain that the Democratic county administration seems more vigilant about enforcing the rules on Ehrlich signs than those for his likely November opponent, Democrat Gov. Martin O'Malley. So what do the records show?
A check of the political signs complaint files kept at the county’s Department of Permits and Development Management shows a great preponderance of Ehrlich over O'Malley, but department chief Timothy M. Kotroco says that's a reflection of who is making the complaints to his department. He said sign code enforcement is driven strictly by complaints.
It's early yet, but as of last Friday, 19 files had been opened on complaints about political signs. Of those files, 15 involved Ehrlich signs, one involved a combination sign for Republican District 6 County Council candidate Ryan Nawrocki and Ehrlich, one concerned an O'Malley sign and in two cases the content of the sign could not be determined from the file.
The 15 Ehrlich sign complaints mostly claimed that the signs were too large for the zone where they were being displayed. Depending on the zone and the type of property, county rules may limit political signs to 8 square feet in residential areas. In business areas, such signs can be up to 50 square feet.
In five cases, the county found no violation. One case was dismissed for lack of grounds, as the inspector wrote on the "correction notice" — the first step in enforcing the rules — that the sign was not legal because the candidate had not yet officially filed his candidacy with the Maryland Board of Elections. There is no such law in the Baltimore County Zoning Regulations on signs. That left nine cases yet to be decided on Ehrlich signs.
No decision about enforcement had been made on the O'Malley sign, which was displayed on North Point Boulevard.
And because of that federal suit filed by Stephen V. Kolbe in May, no further enforcement will happen until the court has ruled on the case, says Kotroco. He says the county will continue to take complaints about political signs, so long as the complainant gives their name and phone number, and will issue a "correction notice" advising of a potential violation. But unless there's a potential safety question, such as a sign blocking drivers' views of the road, he said the county will take no further steps, even if the sign is not removed.
He said the county is waiting for the U.S. District Court. Personally, Kotroco said he's eagerly waiting for the passing of the whole political sign season.
-Arthur Hirsch
Comments
Has anyone noticed? The extra large size signs are Erhlich signs. I haven't seen any large signs for O'Malley. I think an overzealou Erhlich campaign worker went overboard and ordered the extra large signs ... and lots of them without checking whether they were of legal size. Now they are too embarrassed to admit it and the property owners are taking the heat. Really I doubt these property owners had their own signs printed, mounted and planted without the Erhlich Committee being involved.
Posted by: KatieD | July 16, 2010 3:40 PM
You dont see any large O'Malley signs because only idiots would put his sign in their yard. I mean how did the guy even get elected gov after his crappy career as mayor. Oh thats right Dems will vote Dem no matter how horrible the guy is. The guy is a career politician he just wants to be president one day and doesnt care about the state. All the Dems I know are voting Ehrlich. Its ok cross your party line dont vote O'Malley back in he's horrible for MD.
Posted by: bill brasky | July 16, 2010 3:48 PM
Hey Bill,
What did Ehrlich do for the state of maryland in the 4 years he was in office? He left a deficit, raised taxes in the form MVA fees and water fees. He also screwed us with the PSC. Remember the whole BGE debacle.
Posted by: CG | July 16, 2010 4:02 PM
Hey CG,
The whole BGE debacle you are referring to. How have things imporove with O'Malley term. Rates are higher now then back then.
The whole BGE debacle start with the '99 General Assembly voting for deregulation. Last time I look there are more Democrats then Republicans in our General Assembly.
The deficit you mention that Ehrlich suppose to have left. At least Ehrlich have record increase of the rainy day fund.
Until Thornton is finally tied to sometype of funding. The structual deficit will remain. What could and probably will make it worse is the State has underfunding it pension system for future retirees.
Whoever gets elected as the next Governor will have their hands full with balancing the budgets over the next few years.
I do not see any more fed aid coming anytime soon or at least until after the Nov Election. That all depands on which party wins Congessional Elections.
Posted by: Les | July 16, 2010 4:24 PM
Bill - Who are you to call someone an idiot for posting a sign? That's not very civilized of you. The only giant signs in Towson are of the Bobby E variety. There aren't many, but they are gianormous.
Posted by: Patricia | July 16, 2010 4:25 PM
I am voting for Borat.
Posted by: corey | July 16, 2010 4:40 PM
Doesn't it seem strange that the county allows businesses more political voice than individuals. I thought the big complaint about the citizens united decision was that it gave businesses a political voice. Here we have the county saying if you are a business you can have a bigger sign than if you are an individual....and many people seem happy about it. Makes no sense to me
Posted by: Paul | July 16, 2010 5:56 PM
Everyone take a chill pill. The majority of the State population is in about 7 counties, which are majority democrat. Whether you like it or not the election will probably go along those lines. I don't like everything that O'Malley does nor did I like everything that Erlich did. However, either way, it wasn't the end of the world. The State went on, huh? As long as I don't some crazy tea party bunk in this state I'm happy.
Posted by: jason | July 16, 2010 6:45 PM
This Baltimore Sun story by Arthur Hirsch is so full of it, I don't know where to start.
#1 O'Malley is the entrenched incumbent in a largely Democrat state so how is it that he has less signs up than Bob Ehrlich? Impossible!
#2 These are NOT "citizen complaints". Only a complete fool would believe that or write that for a major newspaper. Clearly, these are campaign workers and political activist volunteers filing these complaints, but The Sun didn't even look into that because the newspaper does not care about the truth.
#3 15 to 1 Ehrlich complaints vs. O'Malley complaints? Yet the polls have the race dead EVEN? And The Baltimore Sun and other Baltimore news organizations continue to characterize these sign complaints as "citizen complaints"? Are you people nuts? Ehrlich even has a higher approval rating then O'Malley! LOL
#4 This is ELECTION FRAUD perpetrated by the O'Malley campaign & the Democrat machine in Maryland. There's just no other explanation. The Federal courts will toss these anti-free speech election sign laws, but guess what? It'll probably happen AFTER the Nov. election and O'Malley might very well win by having his opponent's signs taken down.
#5 Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith is not running for re-election so he doesn't care and it's clear he's told Baltimore county officials to commit election fraud on the behalf of Gov. Martin O'Malley. Why ELSE is this not happening in ANY OTHER county? Someone answer that question.
These are all questions that The Baltimore Sun and almost every other TV news organization, WBAL, WJZ, WMAR chose NOT to investigate.
Go figure. Why?
The Baltimore Sun editors are too busy writing their O'Malley endorsement piece!
I can give you a preview right now. It's gonna be something like this...
"A Tough governor during tough times who had to make tough decisions but led Maryland through the worst recession in our lifetimes."
There will be no mention of O'Malley squandering a billion+ budget surplus left to him from Gov. Ehrlich!
Anyone wanna bet that's what The Baltimore Sun's endorsement is gonna be like?
I honestly wish I could make a VEGAS bet on this. I think I'd win big!
Posted by: Fabby | July 17, 2010 2:03 AM
The reason the complaints are mostly against Ehrlich is simple - there have been many, many more Ehrlich signs out because Ehrlich broke the law and put signs up a month early. O'Malley didn't. Maybe it's not a great law, but you'd think a guy running for Governor would respect the law, and then try to change it once in office. Here in Howard County the government has decided not to enforce the laws three elections in a row, always because the Republicans disrespectfully break the laws then threaten a 1st amendment challenge. Yet no Republican legislator has proposed legislation to change the law. It's what we're seeing nationwide now - the minority rules with belligerence and an utter disregard for laws and fellow citizens!
Posted by: Tony | July 17, 2010 11:36 AM
Do you really think voters are going to be influenced by the number of election signs posted? Give me a break. Signs have never counted in any election I've ever been a part of. What counts is your vote which takes place in the privacy of a voting booth, not out on someones front yard.
Posted by: Bobby | July 17, 2010 3:27 PM
The reason that sign complaints are 15-1 Ehrlich is because there are alot more Ehrlich signs up. Also most of O'Malley's signs up at the present time are the standard small size. Those of you that think Balt. Co. is biased, have you compared the number of signs (and size of them)?
Posted by: Lester | July 17, 2010 5:54 PM
O'Malley took all the money for road and bridge maintainence and construction and put it in the state pension fund.....wouldn't want the pension fund to go broke in an election year.
Give me an Ehrlich sign, the biggest one you have. O'Malley is Montgomery County trash, Erhlich is Baltimore.
Posted by: Steve McKane | July 17, 2010 6:36 PM
What is the rule for placing signs in someone's yard? I've never allowed this, but yesterday I saw someone pull up, pull a sign out of their car, and promptly place it in my front yard. Did not even knock at my door to ask permission.
Posted by: BG | July 18, 2010 11:03 AM
Funny signs on a Pot Spring Rd. lawn just north of Ridgely Rd. on the west side. The homeowners have nearly covered their lawn with multiple standard size Erlich signs. There's more than one way to skin a cat.
Gran' Pop
Posted by: Gran' Pop | July 19, 2010 8:54 AM