Rossi Signs Downsized in Lacey

The Dino Rossi signs in Lacey have been downsized. The city ordinance states that temporary political signs may only be 10 square feet in size. Doug Kramer the city's code compliance officer demanded that the signs be taken down or the city will confiscate them. The volunteer sign brigade took extra care to ensure that all signs installed were on private property and had the owner's permission. There were a few signs that were not installed because the volunteers had some question about the specific location or some other reason. Scott Roberts the sign volunteer coordinator said, "It feels like the secret police. I feel censored. The part about the city coming on private property and confiscating signs? Something just doesn't feel right about that. What's next? Will the city decide to take your radio if you violate the noise ordinance? Where will this stop?" Apparently, the city's code does allow for them to confiscate signs, even if on private property. The sign code reads:

http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/lmc/title_16/chapter_16-75.htm

5. Political signs. No sign permit is required. Political signs or posters may be placed upon private property only and shall not be larger than ten square feet of sign area and shall not be posted or attached to telephone poles, power poles or other public utility facilities. Such signs must be removed seven days after the election in which the candidate or issue advertised on a sign has been determined. For a successful candidate in a primary election the sign may remain until the final election, but shall be removed within seven days after the election. The candidate or committee for which the sign is displayed shall be responsible for its removal and subject to the penalties as provided in this code.

And the penalty is:

Any unlawful temporary or portable type sign located on private property which has not been removed after twenty-four hours from notification may be removed by the city. The sign may be reclaimed by the owner after a civil penalty of $100 has been paid. If the sign has not been reclaimed within thirty days of its removal by the city, the city may sell or otherwise dispose of the sign and apply the proceeds toward costs of the removal. Any proceeds in excess of costs of the removal shall be paid to the owner of the sign.

Do you feel this is in violation of your constitutional right to free speech and involvement in the political process? Comment below!