I certainly applaud the efforts of City Council to remove spray-painted graffiti from the downtown area where I live. Graffiti, like pornography, is something “you know it when you see it.”
For me, the numerous A-frame sandwich boards that are strewn along downtown sidewalks fit my definition of graffiti, and these are city approved. Nearly every business uses one of these, and, collectively, they detract from the aesthetic appeal of downtown.
You might also consider them pedestrian obstructions on our already narrow sidewalks, but that rationale seems not to prompt any attention by our city staff, let alone causing actual monitoring compliance with existing rules and regulations for their use.
So, our city leaders have offered our valuable sidewalk space to business owners who already have advertising space in their sidewalk-facing storefront windows, by trading aesthetics and functionality for a “don’t rock the vote of the business community” mentality. Sometimes it’s the little things that count. Visualize an A-frame-free downtown the next time you’re there, and then let your thoughts be known.
Paul Viera
Asheville
