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Written on Thursday, August 14th, 2008 at 6:53am by Alan Bedenko | 8 Comments

Banning Stuff

Until now, businesses needed a zoning variance from the town of Hamburg in order to install one of those scrolling LED signs. Now, they’re writing a town ordinance,

Hamburg Town Supervisor Steven Walters says now town officials are close to completing a new ordinance that would allow the electronic signs, but also regulate them.

“You can’t use any animation, any full animation, any full video, you can’t do anything that’s flashing, anything that’s scrolling, basically things that would distract motorists.”

Just about anything can distract a motorist, and if flashing lights count, we should ban turn signals. I generally don’t point and yell “nanny state” at everything, but this is just silly.

Tagged with: Hamburg, News, ordinance, Silly, WNY

8 Comments

Bill Altreuter says:

August 14, 2008 at 8:33 am

You are correct that just about anything is distracting to a driver, but regulating things that are distracting seems reasonable to me. To choose an obvious example, I don’t have a problem with the rule about cell phones. They are wicked distracting, and the fact that using a cell phone when driving is illegal has the beneficial effect of heightening one’s awareness, if only to be on the lookout for cops.

Animated signs are less useful than cell phones, and I don’t see the problem with an ordinance intended to control distractions out of a concern for safety.
Red says:

August 14, 2008 at 9:48 am

Good grief, if you can’t handle driving down a street with the occasional light flashing at you, you might want to turn in your license and spend your gas money on public transportation or cabs. Seriously, there are hundreds of things that could possibly distract you as a driver; are we going to ban all of them?

I personally can’t stand the cell-phone ban, because driving like a jackass is already covered by reckless driving. As the old saying goes: “You can’t pass a law against stupidity.” No matter how many laws you pass, how much power over everyday life you give the police and the government, stupid people are going to do stupid things. Let them get it over with, use the more-than-adequate EXISTING laws to take care of things when they do stupid shit, and let the rest of us get on with our lives without getting neurotic over whether or not blinking is allowed while driving.
Eric P. says:

August 14, 2008 at 12:08 pm

Regulations specific to signage are a standard part of the zoning ordinance in most municipalities. Whats the big deal here?

Some people get ridiculous with their signage, and it makes sense to occasionally revise zoning rules to be specific to newer types of signs.
Ben Franklin says:

August 14, 2008 at 12:37 pm

Reminds me of the bra-less Sue Ellen Mishkie. Where is Jackie Childs when you need him?
Dan Meyer says:

August 14, 2008 at 12:47 pm

If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit!

Too bad Jackie Childs wasn’t a real-life attorney. His trials would be must-see events!
Mike In WNY says:

August 14, 2008 at 1:35 pm

It’s worse than silly, it is reprehensible when the government enacts money-raising schemes under the fallacious pretext of helping us.

Next, twinkling Christmas lights on a home will require a permit.
sean says:

August 14, 2008 at 11:15 pm

I am hoping the school who kicked my kid out and sicced the Hamburg cops on me can negotiate the new regs and get their sign up soon !!

“We continue to wait patiently to break ground for a new digital and brick sign, and are
awaiting approval from the town for the opportunity to do this. New front outdoor
lighting will also be accompanying the new sign.” Immaculata Academy Principal’s Newslstter August 08

The way things run in Green Acres I mean Hamburg I’m sure a few Hail Marys and a good word from their friends in the media will get them past the mayor’s office in time for All Hallowed’s Eve…
Denizen says:

August 17, 2008 at 11:23 am

Maybe they should ban hot chicks from walking down the street.