By Bonnie Culverhouse
It’s a sign of the times when an election ends but the signs are still seen all over town.
If a candidate is not in a runoff, (Nov. 18. 2023), they are expected to observe the following Minden city ordinance:
All political signs shall be removed within 30 days following the intended election. Upon failure to remove after one written warning of penalties for violation, the candidate in question, upon conviction under section 72-8 (Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter or fails to comply therewith shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than six months or both) shall pay an additional fine of $50 per each violation per location.
City Building Official Brent Cooley said so far, he has never had to enforce the ordinance.
“I may have made a few phone calls over the years, but most candidates are good about picking them up,” Cooley said.
Webster Parish has a revised statute 18:1470 that does not address a sign that overstays its welcome. It does however state the following:
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, political campaign signs shall not be erected, displayed or posted on any publicly owned property or right of way, or to or on any public utility pole or stanchion (bar or post).
