This spring and this fall brought to us once again, the great American tradition of yard signs and field signs in political races.

Whether stuck in the ground or waved to passing cars on a busy street it’s a grand way for Yamhill County residents -- indeed, all Oregonians -- to exercise their first amendment rights. However, McMinnville city officials changed all of that this year for the general election. As in past years, Republicans showed support for their candidates by erecting their usual signs with gusto. With few exceptions, their opponents, smarting from defeat in the primary, chose this time not to compete and sat out the sign competition. Instead they chose to complain, as was the case elsewhere in Oregon.

When asked why the sudden change to time honored practices in the sign competition city compliance officer Nic Miles said “we only act if there are complaints”. With no previous complaining until now the city was rusty on knowing its own codes. Their webpage on signs literally has more disclaimers than actual information. 4x4 field signs inside the city limits were quickly ordered removed only to be deemed within the city code upon further review. Planning Director Heather Richards was called to the front lines of this debacle. That wasn’t enough fire power to solve this crisis and so the city attorney gave it a shot. After a couple of tries she finally figured it out. Director Richards wasn’t clear on just where the city boundaries were either and was reversed a second time.

Again, signs came down only to return to their former positions. Coincidence or not? Concerned about a credible conservative challenger, City Manager Jeff Towery called in Mayoral candidate Heidi Parker -- generally favored by Republicans -- and spent 30 minutes explaining to her how well he does the job. His anxieties were relieved when the challenger suffered a narrow loss. Towery wasn’t the only anxious party.

In mid-year incumbent councilors passed a new code limiting campaign funds received from a PAC to $1,000 -- which appears to have been made legal by Measure 107, which passed in November. If more is received the donor must be identified on all campaign materials. Oh, those pesky challenges to status quo at McMinnville City Hall.


--Tom Hammer

Post Date: 2020-11-10 17:44:19

Last Update: 2020-11-10 18:38:29