A Vernon-Monashee candidate is going head-to-head against an election tradition.
Scott Anderson, with the B.C. Conservatives, says he will try and minimize what he calls sign pollution and will only use placards on a limited basis.
“We saw in the last election how tired people are of signs plastered everywhere and blowing around in the streets,” he said
”The last thing we want to do is create a mess and insult the citizens by trying to fabricate the appearance of support.”
Anderson says he will use a few large visible signs and the occasional smaller sign along main streets to maintain a presence, but otherwise, signs will be used on supporters’ private property only.
“I understand that we all have to get our message out and that signs are a necessary evil.”
Anderson is challenging the other candidates to restrict the use of signs.
“I tend to agree,” said Eric Foster, Liberal candidate.
“Covering the streets and boulevards for signs can be distracting for drivers and we will be using our signs prudently.”
However, Foster admits that candidates have a short time period to develop name recognition with local voters and installing signs is part of the awareness strategy.
“It’s a delicate balance. You don’t want to be left out of the loop so you want to get your name out there,” he said.
However, NDP Mark Olsen says signs are a critical part of touching base with residents in a large constituency.
“It’s important for people to know who is running,” he said.
“We will run our campaign as we see fit and he (Anderson) can run his campaign as he sees fit. I see it as information. They will be up for four weeks and then down after that.”
