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It seems that there is a killer loose on the web, apparently he's a foxy thing. Just thought you all should know.
Speaking of foxy things, have you tried Firefox? It's a small, 4.5 MB download, web browser (click the Take back the web icon at the left) that is fast taking the place of Internet Explorer (also know as The Great and Broken Browser). It's not a great surprise really. IE, hereafter called TGaBB, hasn't seen a feature update in a long time, is constantly requiring security updates and even with security updates is so prone to malicious software that it's unuseable. I was working on Amalthea Hendelprod's* computer today and had to use IE to access some information - Amalthea is one of the few people we allow to continue using TGaBB, it would be too difficult to try and explain why using Firefox to this person. When I opened IE, what did I see but three new toolbars. Obviously someone had been installing unapproved software and that software had attacked TGaBB and infected it with parasitic toolbars. I have yet to see a regularly used copy of TGaBB that is used by an average joe kind of user that is not infected with at least one toolbar parasite. Anyway, below are some of the great features offered by the plain default version of Firefox that TGaBB does not have or that TGaBB claims to have but allows suspicious exceptions to its rules:
That's without any of the 178+ extensions that add features you may want or the many themes that can be downloaded all to truly customize your copy of Firefox. It's as simple or as complex as you want or need it to be, that is something that IE has never and will never give you as a user. You are stuck with what Microsoft feels is good for you. If you're interested in trying Firefox, click the Take back the web icon at the left.
* See Kim's comment.
Except in Pleasant Grove, Utah. My wife told me tonight that the local Stake Presidents had received a letter informing them that members who place small A-frame signs on their private property to advertise a monthly church meeting are violating the city sign ordinances. Now these signs are only up for 24 hours or so each month and are quite attractive. The problem is that they are A-frame signs. Hearing this immediately angered me and I wrote a very vitriolic letter expressing my indignation over this. After venting, I took the time to read through Title 14 and find out exactly what the sign ordinance was. It looks like basically all signs other than house signs showing address and name, for sale/rent/lease signs or historical markers are illegal. Here are the relevant sections:
14.10.150 OTHER REQUIREMENTS.
(1) Signs. Unless otherwise prohibited by law, signs of the type and description listed below, but no others, may be placed and maintained in the R-l zone.
(a) Signs or name plates not exceeding two square feet in area and displaying only the name and address of the occupant.
(b) Two temporary signs with a maximum area of six square feet each, pertaining to the sale, lease, or rent of the particular building, property, or premises upon which displayed, and no other.
(c) Signs or monuments identifying points of interest or sites of historic significance. The site of said signs or monuments shall be specifically approved by the Planning Commission.
14.27.040 SIGNS ON PREMISES.
Except as provided within the provisions of respective zoning districts, and unless otherwise expressly provided in this Chapter, no sign shall be permitted which is not used exclusively to advertise the ownership, sale, or lease of property upon which said sign is placed, or to advertise a business conducted, services rendered, goods produced or sold upon such premises, or to advertise or identify any other lawful activity conducted upon such premises.
14.27.070 SPECIAL PURPOSE SIGNS.
In addition to any other permitted sign(s), signs for special purposes set forth in this Section shall be permitted as provided herein.
(1) For Sale, Rent, or Lease Signs. In all zoning districts, signs may be erected to advertise the sale, rent, or lease of property upon which said signs are placed. Said signs shall be limited to one sign per street face, unless otherwise provided by the zoning provisions, and shall not exceed an area of six square feet in residential zones or twenty-five square feet in non- residential zoning districts. Said signs shall be exempt from project plan approval.
(2) Directory Signs. In all districts where group occupancies in office buildings, commercial buildings, or industrial buildings are permitted, directory signs may be erected displaying the names of occupants of a building who are engaged in a particular profession, business, or industrial pursuit. Said sign shall be situated at least fifteen feet inside the property line and shall not exceed twelve feet in height. Said sign shall not exceed an area of one hundred square feet and shall not be placed within a clear-vision area of a corner lot as set forth in Section 14.24.100.
(3) Construction Project Signs. Signs may be erected in conjunction with construction projects and used for the purpose of publicizing the future occupants of the building; architects, engineers, and construction organizations participating in the project; and such other information as may be approved by the Community Development Director. In residential districts no such sign shall exceed thirty-two square feet in area. In other districts, no such sign shall exceed an area of sixty-four square feet, and no freestanding sign shall exceed twelve feet in height. All such signs shall be removed before final inspection.
(4) On/Off-Site Directional Signs. Directional signs may be erected for the purpose of facilitating or controlling the efficient or safe movement of pedestrians or vehicles on or into private property, and shall be located on the properties to which they pertain. No such sign shall exceed six square feet.
(5) Open-House Signs. Open-house signs advertising real estate open for inspection for a prospective sale may be placed on private property in all districts with the consent of the owner, lessee, or occupant. Such signs may state the name of the person or firm sponsoring the open-house. Such signs shall not exceed six square feet.
(6) Church, Quasi-Public Organizations and Apartment House Identification Signs. In all districts, a church or quasi-public organization may erect one wall sign on the premises to identify the name of the organization and announce activities thereof. Apartment houses of five or more dwelling units may erect one sign on the premises to identify only the name of the apartment complex and to indicate a vacancy. Said wall sign shall not exceed an area of thirty-two square feet, and may be mounted upon a freestanding, ornamental masonry wall.
(7) Bus Bench Signs. In all zones bus bench signs are prohibited.
(8) Development Promotional and Directional Signs. One development promotional sign may be placed on the premises of each subdivision, planned development, or condominium project having five or more lots or approved dwelling units. Said promotional sign may have an area of thirty two square feet. A second development promotional sign may be placed on the premises of each subdivision, planned development, or condominium project having two or more separate, major points of access. All of the above signs shall be removed not later than thirty days following the sale, by the original developer, of all lots in said development, and before a final inspection is granted. This period shall not exceed twenty four months from date of development final approval.
(9) Yard/Garage Sale Signs. Such signs may be posted as provided in Section 14.27.040 only.
(10) Election Campaign Signs. All such signs erected in the city behalf of any candidate for any office must comply with the provisions of this Chapter and all signs must be removed within seventy two hours counted from 12:00 midnight of the polling (election) day.
After reading through the above, it's obvious that even if they weren't on A-frames, the signs would be violating the sign ordinances. There are Ten Commandment signs everywhere in town, they don't fit within the ordinance either. There are cutsy holiday signs (most made at the same meetings announced on the A-frame signs) everywhere, they also don't fit within the ordinance. Imagine the furor if the city tried to force citizens to take down those signs.
I decided to not take the situation lightly and sent the following to the Mayor and City Council.
My wife just informed me that, as per a letter to the Stake Presidents in Pleasant Grove, by placing an A-frame sign on my property advertising the our ward's Relief Society Enrichment Night that we are guilty of committing a class B misdemeanor.
Why, since you obivously need to protect the citizens of this city from such signs, are you not also protecting us from all those 10 Commandment Signs or the holiday signs or all the other signs which do not conform to 14.10.150:
14.10.150 OTHER REQUIREMENTS.
(1) Signs. Unless otherwise prohibited by law, signs of the type and description listed below, but no others, may be placed and maintained in the R-l zone.
(a) Signs or name plates not exceeding two square feet in area and displaying only the name and address of the occupant.
(b) Two temporary signs with a maximum area of six square feet each, pertaining to the sale, lease, or rent of the particular building, property, or premises upon which displayed, and no other.
(c) Signs or monuments identifying points of interest or sites of historic significance. The site of said signs or monuments shall be specifically approved by the Planning Commission.
None of those signs (the 10 Commandments signs, the Santa Stop Here signs, the Happy Valentines Day signs) conform to any of the three permited categories above nor do they conform to 14.27.040
14.27.040 SIGNS ON PREMISES.
Except as provided within the provisions of respective zoning districts, and unless otherwise expressly provided in this Chapter, no sign shall be permitted which is not used exclusively to advertise the ownership, sale, or lease of property upon which said sign is placed, or to advertise a business conducted, services rendered, goods produced or sold upon such premises, or to advertise or identify any other lawful activity conducted upon such premises.
Unless I see action taken against these law breakers or an apology to citizens attempting to exercise their freedom of speech by advertising thier intent to exercise their right to public assembly and freedom of religion, I will make a very loud and very noticeable noise about this inequity.
We'll see what comes of it, if anything.
