City issues warning on temporary signs

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- It's something no one enjoys, but someone has to do it -- police the numerous temporary signs and banners that seem at times to pop up overnight in the city.

On July 1, the city adopted an ordinance that requires businesses and vendors to pay $10 for an annual permit on each temporary sign or banner. There is a $200 maximum cap for sign distributors and businesses with a high volume of signs. Most of the temporary signs are portable electric signs with replaceable lettering.

Fred Crook, city building inspector, is concerned because the annual permit fee was due Jan. 1, and most businesses in town with the signs have not renewed their permits.