LETTERS: FALSE INFORMATION ABOUT BILLBOARDS

To the editor:

I was very disappointed to see your recent editorial, "Consider consequences of billboard law."

While the proposed measure would prohibit the construction of new billboards, existing billboards would be grandfathered. If grandfathered signs were not maintained properly and became completely depreciated, they would not be replaced. This does not represent a change from existing legislation.

There are 13,500 billboards along our interstate and primary highways, nearly three times as many per mile as our eight neighboring states. Generation after generation of Missourians will continue to have thousands of billboards to read. The initiative simply says enough is enough.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a majority of billboards in the state are owned by out-of-state companies. Nevertheless, the billboard companies would need people to sell billboard space, change ad copy and conduct repair and maintenance functions. In addition, billboard companies would be able to erect new signs on local and state roads not part of the National Highway System, if permitted by local ordinance.

The Highway Beautification Act is already in play, and the ballot measure would have no impact on it. If any level of government chose to remove billboards through condemnation, cash compensation would be provided, as is currently required under state and federal law. It initiative does not condemn any billboard property, nor does it cause the forced removal of any billboards and will not, therefore, have any impact on the Highway Beautification Act.

The billboard industry is spreading a false statement that it would cost the state $100 million to remove about 3,700 nonconforming billboards. This helps raise money for the billboard industry's opposition campaign and portrays supporters as extremists. Our Save Our Scenery 2000 campaign committee is not made up of extremists. It includes the former chairmen of the Missouri Republican and Democratic parties, former U.S. Sen. John C. Danforth, Central Bank chairman Sam Cook and Silver Dollar City owners Peter Herschend.

KARL KRUSE

Campaign Director

Save Our Scenery 2000

Columbia