LETTERS: SCENERY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN MORE BILLBOARDS

To the editor:

The voters of Missouri deserve information to make an informed decision about their vote on Proposition A.

I realize the billboard industry is a lucrative one for some individuals. However, I would rather view the remaining beautiful scenery our state has been blessed with rather than more offensive signage. And I resent anyone cutting down trees on publicly owned land.

Here is some information from an article in Missouri Wildlife published by the Conservation Federation of Missouri. The author is Dennis R. Ballard, executive director.

Proposition A would prohibit the construction of new billboards along interstate and primary highways, stop the practice of allowing billboard companies to cut down trees on publicly owned land next to highways and affirm the right of local governments to fully regulate existing billboards within their own communities.

Proposition A would not require the removal of existing billboards, would not affect on-premises signs of local businesses and would not affect official blue and brown traveler information signs.

According to the article, "Missouri has too many billboards along its primary roads. For a state like ours to have three times more billboards per mile along its interstate and primary highways as our neighboring states is a travesty. ...Now is the time to make up for our inaction of the past. Now is the time to stop the cancerous growth of the mega-boards. Now is the time to stop the blight. Now is the time to vote yes on Proposition A."

LLOYD W. GUTH

JUDITH A. GUTH

Cape Girardeau