By RONALD F. KIBLER
We at Lamar are very disappointed and quite perplexed at the ongoing litigation related to our LED billboard on U.S. 31 South in Blair Township. The Grand Traverse community is now at risk of losing a very valuable asset. This billboard with its new technology allows Lamar to reach the public faster than any other media form for such important and pressing community issues such as amber alerts, missing persons, severe weather alerts, and FBI/crime stopper alerts.
Additionally, this billboard has opened the door for various community efforts to get their message out, such as H'arts & Arts for all, Special Olympics, Polar Plunge, Rake-A-Thon, Warmth Gala, Father Fred, Toys for Tots, The Community Coat Drive and Operation Christmas Child, just to mention a few of the local initiatives that benefit from this and other digital billboards throughout the Grand Traverse community.
Lamar did not violate the zoning ordinance when we took a two-faced stacked sign totaling 600 square feet and reduced it to a single face sign totaling 241 square feet. This change also lowered the overall sign height by 12 feet. These improvements resulted in a more attractive sign that is now in conformity with the zoning ordinance requirements for height and area.
In our opinion, the court in this case ignored the obvious intent and goals of the ordinance when it threw out the portion of the ordinance that made these changes legal.
We have had tremendous support from the community for our digital billboards and we will continue to fight for this valued asset through the appeal process.
Related Story: Judge: Turn off electronic billboard
About the author: Ronald F. Kibler is vice president and general manager of Lamar Advertising
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