VIDEO: KCET Documentary - Billboards Get Personal -- Featuring Dr. Allan and Frank Rahban

To learn about the story of our protest watch this compelling video featured on KCET's SoCal Connected:

To see the slogans and signs paraded around at the protest click here.
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The spineless Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s appearance on this KCET video was pathetic and clearly shows how disinterested he is in helping the signage problems in Los Angeles. Do you believe there might be a conflict of interest weighing in on his decisions?

We have a message for the mayor and the city council -- Overblown, monstrous, Supergraphic signs blight the city and are not designed to cover up buildings. Also, the digital billboards is another disgrace that can be included here.

Here’s a checklist for Mayor Villaraigosa and the Los Angeles City Council as you prepare to enact the new sign ordinance:

• Supergraphics’ are a blight to the entire community at large
• They disgrace and deface building designs
• They are disruptive, obnoxious intrusions to all affected individuals that have to see these 24/7
• Some of them can even pose serious fire and safety risks (as seen on this video). Our building was deemed unsafe by the fire department… and what was done to protect the tenants and all the occupants? NOTHING.
• Supergraphics’ send the wrong message to anyone visiting Los Angeles
• Supergraphics' don’t necessarily stimulate the economy; only a few folks benefit from this channel of advertising at a severe cost to our city.
• We need to revert back to traditional forms of advertising and also consider new, creative ways to pitch products without so much disruption and upset to our city
• Supergraphics' are meant to distract, and drivers already have more than enough distractions to deal with. Can't we surmise that additional distractions pose added dangers to drivers on our thoroughfares? The massive 10801 supergraphics' was positioned right up against the freeway. Now how safe can that be?
• Are your intentions to support the citizens of Los Angeles, or the donors that fill your campaign coffers?
• In summary: Advertising dollars that pad your election campaigns and in-your-face -- all-over-the-place advertising that force feed product pitches down the throats of the citizens you represent should not dictate a design for Los Angeles or for that matter, any city.

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And emails are coming in. Feel free to chime in and give us your best shot!
Hi David, I watched it on the internet. You were great!!! I so agree with you, and I support your standing up for the injustice bestowed upon you and others. Keep me posted! This guy seems like one greedy bas*****, and I loved that you went to his house to protest. The signs are obnoxious and putting them over windows is outrageous. I'll see you soon! From an anonymous patient.

In Memory of the Trees

Have you been thirsty for more Tropicana O.J. lately?



"Instead of more billboards going up for Tropicana Orange Juice, more trees are going down."

See story: Rogue Tree Trimmers Elude Caltrans in Pulpy Mystery

Advice from Dennis, Pres., Coalition to Ban Billboard Blight

I just saw your blog for the first time today. Kudos on fighting against
this kind of outrage, which is unfortunately becoming more and more common
as rogue sign companies and greedy building owners show utter disregard for
tenant safety and rights as well as the visual landscape of the city. The
more people both inside and outside the buildings raise their voices the
more likely it is we can get some action.

I have a few possibilities for you and others to consider.

One is to contact the public relations departments of the companies
involved--in your case, Tropicana.
Another is to write to U.S. District Court Judge Audrey Collins and ask her
why she would enjoin the city from taking any action against World Wide
Rush in this location when there are serious questions of fire safety
involved with these unpermitted installations. Not that you should expect
a reply, but her court is hearing a suit by another supergraphic company
asking for injunctions for 118 locations, and the city is arguing that such
an injunction could endanger public health and safety.

If you want to get regular notices on these and other signage issues facing
the city, I'll add you to our e-mail list. And thanks for the link to our
website. There is strength in numbers.

Dennis Hathaway
President, Coalition to Ban Billboard Blight
www.banbillboardblight.org