Oxnard election sign compliance sparks comments from candidates and community members

(Oxnard, Ca) In elections, candidates can look to sign location as pure gold for reaching out to voters, especially in the 30 days prior o election day with the release of mail in ballots.

But with signs also comes the anger about appropriate sign location and sign size parameters.

Recently, Aaron Starr, candidate for Oxnard Mayor, sent out an email to supporters with the subject line, “Oxnard Mayor Flynn — Lawbreaker?”

In the email Starr states, “Oxnard’s elected officials should have to follow the laws that they make for the rest of us.

Every candidate who filed to run for office was given instructions that:

• freestanding campaign signs are not to exceed 6 sq. ft. in size, and
• campaign signs are not allowed to be located in the public rights-of-way, including medians, parkways and easements, utility poles, fencing, trees, shrubs, railroad crossings, or lighting systems

Many of Mayor Tim Flynn’s campaign signs are illegal.“

Just this year, a Ventura County Grand Jury convened and released a final report on campaign signs. Out of 5 cities evaluated in Ventura County (San Buenaventura (Ventura), Oxnard, Camarillo,Thousand Oaks, and Simi Valley), only 1 (Simi Valley) was found to have sufficient information and training offered to candidates running for election.

Over the past weeks, Oxnard residents have sent in their pictures of the illegal signs, Here are a few pictures shared with The Voice La Voz California that have made residents the most irate:

 

Visiting with Oxnard City Manager, Alex Nguyen at a recent community event, we asked him about campaign signs. “This happens in every city every year,” shared Nguyen. Now 3 months into his position, Nguyen expressed his disinterest in putting our city resources to actively address the issue. “If people call and complain, we will handle the issue. But we have a lot to manage right now and we cannot afford to put out city resources for these kind of things.” Nguyen suggested calling if residents find a sign that is out of compliance.

In discussion with the City Clerk’s office, sign location will determine the proper department to contact of you have a complaint about signs. If the sign appears on public property, community members can contact Public Works at (805) 385-7950. If the sign is on private property, community members can call Code Compliance at (805) 385-7940.  Signs can also be reported on the city’s “Oxnard311” app, or through email at code@oxnard.org.

Emails to Tim Flynn asking about his signs did not receive reply.

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