There are so many sign issues happening in Culver City, the topic seems ripe for an essay. Changing the rules around what kind of signs the city allows, taking the long-time restrictions off placing signs on pedestrian space…save the neon? Historical status for brands? There are so many issues with signage, it will have to be more than one essay.
First – lawn signs. It used to be that lawn signs were strictly for elections. That changed years ago, when Hate Has No Home Here and the equally popular In This House We Believe… moved in to stay. These signs are not seasonal, although sometimes they get a bit weathered.
According to a recent national survey by Lawnstarter, nationally almost 34% of people with lawns are Very Likely to display lawn signs, and just over 21% are Somewhat Likely. They offer that Democrats are more likely to post signs than Republicans, and people making more than $100,000 per year are more likely than those making less than $20,000, but not by much – the rich confirmed their willingness to sign at 43%, and the poor at 40%.
Locally, signs tend to flock, like birds of a feather. When I see a lawn that has only one political sign, I’m seeing someone reluctant to commit, or just displaying for a friend. It’s very small town of us, in a nice way. “Well, I have a sign up for her because her mother went to school with my aunt…” Doesn’t sound like a vote, but hey, it’s a sign.
In regard to the national race, Culver City has lots of lawn signs for the Democratic ticket; not surprising, since even our conservatives identify as Dems. There are a few Trump signs, but they are rare – one house is even flying the “Sedition” flag that got notice from Supreme Samuel Alito’s neighbors. But this isn’t about flags.
It is startling to see a ‘Harris’ sign accompanied by a ‘Vera’ sign. I’m truly wondering if these folks are interested in moving forward or ‘going back’ as the Vera campaign likes to impress. I’ve yet to see a ‘Bubba’ sign next to a ‘Trump’ sign. Maybe there are no progressive oligarchs, or maybe they just don’t put up signs.
Most folks who responded to the survey posted that they display political signs in their yards to “demonstrate support for candidates or issues,” more than 42%. Those posting “to inform neighbors of my political stance” were just over 18%; it would seem that most of us know our neighbors, or we figure out neighbors know who we are. Nationally, only 15% said that they posted signs for local political candidates. Culver City may be an outlier.
My absolute favorite, although it might read as a bit snarky, is the ‘Harris – Obviously’ I’ve seen on almost a dozen lawns. This would seem to say that I’m demonstrating support, and my neighbors already know me.
Now, the rest of the sign story – the massive presentation at the Planning Commission meeting, the backchannel emails about the law changes, and the ways that the current council is looking to cash in on advertising – that doesn’t fit on the lawn.
Next time –
Judith Martin-Straw