I see in the Whidbey News-Times that Oak Harbor has a new code that will ban garage sale signs. City Attorney Phil Bleyhl said there’s been a problem with signs advertising garage sales blocking sidewalks. For me, this ruling brings up some thoughts on signage in general on the Island.

Is it wise to legislate and impose fines for every move we, as a culture, make? People should be intelligent and thoughtful when placing garage sale signs that don’t block sidewalks but will other sign-placers be fined as well? How about all those realtor signs advertising homes for sale, or political signs? Additionally, we are all concerned about visual pollution on our beautiful island. But, if we stop garage sale signs then all activities being signed will be suspect such as the Lions Club’s garage sales, festivals, farmers markets, art studio tour signage, political signs or even neighborhood crime watch signs. Where do we draw the line and who has a say?

A larger issue for me is Island County’s lack of support for both the Island business community and the tourist industry we seem so badly to want. I work with a small agricultural business outside Coupeville that does lots of advertising, yet folks from all parts of the country who visit the farm and store complain of the lack of appropriate signs that would make their trip more convenient.

I recently visited Vancouver Island, B.C. and saw unobtrusive, standardized, government-approved signs showing tourists the way to visit businesses of interest such as small farms demonstrating sustainable agriculture, cottage industries and the arts, the very things folks come here to see. Island County’s current restrictions on signage are not helpful to those wanting to know where art galleries, studios and farms that welcome visitors are located.

I understand there is a push to bring tourists to Whidbey so what better way to let them know where to find these small businesses that would be of interest? Business owners could purchase space on standardized directional signs at no or little cost to taxpayers and visitors would be able to find what there is to see and do here.

Bev McQuary

Coupeville