This is election season in Burien, neighboring cities and King County. The candidates are hard at work notifying all of us of the upcoming election and why we need to elect them to office. We see their colorful signs along every street, seemingly, wherever they or their helpers can pound a stake in the ground.

As you would expect, the City has chosen to control all of this exuberance by declaring what is and is not acceptable.
According to the Burien Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 19.30, these signs may be placed on “private property” or public “right-of-way”, subject to a few exceptions. You had better get the Owners permission before adding signs to Private property. The signs are also prohibited from utility poles, lampposts, traffic signals or signs, and public property other than public right-of-way. Like any other sign in the city, they must not obstruct the traveling public or create unsafe conditions.

Considering the time and expense the candidates have put forth installing their signs, I'm sure they would like to be informed of any that have been improperly placed, so they can take corrective action.

Please do not help them by removing or destroying their property, which is not only impolite but criminal. Just call or e-mail them. Remember, they are running for public office and the last thing they want to do is offend the voters.

One last thing, for the candidates who do not survive the primary, be sure to pickup your signs within 10 days. Remember there will be another election in a few years.

Robert Howell
Burien