A message board that reads “Vote #TeamHaymarket” has stirring up debate about what type of campaign signs are allowed in the town.
Haymarket resident Rebecca Smith originally posted a photo of the message board to Facebook, alleging the sign’s presence at the corner of Washington and Jefferson streets is a violation of Haymarket Town Ordinance 58-15.5(h) which prohibits electronic message boards.
Since then, the post has been shared several others, all with various captions.
Haymarket Mayor David Leake is one of the members of “Team Haymarket,” and he’s running for reelection on May 19 against challenger Kenneth Luersen. When asked about the sign, Leake stated that Virginia Code 15.2-109, which prohibits localities from banning political signs on private property, overruled the town ordinance.
Mayor Leake’s argument was that since the message board is on private property and displays a political sign, it does not violate any laws.
However, that section of Virginia Code also states that political signs posted on private property still must be in compliance with local zoning restrictions applicable to nonpolitical signs.
So, where does that leave this message board?
The Town Business Manager, Chris Coon, was able to clarify the town ordinance under debate:
“Electronic message board is defined in 58-1.5 as: Any sign that uses changing lights to form a sign message or messages wherein the sequence of messages and the rate of change is electronically programmed and can be modified by electronic processes, Coon told Potomac Local News. “I just reviewed the message board and there are not changing lights and thus it does not meet the Town Code definition of Electronic Message Board and does not violate 58-15.5 (h).”
Coon also stated that the town does not handle political signs the same way as normal signs.
“As you know Political Signs are only utilized very close to elections and they are a core 1st Amendment issue. If there is no threats to Public Health, Safety, or Well Fair the Town would not send a Zoning Violation.”
The other member of “Team Haymarket” is Connor Leake, the mayor’s son, who is seeking a council seat.
There is one mayoral seat up for grabs and five town council seats. A total of 12 candidates are running in the election.
Mayor
- David M Leake (Incumbent)
- Kenneth M. Luersen
Member Town Council – Haymarket
- Chris S. Morris (Incumbent)
- Steven R. Shannon (Incumbent)
- Connor W. Leake (Incumbent)
- Thomas C. Utz
- Robert T. Day (Incumbent)
- Madhusudan Panthi (Incumbent)
- Tracy Lynn Pater
- R. Marchant Schneider
- Joe R. Pasanello
- Robert B. “Bob” Weir
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