Bay considers restrictions on sandwich board ads

ALEXANDRIA BAY — Sandwich boards in front of shops and restaurants in the village might have to go.

Village Mayor Terry J. Robb said the village may consider not issuing any permits for sandwich boards, or banning the practice altogether.

Currently, there are several advertisement boards placed on sidewalks in the village, but none of the businesses has a permit to put up the boards, Mr. Robb said.

"They're all over the place. It's out of control," said Carol W. Shepherd, a village resident. "Get rid of all of them. They're tacky."

In reaction to a previous discussion of the issue, 20 residents signed and submitted a petition to the village asking the Board of Trustees to allow businesses to put up advertisement boards on sidewalks.

"Our sandwich boards are important to us," said Tamara Quinn, owner of the Chez Paris Restaurant, who signed the petition.

Ms. Quinn said she has been putting up a sandwich board in front of her restaurant for 20 years. The advertisement boards are good for catching people's attention and drive more customers to her business, she said.

"Personally, I don't like them," Trustee Steven E. Jarvis said. "If you don't have a permit, don't put it up."

Trustee Helethea R. Roy said the advertisement boards should not be placed in the middle of the sidewalk where they can be an obstacle for pedestrians.

Craig W. Bauman, who helps his wife, Yvonne, operate Das Village Haus restaurant, said he agrees that sandwich boards should not be an obstruction and that they should be aesthetically pleasing. However, he said, because businesses are responsible for maintaining the sidewalks, they also should be able to use the space.

"We have to maintain our sidewalks here and we should be able to put up sandwich boards," he said.

Mr. Bauman said the village should find ways to assist local businesses rather than hurting them.

"The village board should do everything they can to promote businesses," Mr. Bauman said.

The village board will discuss the issue further at its next meeting June 9.