DAPHNE, Ala.—Councilman August Palumbo arranged for the city council to view a presentation to facilitate a discussion about the pros and cons of signage since the issue has come up a lot at recent council meetings and a sign issue was on the agenda Monday night as well.

Palumbo called excessive signs “eye pollution on a stick.”

“I wanted to give the council a reminder. At recent council meetings there have been some comments made, especially at public participation, about the sign ordinance in Daphne and the fact that it is a restrictive sign ordinance,” Palumbo said.

At recent council meetings, signage has been the topic of many discussions, and Palumbo contended some items needed to be cleared up.

“Some people believe that the bigger and more garish a sign is the more business they will do. Frankly, a lot of misinformation has been put out,” Palumbo said. “We hear a lot about how billboards will promote your city and business but a lot of them don’t promote local business. The city that grants the permits has no right to say what goes on that billboard.”

Palumbo said he believes signs have hurt Ocala, Fla. The city does not allow topless bars, but a city a few miles away does and advertises such establishments in Ocala. Ocala has received a bad reputation as a result, Palumbo said.

“Daphne could easily be known as the “nudie bar” town,” Palumbo said.

Palumbo is not against all signs, he said, but some signs are more effective and tasteful than others. Palumbo suggested directional signs instead of billboards.

 “Signs can be very good for businesses and they are important but there are ways to use signs productively,” Palumbo said.

Councilman John Lake agreed with Palumbo on the directional signs.

“We have no directional signs off of I-10. That is something we need to look into,” Lake said.