Issues

Issues

Issues that fall under county governments

• General Government - This grouping includes executive and legislative control, judicial support*, election supervision*, financial administration (budgeting and accounting), legal (counsel and prosecution*), personnel administration, planning and zoning, general services, and alcoholic beverage control*.
• Public Safety - This grouping includes law enforcement, fire protection, corrections, building inspection, animal control, and traffic engineering.
• Public Works - This grouping includes road construction and maintenance, sewer, water, storm drains, and solid waste collection and disposal (in Montgomery and Prince George's counties sewer and water services are provided by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission).
• Health* - This grouping includes support of the state required and regulated county health department.
• Education - (Kindergarten - 12th grade)* This includes support of the state required county board of education that operates under state law.
• Community Colleges* - This includes support of the county or regional board of trustees of a community college that operates under state law.
• Libraries* - This includes support of the county board of library trustees that operate under state law.
• Recreation and Parks - This grouping includes recreation activities and facilities, and park and open space maintenance and development. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission has responsibility for parks in Montgomery and Prince George's counties and recreation in Prince George's County.
• Land Planning and Development - This grouping includes such things as Urban and rural development and redevelopment, housing, economic development, and economic opportunity programs.
• Debt Service - Debt service is the annual principal and interest payments on debt issued for the development of public capital facilities (i.e., roads, schools, libraries, parks, etc.).

Issues that fall under city governments

• Taxation and budgeting
• Representation of citizens and businesses
• Waters and sewer systems
• Waste management
• Fire Department
• Police Department
• Road maintenance 
• Public transportation 
• licensing, 
• regulating public and private activities
• controlling the uses of property
• preventing crime
• generally ensuring public health and welfare 
• adopts resolutions to express policy or to direct certain administrative actions 
• passes on assessments, submits annual tax levy statements and has charge of City elections.

Issue in Edmond

What is the issue?

The question is whether the city should allow businesses to have digital signs, also known as EMC displays. Digital signs meaning electronic signs that have a range of messaging capabilities including full-color digital options that quickly scroll from one image to the next. Some businesses in Edmond have approached the City Council for permission to have them.

The Edmond Neighborhood Alliance recently debuted a video on its website urging residents to call their City Council representative on the matter. 

What are the debates on this issue?

There are two sides of this issue. Some Edmond businesses want these digital signs to promote their business more. They want to attract people's attention and advertise in a whole new way. The other side is that a local neighborhood group advocates against this because they are worried for the safety of drivers. They believe electronic signs that are constantly changing will distract drivers and could cause more accidents. They believe it is a distraction issue and a safety issue.

Media coverage on this issue:

There is an article written by Lisa Shearer on the Edmond Sun about this issue. 

Here is the link: http://www.edmondsun.com/local/x811211058/Neighborhood-group-advocates-against-road-spam

Also, here is a video made by the Edmond Neighborhood Alliance against EMCs. 

 

Public Officials Views:

ENA (the Edmond Neighborhood Alliance) President Tonya Coffman said she has several concerns about updating the city’s code to allow the signs.

“My primary objection to the digital signage is the distraction that it causes when people are driving and trying to read the signs at the same time,” Coffman said.

“I live very near where the 471-square-foot digital sign was recently approved atop the grocery store that is going in on Covell. I am extremely concerned about the safety of students coming from Cheyenne Middle School, which is directly across the street. If something happens to a child while 

someone is trying to read the sign, will the additional tax revenue be worth it then?”

Also, former Edmond Mayor Saundra Naifeh says that  “EMC displays have potential to do irreparable damage” to Edmond’s image.

Also, Dan O’Neil, a former Edmond mayor and a longtime ENA member says, “The issue for the community is do we want the distraction, the city cannot control content. It’s a quality of life issue, a distraction issue and a safety issue.”

Overall, the media and public officials views influenced this issue by portraying the two different sides. The video above made by the ENA really influences your view on EMCs and how they should not be introduced in Edmond businesses. The ENA does a really good job in voicing out their concerns on this issue and proving their point. With all this strong opposition, I believe the city of Edmond will not approve Edmond businesses to apply EMCs. 

Letter to the mayor of Edmond regarding this issue

Dear Mayor Charles Lamb:

My name is Sidra Mesiya, and I am a resident of Edmond. Just recently I have heard about the debate over whether or not Edmond businesses are allowed to use EMCS. I can't believe the city council is even considering it. I believe that businesses should not be allowed to use such digital signs because they can distract drivers and cause accidents. It will jeopardize the safety of Edmond residents! I strongly urge you, Mr. Mayor, to take a stand against the use of EMCs alongside me and the Edmond Neighborhood Alliance. I assure you it is the right thing to do and that it is in the best interest of the Edmond residents' safety and wellbeing.  

                                                                                 Sidra Mesiya