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Regarding the billboard bill in the state House of Representatives, from information I have received, this bill is very costly to Georgia, monetarily as well as visually.
Distorted information came from the executive director of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia. Yes, sign companies will have to pay for cutting of trees but its payments will be less than 10 percent of the additional costs, our costs, to the state for inspections, issuing permits, etc. Yes, it may increase jobs but where and how many? Mostly the 12 people the state will have to employ to travel the state to inspect sites for billboards.
Nothing will be of any help with the trashy billboards adorning our state. Most of these are currently covered by present laws to the extent allowed under freedom of speech.
What may count are the fancy trips provided to the representatives to the Ritz Carlton on Lake Oconee. Bought votes?
Hall County representatives Doug Collins and Carl Rogers support the bill. I have tried to speak to both of them in person or by e-mail but have received no response. I was even in the Capital on Feb. 15 and requested to speak to Mr. Collins but was told he was not there. I had just seen him wandering around speaking to people on the floor.
After all, I am nothing but a Hall County voter and I don't amount to much.
Daniel Hal Silcox
Gainesville