Signs, signs, more signs of election season

I love the political campaign season, clever campaign slogans, endorsement ads and the free spirit of conversation they generate.

I relish the debates, trying to understand how so many people think differently about the same issues and the passionate deliberation among family and friends. Even when frustrating, I enjoy following all the divergent political thought processes in America.

Usually, I'm firmly behind a slate of candidates by the time it's permissible to stick campaign signs in the front yard -- in Naperville that's 90 days before the election.

For the primary on Feb. 5, however, I'm floundering. Plus, I'm feeling pressured by the media, phone calls, e-mails and other voter surveys to make important decisions for future generations some six weeks earlier than usual. Some of the candidates are little known to me -- I still have research to do.

Out of focus, I've stared at the variety of campaign signs planted in my neighbors' yards and dotting the landscape around town.

I even amused myself by imagining a nationwide scene of campaign signs, wondering what our vast country would look like if all 513,000 elected offices in the United States and numerous referendum questions were up for a vote at the same time.

Education works, right?

And education is important to residents here, correct? Otherwise, why would leaders regularly dedicate quality time and resources toward hiring good teachers, planning and maintaining our schools and writing referendum questions to fund the educational needs of our children?

Now please help me with my logic -- and excuse my sarcasm -- as I question illegally posted campaign signs on public and private property, easements and the right-of-way.

Wouldn't you think a good Naperville education would yield knowledgeable adults? Wouldn't you think well-educated residents who seek public office could understand and communicate simple directions regarding placement of campaign signs in the interest of keeping the rights of way clear and safe for both cars and pedestrians?

You may think this isn't a real campaign issue. But talk at campaign parties often centers around complaints about signs being stolen, removed or unlawfully placed on private and public property. It seems to be part of the game of silly season -- even for law and order candidates.

Admittedly, code enforcement appears to be working better this year than others. (Knock on wood, it's early in the year.) Still, I've always wondered why candidates who don't need a permit to put up campaign signs abuse the liberty to put them in places they're not allowed to be.

Why do some candidates and their soldiers disregard rules and ignore public safety?

According to city codes available online with a little digging, signs are not to be placed within 10 feet of the paved portion of any street. Simply put, no signs are allowed in the parkway.

(Go to the city's Web site, www.naperville.il.us, click on Government, click on Municipal Codes in the dropdown menu, click to view the Municipal Code Book and find yourself in the Code Book Viewer. Next search signs -- you'll find 55 choices.)

When some candidates break the rules, other candidates complain and it costs taxpayer money to remove the signs.

We've got two more weeks of signs going up before the primary. Then all campaign signs are to come down within one week after the polls close on Feb. 5 -- that's before Feb. 12.

Signs can go up again during the 90-day period prior to the presidential election Nov. 4.

If you're still reading, wondering when I'll get to a real issue, you've likely noticed this early primary is going to create a lengthier presidential election year. Just read for knowledge and perhaps educate a few people about legal placement of campaign signs.