Sign restrictions not applied equally

No joke! The city of Cedar Rapids intends to pass restrictions on the display of any animation on digital electronic message centers, effective Jan. 1, 2014. These new guidelines will require animation to be held for 4-8 seconds per frame. This guideline applies only to schools, churches and businesses not in the Cedar Rapids “entertainment” district, which means TCR, the Paramount and the U.S. Cellular Center will be exempt.

Our business, which proudly displays the American flag waving on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day will no longer be able to do so. Nor will you enjoy holiday messages, engagements with hearts floating or the Iowa Tiger Hawk on game days in the fall.

Since 1979, the Nesper “sign” has been a staple in Cedar Rapids, welcoming births, engagements, marriages, presidential visits, holidays, veterans going and returning from war, and, of course, the “Joke of the Day.” This has brought a chuckle to passers-by and improved the quality of life in a whimsical way.

On June 25, the council will hold a public hearing on the proposed changes. I encourage you to either attend, call or write your council members and mayor. Technology changes every day. Please let your city know we wish to remain in the 21st century so all entities are treated equally.

Donna Garland

Owner,

Nesper Sign Advertising, Inc.

Cedar Rapids