Post by The MFA on Oct 5, 2007 13:13:17 GMT -5
School signs draw scrutiny
October 5, 2007
By Donna Vavala
PANAMA CITY
Panama City code enforcement officials on Thursday cited two signs promoting the half-cent sales tax on school campuses for violating the city’s sign ordinance.
The signs, at Bay High School and Jinks Middle School, were placed by members of the political action committee Citizens for Bay Schools. Two of several that have gone up in recent weeks, they tout the benefits of the tax, which voters will have the opportunity to renew for another 10 years next month.
Gerry Carmody, co-chairman of Citizens for Bay Schools, said county officials also contacted him Thursday, inquiring about signs on campuses in unincorporated Bay County.
“I got a permit from the school district and a letter of approval from the superintendent,” Carmody said. “I did everything right.”
Panama City officials contend he needs a permit from the city, too.
Carmody carries around a black notebook full of state codes and deals with them as part of his job as a contractor. Carmody said Florida statutes 243.2.2 and 1013.371 state that neither the county nor the city has the jurisdiction to order removal of the signs because schools are exempt from local codes.
The statutes also state that public schools have authority to issue permits for activities on their property, he said. “We looked into it to see whether it was legal or illegal,” said Valerie Lovett, county spokeswoman. “The schools are not subject to county code enforcement, as far as the county is concerned.” County attorneys told Lovett the signs are allowed under Florida statute 1013.371. School Board Attorney Franklin Harrison agreed. “The statute exempts public education and ancillary plants from, among other things, ordinances,” Harrison said. “This statute exempts us from their sign ordinance. This is not a new law.” School Superintendent James McCalister said he never has had a run-in with code enforcement folks and was “surprised” when he got word. “We want to make sure we are providing information to our citizens,” McCalister said of the referendum signs. He added that he immediately turned the matter over to Harrison. “We’re never going to be in a position that we’re doing something illegal.” Panama City is not so sure. “We reviewed a number of statutes, but what it comes down to is we need some clarification from our attorney,” said Panama City Police Chief John Van Etten. “As soon as we get clarification, we’ll make a decision.” The decision also will apply to another type of sign. “Bay High School also got cited for its yearbook sign,” Carmody said.
www.newsherald.com/headlines/article.display.php?a=3724
October 5, 2007
By Donna Vavala
PANAMA CITY
Panama City code enforcement officials on Thursday cited two signs promoting the half-cent sales tax on school campuses for violating the city’s sign ordinance.
The signs, at Bay High School and Jinks Middle School, were placed by members of the political action committee Citizens for Bay Schools. Two of several that have gone up in recent weeks, they tout the benefits of the tax, which voters will have the opportunity to renew for another 10 years next month.
Gerry Carmody, co-chairman of Citizens for Bay Schools, said county officials also contacted him Thursday, inquiring about signs on campuses in unincorporated Bay County.
“I got a permit from the school district and a letter of approval from the superintendent,” Carmody said. “I did everything right.”
Panama City officials contend he needs a permit from the city, too.
Carmody carries around a black notebook full of state codes and deals with them as part of his job as a contractor. Carmody said Florida statutes 243.2.2 and 1013.371 state that neither the county nor the city has the jurisdiction to order removal of the signs because schools are exempt from local codes.
The statutes also state that public schools have authority to issue permits for activities on their property, he said. “We looked into it to see whether it was legal or illegal,” said Valerie Lovett, county spokeswoman. “The schools are not subject to county code enforcement, as far as the county is concerned.” County attorneys told Lovett the signs are allowed under Florida statute 1013.371. School Board Attorney Franklin Harrison agreed. “The statute exempts public education and ancillary plants from, among other things, ordinances,” Harrison said. “This statute exempts us from their sign ordinance. This is not a new law.” School Superintendent James McCalister said he never has had a run-in with code enforcement folks and was “surprised” when he got word. “We want to make sure we are providing information to our citizens,” McCalister said of the referendum signs. He added that he immediately turned the matter over to Harrison. “We’re never going to be in a position that we’re doing something illegal.” Panama City is not so sure. “We reviewed a number of statutes, but what it comes down to is we need some clarification from our attorney,” said Panama City Police Chief John Van Etten. “As soon as we get clarification, we’ll make a decision.” The decision also will apply to another type of sign. “Bay High School also got cited for its yearbook sign,” Carmody said.
www.newsherald.com/headlines/article.display.php?a=3724