TIFTON —
As of now, Tifton citizens are no longer restricted from putting up campaign signs on their property within a specified time frame, says Tifton Mayor Jamie Cater.
According to the city ordinance on political signs, “Unless specifically allowed pursuant to state law, the sign shall not be displayed earlier than 30 days prior to the commencement of the qualifying period immediately prior to the election it concerns nor shall the sign be displayed earlier than 30 days prior to the call for election immediately prior to the referendum it concerns.”
Cater said Code Enforcement has been taking up political signs from citizens’ yards due to the ordinance put in place by the city. Many Tifton citizens have contacted him, he said, and told that it is their First Amendment right — and he agrees.
“I didn’t blame Code Enforcement. They were just following the ordinance,” Cater said. “We need to change the ordinance. This is unconstitutional and we’re not going to be taking political signs out of yards.”
He said the political signs ordinance will be rescinded due to it's being unconstitutional. He stated that he came to this decision based on what City Clerk Rona Martin and Assistant City Manager Larry Riner found out from the Georgia Municipal Association, which confirmed that the political signs ordinance is unconstitutional.
“We have on legal grounds that we don’t have the right to do this,” Cater said. “We’re going to do the right thing.”
To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.
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