Some residents are still publicly proclaiming their support for U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan or former state Rep. Bill Thomas, but Haines Borough staff is warning political signs must be taken down by Feb. 28.
Owners of signs up past Feb. 28 will be fined $100.
According to code, signs must be removed no later than seven days after an election. Some signs around town have been up for months since the Nov. 4 general election, while others have been up for years.
Planning and zoning technician Tracy Cui and administrative assistant Kathy Friedle drove around town Jan. 29-30 identifying properties where political signs were still displayed. Cui said the pair found 18 outstanding signs.
“The role of the borough is to keep our community clean and safe during election season and on a continuing basis throughout the year,” Cui said. “With the start of each new election season, it brings concerns over the growing number of political signs placed throughout the borough townsite service area. Sometimes these political signs can become an eyesore and even obstruct traffic.”
The borough sent notices to the identified property owners, and posted notices about stale political signs around town and on the municipality’s website.
Cui said she was going to go on a second trip around town on Wednesday and send second notices to property owners who are still violating code. Those who don’t take down the signs by Feb. 28 will be fined.
Manager David Sosa said the borough is giving residents ample opportunity to correct the problem and not fining people right away to “avoid surprises.”