Mowitnow.com

[NellieBly]

I hope this post doesn't give the business inadvertant free advertising, but this person, has placed approximately 50 illegal signs in my neighborhood to advertise his business. When I called to inform him his signs were illegal, he said "I don't give a ****" and hung up on me. I won't be hiring him any time soon.

I will spend my own time this evening removing as many as I can and I recommend anyone who cares about illegal signs to call this jerk and tell him what you think. His number is 955-5473.

[Rico]

quote:Originally posted by NellieBly

I hope this post doesn't give the business inadvertant free advertising, but this person, has placed approximately 50 illegal signs in my neighborhood to advertise his business. When I called to inform him his signs were illegal, he said "I don't give a ****" and hung up on me. I won't be hiring him any time soon.

I will spend my own time this evening removing as many as I can and I recommend anyone who cares about illegal signs to call this jerk and tell him what you think. His number is 955-5473.

The whole illegal sign issue shows just how unimportant collecting revenue for the City is...

All the Police would have to do is collect one of each different sign and they would have a fine they could levy at the business owner...

Don't know what the fine is for this but it would be easy money...

[AngieB]

I hate those signs too. But I've heard that if you take them you could be charged with theft. Is that correct? Or do you have return them to the owner to avoid that? I'd hate for you to get into trouble for cleaning up your neighborhood.

I hit the website...if one isn't comfortable with calling, email him: mowit@mowitnow.com

You're doing a good thing!

[MichaelC]

His address is listed.  Scatter the signs all over  his lawn.  A drive by "signing".

[NellieBly]

I will be removing them this evening. If any of the cops on this forum would like to arrest me for picking up trash then meet me at the corner of 67th West Avenue and 25 place after 5. Bring your cuffs.
To the owner of Mowit.com (I doubt he reads, however) -- you will have 30 days to pick them up. you have my number. Be warned, though -- I plan to call the police and file a litter complaint against you.

[sgrizzle]

You can pick them up legally. Might even get some support from Fox & Tay.

I saw a house that had a garage sale and put out probably 25-30 signs coming from every nearby street. Overnight, someone picked every one up and placed them artistically in the front yard.

[cannon_fodder]

I dont see how this would be theft... he has abandoned the property.

Hell, even if its not abandoned it still probably isnt theft.  If I leave a basketball at the court, or a coat at the park, or watch papers blow out of my window - do I accuse the person who picks them up of theft?  No.

Not to mention it would look bad for the city if you got in trouble.  They made a big deal about the new "sign commission" or whatever, a while back.  No better way to prove the ineptness of government than to punish those who point it out.

But just to be safe, you should probably burn the evidence in his front yard (unless he is a minority and that could be construed as more of a crime than if you did it to a white person).

[grahambino]

isnt there a code enforcement division w/ the city of tulsa that can be contacted about this?

i have worked for 2 seperate city governments and the code enforcement folks would spend a good deal of their time removing illegal signs at intersections and on city ROWs.

EDIT:  added link to ordinances and possibly relevant text

http://www.cityoftulsa.org/ourcity/ordinances/Title51.asp

Q. Sign Fees.
1. Minimum sign fee  . . .$ 40.00
2. Applicable fee(s): Each outdoor advertising sign or business sign shall be charged a fee when application is made which will be non-refundable and shall be counted as part of the totalsign permit fee upon issuance of the permit. When application is made for more than one (1) sign on the same lot and at the same time, the non-refundable application fee will
be charged only one (1) time . $ 30.00
3. Outdoor advertising signs: zoning clearance and plan review fee . . $ 345.00
4. Business signs: zoning clearance and plan review fee  . .$ 60.00
5. Height above grade fee: If a sign is over 40 feet in height, an additional fee shall be paid   $ 60.00
6. Sign inspections/reviews requiring no application fee. Also, the minimum sign fee does not apply:
a. Promotional business sign  . . $ 40.00
b. Remove and rehang in same location . $ 30.00
c. Removal fee (ground and outdoor advertising signs only). .$ 30.00
d. Interior electrical sign  . . $ 30.00
e. Border neon sign . . . $ 30.00

[sgrizzle]

I think if you put a stocking out on the corner, Paul Tay comes down from the sky and rids the street of signs.



Nothing of the above is based in reality.

[NellieBly]

Unfortunately the sign police are understaffed and do about as good a job as they can. The head sign inspector/remover was moved to homeland security after 9/11.

A pickup and a couple of guys is all they have. I really think the citizens of this town need to stop this litter on a stick problem themselves. When you see a sign inside the right of way on a city street it's fair game -- although rights of way vary widely in Tulsa, a good rule of thumb is anything in between utility poles and the street is right of way -- about 8-10 feet from the curb. Usually the signs are placed right on the street.

[NellieBly]

Just talked to the sign police at COT -- they are my new heroes. The owner of mowitnow or whatever, will receive a nice little warning in the mail from the city asking him to stop and remove all remaining signs.

They also have crews out today removing all signs on Yale, Sheridan and Memorial from 21st to 31st.

Thank you city of Tulsa!!!

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by NellieBly

Just talked to the sign police at COT -- they are my new heroes. The owner of mowitnow or whatever, will receive a nice little warning in the mail from the city asking him to stop and remove all remaining signs.

They also have crews out today removing all signs on Yale, Sheridan and Memorial from 21st to 31st.

Thank you city of Tulsa!!!

umm.. now we know where you live...

[NellieBly]

well, you would know for sure if  I had said EAST avenue instead of WEST avenue. I am still getting used to the new address.

[dsjeffries]

You should post some pictures-- I'd love to see this tacky lawn!

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by NellieBly

Just talked to the sign police at COT -- they are my new heroes. The owner of mowitnow or whatever, will receive a nice little warning in the mail from the city asking him to stop and remove all remaining signs.

They also have crews out today removing all signs on Yale, Sheridan and Memorial from 21st to 31st.

Thank you city of Tulsa!!!

Thanks for your efforts NellieBly.  I live on 26th St. just east of Yale and my neighborhood thanks you too.  Like you, I always trash these kinds of signs too when they pop up.