Read this Sign... GT to Increase Visual Distraction ?

Paw,

Steve berry says put up more signs to tell people what they should be doing – Is he kidding.

He says it was the signs that said “Don’t Even Think About Speeding” stopped folks from speeding. It wasn’t the signs; it was the police and all the tickets they were giving out. Without the police, does he really think people would pay attention? They are in a hurry to get to work, school, shopping, meeting at the Food Connection, etc. etc.

“Don’t Even Think About It” sounds more like the ol school marm, Maryetta Ferre, still telling people what they can and can’t do. That is what the people were really saying.

Steve Berry is out of touch. He should have the job of fixing all the walls that have been graffiti on. I know the Mr. Hilkey and Mr. Miller were against more signage in GT. I think it just litters and distracts.


Grand Terrace bringing back old-fashioned billboards
By Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 10/30/2008 06:25:32 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - The city is going back in time in hopes of generating a brighter economic future.
City officials are developing a sign campaign reminiscent of the Burma-Shave billboards that were prevalent in much of the United States from 1925 to 1963.

Burma-Shave was a brushless shaving cream that was promoted through catchy, humorous rhyming poems posted on small billboards along the edge of highways. The signs were spaced apart so they could be read consecutively by passing motorists. The last sign was almost always the name of the product.

Acting City Manager Steve Berry is working on a similar concept with his staff in an effort to promote local businesses in the midst of challenging economic times.
"It's a cute way to get across the idea that for a small community to continue to offer quality levels of service, people need to support their local businesses," Berry said.

Berry said the wording on the signs is still being worked on. The slogans could be changed every few months to constantly provide a "clever" marketing message, he said.

The cost of the campaign is minimal - "$300 or $400 at the most," Berry said.

The signs could be placed on a hillside area on Barton Road near the Colton border. Motorists entering the city from Colton would see the signs as they come around the hill approaching
Preston Street . The signs could be put 20 or 30 yards apart for maximum visual effect, he said.
A few years ago, officials installed "Don't Even Think About Speeding in Grand Terrace" signs at city entrances.

Even though the signs were taken down recently, the campaign was successful in reducing speeding, officials said.

"It became entrenched in people's minds. We're trying to have the same effect with the new signs," Berry said.

Bobbie Forbes, a Grand Terrace resident who sells real estate, said the ad campaign would be "money well-spent."

"They need to remind the residents that it's important to shop in our community," Forbes said. "As more businesses come into Grand Terrace, it will financially benefit Grand Terrace and hopefully get the community to spend more money here."
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com
(909) 386-3916