VIRGINIA BEACH
Admobiles, the trucks with the revolving billboards, will continue to rove around the city.
After more than two-and-half hours of debate, the City Council voted 6-5 Tuesday to change Virginia Beach's mobile advertising rules to allow the vehicles.
"They finally did the right thing," said Elaine Cayton, the co-owner of AHR Communications Inc., the company that operates Admobile in South Hampton Roads.
But some council members warned that the ordinance will now open the door for more mobile billboards in the city.
Virginia Beach has made strides to eliminate billboards and unattractive signs from major roadways, City Councilwoman Reba McClanan said.
"Our city looks better than other cities," Councilman Jim Wood said.
Cayton's trucks had run afoul of the city's strict billboard laws, which prohibits vehicles used mainly for advertising from operating in the city.
Virginia Beach's planning commission recommend that the council adopt more stringent rules that would have outlawed rotating or pulsating signs on vehicles that are primarily used for advertising for other businesses.
City Councilman Ron Villanueva opposed the planning commission suggestion and, in an unorthodox move, made a PowerPoint presentation of his own proposed ordinance.
The ordinance, which was co-sponsored by Councilman Bill DeSteph, eventually won the council's narrow approval. It allows mobile advertising trucks as long as they are not solely used for advertising.
"We could both protect the city and promote small business," Villanueva said.
At times, Villanueva referred to the city staff proposal as "propaganda."
In order to counter the argument that the Admobile is distracting to drivers, Villanueva asked fellow council members what caused most traffic accidents. DeSteph volunteered that it's drivers paying too much attention to people and events along the roadside, such as "construction workers in their short shorts."
Wood said he was disappointed that council members didn't have more time to review Villanueva's ordinance before voting on it. They received a version of it on Tuesday.
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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YAY!!
Free commerce lives!!! Long live the american business doers.
Congrats to City Council - good decision!
It is nice to have an opportunity to PRAISE my City Council. I applaud those elected representatives that voted in support of freedom and free enterprise. Governments exist to protect our freedoms, not serve as a nanny state to restrict our Liberties. Great job City Council! You voted for freedom and fee enterprise! Kudos to you.
signs just block out the scenery
signs ,signs every where signs isnt that how the song goes , blocking out the scenery , as a construction worker I am flattered that members of city council take the time out to gaze at , construction workers short shorts ,I never would emagine that my short shorts would cause and accident , maybe if
Icover my short shorts up with a rotating billboard , the accidents will cease ,
Why do you hate us?
As one of the few in Newport News who cares enough about others to ride a bicycle as my primary transportation, I'm dismayed by the news that ANOTHER distraction from responsible driving is being hailed as a victory for anyone.
I understand y'all tell yourselves you're entitled to burn gas and talk & phones (I've lost track of how many times I've seen citizens using phones roll through red lights) and blast music that impairs your ability to hear sirens but to rationalize rolling billboards as a boon to anyone is dubious. It strikes me as misanthropic but then I'm one of the few who has to pay extra attention to you as you become more detached from the streets we share. Honestly, who is served and who will suffer?
City Council does the right thing...
City Councilmen Ron Villanueva and Bill DeSteph pulled their support together and presented a compromise to this situation and it showed that they do in fact want to support the small businesses in our city. I commend them and the others that voted to keep Admobile doing business in Virginia Beach. We need to support small businesses in this day and age and not find ways to alienate the City from them...These 2 councilmen will always have my vote as they have shown their support for AdMobile and help sway the rest of the voters to keep the company in our city...
Admobile's Victory
At last! This has been a long fight for Admobile and its owner Elaine Cayton. I would like to commend those on City Council who raised reasonable questions and concerns, and attempted to discuss this issue without bias. This issue was not just about billboards, Admobile or a Small Business victory over city government. It was also about how when you fight for what you believe in, and know in your heart you are doing the right thing, good things happen to good people. Congratulations Admobile! Job well done!