THE ISSUE
Some merchants in Lemont place signs advertising their businesses on public parkways.

OUR VIEW
The rules governing who may place signs on parkways and when they may do so must be enforced.

SPEAK UP
Should signs promoting the services of specific businesses be allowed on public parkways? Tell us what you think of this by leaving a comment below. You can also e-mail your comment here. Or leave a voice message at (630) 368-8882.

In a tough economy, it’s understandable that businesses will try to find any advantage they can in getting noticed.

So, it’s little surprise that some merchants in Lemont have placed advertisements on public parkways to promote their services. They believe doing this helps bring in customers. Who would argue against that?

But the practice is prohibited in Lemont, and many people view the parkway signs as an eyesore. Although the village makes occasional exceptions for special events, merchants should not be placing advertisements on public parkways, according to code.

A man who offers landscaping services said he puts signs up on parkways because senior citizens frequently hire him. He said seniors, “Don’t know how to contact people, and they see the signs going to the grocery store and call me.”

Come on, now. If seniors can read a sign on a parkway on their way to the grocery, they can read a bulletin board at the grocery promoting local services. And, by the way, they also can read a classified ad in the local newspaper.

We don’t wish to create a climate that’s more inhospitable to merchants, but the village rule on this matter should be enforced. If signs on public parkways are allowed only with permission from the village — and then only under special circumstances — people putting the signs up in these areas should seek the necessary authorization. Chances are, they’ll be turned down, but that’s the risk they take.

Signs on private property are one thing. The village has limited control over how signs can be displayed there, and that’s a good thing.

But public parkways are no place for merchants to be hawking their wares. If one sign is permitted on a public parkway, everyone’s signs must be allowed. Talk about an eyesore.

It has been a tough season for businesses, and their survival is crucial to a thriving community. But parkways are owned by the public and should not be used to promote private interests. The village has a rule on this matter, and adhering to it is everyone’s responsibility.