Strict Marianna Sign Ordinance Deemed "Unfriendly to Business"

Many local businesses have had problems with city officials over strict sign codes.

by Sid Riley

Balloons were flying in a festive spirit over the sale that was going on at Pforte Motors this weekend…..until our city code officials saw them. Balloons are outlawed by Marianna’s strict sign ordinances.

Bob Pforte was given five days to remove the flags and balloons or he would incur a $500 per day fine and up to sixty days in jail for violation of the ordinance in a letter sent by Jack Barwick, city code enforcer. Barwick was only following the letter of the law as required by his job.

With a deflated spirit, Bob Pforte Motors reluctantly removed their balloons on Saturday evening. They yielded to the power of the city code officials.

Many local businesses have run amiss these sign regulations, including Zaxby’s, Merle Norman, Captain D’s, Habana, Raggedy Ann Child Care, the now out of business P.C. Oak and Brass, the Veranda Gift Shop, local realtors, the sign benches that used to provide seating at many city corner locations, and many others. Business owners often are heard complaining that the ordinance reflects a general attitude of the city being "unfriendly to business".

The ordinance was enacted during the tenure of City Manager Harold Emrich during the mid 1990’s. Mr. Emrich sponsored the adoption of the ordinance now in use.

The Jackson County Times has been informed that the ordinance was initially copied from the ordinance then used by Destin, Florida. It will not allow any sidewalk posters or temporary signs, any sign with any moving features, balloons, flags other than official U.S. Flags, any flashing lights, any computerized changing multi-user signs, or sidewalk "A" frame, portable billboards. City and government agencies are exempted from the ordinance.

Many local merchants feel the existing rules are outdated and too strict in application. They agree that controls over signs are appropriate in order to eliminate signs that restrict view of traffic, are unattractive and crude, or are very large and abusive. However, they feel the city has gone overboard in it’s application of controls.