Board Votes No On Neon

[Erik Sine]

By SUE McCLURE

Staff Writer

SPRING HILL — Put it in big letters, but not too bright, not blinking and not in "animatronics" — Spring Hill has officially pulled the plug on flashing neon signs.

After months of discussion by planning commissioners and aldermen, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to trip the circuit on the lights fantastic.

"We don't want Highway 31 to look like the Las Vegas strip," Mayor Danny Leverette said.

The sign ordinance amendment eliminates scrolling signs and signs that convey messages and animation in pulsing neon.

Sparking the sign controversy was an electronic "animatronics" sign at Campbell Station that drew criticism from residents for its brightness, animation and neon colors.

"The most complaints I've ever received were about that sign," Building Official Ferrell White said. "And they were very irate."

One person did speak to the board in favor of the electronic sign — Perry Coughlan, owner of Spring Hill Academy, a preschool in Campbell Station.

He told the board the sign was the only way people knew where his preschool was located. •

[krhussar]

You should try living in the UK were most don't give a toss these days. Most streets have litter thrown all over them in the city's making the tips look more homely at times.

Now - how does one emigrate?