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Denver bans new LED billboards

By Christopher N. Osher
The Denver Post

The Denver City Council on Monday unanimously banned new LED billboards in the city.

Denver's three existing LED billboards will be allowed to continue to operate. Other brightly lit signs, such as those atop some downtown buildings, also will continue because they were allowed under separate zoning codes.

The move to ban new LED billboards, which are electronically operated, drew praise from several residents who said they didn't want the nuisance of the bright signs disturbing the scenery of the city.

But Mike Freeborg, an assistant division manager with Young Electric Sign Co., said the council went too far and should instead consider regulating the LED billboards.

The LED issue arose after city officials pushed for a tweak to laws regulating the city's 550 standard billboards, in order to avoid litigation.

The city and billboard firms had clashed over the status of 11 billboards the city contended were out of technical compliance with city laws. The firms threatened litigation and complained that the laws governing the use of billboards was confusing and not clear-cut.

City officials decided to push for amendments to the city laws that would allow those noncomplying billboards to remain, instead of fighting the companies. Since then, two of those billboards have come down because the city widened Federal Boulevard.

About 150 of the city's billboards are in areas considered nonconforming. A nonconforming status does not automatically mean a billboard must come down. Billboards in nonconforming areas can continue as long as they aren't modified beyond a change to the advertising face.

Irving Oil to get Illuminated Signage made from Mustang Copolyester



Eastman Chemical Company and Plaskolite, Inc., announced today that their customer Transworld Signs has introduced illuminated, rigid, thermoformed signs made with Mustang copolyester sheet. The signs will be used at Irving Oil retail gas stations in the Canadian Maritime Provinces and the northeastern United States.

Mustang copolyester sheet, made by Plaskolite and with Eastman Tritan copolyester, is tough, heat- and weather-resistant, and available in clear and white. Mustang sheet made with Tritan also offers differentiated performance for sign companies, designers and brand owners because it is easy to fabricate and provides design flexibility.

"We needed a material that would provide an aesthetically pleasing sign, allow us to achieve the desired look and maintain consistency in Irving's brand image throughout its network," said Bill Kovacevic, vice president of research and development and product development for Transworld Signs. "By using Mustang copolyester sheet, we were able to develop a tough, long-lasting sign with high-quality designs and crisp details."

Transworld Signs also realized energy and cost savings by using Mustang copolyester sheet to develop the illuminated signs. Mustang copolyester sheet does not require drying and is thermoformed at lower temperatures. As a result, Transworld Signs was able to decrease cycle times and energy costs, as well as expand its design possibilities by incorporating intricate shapes and designs with lower tooling costs.

"Mustang copolyester sheet provides both a technically functional product that meets the demands of outdoor signage, as well as the forming capabilities to experiment with innovative design concepts that previously had been limited by material performance," Kovacevic said.

Plaskolite, Inc., a manufacturer of processed sheet products, is the exclusive North American manufacturer of Mustang copolyester sheet, the extruded plastic sheet made with Eastman Tritan copolyester.

Eastman Tritan copolyester also is used to manufacture products in the housewares, small appliances, reusable sports bottle, infant care and medical markets.

Edward Deaton, sign company owner

By Frederick N. Rasmussen
March 7, 2010



Edward Deaton, former co-owner of a Baltimore neon sign company, died Feb. 26 of pneumonia at Stella Maris Hospice in Timonium. He was 86.

Mr. Deaton, the son of farmers, was born and raised in Frozen Creek, Ky., where his parents also owned and operated a store.

He attended local public schools and moved to Baltimore in 1942 when he went to work for the Triangle Sign Co.

In 1948, Mr. Deaton and his partner, Bob Coufal, established Century Neon Sign Co., which they owned and operated until selling the business and retiring in 1989.

"They had all the contracts for signs for Coca-Cola and BP gas stations in Maryland, Washington and Northern Virginia, as well as Breyer's Ice Cream," said his daughter, Carolyn L. DeShaw of Bel Air.

"He also did the sign for the Bel-Loc Diner, which I drive by every day on my way to work," she said.

A former longtime Arbutus resident, Mr. Deaton had lived in Bel Air since 2002.

Mr. Deaton, who was known as "Mr. Ed," enjoyed fishing.

He was a member of the Bel Air Church of the Nazarene.

Services were held Monday.

Also surviving are his wife of 65 years, the former Gertrude F. Schneider; a grandson; and two great-grandchildren.

CITGO sign to be brighter and greener


By Sneha Basu

Published: Monday, March 1, 2010
Updated: Monday, March 1, 2010






Gracing Kenmore Square since 1965, Boston’s CITGO sign is being revamped.

Often placed in the same league as local landmarks Faneuil Hall and the Prudential Tower, the remodeled sign will feature new reliable LED units and better flash regulators, contributing to an overall brighter Boston skyline.

The renovation is expected to begin in early spring and last three months, according to a press release from Poyant Signs Account Executive Geoff Diehl, who is also a Republican candidate for state representative of the 7th Plymouth district.

Supervising the renovation will be Marty Foley, owner of Foley Electric and caretaker of the sign since its construction.

Poyant Signs, a New Bedford-based company that specializes in the construction and renovation of signs, is expected to perform the changes. In addition to new lights, the sign will receive a power-wash and installation of motion controllers.

“Advances in the technology and materials used to produce the new LED lighting make this the right time to adapt the sign and we are very excited to work on one of the more prominent features of the Boston skyline,” Diehl said in the press release.

“It comes at a time when, based on the challenges in the local economy, we can provide steady work for our installation crews assigned to the job,” Diehl said.

It will not be the first time the famous sign has undergone a renovation. LED lights were transplanted into the sign five years ago to replace neon tubing, which could not handle Boston’s notoriously dramatic weather, according to the press release.

In 1983 CITGO had even planned to demolish the sign, but after residents opposed the removal the Boston Landmarks Commission halted the move.

The double-faced 60 by 60-foot sign has been one of Boston’s most recognized symbols and has established itself in the city’s history.

“Ever since 1965, the CITGO sign has held a place deep in the hearts of Boston residents,” the CITGO website says. “Photographs of the sign appear on postcards, in newspapers, movies, books, tourism brochures and even in Life magazine.”

The sign is also a key reference points for students at Boston University’s Charles River Campus. Some students on Facebook who navigate around campus with the sign’s help even created a group called “The CITGO sign is my North Star.”

“It’s a nice landmark,” said College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Sylvia Lewin. “It’s nice to be able to see it when I’m coming back to the city.”

The landmark is also a telltale symbol and a sign of encouragement for Boston Marathon runners who pass by it in their annual race.

“I saw it in my 20th mile, looming like a pyramid above Kenmore Square. It gave me strength, and I knew the race’s end was near,” said one marathon runner on CITGO’s website.

The sign is featured prominently over the left field wall at Fenway Park and is seen by thousands of fans every game, both at the stadium and on television.

Still, not all Bostonians have an esteemed pride for the CITGO sign. Sarah Hemperley, who works for security in Shelton Hall said she thinks the red, blue and white lights are a waste of energy.

“It makes me think of what a waste the lights are,” she said. “Everybody wants to be green, yet [the sign] is quite the energy waster. Solar panels would make a huge difference. They would be so much better.”