City aldermen look at signs and crosses

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen last week took its first official look at religious markers that have been turning the heads of travelers on US 287 for more than two years.

The discussion about 40 or more ten-foot crosses and more than a dozen four-foot by eight-foot religious signs was brought to the table at the October 14 city meeting by Alderman Sandy Skelton, who said he wanted the board to consider possibly adopting an ordinance to govern future signs and markers.

“I requested this issue to be placed on the agenda for discussion simply because of the strong feelings it has generated among city residents and visitors traveling through Clarendon,” Skelton told the board. “Some like the crosses and signs, and others say they over the top – too many signs and crosses – and that they send a message of intolerance toward other religions.”

Skelton went on to say that was not proposing anything be done about the signs and crosses that are currently existing, but that rules should be considered for the future. He also said he thinks most residents would agree that too many signs within the city limits with the same message is excessive and takes away from the attractiveness of the city.

City Secretary Machiel Covey noted that the city does have a sign ordinance. She said the rules were approved by the board of aldermen in 1995, are six pages long, and require a permit to be issued for all new signage in the city.

Jim Griffin, the man responsible for the signs and crosses, said he approached the city about any needed permits before installing them and was told by then city administrator Lambert Little that he did not need one.

Addressing the board, Griffin said he is a servant of Jesus Christ and that he doesn’t consider the cross to be a sign.

“It’s a symbol of Jesus’ love for you,” he said. “He shed his blood on that cross.”

Griffin said he has had nothing but positive feedback from travelers, and he said his mission is to witness to every person who comes through Clarendon.

Griffin also said he had no problem with rules governing signs and markers as long as the work he has done is grandfathered.

While Griffin has received only good comments, other travelers’ statements to the Clarendon Visitor Center and the Enterprise have reflected mixed reactions. Some people have liked the crosses, but others say the crosses and signage are too much and make the town look bad.

Aldermen took no action on the subject last Tuesday, and it’s not clear what – if anything – may be done in the future. City Hall said this week that officials have compared Clarendon’s sign ordinance to other cities’ and found the rules to be similar. The sign ordinance is not scheduled to be on next week’s agenda.

In other city business, the board discussed a “perpetual” garage sale that was going on for some time on US 287 and operated by Lynn Floyd. City officials said the sale should be cleaned up soon with the cooperation of the property owner, but an ordinance governing garage sales and limiting how long they can operate will be presented at the next meeting.

Aldermen also considered the date and frequency of the regular city meetings. Alderman Larry Jeffers, who was absent last week due to illness, has lobbied for reducing the number of regular city meetings from twice a month to once a month. But Alderman Skelton said he was not in favor of the idea.

“We don’t have a city manager, and we have so much to do,” Skelton said. “We have a full agenda every time, and I want to see us keep moving forward.”

The board took no action on the subject, choosing instead to wait until Jeffers could be present to discuss the matter further.

Alderman considered purchasing a street sweeper for the city and agreed to purchase one for an amount not to exceed $50,000. Mayor Larry Hicks had said he thought the city could get a used sweeper for about $35,000, but Alderman Doug Kidd said he was in favor of spending the money to get something good.