Facts: Grand Jury Document

The Grand Jury's results are summarized in a document that is known as a Presentment. This recently unsealed document includes:

Factual Summary
Findings
Recommendations

The Presentment is six pages that were written with the layperson in mind, so don't be hesitant about reading it. Intriguing details are found throughout that aren't available in other sources.

Facts: Florida Statutes

This document contains Florida statues and it has been highlighted for readability.

Press Release: Citizens for a Scenic Florida

Citizens for a Scenic Florida's press release sums up the grand jury finding and calls for the following actions:

"1. FDOT take whatever action is necessary to hold Salter responsible for cutting down trees without legal permits. This includes monetary fines of $2.1 million and the surrender of at least 56 nonconforming billboard permits - as would have been required had the permits been legally granted.

2. FDOT engage in a thorough investigation to determine which agency officials were engaged in a cover-up of the debacle once it came to light, including existing employees. The investigation should include (a) the scheme to offer additional "training" to Wilks and his staff as a way to deflect attention from the fact FDOT District 3 Operations Director James Rodgers and/or others ordered Wilks to break the law, and (b) to determine specifically whether FDOT Assistant Secretary Kevin Thibault, Rodgers, 01' other higher-ups were involved in that scheme to deflect attention and whether the same was discussed in one more secret meetings in January 2010.

3. FDOT engage in a thorough internal investigation to determine why public records requests were not fully complied with by FDOT's Central and District 3 Offices, thereby (a) keeping secret key emails to/from Deputy Secretary Kevin Thibault exchanged in January 2009 and (b) keeping secret notes of a meeting that occurred in January 2010 involving Thibault and others. The investigation should include why the notes and the meeting itself were kept from a St. Pete Times investigative reporter who made an inquiry shortly after the meeting occurred.

4. Governor Scott investigate what roles FDOT's current leadership played in this debacle and in any subsequent cover-up(s)."

Letters: Governor and FDOT Urged to Take Specific Actions

In addition to the recommendations section of the Grand Jury Presentment (see document above), Citizens for a Scenic Florida has delivered letters to government officials urging action.

Photo: Scenic Miami-Dade

Miami:

Another New Proposal For Commercial Ads On City Property

ANY city owned property could be available for advertising

"In a proposed ordinance up for first reading this week, justified by ‘dire economic conditions,’ the City of Miami Commission would allow internally lighted signs on any city-owned property in which at least 1000 patrons can assemble.

There is no indication of which buildings qualify. There are no standards of size or number of signs or letters. There are no standards of distancing from other signs, residential properties or highways. There is no standard of illumination, no indication whether to be free-standing or attached, and no requirement that message pertain to venue.

This is an open-ended business deal with the outdoor advertising industry which potentially dramatically increases illuminated LED billboards in the city, probably causing another amendment to the questionable settlement agreements with the billboard companies.

A sign would be proposed and the City Manager or his designee would permit with no public input..."

Barbara Bisno, an attorney associated with Scenic Miami-Dade, says "This is, of course, illegal under the County Code which provides 10 conditions for programmable signs and other standards having to do with whether a sign advertises on site goods and services, etc. "

-- Scenic Miami-Dade Website

Photo: WXOW.com

The Nation:

Referendum in WI

National Overview of Billboard Wars

La Crosse Wisconsin: "Council puts billboard regulations on the ballot"

"The La Crosse City Council voted to put two questions regarding billboards onto the April ballot on Thursday night...

Billboards Vs. Democracy: "Billboard corporations use money and influence to override your vote"

It's a pattern in many Western communities. For people who think government has a role in protecting viewsheds and aesthetics, billboards are like unsightly weeds popping up in the cracks of land-use regulations. Many cities, including Salt Lake, are trying to impose tougher regulations, either banning billboards altogether or instituting "cap-and-reduce" programs that limit the total number of signs and then reduce it over time. Understandably, the billboard companies generally oppose regulations, arguing that their property rights are being violated. The issue has sparked many court battles, and state legislatures have become another kind of battlefield. Billboard companies work hard to persuade legislatures to pass laws that override local regulations; in return, the companies donate to political campaigns and run ads for politicians on billboards.

Many industries and businesses struggle with regulations, of course. But the underlying issue seems especially clear for billboards. The battle isn't really about aesthetics, or whether billboards constitute an acceptable instrument of commerce. At its core, the issue concerns corporate power and its influence over all the forms of local democracy -- city and county governments and ballot measures passed by voters. Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, a former Grand Canyon National Park seasonal ranger with degrees in law and planning, says simply: "I've never liked billboards. It's an incredibly aggressive industry."

-- Ray Ring, High Country News