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Village council shuts down billboard plan
Would land in the village of Urbancrest be an idyllic place for a billboard? Tom Giesken, owner of Giesken Outdoor Advertising, thinks it would be. At the Nov. 6 council meeting, Giesken proposed erecting a billboard in the open parcel adjacent to the car wash on Broadway. Giesken said he leases billboard space to businesses such as car dealerships, restaurants, retail stores, banks and fitness clubs. He said since starting his business in 2000, he has never accepted any obscene, offensive or sexually provocative signs to be shown on the billboards. “I’m careful as to who I do business with,” he said. Giesken told council the billboard would be a good investment to the village as it would bring in money from variance fees and property taxes. Council members, however, did not express favor in the billboard idea. S. Henry Warr said he was more interested in the beautification of the area and didn’t think the placement of a billboard and its advertisements would fit that bill. Kenneth Skeaton agreed with that sentiment and said the village is more interested in bringing jobs and revenue to the vacant space. He said several companies have expressed interest in the location. Mayor Joseph Barnes Sr. also said he didn’t believe the billboard placement would be a fit for the village. “We have a plan set forth for the frontage of the community and a billboard is not in those plans,” he said. Barnes said they want something in that space that would help develop and stabilize the community. The village said that while they appreciate the interest from Giesken, they are not willing to go forward with the billboard installation plans.
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