Residents urge limits on post-election campaign signs; city leaders celebrate police accreditation

Two residents spoke during the public-comment period on Jan. 14 urging the council to address campaign signs that remain displayed after elections.

Tom Caywood (185 S. Court) asked the council to consider a local ordinance specifying how long temporary campaign signs may remain after election day and cited examples from other Wisconsin cities (Madison, La Crosse, Marshfield, Lancaster) that set timeframes or permit limits. "Once the election's over, take the signs down," Caywood said, asking the council to consider periods such as five, seven or ten days after the election.

Lana Kaywood (185 S. Court) supported Caywood and asked the council to consider enforcement of state statute or adoption of a local ordinance, saying that post-election signs "do nothing to unite this community."

Earlier in the meeting, Cathy Kopp introduced Chief Doug McKinley and police personnel to mark the department's receipt of a three-year accreditation from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group. Chief McKinley described accreditation as proof the department meets hundreds of standards and said it signals adherence to best practices and reduced liability. "What that actually means is we're in line with the best practices, state, federal law, case law throughout the state of Wisconsin," he said.

Councilors asked staff about follow-up steps for the sign requests; staff indicated the request would be directed to the appropriate department for consideration and possible ordinance drafting or enforcement review.