Advertisements displayed on the LED sign at Centennial Park has drawn criticism toward the City of Humboldt. (Liam Richards/The Canadian Press)

By Aaron Schulze

Humboldt LED Sign

Humboldt LED sign draws criticism for use

Aug 27, 2019 | 1:15 PM

The LED sign at Centennial Park is one of the brightest and largest attractions when drivers enter through the City of Humboldt’s west side.

Because of its noticeability, one Humboldt resident wrote city council about his displeasure of how the LED sign is used.

A letter written by Kenton Possberg was shown at the City of Humboldt’s council meeting on Monday, Aug. 27, suggesting the sign is being used more as an advertising billboard rather than making residents and visitors aware of events and activities in the city.

“I do not feel the city should be using its resources to compete with the private industry in any area, let alone advertising. That being said, if the city continues to provide allotted time on the sign for advertising, it should comprise no more than 50 per cent of viewable time,” Possberg said. “That way any current events or activities will have ample opportunity for display time – which is what the original purpose was. Let’s not forget that the sign was not only paid for by taxpayers of Humboldt, there were also donations given for this project as well.”

Possberg wrote the main reason for his letter was his displeasure with political advertising on the LED sign or any city property, especially negative campaign style advertisements. He called it an “embarrassment to the community.”

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“When you drive into a city and the first thing you see on an LED sign owned and operated civically that states negative political messaging, it does not leave you with a good first impression. And as a tax paying citizen in the City of Humboldt, it also does not leave me with a good impression,” he said.

A member of the press said during a post-council interview scrum with Mayor Rob Muench that a negative ad targeted toward Humboldt-Watrous MLA and Minister of Finance Donna Harpauer was on the LED sign.

Muench responded to the letter following the council meeting. He said contrary to what some in the City of Humboldt may think, the sign was put up as a public-private partnership with Fabmar Communications and they control the ad selling, while the public has some input on it.

However, Muench acknowledged there’s a perception that it is the City of Humboldt’s sign, as their logo is on top of it.

“We’re heading into a renewal of that sign,” Muench said. “We do have a bit of a veto in our original agreement that we can maybe make suggestions to them. We’ve all seen about how political ads can go astray, and we’re looking at a federal election coming up and municipal and provincial elections taking place next year. That’s something that council is going to have to consider, whether we want to allow political advertising on there.”

Muench said the question of whether the City of Humboldt is using their advertising time on the sign is being utilized properly will be asked to council and city staff following Possberg’s letter.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow