Mystery solved
You may remember that last week we here at Scoop were working on a little mystery and asked for your help.
We were trying to find out who was putting up signs around town urging folks to vote against pro-billboard commissioners and who, among those running, might be considered "pro-billboard."
Well, mystery solved, no thanks to you cyber-slackers. In fact, Scoop's usually reliable networks of spies, wonks, pols, ne'er-do-wells and other various government types came up dry most of the week.
Oddly enough, it was a clue on the News & Record's letters page that led us to the source.
Marsh Prause, a lawyer who lives in the Westerwood neighborhood, wrote a letter (second one down, while the link lasts) that mirrored the sentiment on the sign.
Prause isn't the sign-maker, but knew who was.
For the answer, check out the second item in Monday's Inside Scoop column in the paper.
Can't wait? Fine. Here's an early draft of the item in question:
We here at Scoop have solved a little mystery that's been plaguing us all week. On Monday, we started to notice black-and-white signs popping up all over town that read:
"VOTE OUT PRO-BILLBOARD COMMISSIONERS on NOVEMBER 2nd."
They didn't give any hint who the author was or who might be considered "pro-billboard."
Well, after many phone calls and a little luck, we found Gail Feddish, private citizen and sign-maker extraordinaire.
"I'm not interested in having billboards on the scenic corridor," Feddish said Friday.
She was opposed to a vote the county commissioners took in the Spring that was widely interpreted as allowing billboards on the urban loop. The issue has been a topic of intense debate for a while.
Feddish says she is aiming her ire at the eight commissioners who voted for the rezoning case in question, especially those appearing on the ballot this year, including: Melvin "Skip" Alston, Mike Barber, Jeff Thigpen, Trudy Wade and Billy Yow.
"I'm trying to influence these people, I'm trying to influence voters and I'm trying to influence future candidates," Feddish said.
She may be a bit late for this year. Yow and Alston are virtually guaranteed re-election because they don't face opponents. Thigpen is in a race for Register of Deeds, a race where billboards aren't likely to be an issue. And Wade and Barber aren't in commissioner races where billboards are a big issue or where their opponents are likely to be any more anti-billboard than they are.
"I may be completely wasting my time and resources, but it makes me feel better," she said.
Comments (4)
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Gail - It's the thought that counts.
Posted on October 24, 2004 8:28 PM
At least Gale is trying, something most people are too lazy to care about might someday become a big issue.
Posted on October 24, 2004 9:31 PM
I am glad to know the name of the lawbreaker who tacks hand-lettered political signs onto utility poles and in public right-of-way areas. I have seen them along the roads in Greensboro. I am offended by these illegal hand-lettered signs flapping in the breeze. I am not offended by nicely constructed, tastefully designed outdoor advertising placed legally with proper setbacks.
Some people get carried away by minor issues and forget the important things in life. This might be one of those times.
Posted on October 25, 2004 10:34 AM
Good job Holmes! A Feddish with a fetish was the answer to the mystery.
I do have to confirm that a Capo or Winstead victory over Barber is not going to cut the billboards down on our "scenic" concrete and steel highway around the city.
Posted on October 25, 2004 9:19 PM