Janet Nguyen's Freeway Sign

There's a brewing blog tempest over an Adopt-A-Highway sign on the 22 Freeway from Sup. Janet Nguyen. Gustavo Arellano first reported it on Navel Gazing, followed by Peggy Lowe at Total Buzz (it turns out Bill Campbell has one, too).

Here's the sign:

According to Dave Gilliard (Janet Nguyen's consultant), the sign was paid for with campaign funds. Now, since the kerfuffle over the inclusion of the City of Dana Point's official seal in the Dana Point Today newsletter, all of our consciousnesses have been raised regarding the use of copyrighted official logos in non-official or campaign activities.

In other words, can Supervisors Nguyen or Campbell use the county logo on an Adopt-A-Highway program sign if it is paid for with campaign funds? And while we're at it, how many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

I don't know the answer to either question. I just spoke with the Adopt-A-Highway contact person for District 12 (Orange County). She said the cost of a sign is free if it is black-and-white. If it includes color, the adopting organization or individual goes to an outside vendor, orders the sign and then Caltrans will install it.

Comments

Cost of the sign is free??? Then how does one adopt a freeway exactly? And how can it be paid for with campaign funds? And jubal asked a good question; can the County logo be used if it is paid for with campaign funds? Is the adopt a freeway program a one time fee or does the adoptor have to pay for ongoing maintenence of that stretch of highway? Anyone able to clarify these questions?

[David Michael]

Here is the CalTrans info booklet with application.

http://adopt-a-highway.dot.ca.gov/aah_brochure_bw.pdf

http://adopt-a-highway.dot.ca.gov/aah_permit_app_0607.pdf

Most "sponsors" hire a company to do the work for a fee, instead of using volunteers.

Based on my quick read, there is no fee to apply, but you must either do the work with volunteers (and the sponsor needs to buy insurance to protect the workers and the work done, or pay for a contractor that deals with the program.

http://www.adoptahighway.com/faqs.html

>>Q. Who maintains my adopted area?

A. AHMC will maintain your areas for you. There is no need for you to have to be out in your area picking up litter. We will take care of that for you.


Q. How much does the program cost?

A. Pricing varies for each market, depending on the location and service mandated by the Department of Transportation.<<

So let me get this straight; janet Nguyen put herslef on the hook to maintain a stretch of highway that is priced based on the amount of work that is needed to be done by a compnay that she contracts with?

Is this company a donor of hers? How often is this work to be done? Or is it on an as needed basis? I sense some insestuaous dealings going on here.

One last question, what are the limits of this particualr strecth of highway? From where does it begin and end? The project limits I mean. Does anyone know that answer?

[Flowerszzz]

As far as I understand Caltrans does the work or subcontracting for the work. In all actuality it is not a bad idea on her part.

[driver]

How much to contract with a tagger to deal with this sight pollution? But seriously, it is just another self serving move that does nothing to improve the quality of life for us in her district.