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Citizens concerned North Bay mayor’s tattered election billboard signs still hanging

'The billboards are privately owned and I have no say'
20190207al mcdonald sign
This is one of two Al McDonald billboard election signs that are torn but still standing on the Overpass and on Airport Road. Photo submitted.

It may be months after the municipal election has been complete but there are still signs of a fall election out there.  

Some concerned citizens pointed out that Mayor Al McDonald still has a pair of large election billboard signs located on Airport Road and the Overpass.

According to the Municipal Sign Election Act Bill 136, McDonald was required to remove all his election signage within three days after the end of the fall election, or could face a fine of $500.  

The professionally made signs created by TWG in North Bay, show Al McDonald standing in front of city hall with the slogan “Grow our city.”   

But now those large billboard signs are crumpled and torn.  McDonald told BayToday.ca he cannot do anything about it.

“The billboards are privately owned (out of town company) and I have no say,” said McDonald.   

“We rented them for 30 days only. I believe their policy is to replace them when the next company rents them.”

McDonald added that his understanding is that the company does not pay to have signs taken down unless a new ad is replacing it.   

“This is a common practice in this industry I understand,” added McDonald.

BayToday.ca contacted the city clerk to ask about the election sign situation and did not get a reply by publication time.  The bylaw enforcement officer or the city clerk would be responsible for fining McDonald.

The damaged signs are also leading to some ridicule on social media with one meme showing the McDonald billboard with the slogan “Grow our City through Growth Crippling Taxes.”

Another concerned citizen calls them, “the worst decrepit signs in the city.”


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Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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