Blogfinger

The notice above was sent to us from Neptune Township.  The source is actually  JCP&L.  In addition it references state law.  But Neptune Twp. has its own rules about this topic, but those were not  included in this mailing.

The garage sale permits that you buy at the Municipal Building  have the Neptune rules about this on the back. Below is our observation about this from a prior BF post:     http://blogfinger.net/2012/05/01/yard-sale-101-chapter-one-getting-a-permit-and-promoting-your-event/

“If you put a sign or flyer on a telephone pole, the fine is “up to $1,000.00.” We don’t know what “up to” means, so you had better keep the big number in mind. The next section makes it clear that you cannot post notices of any type on “any structure, fence, rock etc.” The “etc. is mine; you need to go down there to read the entire ordinance if you want to know all the details.”

“Additionally, no signs may be placed in the ground. It sounds like you may have to use your imagination to promote your sale. I wonder if the realtors posting open houses know these rules. We suggest hanging your virtual sign for free on Blogfinger. Or you can pay for an ad in the APP or hang a banner from an airplane. You can consult your lawyer to find out if you can post flyers on your own house. Or, as our neighbor did, stand a sign on an upside down garbage can. Send us your ideas for posting signs without risking a fine.”

So the local rules are more stringent than the JCP&L/state  rules, but, of course, all they care about are their utility poles. For the Neptune rules, there has been no enforcement, as far as I know.    I have a photo from last Saturday showing two yard sale signs up on a telephone pole along with a pink ribbon bow that has not been removed even though it was supposed to up for May only.  Maybe the pink bows will mate with the yard sale signs and produce pink signs.  Another yard sale sign was attached to a tree.  And this was only within two blocks of each other.

I actually liked the past practice of putting yard sale signs up around town so everyone can see where the sales are. It’s a funky thing—like Tom C. said about quirky things around that give a town character.  So my beef is not the signs themselves, but the existence of rules that are not enforced.  And , in this case, rules that come from different sources and which are confusing.  Let’s bring back the practice of sticking those yard sale signs on the poles–it’s great fun.  And while we’re at it, let’s request that the garage sale permits be abolished.

Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger