Billboard Solution

I hate billboards. They’re an eyesore, and Tampa has way too many of them.

But, they’re not going anywhere soon, and the Tampa City Council has a decision to make Thursday about whether to allow an increase in the number of digital billboards in the city. This increase in digital billboards is part of a settlement that also requires the removal of some billboards in “view corridors.”

My suggestion is to vote yes, but to add the caveat that public service information, as well as art, be a part of the digital billboard rotation.

Some day we’ll learn to value not having every square inch of our lives commercialized, but until that time, perhaps we can encourage CBS and Clear Channel to give back a little to the community that’s giving them access so many eyeballs.

Wayne Garcia has more.

The Trib on Thursday’s vote.

The Trib on the settlement reached a few weeks ago.