Letter to the editor: Billboards & people's rights

Regarding the article “Billboard company calls Tarentum zoning ‘unconstitutional’” (July 10, TribLIVE): It’s important to note that when it comes to rights, it’s not only the billboard company’s that are at issue here. There is also the right of people of Tarentum to use zoning to help determine the scenic character of their community.

Numerous studies have shown that the presence of billboards in a community decreases property values and poses a driving safety hazard. The billboard company wants to place a billboard to take advantage of this community’s right of way — but unlike other Tarentum businesses, they will pay almost no local taxes when they benefit from it.

And what about parents’ right to shield their children from liquor and “gentlemen’s club” ads? Once a billboard goes up, the company that owns it gets to determine what is advertised — not the people who have to live in its shadow.

There are already plenty of billboards in Tarentum. This company is attempting to use a specious interpretation of Pennsylvania law to force yet another one on a community that doesn’t want it. What about their rights?

Mike Dawida

Carrick

The writer, a former Pennsylvania state representative and senator and Allegheny County commissioner, is executive director of Scenic Pittsburgh (www.scenicpittsburgh.org).