I concur with the editorial “PennDOT should enforce right-of-way sign rules” (Jan. 21, TribLIVE). But the responsibility is not PennDOT alone, rather for municipalities to also keep their right-of-ways clear of litter and illegal signage that become an eyesore and a hazardous distraction for motorists.
I take exception to the comments, “It wasn’t English’s job to do this … despite being found not guilty, he wasn’t exactly in the right, either.” Further, “A random retiree in Murrysville shouldn’t be waging a war against the signs the state has designated off limits … .”
This “random retiree” is not a couch potato. Since PennDOT and the municipalities abrogate their responsibilities, I exercised my civic duty to clean what the state and local governments would not. Further, the state has not designated my civic duty as “off-limits.” This was not illegal or any different than those who “adopt a highway” and remove litter and illegal signage.
Yes, “What if PennDOT just enforced the rules it has regarding these signs?”
Maybe PennDOT, the Pennsylvania State Police and local governments should apply the $300 littering fine for what the late Sen. Jim Ferlo called “litter on a stick,” and for signage like “The Palace Theatre,” “Ryan Homes” and “We Buy Houses,” which could generate hundreds of millions of revenue, enough to reduce or eliminate the burdensome gas tax.
Finally, “Maybe English was not guilty of a crime.” It was not maybe; I was wrongfully persecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jackie Knupp, and my innocence was decided by a jury in less than 30 minutes.
Gary J. English
Murrysville