Some mayoral candidates perform high-wire act

07:17 PM CDT on Thursday, September 18, 2003

By Natasha Ghoneim / 11 News

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HOUSTON -- It's a sign of the times. We've all seen them. Campaign signs seem to be everywhere in hopes of grabbing our attention before the November election.

But it's where some of the mayoral candidate signs are posted that has electric crews taking notice.

KHOU Electric company crews aren't thrilled about having to remove the signs.

As you'll see, they've been put up, way up, high on utility poles.

Rick Hurt is a blight buster, and during campaign season he's in overdrive.

But he doesn't dare use his tree trimmer to remove signs illegally plastered on utility poles.

“These people are running for public office. They will be writing and enforcing laws and they should be obeying the laws,” Hurt says.

City ordinance prohibits posting signs on utility poles, traffic lights, and trees -- anything in the right of way. The fine is up to $500 a day for each sign. There is also a state law as well and ironically, it's printed on this campaign sign.

More importantly, signs like these hanging on utility poles are dangerous.

Only specially trained crews can remove signs within 10 feet of power lines.

Centerpoint Energy has already removed an Orlando Sanchez sign, but 11 News found several more along the Hwy. 59 feeder roads.

"With over a thousand volunteers in the campaign we don't have control over each and every one of them," said mayoral candidate Orlando Sanchez during a recent forum. "We put out memos and remind them signs are only to be posted in private businesses and where homeowners requested it."

These signs may be out of reach for Hurt, his fellow blight busters and even vandals.

But is it worth the risk of electrocution?