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5| W aterloo C hronicle | T hursday,A pril 5,2018 w aterloochronicle.ca Catch a Great Deal! Browse our inventory of vehicles by Body Style, popular Makes and Models, Province, popular Cities or by Price. Whatever path you choose, you will find the right car, in the right location, for the right price! Right Choice{ }CarPlacePrice Find what you're looking for, in the location you want, for the price you want to pay! } 85 BRIDGEPORT RD. E. WATERLOO (Across from the Bridgeport Rd. Plaza) Since 1971 519-893-8118 MON., TUES., WED. 10 AM - 6 PM THURS., FRI. 10 AM - 8 PM SATURDAY 9 AM - 5 PM SUNDAY 12 PM - 4 PM Furniture & Mattresses Since 1971 LOFTY IDEAS FOr SMALL SPACES NEED HELP DOWNSIZING? DISCOvEr Our CLASSIC, CONTEMPOrArY AND TrANSITIONAL STYLES FOr ANY SIZE SPACE The sea of election signs on regional roads may be a thing of the past with new rules implemented by the Region of Waterloo. Councillors agreed to a number of changes to the election signs and others sign bylaw, including an in- creased setback from inter- sections and a minimum distance between signs. The moves are expected to level the playing field for candidates and create a saf- er situation for drivers. While a public input sur- vey voted overwhelmingly in favour of having election signs at least three metres apart, some members of council found the distance too limiting, especially if there is not much space to place signs. "It makes it difficult for nonincumbents when we make more and more rules for people to put their signs up in places," said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. Eventually, council agreed upon a minimum distance of one metre be- tween signs. If two signs are found to be within the one- metre distance, both elec- tion campaigns will be noti- fied and told to move their signs. If they are not re- moved within two hours, by- law officers will remove them. North Dumfries Mayor Sue Foxton told council that in the previous election, she had "just about every dirty trick" played on her and she supports the new rules. Regional chair Ken Seil- ing said placement of signs directly in front of those of other candidates' has been in issue in the past. "There are people out there who come and plant a sign directly in front of an- other candidate's sign. We're not going to mention any names, but that has happened," said Seiling. The minimum distance signs can be placed from in- tersections was agreed up- on at 30 metres, meaning any signs placed closer are liable to be removed by by- law officers. The distance was previ- ously 10 metres and the change was brought in to not only improve sightlines for motorists, but do away with clumping of signage right at the intersection. In the bylaw, candidates are also limited to only one sign in between intersec- tions along regional roads. Council also agreed that election signs cannot be placed within 100 metres of a roundabout as measured from the outer edge of any crosswalk. Another minor change is the prohibition of using metal spikes to install signs. According to Angelo Apfel- baum, the region's manager of licensing and enforce- ment, some large metal spikes can cause issues with underground infrastruc- ture. In Waterloo, election signs are not permitted on public property. In Cambridge, municipal election signs are permitted on public property that is not parkland. In Kitchener, election signs are not permitted on public property without the permission of the city clerk. The changes to the sign bylaw will not affect signs placed on private property. Seiling expects the new regulations to half the amount of election signs on regional roads by this June's provincial election. NEWS Sea of election signs may be a distant memory with new rules ADAM JACKSON ajackson@waterloochronicle.ca A Doug Craig election sign hangs on a railway bridge overpass on Franklin Boulevard, south of Clyde Road in Cambridge in 2010. Waterloo Region Record file photo