Dear Editor:

On October 22, we celebrated the 48th year of the Highway Beautification Act (HBA) signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson. The HBA helped to unite a growing national movement to protect America the beautiful.

In the 1960s, Maine thankfully passed legislation to control outdoor advertising better known as “billboards.” Last March legislative bills were introduced in Augusta that would have negatively impacted Maine’s scenic landscape. Fortunately, citizens spoke out against changing the laws which control outdoor advertising and the bills were defeated.

Citizens of Boothbay are now being asked to vote for changes to Miscellaneous Zoning Ordinances which would definitely impact the scenic landscapes of the Boothbay region. If Question 4 is passed, tourists visiting our beautiful community along with all of us who live here will see a proliferation of much larger signs (64 square feet mounted up to 64 feet in height) along with the flashing and glowing signs that could be lit for 24 hours/7 days a week.

These changes distract drivers but more importantly the larger/glowing signs closer to the roadway will visually degrade the beauty of our Maine landscape.

As a gardener I strive to promote and preserve the landscape of Maine. Please join me and vote no on Question 4.

Kathleen Marty

Boothbay