Submitted by the Town of Friday Harbor

Due to the recent flurry of illegal flyer postings on town light poles, the Town of Friday Harbor must remind citizens that signs, posters, flyers, and any other objects may not be placed on light poles, benches, or other public property within the town without a permit per municipal code (Chapter 12.28 Private Use of Public Property). Each posting constitutes a civil infraction subject to a fine of $125, and each day is considered a separate violation.

According to Town Administrator Denice Kulseth, over the past several weeks the Town’s streets department crew has spent an inordinate amount of time removing flyers that have been taped and glued to street poles. “We understand the importance of the issues being posted and the passion of the people posting them,” said Kulseth. “But plastering public property with flyers is not an effective or appropriate way to promote their position.” She explained that, per municipal code, the Town is required to remove any posters and this pulls the crew away from their normal duties of sweeping streets, filling potholes, replacing street signs, cleaning catch basins, repairing fire hydrants, and other duties vital to safe travel.

Anyone with information regarding the perpetrators is asked to contact Town Hall at 360-378-2810 or the Sheriff’s Office at 360-378-4151.