In the April 9 edition of the Southwest News-Herald, we asked readers what they thought about the miniature signs found below regular Stop signs in the village. The inscriptions are amusing and somewhat corny messages designed to get the attention of drivers.
The messages simply are reminders to driver to remember to stop at the Stop signs. The request for readers’ comments were in light of the Federal Highway Administration to take down the miniature messages because the can be a distraction, they state
But since this is Oak Lawn, even this debate over miniature Stop signs is dripping in controversy. Mayor Dave Heilmann suggests that the complaint can be traced to Springfield and implies that Trustee Jerry Hurckes (1st) is involved. For those readers unfamiliar with Oak Lawn politics, Hurckes is often at odds with the majority of the trustees on the board and has hinted that he may run for mayor.
Only in Oak Lawn can a political argument ensue over miniature messages that, quite frankly, are unique. Heilmann, who has a background in acting and still often produces and takes part in Oak Lawn Park District productions, came up with the ideas for the signs two years ago after complaints about drivers speeding through intersections or pausing only briefly at stop or yield signs.
Heilmann decided to use humor as a means to get the message across. The smaller signs were erected at a various well-traveled corners of the village. The messages range from “Who Goes There,” “Even When No One Is Looking,” Stop, In the Naaame of Love” and so on.
At the time, we gave it a positive review. It gathered a lot of publicity for the village after being written up in newspapers and featured in TV news reports across the country.
But now the Federal Highway Administration deems them a distraction. We think drivers talking on cell phones, eating and flipping through radio stations is more distracting than looking at messages below a stop sign. We don’t think they are distracting, but they do get your attention. That’s the point.
We felt our readers should be allowed to address this issue. If they had complaints our felt the signs were not appropriate, they should write us. However, some of our readers called instead and gave our operators and earful. We preferred they send us brief or more detailed explanations via our fax, e-mail or conventional mail.
The responses in unscientific survey was that most of the readers enjoyed the signs. One reader, who described herself only as Gail from Bridgeview, said she likes them.” It is about time that some of our government shows a sense of humor instead of complaining and crabbing about things. I think more people should quit complaining and for once in their lives just be happy with life. If you can’t be happy, then fake it. You never know, you may end up enjoying yourself and the little things in life,” Gail stated in an e-mail.
We think Gail makes a good point. Heilmann has stated that he will not take down the signs. We agree. We think those critics and the feds should lighten up.