Gulf Breeze bans electronic signs

No more electronic reader boards will be allowed in Gulf Breeze after the Gulf Breeze City Council narrowly approved a ban on them during a Sept. 20 meeting.

Councilmen Dana Morris and J.B. Schluter were opposed to the ban.

City Manager Edwin “Buz” Eddy said the ordinance amendment would prohibit future signs, grandfather in the existing signs and provide for repair and replacement of existing signs.

Before Council voted on the issue Steve Salter of Pace expressed opposition to the ban. Salter is the outside sales manager for Ellis Crane Services, which offers electronic reader board installation.

“The perception of some of the businesses in town is they’re questioning why the city approved an electronic message center and then shortly there after enacts a moratorium,” he said. “It’s almost like telling kids not to drink alcohol while you’re enjoying a gin and tonic.”

For more on this story, see the Sept. 29 issue of Navarre Press or subscribe online.