As this year’s political cycle moved to its end, it appeared to me that roadside/yard signs once again were blooming everywhere just like dandelions in the springtime.

And, if the number of letters to the editors and by-lined articles in the local press about political signs in the past few weeks are any indicator, it appears that such signs had become a hot button issue for many people.

Nothing about that is new I guess except, perhaps, that the sheer number of signs in our just-completed election grew a lot as a result of the fact that there were two candidates running for each of the four City Council positions.

Plus, an unanticipated change in the occupant of the North Kitsap County Commissioner’s position required that an election also had to be held for that position.

Nonetheless, those signs, plus those of the candidates for other various island and county positions and statewide initiatives left me feeling that my eyes were being assaulted.

So, I want to offer a proposal for consideration by my island neighbors and friends as well as our local council members that might reduce this political cycle visual assault in the future on Bainbridge Island without impinging, I hope, on anyone’s rights to freedom of speech:

Political candidate and/or issue signs may be placed on private property but may not be placed anywhere on public property including along the sides of and/or in public road rights of way.

And, just in case you think this is a joke, let me assure you that I’m not kidding!

Ed Kushner, Bainbridge Island