Mike Draper, Windsor Heights

Letter to the Editor

In the Aug. 21 thistle, "Avoid Windsor Heights sign police," The Register quickly glossed over what is an interesting free speech issue.

The Register said, "If the city doesn’t resolve the matter and promise to avoid future violations of free speech, we all should steer clear of the suburb.” The claim that the city has violated free speech has not been legally proven. It’s based on a letter from the ACLU, based on a resident’s complaint about the city’s sign ordinance.

The issue: Does a city have a right to regulate the size of signs, even political?

Windsor Heights has dozens of small “No Sidewalk” signs. They have adorned yards for more than 400 days. The city has held over 10 public meetings where people could come and comment on the issue of sidewalks.

Then the city removed one large banner about sidewalks. Is that a fundamental violation of free speech? I don’t think so.

Iowa regulates the size of billboards along I-80. Will visitors “steer clear” of Iowa because of these free speech violations that are, apparently, so flagrantly obvious to the Register editorial staff?

Windsor Heights is a thriving city with phenomenal public schools and a better ratio of public transit-and-trails to people than most cities in Iowa.

The city is making large strides when it comes to walkability, livability, and is the only official “Welcoming City" in all of Iowa. That is thanks to a city council that listens, and that respects the rights of all residents, not just those with the largest signs.

— Mike Draper, Windsor Heights