Andrew Jansen Photo -- Arnold city officials are looking for volunteers to remove snipe signs from poles.

ARNOLD: In an effort to clean up unwanted snipe signs around the city, Arnold city officials are looking to residents for help.
      Snipe signs are temporary signs or posters, such as those promoting local garage sales, affixed to a tree, fence or other permanent structure. Such signs attached to trees, telephone poles, public benches, street lights and those placed in any public right-of-way are prohibited in Arnold, but regulation of such prohibition is difficult.
      City Administrator Matt Unrein said the city is looking for a team of about half a dozen volunteers to travel around the city to take down such signs and clean up the poles and other structures used to support the signs. Officials would like the send the group out 2-3 times a month. With a solid amount of interest, the rotation would make the job a once a month commitment for each individual.
      The only requirements to serve in the group are a valid driver's license and ability to walk up to signs and physically pull them off poles or out of the ground.
      "This is perfect for any retiree who is mobile and looking for something to do," Unrein said.
      Some of the new black poles in the Arnold Commons development sport the remains of packing tape and duct tape that once held a snipe sign in place.
      "That's what really got me fired up about it," said Ward 2 Councilman Bill Moritz.
      He said the state of Delaware and municipalities such as West Palm Beach, Fla., have Web sites discouraging snipe signs. Some communities are taking steps to pass legislation banning their use.
      "Garage sale signs are fine," Moritz said. "It's not fine to destroy property or leave them up for weeks after it. Just be neighborly and take them down."
      Community Development is in charge of enforcing the sign code, and employees pull down snipe signs during daily travels throughout the city. However, no one person is dedicated to their removal.
      Mary Holden, director of Community Development, said the department would offer training to teach volunteers how to differentiate between snipe signs and valid signs.
      "This is something I think will make the community look better - if we just clean up after ourselves," Moritz said.
      For more information or to volunteer, contact the city at 636-296-2100.