During the most recent meeting of the Rainsville City Council – Kay Guffey addressed the Council regarding the digital billboard installed by New South Outdoor in front of the Tom Bevel Center in Rainsville.

Ms. Guffey asked why the Council allowed the billboard without the knowledge of the citizens of Rainsville.  In reply, City Attorney Nikki Scott stated that the Council voted in Executive Session to hire a Constitutional Lawyer in order to obtain advice on the proper procedure in handling the request for the billboard.

The Council said they’d been playing “defense” since October of last year, in an effort to prevent the billboards.  The company – which they stated found a “loophole” in the Sign Ordinance – originally wanted five billboards across the City however the Mayor and Council agreed to not pursue a lawsuit if only two were placed.  A second billboard is expected to be placed on Highway 35. 

Ms. Guffey stated that other small towns and cities had fought against such billboards and had won and questioned why Rainsville did not fight against it. 

Councilmember Derek Rosson stated “This is not something I wanted, I don’t like it” he went on to tell Guffey that there was “A lot you don’t understand” and that “It is what it is” regarding the billboard issue. 

The next meeting of the Rainsville City Council is scheduled for July 19th with a work session beginning at 4:00pm and the regular session beginning at 4:30.

(Southern Torch/www.southerntorch.com)