Mess of Signs at County Building Reportedly Had Message

Several dozen signs, advertising everything from blinds to furniture, were relocated from around town to the lawn in front of the county office building on Center Street over the weekend.

Michael Whitson, facilities manager for Carroll County, said earlier that he suspected kids were playing a prank, but the placing of the signs reportedly had a purpose.

"We chalk it up as the first week of school," Whitson said.

The county's public relations consultant Jim Simpson told Patch Tuesday that he had no idea how the signs got to the building location, though he noted it was unusual they were placed there.

A Carroll County Times article reports that Taneytown business owner Erich Bender, who said he had gotten fed up with the signs, collected them from around Westminster and relocated them to the front of the county office building. He sent an e-mail Monday morning to the Carroll County Department of Economic Development.

Whitson said he took down the signs Monday evening.

Correction: The title of Jim Simpson was inaccurately posted as Public Information Officer. Simpson's actual title is Public Relations Consultant.