Election posters should be limited

I agree with Doug Lucey in the sentiments he expressed in his letter (June 2) "We need to curb election posters."

I ran as an independent candidate in the Galway City West Ward. I erected 100 posters but I was competing with candidates from the main political parties who had 300-400 posters as well as massive billboards erected at major traffic junctions. In fact one of the “worst offenders”, subsequently elected to office, promised that if elected he would seek to have election posters banned in the future. I will be watching that one closely into the future.

I like the idea of posters. As Mr Lucey states “posters are a means of gaining recognition, particularly for relatively unknown candidates.” I found that in going into estates the children all knew me simply based on my posters. If the children were talking about the poster boys and girls then the adults couldn’t help but be aware of the various candidates.

I suggest a limit be imposed on the amount of posters a candidate can erect. I wouldn’t go as far as what Mr Lucey suggests to confine them to certain areas.

Political posters are there during a 5 week window around elections. Let’s not throw out the baby with the bath water.

Tommy Roddy

Independent candidate

West Ward

Galway