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sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 14845
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 8:49 am: | 
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As ridiculous as this might sound, the MDMAS is apparently so desperate for new revenue sources that they are considering an ordinance that would allow local companies to hang banners on Town Hall in exchange for weekly or monthly fees.
In addition, they are going to look at allowing the selling of advertising space on a scrolling ticker at the bottom of the screen when the meetings are broadcast on Channel 35.
I have to say that I am appalled by this idea. There is no reason to cheapen the facade of Town Hall with banners for Kings. As far as the ticker goes, that's got to be the dumbest idea ever.
I can see it now:
This resolution brought to you by Whole Foods where our resolution is to bring you the freshest, healthiest produce possible
Sheesh.
I hope this is not true.
April Fools |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7111
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 9:06 am: |
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This truly sounds like a Sben satire. I hope so. |
sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 14847
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 9:08 am: |
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I wonder if Arturo has heard this. |
Nohero
Supporter
Username: Nohero
Post Number: 5275
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 9:13 am: |
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I couldn't believe it either, when I heard it. But, apparently, it's something that the State includes in its package of financial "advice" for municipalities. I understand that it will start with "public service message" ads, something like a Citizen Action ad campaign about energy-efficient light bulbs. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6119
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 9:31 am: |
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Over the last little while since I shot my second film in town here, I have been working on changing the ordinence regarding filming in Maplewood and so have had occasion to spend lots of time in the Township building. I have heard this as well, about the banners.
I have my designer in Seattle (he's the guy who did the poster for THE READER)
working on a Freshwater Films banner. Enough traffic passes along valley street to make it completely worth the investment. Somewhere I have the pamplet with the numbers. It isn't cheap that much I remember. When I find it, I will PDF it and post it out here.
Little stupid if you ask me, to do this, but as I get ready for the feature and the requisite fundraising name recognition is important. |
sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 14848
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 9:37 am: |
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Duncan,
You mean that this craziness has already reached the point where they've put out some numbers for prospective "clients"?
Is this even legal?
Nice poster BTW. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6120
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 9:43 am: |
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I don't know about legal...why wouldn't it be?
The ticker thing I thought about as well, believe it or not, but I thought that for the money they wanted, not enough people would be watching. I could spend almost as much to get an ad on local cable.
Like I said I am looking for the stuff they gave me last week. When I find it I will PDF it. |
sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 14849
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 9:47 am: |
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I wonder if they're going to start selling ad space on the Town's website too. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7116
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 9:56 am: |
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How will the town decide who gets to buy the space? If I see a sign for Pathmark, I will take it that there is a level of endorsement for Pathmark from the town.
Duncan, I realize that it is an incredible opportunity for people like you, but unless the town is officially endorsing a business (that would be an interesting battle), I am dead-set against it.
TV shows and movies that choose to do product placement are not owned by the community and can choose to promote-for-pay as they like. Not the buildings and infrastructures that I pay for. |
sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 14850
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 10:02 am: |
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Well it's a tradeoff: use advertising to (help) keep the buildings and infrastructure maintained without raising your taxes vs. having local government perceived as offering endorsements.
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sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 14851
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 10:13 am: |
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How do you think this ad would go over on the ticker while the MDMAS is discussing the B&B Ordinance:
Are you a weary traveler? Don't want to schlep over to Summit Tonight? Come and spend a relaxing evening at Les Saisons, soon to be Maplewood's first legal B&B |
Carl Thompson
Citizen
Username: Topcat
Post Number: 197
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 10:21 am: |
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Anybody out there suspect that the April 1st date has something to do with this topic? |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 2699
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 10:39 am: |
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putting advertisement on the building or the grounds is just wrong, tacky, & I'm sure it would be fugly.
What they could do though is to have the ad banners hung across the street (like the ones you occasionally see hung across Maplewood Ave. in the Village), or on the corner of the park at the road leading up to the train station. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 4923
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 10:56 am: |
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..."S", lets not forget that several years ago Les Saisons was Maplewood's first legal B&B!!!
On subject, lets all hope this month Maplewood will finally pass an ordinance to allow B&B's to provide much needed over night accommodations for the residents of our community.
BTW, I can think of a number of different ways the town can sell advertising space to local businesses, but using Town Hall is “NOT” one of them. For starters, how about the home run fence at Maplecrest Park, score boards at the schools and Underhill Field, and the Mapleleaf Quarterly Newsletter, just to name a few...
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greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7117
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 10:58 am: |
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Poop. Carl. Thanks for pointing that out. I haven't thought about Fool's Day in a gazillion years. |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 5398
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 11:05 am: |
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Sbenois Industries ought to get first crack at bidding for ad space. |
wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 2231
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 11:20 am: |
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It's always April 1 at Sbenois Industries - which makes for interesting accounting problems. |
Lucy
Supporter
Username: Lucy
Post Number: 3319
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 11:59 am: |
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I just noticed the advertisements while waiting in the DMV in Springfield. I thought to myself it is a captive audience. } |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7194
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 1:09 pm: |
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Why stop at advertisements when the town can charge a fee for endorsements?
For example: If a company is willing to supply the plant materials and landscaping for Town Hall (either for free or for a deeply discounted price) they get to named the official landscaper of the Township of Maplewood. As a bonus, they get to spell out their company logo in a plant arrangement on the Town Hall lawn.
Why stop at Town Hall? The police department is always in need of new vehicles. Hold a competitiion. Appoint an automobile supplier to the Township of Maplewood. In exchange for this designation, which the automobile company can use in its advertising campaigns here and abroad, the town gets free (or deeply discounted vehicles) and the company's advertising gets printed on the side of the police car right under the town's name.
This definitely has some real money making potential. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7122
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 1:14 pm: |
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FORD Security of Maplewood, NJ
Or, even better, each neighborhood could have a different sponsor, increasing the $$$:
Hilton Hummers
Maplecrest Mazda
Wyoming Winnebagos
"Home Depot" in peonies. |
sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 14852
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 1:36 pm: |
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MapleCrest Park where kids play ball with the whitest teeth and the freshest breath. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6121
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 1:38 pm: |
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My Adobe is all messed up I can't the scanned document to Print To so I can't post the PDF. Drat. |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2645
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 3:51 pm: |
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Why not just offer to rename the Town for a major corporation in return for full sponsorhip. No more taxes. The corporation foots the entire bill. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7198
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 4:32 pm: |
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Because that would be a one shot deal -- unless we elected to change the name of the town every year by adding a question to the balot in Novemnber. |
sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 14854
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 5:22 pm: |
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Why not just sell the whole town to a corporation, like Sbenois Engineering? We would then lease the houses back to the homeowners and cover your insurance as well. And if any of you are interested in working for us, or any of the divisions run by Dr. Stefano, we'd hire you on the spot and cover your medical and dental as a bonus.
Of course, I would like the town with an iron fist. Sort of like Stalin. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6123
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 5:35 pm: |
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Sbenois... I want the exclusive rights to the documentary of the take over when it happens. I think a three camera deal with Willem Dafoe doing the voice over and we have a hit. |
sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 14856
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 5:44 pm: |
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I don't need any cameras. I have the Eye in the Sky Program all ready to capture the whole thing.
Hey, how'd you like to be the Mayor? |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7123
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 6:30 pm: |
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Duncan - how will you film if you can't get a permit? |
kap
Citizen
Username: Kap
Post Number: 244
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 6:35 pm: |
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S:
Obvously the Eye in the Sky has been malfunctioning. Otherwise you have surely noticed that there is a "swoosh" on the roof of the municipal building, DPW and the Dehart Community Center. And the best part is that the associated revenue is not a one shot. The company has optioned the mark for the roof of any and all current and future town-owned property. And.... for additional revenue, (just about the cost of a turf field), we may sell naming rights to the new police station; but we're still mulling that over. (one of us really wants that for himself.) Oh, by the way, we're all living in Nike-town now.
kap
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Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6124
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 1, 2006 - 7:14 pm: |
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Permit shmermit. I had my lawyers look at the existing ordinence and if all equipment is on private property then it doesn't matter!
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Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7200
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 2, 2006 - 11:22 am: |
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Greenetree:
If it becomes Sbenois' town, doesn't he get to decide who gets the permits? |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7125
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 2, 2006 - 1:39 pm: |
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True enough. I just figured it might take him awhile to go thru all the present ordinances and figure out what he wants to keep/pitch. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7203
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 2, 2006 - 3:27 pm: |
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KAP:
Do those swosh have solar panels and if so is the electric power they will generate sufficient to get all three declared "green" buildings? |
kap
Citizen
Username: Kap
Post Number: 245
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 2, 2006 - 5:14 pm: |
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••••!! Wish we'd thought of that. We'll check into retrofitting in our next meeting.
kap |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9104
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Sunday, April 2, 2006 - 5:44 pm: |
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I hear the building will be moved 30' closer to Valley St. to make the ads more visible. |
sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 14863
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 2, 2006 - 5:57 pm: |
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That's ridiculous. I've decided to move Valley St. 30' closer to the building, not because the ads are going to be hard to see but because I am going to construct a 1573' high mountain on the edge of Sbenois Lake that will have four faces chiseled into its side. It's going to make Mt. Rushmore look like it was finished at Paintin' The Plates.
My image will be one. Dr. Stefano will have another.
Arturo will be the third and I was considering Wendy for the last one but I'm not sure my face could get along with her face for too long. |
wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 2240
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 2, 2006 - 7:10 pm: |
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Oh dear. A left handed compliment. Must be all the jokes from you I pretend to find so funny. You're right - our faces should just be shown in profile in constant bickering - perhaps in sand....or jello. Setting them in stone would be a total disaster. |
kap
Citizen
Username: Kap
Post Number: 246
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 2, 2006 - 9:08 pm: |
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Did you get a variance for that mountain? Any room for a cell tower on it?
kap |
wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 2241
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 2, 2006 - 9:16 pm: |
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Btw kap, not that you really should care (and that's why I respect you even when I disagree with you), you have gone up several notches in my book with your manifestly apparent sense of humor. |
kap
Citizen
Username: Kap
Post Number: 247
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 2, 2006 - 9:31 pm: |
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thanky
kap |
sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 14865
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 2, 2006 - 9:50 pm: |
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Wendy is jealous of you. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 4933
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 3, 2006 - 8:44 am: |
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...thanks "S", but now this raises a big problem of my image with or without my beard?
Speaking of beards, who else noticed that Tom Reingold was sporting a great looking beard Friday night at Las's B-Party? Looks good Tom, but I did notice one or two gray ones. Maybe it’s time for some JUST FOR MEN? 
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13374
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 3, 2006 - 3:37 pm: |
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Thanks, Art, but I like white hair. I need all I can get.
I suspect Township Hall could get the best advertising money if it auctioned out its space on ebay.
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