Tonite my sharkish friend and I removed two pickup loads from the streets in and near Ocala. Last Mon. it was only a single. Two of the loads were properly disposed of in the city hall dumpster.

Join us for a clean Marion County.

Congratulations on a big haul. Also, welcome to the CAUSS forum.

Newbie (not)

Do you need any help in Ocala/Marion county area? Let me know - this sort of organized mass removal is something I'd love to assist. My car seats are scarred by all the metal wires I've collected.

We always need help in Ocala-Marion County. You should call your elected County officials and complain about the lack of effort by the County CE in this area. For example, Nuby's Corner on Hw 40 East. I have called and called Sam Lucky's office (the CE director) and nothing seems to happen. I have personally pulled dozens of signs from that corner, and they reappear each morning.

The City CE is undergoing an evaluation and perhaps putting it under the police department.

In the meantime, keep pulling. We are making progress.

Nuby's corner, SR40 and 314 - this is an area where I'm familiar - near Marshall Swamp and the FNST - because I do a lot of Leave-no-trace hiking. Unfortunately I actually live much farther south and only go past Nuby's corner once every 2 months at most, probably once every 6 months at least. Signs are being picked up along 484 and 200 around the new Sprawl-mart, and some of Ocala proper for the last 6 months - roughly a thousand signs total with runs about once a week on average.

I can tell you that two truckloads is about what the local spammer "Investor seeks apprentice" has put out. I've seen a car with a magnetic advertisement stating same. I've seen these signs deployed and followed not-closely behind to undeploy them. If anyone requires CE's attention, it's that guy. If I only had a truck, it would be much easier.

Disposal is a large problem, too. My first question to the CE's should be "Where do these signs need to go?". I've been staking groups of signs for roadside cleanup, the way I was asked to do the political signs.

Glad to know someone else is out there, and I've seen signs vanish that I've mentally marked for removal - so I know someone else is out there doing the good work sometimes before I get a chance. Please send me hints, tips, and CE contact information so I can try to equal your efforts somehow.

" Please send me hints, tips, and CE contact information so I can try to equal your efforts somehow."

The County CE chief is Sam Lucky. He talks a nice job, but concentrates on dangerous dogs. The others in his office are semi interested in doing things that approach concern. I suggest you start with the County Commissioner asking why these signs are not being addressed in a routine manner. The county does not have in place an ordinance which addresses these signs effectively. For reasons that are indelicate to discuss publicly, I have limited ability to deal with the county government.

The city is considering revamping its ordinances to allow for Jacksonville type citation to be issued. Stay tuned for late January.

I also have seen a car that is occupied by someone stupid enuff to hhave an investor magnetic sign. I tried to get his tag#, but was unsuccessful. It was my hope to locate him, and deposit his signs, appropriatly shredded, in his yard. If you get a tag#, post it here and I will see what I can find out. I saw a purple Chrysler type convertable.

"I saw a purple Chrysler type ."

I concur. I also missed the tag and driver, because by the time I turned around in the parking lot, the car was gone. I had my camera ready, too. I casually asked someone at the State Attorney's office if the environmental crimes department would prosecute on the basis of littering, but got no firm response. The signs have diminished somewhat, but anyone can call the State Attorney's office, Public Interest Unit, and ask for a PIU general complaint form to be sent.
Attach all information to form. If you find witnesses who can describe the person placing the signs, add their contact information to the form, also. The more evidence and information, the better the chance an investigation will yield enough material for the state to initiate a court case. If that doesn't happen, then the investigation by State Attorney and the letter that often proceeds it will help to motivate the spammer to decrease spamming efforts.

Fifth Judicial Circuit
covers five-county area (352 area code):
Citrus 341-6670,
Hernando 754-4255,
Lake 742-4236,
Sumter 793-0285, and
Marion 620-3800

"Investor seeks apprentice" is the first spammer to have more than one hundred signs pulled by me personally. If I ever get more information, I'll certainly make it publicly available.