Pubdate: Wed, 01 Aug 2012
Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Maple Ridge News
Contact:  http://www.mapleridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328
Author: Monisha Martins

PITT MEADOWS BILLBOARD BONG AD TAKEN DOWN

Hali Stus admits she was rather shocked when she spotted the billboard.

Stopped at a traffic light on Lougheed Highway at Allen Way, she 
stared at it intently, realizing quickly, and much to her horror, it 
was advertising a bong.

"I made a mental note of it," says Stus.

The billboard for Hoss Glass was the second one she'd caught sight of 
that day. Stus saw the first one while driving through Port Coquitlam.

When she got home, she researched the company and fired off an e-mail 
complaint to the billboard owners, CBS Outdoors Canada.

"It's unacceptable," said Stus, who was more galled when she found 
out the City of Pitt Meadows was receiving revenue from sign.

"Seriously, is this what it's come to for advertising?"

Stus had yet to receive a reply from CBS Outdoors Canada, but 
noticed, shortly after her complaint, the billboard in Port Coquitlam 
was changed.

The one in Pitt Meadows has also since been removed.

Still, Stus believes the city should have criteria for what can or 
can't be advertised on the billboards, instead of responding only 
when someone complains.

"I think they should be more proactive than reactive," Stus said.

"As a society, we have enough challenges with the implications of 
drug addiction," said Stus, noting the billboard promotes and 
somewhat condones a device that's most often used to smoke illegal drugs.

Although most of the billboards along Lougheed Highway are on land 
owned by Canadian Pacific, the City of Pitt Meadows still receives 
around $135,000 annually in revenue from them.

Director of operations Laurie Darcus did not receive any other 
complaints about the billboard for Hoss Glass.

She said CBS is aware the city does not want offensive ads, but added 
that Pitt Meadows does not have a set criteria for what can be advertised.

Darcus said when the city receives a complaint, CBS usually takes 
down the advertisement.

The fact that Stus was the only person to complain about the 
billboard could point to Canada's increasingly liberal views on marijuana.

A poll conducted by Forum Research Inc., released earlier this year 
found 66 per cent of Canadians are in favour of the legalization or 
decriminalization of marijuana.

Pitt Meadows Mayor Deb Walters hadn't noticed the billboard, but is 
satisfied with the process the city has in place.

"I believe, based on the past track record with CBS Billboards, they 
do a good job providing appropriate ads and service," said Walters.

"I appreciate that everyone has the right to react and comment on 
what they deem is appropriate advertising. The city has responded to 
the complaint and taken necessary measures to forward their concerns 
to CBS Billboards. There maybe an odd item that slips through the 
cracks, but I am satisfied with the process in place at this time."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom