Pubdate: Thu, 31 Dec 2015
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2015 The StarPhoenix
Contact:  http://thestarphoenix.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Morgan Modjeski
Page: A10

CITY WORKERS REMOVING STICKERS TARGETING MAYOR

Stickers bearing Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison's name and the City of
Saskatoon logo are being actively removed from surfaces throughout the
city's downtown.

Richard Brown, Atchison's spokesman, said there is no connection
between the mayor's office and the stickers, which read: "Don Atchison
for a drug and gay free Saskatoon," and appear with the green City of
Saskatoon logo.

Brown would not comment further on the stickers.

According to a statement issued by the city, the stickers were first
noticed in mid-December and have appeared in the downtown area and on
parking pay stations on several occasions.

As a result, bylaw inspectors have been removing the stickers, and
will continue to remove them as they appear.

"We have been treating this situation similar to the process outlined
in the Graffiti Section of the Saskatoon Property Maintenance and
Nuisance Abatement Bylaw," the statement said.

"In this Bylaw, 'graffiti' means any drawing, inscription, writing or
other mark that disfigures or defaces any building, accessory
building, fence or other structure, however made, or otherwise affixed."

Several downtown pedestrians on Wednesday said they had never noticed
the stickers. Erin Romanyshyn, who saw a photo of one, said she
wouldn't have been fooled into thinking it was official material.

"It's 2015 and we just don't say those kind of things in public. No
one does," she said, adding it's a "good idea" for the city to remove
the stickers.

While she wasn't fooled, Romanyshyn said it's possible someone could
mistake it for a legitimate message, which could be harmful.

"I suppose they could create the impression that it's OK to say those
kinds of things," she said.

City staff said police have been made aware of the stickers.
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MAP posted-by: Matt