NATIONAL CITY – The city attorney is trying to determine how much to fine mayoral candidate Pearl Quiñones, whose campaign billboard violates a city sign ordinance.
The city's municipal code states that no campaign signs can be larger than 32 square feet, meaning a maximum of 4 feet by 8 feet. Quiñones' billboard measures 14 feet by 48 feet, or 672 square feet.
The billboard at East 30th Street and Highland Avenue was posted Oct. 16 and urges residents to vote for Quiñones on Tuesday. City code enforcement officials asked her to remove the billboard last month, but she refused.
City Attorney George Eiser said this week he hasn't decided how much to fine Quiñones, who spent $5,000 on the advertisement. Eiser said the first infraction carries a $100 fine and can increase from there.
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National City mayoral race
The five mayoral candidates have posted signs all around the city. Candidate Pearl Quiñones posted a billboard, which city officials say violates size restrictions.
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On Oct. 23, the city's Code Enforcement Department sent a letter to all candidates reminding them of the sign restrictions.
“Please note that these are continuing violations, and each day that a sign is not in compliance constitutes a separate offense with separate penalties,” a code enforcement officer wrote.
City officials said this case is the first time a city candidate has not voluntarily corrected a political sign violation after city officials have asked.
Quiñones consulted her attorneys, who advised her the sign ordinance is unconstitutional and a restriction on free speech. In addition, she said, the ordinance doesn't apply to her ad.
“It's not a sign, it's a billboard,” Quiñones said. “The ordinance applies to signs.”
Quiñones said she could not recall if the legal opinion, written by Bonita attorney Steven Haskins, was provided to National City officials.
“I don't know. I've been busy walking precincts,” Quiñones said. “I let my consultants handle that.”
Some in the city are criticizing Quiñones' stance.
Ethan Charles, a 27-year-old National City resident who plans to vote, said Quiñones' refusal to comply with the municipal code is brazen and raises ethical concerns.
“The bottom line is that if Pearl Quiñones is willing to play fast and loose with such a simple portion of the municipal code to serve her own interests . . . can we really trust her to protect our interests if she is elected?” Charles said.
Quiñones said last month that enforcing the municipal code in this case is “petty.”
Victor Chavez, a Southwestern College history professor who follows local politics, said the city's rules should be followed.
“All candidates ought to at the very least focus on the rules of the city,” Chavez said. “It's disheartening to find out that our potential leaders are not aware of the rules they need to follow.”
After next week's election, the municipal code will be updated to clarify that using a billboard for a campaign advertisement is in fact a violation of the sign ordinance, Eiser said.
Tanya Sierra: (619) 498-6631; tanya.sierra@uniontrib.com
