To the editor:

Mr. Smith is entitled to his opinion of the RhodeWorks sign campaign. He is one of two people that like these blue signs. 

Thousands have supported my opposition including the town councils of Portsmouth, Tiverton and Middletown. Does Mr. Smith support RIDOT Director Alviti by ignoring the unanimous town councils’ resolution requesting their removal? They are completely void of any intelligent notice to the tens of thousands of road users.

I strongly disagree that they are relevant as a communication tool of any sense.

Most say, “Coming Fall 2017,” “Coming Spring 2018,” “Coming Fall 2018.” Only one project is underway in Portsmouth and it has four signs dedicated to the project. “Ludicrous” is the only word missing on these signs.

The excavators, yellow-vested construction workers, the police detail and the familiar orange barrels are all I need to know road work is being performed.

Mr. Smith indicates he likes knowing a road project is coming 18 months from now? There are 215 of these signs statewide, Mr. Smith. Can RIDOT or their contractors be at 215 sites simultaneously? I’m excited to report that three completed signs at the new $7.4 million RIDOT barn in Portsmouth were removed on June 17.

Mr. Smith calls these blue signs an effective means of communication. Really?

Again we differ. All 215 signs have “Gina M. Raimondo Governor.” Are they really campaign signs? I may point out to Mr. Smith, they are in violation of FHWA sign rules and no authorization from RIDOT was requested to the FHWA. Currently there are investigations moving forward in Washington, D.C. at the FWHA and in Providence.

I prefer the way Portsmouth, Tiverton and Middletown looked before the local 29 signs were placed almost next to each other. Mr. Smith, there is always Al Gore’s super internet highway available to learn what RIDOT projects are scheduled for start/completion. More than $225,000 in signage is wasteful spending, and contradicts the “Discover Beautil Rhode Island” signs at our state line.

The hallmark of a beautiful state Mr. Smith — less signs. Take them down!

John Vitkevich

119 Hummocks Ave.

Portsmouth