The Big Sign Controversy: Signs go to Committee Regulations & Definitions "The Sound Of Truth"3/19/08 Save the Date Dave Gardner Sounds off on "Signs of Business" Signs of Business 2/28/08 David Gardner-His Side of the Sign Debate 2/28/08 A Small Win for Downtown Business Owners 2/21/08 The Moratorium 2/21/08 Abuzz 2/20/08 The Law The Blog Sound Off - tell us what you think or want others to know!

"The Sound Of Truth" "We have all heard what we wanted to hear, 'Truth' that sounds right to our ears" AILD Metal Blade Records by Ben Gauthier We would like to remind you that the Public Forum in regard to signs is scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 20. EasthamptonWeb would like to encourage all community members to be in attendance in order to voice their opinions so that a sensible outcome can be reached on this heated issue. Perhaps in preparation for the upcoming forum, the SEV, David Gardner recently took a lie detector test. The intent of the test, according to Mr. Gardner was to, “address the validity of published erroneous, anonymous complaints and comments concerning my character and behavior while assisting with sign use enforcement efforts in Easthampton.” David Gardner provided us with documents that appear to be excerpts from a full polygraph test. These documents state that the following questions were answered truthfully: Q: Regarding whether or not you have ever threatened persons with [adverse] actions before the Zoning Board of Appeals do you intend to answer each question about that truthfully? A: Yes. Q: Have you ever threatened anyone with adverse actions before the Zoning Board of Appeals on matter related or unrelated with signage? A: No. Q: Have you ever threatened anyone with adverse action of any kind if they did not succumb to your personal wishes? A: No. Q: Do you personally feel that your actions have been arbitrary, aggressive, misleading or threatening? A: No. Q: Did (name is blanked out) ever ask you to leave her business location? A: No. Q: Did any other business owners politely ask you to leave their business location? A: No. The qualifications of the giver of the polygraph test were also provided to us and are extensive and are available upon request. Some of the questions appear to be worded in a way that are open to interpretation and could have been worded that way in order to manipulate the answers. EasthamptonWeb alone has documented and published accounts from business owners that provide discrepancy with Mr. Gardner's answers. In the matter of fairness, we would also like to include the fact, in case you are unaware, that lie detector tests are not admissible in court. Even if Mr. Gardner does not view the position of SEV as that of a public official, he does sit on the Zoning Board of Appeals and is therefore, a public figure. Since he was cast into the limelight after being appointed SEV, his personal character and beliefs have been questioned. How he did not see this coming is unclear. Anytime anyone goes around and tries to change the way that businesses conduct themselves, they should expect to meet resistance. EasthamptonWeb does not endorse personal attacks on public figures or anyone else, or those who make such attacks. The point that is trying to be made by the business community (that they require signage in order to see their businesses succeed) has been misconstrued because of such attacks. Under that token and in order to see this conflict resolved we would like to reiterate statements by David Gardner as well as Derrick Mason. In the sign blogspot, Derrick posted, “Recognizing the emotional and often heated nature of the recent debate on this topic, the EDIC is concerned that the tone of the Forum and presentations be as much as possible factually based and constructive, focusing on the objective issues and avoiding subjective personal attacks.” In our interview with Mr. Gardner, he made a similar statement, “the issue of modifying the bylaw must be stuck to, instead of resorting to personal attacks.” Once again, we encourage anyone interested in the outcome of the sign affair to be in attendance at the Public Forum, Thursday March 20 at 4:30 PM in the Municipal Building located at 50 Payson Ave.