The Mirror recently received this email from a reader: “Just curious as to who in North Hampton Co. approved all those obnoxious looking billboards located southbound on US 13? What a travesty-both ugly to behold and an eyesore to travelers. The brutalization and “rape” of the landscape with the clearing of the land, trees, shrubs, etc to place these billboards is just so bad to see. Perhaps it was meant to cause motorists to slow down before entering the town of Exmore?”
The Mirror has also wondered about the gross display of advertising along Rt. 13. The debate surrounding billboards on roadsides revolves around their impact on the environment and aesthetics.
From an environmental perspective, opponents of roadside billboards argue that they contribute to visual pollution, disrupting natural landscapes and scenic views. The proliferation of billboards can detract from the beauty of the surrounding environment, particularly in areas known for their natural beauty or historic significance. Critics often highlight the negative impact on wildlife habitats and ecosystems, as billboards can encroach upon natural habitats and disrupt migration patterns.
Critics argue that billboards contribute to visual pollution by interrupting and altering the natural scenery. In areas celebrated for their natural beauty, such as scenic landscapes, mountains, or coastal regions, billboards can be seen as intrusive elements that detract from the aesthetic appeal of the environment.
Billboards along roadsides can obstruct panoramic views and change the character of a place. This is particularly evident in areas where the natural landscape is a significant part of the community identity and tourist attraction.
Furthermore, the production and maintenance of billboards require significant resources, including materials such as wood, metal, and vinyl, as well as electricity for lighting. This consumption of resources contributes to environmental degradation and carbon emissions, exacerbating climate change and air pollution.
Ultimately, the debate over roadside billboards reflects broader tensions between economic interests, environmental conservation, and aesthetic values. While some view billboards as eyesores and environmental hazards, others see them as legitimate forms of advertising and communication.
Roy O. Ballard says
I haven’t made a comment on here for some time , the last was the Capeville Train Station waste. On to this subject, Chincoteague has the most billboards and they do lay out the marsh views quite well . Exmore has a excusive amount of them and several dot the local landscape. Must be great money returns or the things wouldn’t make it for long . For some the beauty is in the $$$$ and for others it’s letting people know about services.
So it brings me to this , does anyone have any information about a pair of brown signs missing from the Eastville landscape. It took many years to get Virginia Logos to put them in place . Now for some reason no one seems to know where the Indiantown Park signs have gone to . One has it’s poles left , the southbound one and the north bound one is missing sign and both post. This wasn’t easy to do without being seen doing it by someone .
I spoke with Eastville police , county officials in many departments and nothing seems to find the answer, So if you know call the Parks & Rec. department , Thank you (757-678-0468) Signs are collectable and signs are costly . Thank you for reading my thoughts , nothing will go away unless local government deems it or someone steals it . Enjoy the signs for whatever they are for.
Bob says
Its like going in reverse seeing these being put up to the early days of advertising. Why would these be used when clearly ( and are used elsewhere on RT 13 ) a digital type which would only need 1 sign doing multiple ads be practical. Next you have to wonder why those advertising on them, ARE !
BRAND says
Make um go away..!
Daniel Burke says
Signs? Lol! When you leave Maryland all bets are off heading South on 13. Virginia is the armpit of Route 13 DelMarVa.
David Burke says
Good story bro.
Poppy Longjohns says
Surprised Cape Charles doesn’t have a billboard that reads “Only Old Rich White People Allowed”. Or “Kickbacks & Kickouts”. Or “Rich Whinos Enter Here, All Others Will Be Evicted” or ” Lake Cape Charles, Come Drown With Us”.