(2/26/03)Vicksburg said no to a new double-decker billboard Wednesday, upholding its ordinance and a vote of the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals.

Before he and North Ward Alderman Gertrude Young voted, Mayor Laurence Leyens said he had reviewed all the information submitted by applicant Paul Campbell and Campbell’s attorney, Mack Varner.

“You were entitled to make a double-decker sign well before this ordinance went into effect,” Leyens said of the more restrictive sign ordinance that went into effect 11 months ago. “If we make an exception then what we’re going to end up with is all double-decker signs everywhere in town.” South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman was not at the meeting.

Campbell had sought to place a new billboard along the South Frontage Road between Haden Hardware and a former BancorpSouth branch. He pointed out there are about 12 double-deckers with two advertising faces stacked one on top of the other in the area. Since they can remain, Campbell said, it will be impossible to compete.

Vicksburg’s modified sign rules also ban the use of temporary signs and set a variety of other size restrictions. In a separate test earlier this month, the Ford vehicle dealership on North Frontage Road did win a waiver for a sign too large under the ordinance. Campbell has 10 days to decide whether to appeal to Warren County Circuit Court.

Billboards along the interstate and highways are also regulated by the Mississippi Department of Transportation, but municipal rules, if any, apply inside corporate limits. State law has allowed double-decker signs, but changes July 1 to limit billboards to a single sign statewide.

In other matters, the city board:

Approved an ad for the Vicksburg High School Gator Diamond Club for $250.

Approved an ad for the Mississippi Florist Association for $225.

Entered a contract with North Greenville Fitness & Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic for firefighter training.

Approved adjustments to the city’s drug and alcohol testing policy.

Approved a correction to the deed to Harrah’s Casino.

Declared property surplus and authorized the sale of property at auction.

Approved an amendment to the Vicksburg Fire Department’s tier pay system.

Approved capital expenditures for the Vicksburg Convention Center.

Approved advertising for Main Street.

Contracted through Main Street with Jim Pickens & The All Stars band to play at Saturday’s Mardi Gras parade.

Authorized preparation and submittal of a grant application to the Mississippi Arts Commission for funding for another mural on the floodwall at City Front.

Approved payment in the amount of $80,950 for the city’s share of 911 expenses.

Approved the claims docket.

The board will meet again at 10 a.m. Monday at City Hall Annex.