LAPLACE – A local beautification group is reminding all political candidates who were part of recent elections to remove campaign signs from parish roadsides or risk fines.

Greg “Za” Maurin, co-chairman of Keep St. John Beautiful, a civic group that promotes litter removal and beautification initiatives, said candidates have until Dec. 18 to pick up their signs. He said state law specifies that all temporary signs, handbills and other campaign materials must be removed from public rights-of-way no later than 30 days after an election

Under state law, candidates are deemed to be the owners of any sign on which their name appears, Maurin said. He added those candidates in violation of the law will receive a certified letter indicating the location or locations of signs remaining along roadways.

Owners must be notified in writing at least 30 days before the fine can be assessed. Maurin said sign removal is rarely a problem in the parish, but he added that Keep St. John Beautiful is taking a proactive approach to the matter.