This isn't the first vote with the new stronger "Progressive" majority on council, but the debate over billboard signage may be the most important vote since the solidification of their majority. Before you all start commenting on whether or not the term "Progressive" should be used, I'll save you the trouble, it shouldn't.

But that is a pointless argument because very few people understand the historical reference going back to the late 19th century and it's more of a title used to identify the group consisting of city Reps Beto O'Rourke, Susie Byrd, Steve Ortega, and Ma Lilly. I guess Robinson is in the group as well, and it's fitting because he may actually have run for City Council back in 1909. [Editor's note: Former NPT publisher Vanessa Johnson wrote a piece in 2006 titled The Progression of Progressive]

Personally I think calling them The Progressives is cool because it sounds like a lame alt-rock band from the '90s with poorly dyed blond hair, but that's just me.

Today there is (or by the time you read, probably already has been) a discussion on limiting billboard signs in El Paso. This is an issue that essentially comes down to what is more important, keeping residents happy or keeping business happy. Looked like city Rep. Rachel Quintana had hammered out a compromise on this issue a couple of months ago but apparently Team Progressive decided to take their majority out for a spin to see what it can do.

The signage issue is a red herring. Sure, too much signage is an eyesore and one can make the argument that it portrays El Paso in a negative light for passers-by. But is that really the case? I don’t know about you, but when I am in a new part of the country I’ve never been in before, I rely on signage to help me find lodging, food, and that petrified thing off the I-10 in the middle of nowhere. The point is, billboards are a necessary evil and serve a functional purpose. It’s not like they are a lot of them in the middle of a residential neighborhood. They are right where you’d expect them to be, in the middle of major thoroughfares throughout the city.

You know who is probably an expert on where billboards are strategically located in this town?

Melina Castro.

She had a boat load of signage for her run-off election against Robinson and received a sweet deal for the signage. She’s got some time on her hands, so maybe she could work with the city on hammering out a deal with Clear Channel.

City Council has to slow down and chew on this one a little more. Yes, we’d like El Paso to look a little more tidy, but we’d also like to take advantage of the business that travels through this town on their way to someplace else.

If we really want to change the image of this town, maybe we should move Western Refining away from the freeway. Oh wait, we can’t mess with Paul Foster, he pays for everything around here. Maybe we could get rid of the Asarco smelter altogether, slap some concrete on top of that baby and build another international bridge there.

Personally the most ridiculous move by council is the attack on the electronic billboards. El Paso needs a strong small business community. In order for small businesses to thrive, they need to have customers. Customers need to know a company exists if they are going to patronize a business.

How does that happen?

Advertising.

Advertising is a necessary evil. It's an expense you have to make in order to get more money coming in. Trust me, businesses don’t enjoy have to make the expenditure, but they do what they have to do to get by. Electronic signage is a good option for cash-strapped small businesses for the discounted rate because they essentially share the space with other advertisers. That gives small businesses the ability to compete with larger businesses.

I’m not saying the city council needs to be in the pocket of big business. What I am saying is that there are certain realties that need to be dealt with and the simple fact is that El Paso needs its business community to thrive. Our city council should be doing all it can to help small businesses, not hurt them.

So the test that city council faces today is just how far they will go. Will the risk further alienating an already dissatisfied business community and potentially risk economic development in the Sun City.

Speaking of Signs …

I was cruising the mighty East Side this morning when this particular sign caught my eye. Turns out former candidate for Northeast city Rep., Brian Burds, got married on Saturday to his long-time girlfriend Stephanie.

I confirmed the marriage with Burds and he seemed happy to be a married man. I also spoke with Gracie Cain, a co-worker and also a former candidate and she said that the couple have been together for a long time.

“Brian seems very happy … he’s had the newlywed glow for a long time. They are a cute couple …” Cain said about the new marriage.

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Abeytia writes the Lionstar blog and is a political animal who spends way too much time traveling the wilds of El Paso politics. Reach him at lionstar@thelionstarblog.com.