NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
A small clothing company may be facing fines in Nashville after they placed bumper stickers at various locations throughout town.
"It's not appropriate and let's make this crystal clear, it is illegal, for the public right of way supported by the tax payers to be the venue for someone to advertise their business," Veronica Frazier of Metro Public Works warns.
Frazier is talking about "WE MAKE T SHIRTS" bumper stickers found on 12th Avenue South to Elliston Place. The stickers promote a Web sight for a t-shirt company.
The black and white stickers were spotted on the backs of stop signs, paper boxes and trash cans in the public right of way.
Nashville's News 2 Investigates found as many as seven at one intersection.
"It really is a quality of life issue," Frazier said. "Volunteers go out every day and pick up these signs and they are litter. They [company's] leave them there to disintegrate. And let's be crystal clear, it is illegal."
Metro has cited the company $50. The company has since paid the fine.
Metro said they are considering charging the company $50 for every single sticker that has been discovered.
Some question if it is not over kill by the city.
"I don't think it is ugly. I think self expression in many ways is beautiful and I don't think it takes away form the beauty of our city," Elizabeth Thielemann said outside the 12th Avenue South business where she works. "I think this is un-incidental compared to a lot of stuff going on," she added.
New Nashville resident Erin Alff agreed.
"I don't think it is a big deal. If it was blocking the front of the sign I see it as a issue, but this is not a big deal."
Veronica Frazier at the Department of Public Works said if little violations are let go, then bigger violations will soon follow.
"When people see illegal signs in the roadway the next thing you see is litter in that roadway and it is an accumulative factor there," she explained.
Nashville's News 2 Investigates left a message for the t-shirt company promoted on the sticker, however calls were not returned.
