Signs evoke nostalgia of bygone political seasons

Limericks support of Franklin-Springboro libraries levy

Leatha Stewart of Carlisle stands Monday, Nov. 2, in between some of the hand-painted signs she made in support of the Franklin-Springboro Libraries levy.

Staff photo by Ron Alvey Leatha Stewart of Carlisle stands Monday, Nov. 2, in between some of the hand-painted signs she made in support of the Franklin-Springboro Libraries levy.

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By Lawrence Budd, Staff Writer 12:46 AM Tuesday, November 3, 2009

FRANKLIN TWP., Warren County — There was a library in our town,

Whose funds to stay open were way down,

We’ve lost half a mill,

More cuts to come still,

How long will we be around?”

So goes one of Leatha Stewart’s limericks, played out on a series of narrow signs set up on busy roads throughout the library district by supporters of the 1-mill, five-year levy sought by the Franklin-Springboro Libraries.

Based on advertising developed in 1925 by the makers of Burma-Shave personal care products, the signs — which remained in use by the company into the 1960s — were designed to capture the attention of passing motorists.

“People would go pleasure driving,” Stewart, 79, of Carlisle, recalled. “One of the fun things we looked for were the Burma-Shave signs.”

For decades, political campaigns in America and Canada have promoted candidates and issues with what is known as “Burma-Shaving,” according to Wikipedia.

Unlike clusters of campaign signs lining area roads and touting other issues and candidates in today’s general election, those posted by the Franklin-Springboro library levy campaign are designed to leave motorists entertained as well as educated.

“I didn’t understand about how the libraries were funded,” Stewart said.

The libraries, like others throughout Ohio, relied almost exclusively on state funds until cuts made by lawmakers that have prompted layoffs and restricted operating hours.

It’s the third time Stewart’s limericks have graced similar signs supporting local levies.

This year, there was a practical side to their deployment.

“We didn’t have a ton of money for this campaign. We wanted to find that one unique thing that people would talk about,” library director Anita Carroll said.

Contact this reporter at  (937) 225-2261 or lbudd @DaytonDailyNews.com.

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