Eye Sore of the Week: Larry Hutchinson’s campaign signs.

With dozens of decaying properties featured in this issue as part of the cover story on Ingham County’s tax foreclosure auction, there was plenty of competition for Eyesore of the Week.

There’s a real stunner on Teel Avenue with “Da Trap” spray painted across its boarded-up front windows. Another home on Roosevelt Avenue looks like it could be on the verge of collapse. Some of the worst properties also come along with demolition orders. And don’t even get us going on that shabby shopping plaza on the corner of Washington Avenue and Miller Road.

But as ugly as some of those properties might be, we’re going to skip the usual trash talk this week in hopes that auction buyers step in and give some of these homes the love they deserve. 

Instead, we turn our attention to a different type of eyesore: Larry Hutchinson’s campaign signs.

Hutchinson garnered only 211 votes in this month’s primary election, putting him in last place by more than 300 votes amid his failed bid to face off against Mayor Andy Schor in November. His platform was eccentric, controversial and also provided some needed comic relief to this year’s election tension. But with every failed campaign, Hutchinson blesses Lansing with a ton of litter.

Hand-painted posters and printed signs with Hutchinson’s mugshot are still plastered on dozens of street signs, electrical poles and other public land across Lansing. And although three weeks have passed since his defeat, Hutchinson said he has no plans to help clean up the Capital City.

“I relish it,” Hutchinson said. “I’m now also running for governor, so they aren’t going anywhere.”

Some municipalities have attempted to enact ordinances that mandate political signs be removed within a few weeks of the election. Those restrictions don’t exist in Lansing. City Clerk Chris Swope said any restrictions on campaign signs would cross with the First Amendment.

But that doesn’t mean Hutchinson is in the clear. Any signs placed in any public rights-of-way are still illegal, considered as litter and are subject to removal, Swope explained. Residents should feel free to rip them down without consequence. Consider it a public service to the city.

Support City Pulse  - Donate Today!