Media Release: Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition
California Sign Association (CSA) Joins with More than 500 Organizations to Help Build Tomorrow’s Workforce
Groups Will Advocate to Help Pass the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act
CSA joined with more than 500 trade associations, professional societies, businesses, and employers to form the Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition, established to build support for the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (S. 722 / H.R. 1477). The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Professional Certification Coalition (PCC) lead the new group. Continue Reading
Who, What, Where: GPX – Long Beach!
August was a busy month for CSA!
Following their 2023 Annual Convention & Educational Conference, and 21st Annual Deep-Sea Fishing Trip, CSA Executive Director Roy Flahive, Director of Member Services Cheryl Flahive, and 2nd V.P. Neal Tibbs, headed to Long Beach. CSA was invited by the Graphics Pro Expo team to exhibit at GPX-Long Beach. This year’s event included “WRAPSCON” bringing in much talent to the competitive activities scheduled Thurs.-Sat. (Aug. 17-19). Continue Reading
Annual Excursion Just for the Halibut!
CSA Fishing Trip 2023 – A Big Haul!
CSA’s 21st voyage was a nice change for the CSA members who were willing and able to hit the water on Aug. 12th. The sell-out crowd of 42 who registered for the CSA 2023 Fishing Trip were aboard the “Clemente” by 5 a.m. with fishing license & equipment in hand. Continue Reading
Congratulations to Bob Shimmin!
Our Newest Director Emeritus Receives Honor!
The list of the CSA Presidential responsibilities is a long and sometimes daunting list. However, there are also some privileges that come with the office. This year at the 2023 Annual Convention & Educational Conference, as the 65th President of the California Sign Association, I had the honor and privilege to be only the 9th President to present the award of “Director at Large Emeritus” to Mr. Bob Shimmin of Montroy Supply Company.
To become a “Director-at-Large Emeritus,” a director must have served on the CSA board for at least 20 years and be elected by the Board of Directors for this life-long appointment.
Bob Shimmin joins 17 previous Directors Emeriti to become only the 18th Board Member in CSA history to receive this honor, the first of whom was Mr. Frank Montroy of Montroy Supply Company in 1993 just after the Director Emeritus role was created.
Bob has served many terms on the Executive Committee as Secretary/Treasurer. His dedication to the California Sign Association and his high moral and ethical values set an example to all board members.
Bob is now part of the elite group of surviving Directors Emeriti alongside Kozell Boren (1997), Pat McGehee (1998), Roy Flahive (2007), Terry Long (2009), Skip Moore (2014) and Gary Quiel (2014). A full list of Directors Emeriti can be found in the California Sign Association Membership Directory and on the CSA website.
Congratulations Bob and Thank You for your continued service to the California Sign Association!
Reagan National – Revisited – Why it Matters
Court Upholds the Onsite/Offsite Distinction
Several years ago, Reagan National Advertising and Lamar Outdoor sued the City of Austin in Federal Court in Texas because the city refused to allow digital billboard conversions but did permit digital on-premise signage. In 2019, the local District Court upheld the sign code. In 2020, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed, holding that the on-premises/off-premises distinction was unconstitutionally content-based, because it discriminated against one method of speech over another (i.e., on-premise digital messages v. off-premise digital messages), and therefore could not survive “strict scrutiny” judicial analysis (the standard of review for content-based speech restrictions).
In 2022, however, the US Supreme Court held the Austin sign code was essentially a reasonable “time, place and manner” land use regulation and sent the case back to the 5th Circuit for reconsideration.
Ultimately, in 2023, the 5th Circuit, applying Supreme Court guidance, came to the (proper) conclusion that the sign code was valid – because it did not control, regulate, nor legislate the topic or message, but instead controlled only the location of digital billboards.
Why is this case important to California?
It effectively takes the wind out of the sails of numerous court cases in Federal courts around the country that seek to eliminate the onsite/offsite distinction, i.e., it protects the “regulatory tradition” that there is in fact a meaningful difference between an offsite billboard and onsite business identification sign. Such distinctions are part of an “unbroken tradition” that traces to the 1800s.
A commercial billboard is typically a standalone tenant leasing land to do its business; it is not simply protected speech mounted on a stick. It is a physical manifestation of the business of advertising. Whereas, an on-premise business sign – of the type CSA seeks to protect – is about identification (not only for customers, but for the preservation of the industry). While on-premise signs also serve an advertising function, their primary permanent job is to let the public know where a business is located.
In California, this has been deemed a property right as a matter of law:
A business sign is a part of the business itself, just as the structure housing the business is part of it, and the authority to conduct a business carries with it the right to maintain a business sign on the premises, subject to reasonable regulation by the government.
– Carlin v. City of Palm Springs (1971) 14 Cal. App. 3d 706.
The US Supreme Court’s pronouncement, as applied in Texas and thus effectively throughout the nation, finally cements the on/off distinction as a lawful governmental land use regulation (provided it is narrowly tailored and not based on the content of the message). Notably, in California, this issue was resolved favorably in State Court in a 2016 case where CSA/ISA submitted an amicus brief in support of the distinction. Lamar Central Outdoor, LLC v. City of Los Angeles (2016), 245 Cal. App. 4th 610.
A Breathtaking Convention!
DYNAMIC SPEAKERS & INVIGORATING EXPERIENCES!
It was refreshing to be together again in Lake Tahoe! Some of you may remember being there in 2014 when the mountain was on fire. This year, we found ourselves surrounded by beautiful weather, terrific food and drinks, and great company, starting with a Golf Tournament at Lake Tahoe Golf Course, followed by dynamic speakers and a Vendor Showcase at Harveys Resort. It was a busy schedule of events commencing Wednesday, August 2nd through Friday, August 4th. We hope that this year’s event brought you inspiration, resources, and new connections.
Highlights
Wednesday, AUG 2
• Golf Tournament with a Golf Ball Drop
• ExCom & (2022-23) Board of Directors Mtg.
• Opening “Casino Night” Party
Thursday, AUG 3
• Breakfast with a fabulous presentation, “The Generation Map” – presented by Whitney Klinkenborg, Gemini
• CSA Annual Mtg., State of the Association, and Election of the 2023-24 Board of Directors
• CSA Luncheon with a visit from Mark Twain
• Product & Service Expo, with prizes
The President’s Banquet ended the day on Thursday, and featured an awards presentation, installation of Directors & Officers, Live Auction, and plenty of food with beverages of choice, concluding with our $10,000 Drawing which was won by Larry Quiel – he purchased his ticket from his brother CSA Director Emeritus Gary Quiel!
Friday, AUG 4
• Breakfast and a fascinating presentation “To Engineer is Human”-Michael Sullaway, PE
• 2023-24 Board of Directors Mtg.
• Then off to Thunderbird Lodge to explore the magic and mystery of the historic estate and breathtaking views.
Take a moment to enjoy some of the photos shared over the 3-Day Event. Details and stories from the various activities will be explored in the next Signage Matters publication.
Food for Thought
Friendships are built on shared experiences. Without active engagement and interaction with each other our bonds of camaraderie deteriorate. Associations dissolve as surely as neglected buildings do. After participating in events, celebrations, and even small rituals, we remark how good it is to gather, and remember.
You are Invited to GPX – ON US!
The special invite, with our promo code, provides FREE admission to GRAPHICS PRO EXPO Long Beach.
Admission includes:
- Access to see you in the exhibit hall
- All training opportunities in the hall AND in the classroom
- WRAPSCON
- THREE chances to win $500 in Buyer Bucks
- Admission to the Mixer @ GPX: Friday, 5-6:30 p.m.
Use Promo Code: CSA5CA to waive the $25 charge!
In Memoriam: Thomas Young, Jr.
Thomas Young, Jr. April 2, 1928 ~ June 30, 2023
Tom’s father started the family business, Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO), in 1920 and Tom Jr. built it into what it is today, 103 years later. He is dearly loved by his coworkers.
He was born in Ogden, the fifth of six children to Thomas and Elmina Young. When he was 9 years old the family moved to Normandie Circle in Salt Lake. Tom attended Utah Elementary, Roosevelt Jr. High, East High and the University of Utah. Tom began working at Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) when he was 14 and just celebrated his 80th anniversary with the company. He was the president and CEO for 18 years and for the last 35 years, Chairman of the Board. During many of Tom’s years at YESCO, he was an active private pilot flying Beechcraft Bonanzas and Barons.
He built a lifelong commitment, dedication and loyalty to Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and helped build the church on two missions. He served in the British Mission from 1948-1950 and married Dwan Louise Jacobsen in 1951 in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in Canyon Rim, Cottonwood and for the last 62 years in the St. Mary’s neighborhood in Salt Lake City, where he served in numerous ward and stake leadership positions. Tom was a builder. He built a loving and eternal partnership with his dear wife, Dwan. Most importantly, Tom loved Dwan beyond measure. He served her and she served him. They recently celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary.
He and Dwan built a family of 5 children, 24 grandchildren and 58 great grandchildren and spouses. Tom and Dwan’s children are Mike and Karen Young, Paul and Kathryn Young, Christine and Steve Knudson, Suzanne and Steve Jones and Jeff and Cathy Young.
Tom loved serving in the community as an active member of the Salt Lake Rotary Club for 65 years and received the Rotary Summit Award in 2022. He is also the recipient of Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award as well as the Distinguished Service award from the International Sign Association.
Tom delighted in music and played the harmonica, accordion, trumpet, French horn and organ. For 63 years the family has had a Bear Lake cabin near Fish Haven, Idaho. It has been and will continue to be a place of refuge, hard work, fun and family love. With his own hands he built cabins at Bear Lake, docks, flagpoles, medicine cabinets, light fixtures, handcarts, signs (of course), stools, floats, photographic dark rooms, stereo speakers, on and on. But most of all Tom built others by his selfless, generous and untiring work and example.
Tom lived this scripture to its fullest, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, July 8, 2023
Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 South Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City.
Visitation on Friday, July 7th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 to 11:30 am, prior to the funeral at the church. For those unable to attend, the funeral will be
streamed via Zoom.
Services Handled By Larkin Mortuary
Sign the Guestbook or watch the services via Zoom.
A Capitol Idea Realized!
CSA: Day at the Capitol – Sacramento
On May 10th, the California Sign Association led a group of its members, business, and community leaders to Sacramento for a Day at the Capitol.
The delegation gathered at the Old Spaghetti Factory late that morning to prepare their unified voice of talking points. These topics were focused on items relevant to the on-premise sign industry and doing business in California. Following a fabulous lunch, thirteen CSA members, along with legal counsel and staff, broke into teams, headed to the Capitol, and met with numerous Capitol Representatives from the Assembly and Senate! It was a wonderful opportunity for CSA to have a seat at the Legislative Table!
Thank you to all who participated in this event:
Pete Michelini, Sign Designs
Jason Rieman, Gemini
Ken Person, YESCO
Neal Tibbs, Ad Art
Skip Moore, Bill Moore & Associates
Sarah Bergh, Ainor Signs
Joe Bergh, Jr, Ainor Signs
Tom Johnson, Keystone
Ken Mehler, Port Plastics
Paul VanDyke, TubeliteDenco
Bob Shimmin, Montroy
Janet Weaver, Glantz
Jeff Aran, CSA Legal Counsel
Roy Flahive, Executive Director
Cheryl Flahive, Director of Member Services
Great Golfing and Networking in August!
2023 CSA Golf Tournament
Lake Tahoe Golf Course
(Only 8 miles from Harveys Lake Tahoe Resort)
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
8:30 AM SHOTGUN START
Registration to open May 17th!
Registration includes:
• Lunch
• 2 drinks
• 18 holes of play with cart and range balls
You are going to love this Tournament and you are going to love this golf course!
- Memorable Tee Prizes
- Outstanding Sponsorship Opportunities
THEN CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AT –> OUR CSA CONFERENCE!
TO REGISTER FOR GOLF TOURNAMENT FOURSOMES, CORPORATE CHALLENGE, AND OTHER VALUE PACKAGES, YOU NEED TO DOWNLOAD THIS BROCHURE (PDF) and you can pay securely for everything online here!
Would you like to make your golfing customers feel a part of YOUR team?
Are you looking to reward yourself or your golfing employees with a day on the links by giving them the chance to bring home the bacon for the company?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, the 2023 CSA Golf Tournament in Lake Tahoe is for YOU!