To the editor:

If John Vitkevitch’s “press conference” (Portsmouth Times, June 15, 2017) merits a page for an attendance of 10, I hope you can spare this letter a 10th of a page!

I suspect a silent majority like the signs — or at least are not opposed to them. The RhodeWorks signs are a most visible and effective way of advertising to tens of thousands of road-users what is going on, how long it will go on for and how your tax dollars are being spent.

They clearly communicate that the buck stops with the leader of the state — the governor — who is taking responsibility for the work. They could cost 10 times as much as RIDOT have stated. In advertising terms they would probably be the cheapest and most effective “page impression/view” out there. They come down when the project is complete and can be recycled.

What’s not to like about this effective means of communication? Perhaps Mr. Vitkevitch should expand his campaign to include contractors’ signs on building sites that are a far bigger “visual pollution.” 

Graeme J.W.Smith

112 Belmont Drive

Portsmouth