Garage sales are more popular than ever these days. I don't see anything wrong with the signs as long as people take them down when the sales are over. A better use of Marilyn's time would be to go to the sales and remind people to take down the signs when they are done.Taking down signs residents put up to find lost pets? Nasty. Marilyn...get a life. Why is it every block has their "Marilyn"?

I applaude the use of the Patch for these notices especially a lost pet but I believe a sign goes long way to inform residents near your home who don't spend their lives on the computer as I do.

I think signs are more effective for sales and finding lost pets. I love the Patch but not everybody would think to look there so posting signs gets way more attention. If she is spending so much time pulling down the signs why doesn't she go to the sale and give everyone a friendly reminder to remove the signs after the sale. As for the signs for lost pets, it's downright evil to dash someone's hopes of finding their missing pet. She should be ashamed of her lack of compassion on this issue.

I always find it very sad to see elderly people who's lives are so unfulfilled that they embark on a crusade so petty and meaningless. If only she would put her energy towards helping the homeless or any other worthy charitable organization. I feel only pity for her.

This woman's heart is way uglier than these signs! Perhaps she should seek therapy for her obsession and not interfere with people trying to reunite with their lost pets.

Marilyn could turn this into a win win. I'm sure anyone who has a garage sale would gladly pay Marilyn $5 to take the signs down after the sale. She could keep half and donate the the other half to her favorite animal charity. I have a list for you Marilyn if you need it.

Perhaps the reason you don't have any help taking signs down is because most people don't feel the same way as you do. You are acting like a vigilante who has nothing better to do with her time. Why make life difficult for homeowners in Studio City trying to recycle household items or perhaps trying to make a few dollars to pay their house payments or rents or trying to make ends meet in this economy? Quite honestly your comment about losing a cat was nasty and heartless. You obviously are not a pet lover! I too agree that people should be required to take signs down after their sales. Why don't you try to take the nice approach and visit these sales and remind people to do that...why do you have to be so nasty? Stop trying to take away homeowners rights and mind your own business.

Marilyn is really not trying to be nasty, she really cares about keeping blight to a minimum. I, too, have taken down illegal signs, but I target the commercial signs for recessed lighting, Xmas light installations, etc., and we all should get rid of those. I love the idea of reminding Yard salers to collect their signs after their sale. We could all be more considerate about this.

Wow! I have helped with and had numerous garage sales....and we always take them down...glad I don't live near Marilyn....as for people trying to find their missing pets hope is all they have...I know people thats pets have been returned because of pets..I like Rene's suggestion that she find something worthwhile with her extra time

Without question the majority of us agree that once a sale is over or a pet found that the signs should be removed. The constructive comments were to approach those having the sale and remind them to take their signs down not to remove them so people can't find them. It may be illegal but I think the bigger blight in the neighborhoods are those local and non local business advertising signs on Laurel Canyon via parked trucks , cars and trailer. Those style of signs actually cheapen the neighborhood and make it look unappealing and should be illegal.

On another note, with all the respect intended to appreciate the efforts of the Studio City Patch, only a few of us savvy Studio City Citizens even know you existed. If a business or an individual relies on this website reaching people there will be more foreclosures, empty storefronts in Studio City and its surrounding area. Advertising online is a gamble reaching people via signs in the neighborhood is direct and at least you know you reached your intended audience. Just remember to take the signs down when you are done.Courtesy should always be the word of the day.

WOW! How sad!! Her actions will hinder the efforts of the little girl who lost her puppy!! Makes me want to follow her around putting up a sign right after she takes one down just to spite her! She really should put her well meaning efforts to better use!

I also agree that people should have the courtesy to pull their signs down when they're done. And it's true, people are having garage sales more often these days to make ends meet. But there is no excuse for Ms. White-Sedel to interfere with people reuniting with their lost or stolen pets. It happens to the best of pet owners and the feeling of losing a family member is one of the worst.

The temporary signs for lost pets or garage sales don't bother me as much as the political candidate signs. I really want the political committees to come back & take down all the signs after the elections. These people should be fined for leaving them up. The other signage that bugs the life out of me are the trailer ads. I thought Councilman Dennis Zine was writing an ordinance to rid the city of this blight!

Seriously? This woman is against everything I am for. I hope she never gets on the SCNC Board.

I received this email today..
"FYI - NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL PEOPLE PER ANY PART OF SFV WILL ALSO TAKE DOWN GARAGE SALE SIGNS AS WELL "
Is it true that the Council members are taking down the signs too???

It's getting warm in here...:)

I'm guessing Mariyln is the one who took down the signs the day of my friends sale...who donates a large amount of the proceeds to the Brittany Foundation. I've attended SCNC meetings where Marilyn and her gang cry out against the tyranny of the week to the sympathetic ear of their gal pals on the board...this is not the way to affect change by lumping the few in with the many. STOP TAKING DOWN SIGNS MARILYN. Your making enemies with your approach. Go to the sales and remind them...nicely. By the way, I've never had a garage sale...

We are TOO dependent on the digital platform to replace our community/practical world. We are human beings who still live in communal areas and it is highly unlikely my neighbor will happen to click on the correct link to happen to see the pictures of dogs/cats I lose. It is ridiculous and an assumption of the middle class that digital means can replace things like this. 30-40% of people still do not have their own computers. Signed~person who works online but still interacts with the community

P.S. In this economy, when my next garage sale will help pay Oct rent, is someone who does not like the sight of paper going to take money out of my pocket so they feel less anxious?

Also, people will take their signs down if they get a ticket for it. Their address is on the sign. We need the community commons and we also need personal responsibility.

Wow. If she lived in Silver Lake or Echo Park, she'd pop a brain vein.

She's got the law against illegal signage backing her up, and on top of that there's no statute on the books against being a jerk. Personally the only signage I'll tear down immediately is blatantly commercial advertisements (carpet cleaners or apartment rentals or concerts for example). I'll wait until the date of a garage sale has passed before taking those signs down and I just leave lost animal fliers alone.

Marilyn...where are you.....
You have a great opportunity in this forum to state/restate your viewpoint in a way that is perhaps clearer, less inflammatory.
Quote-
“I need a way to get the community involved. I can’t be the only one taking these down,” she told the council.

Here's your chance to get the community involved. Where are you?

These are rough economic times. People put up post signs for their yard sales because they need the money to survive. Let's have a little understanding for people who need extra money to pay their mortgage. I would rather have a few signs up rather than another forclosed vacant home, ready to be vandalized. Ms. White- Sedel is way out on this issue and needs to change her ways.

What Marilyn White-Sedel is really tearing down is the wonderful sense of community that exists in Studio City. This is a place where people know the pets of their neighbors. Where everyone stops in at everyone else's garage sales and where enclaves organize community 4th of July parades.

Sadly, idyll hands are the devil's workshop.

Let me see if I can get everyone mad at me. First, it would have been nice if Marilyn would have gotten more than a "thank you" after coming to SCNC and making her comments. That's the way the City Council treats people. Judging from the comments here, she raised a legitimate issue. It would have been possible for her to be told that her suggestion would or might be on a future agenda. Second, there is a city ordinance that prohibits the posting of signs, but there are no exceptions for lost pets, yard sales, or even missing persons. But note that candidates for office get a free pass. That's not fair. The ordinance needs to be amended add some common sense and humanity. Third, the city tears down the signs and bills the posters, but they are shorthanded. Why couldn't members of the public be "deputized" and get a share of the "fine" after the ordinance has been modified?

The overwhelming thought in this thread is most are not behind Marilyn's thought process. Let it be known that Marilyn is on the Land use Committee of the Studio City Neighborhood Council making all kinds of "suggestions" on your behalf. Don't be surprised with the lack of support in this thread for her ideas that they get a big thumbs up with the city. Nice to have friends in high places.

Just because a City Ordinance exists doesn't mean it is meant to serve the community aside certain financial interests. This is more a moral person to person issue than it is about laws. IMHO

The solution to this problem is so simple. Take down your signs when the garage sale is over and date the signs looking for lost pets removing those signs after 2 weeks. Our neighborhoods have larger problems that the city and seemingly, the residents, do not want to address.

Best Patch article ever? Possibly.

Wonder if she'd turn in the kids with the lemonade stand trying to make some money for Brownies.

This conversation is very interesting. The problem with most, if not all blogs, is that they become soap boxes. In a few days, a new posting gets piled on top of the last one and nothing ever gets resolved. But blogs like this one could be used to reach conclusions. This is a legitimate issue. It's been discussed for decades, both inside and outside of City Hall. I'm curious about how people would respond to this question:

Based upon what you know now about the city ordinance that bans the posting of signs on public property, should the ordinance:

1. Be left alone.
2. Be amended to make is stronger.
3. Be amended to allow exceptions.
4. Be abolished.
5. (This choice is for those who can't choose any of the above, but who want to know more.)

Ideally, the regulations on the books should be enough. The weakness is in the attitude of those who don't follow the regulation or are unaware and the means of enforcement. Face it, we live in a city where the vast majority of residents don't really involve themselves and the politiicans are mere tools of special interests,. This is not a life and death issue. But, it certainly goes a long way in helping bring down the quality of life issues. We need no more laws or amendments We need enforcement and that will not happen. As result, we have this angry woman being demonized for her efforts. Remember, we can't even enforce parking regs, litter laws, or much of anything else....We are truly in LaLa land.

Perhaps Marilyn is being "demonized" because her actions demonstrate a remarkable lack of empathy and consideration for her neighbors. Unpleasant, hostile residents will drive down property values and neighborhood appeal far faster than a few signs ever will.

If Marilyn had wanted to truly bring this up as a community improvement issue--instead of her own personal petty vendetta--she might have brought forward a few alternative suggestions. In some communities, there are designated kiosks or walls every few blocks where residents can post their fliers, for example.

Instead, Marilyn is choosing to hinder the efforts of people who simply want to be reunited with their pets; and people who, in hard economic times, are simply trying to make a few extra dollars with their yard sales. This is the "quality of life" issue she wants to waste her time on? Really? That's fine, but she can't be surprised when others don't respect that or get behind it.

I'll say it again. She is on the Land Use Committee of the SCNC. Involved in making decisions for all of us. Notice how no one from the Neighborhood Council posts any comments here? They hide. Mariyln had a great audience here to make her point and rally support for her cause. Come on Mariyln. Step up.

@ Jack: I did read the article. You keep assuming that people misunderstand, but I think everyone here has read and has understood enough to vehemently disagree with Marilyn's ideas and 'crusade.'

And the reason why? Well, you've said it in your own response. The community has a lot of other problems that are far more pressing. SHE is the one getting worked up about fliers--worked up to the point where she brought it to a community meeting. SHE is the one who is choosing to make this her own personal crusade. If she were truly concerned with the welfare of her community, why not focus on those other issues?

I'm sorry, but someone who goes all Barney Fife about fliers that are left up too long is petty, vindictive and unpleasant. As I said, if she were truly interested in helping, she'd have come up with some viable alternatives or strategies; she wouldn't have just kvetched about the posters and been proud of tearing them down.

Wow. People can really be unkind. I am a native of this neighborhood as Marilyn is. I appreciate her views on this nieghborhood as I would appreciate anyone's interested in perserving it. I can't expect everyone here to feel like the people who have been here 50 years and seen all the changes. As far as the signs go., the part that gets me is when they are stapled into some gorgeous tree that harms it and brings disease. People with pets in Colfax meadows need to be so vigilant. We do have a serious coyote problem. I see them all the time. They have left dead animals on my lawn. The woman next door to me is raising chickens. Not only is this legal and the cackling annoying, I feel it attracts the coyotes. So not everyone is ever going to be happy. I hope the person you see in the mirror eachday is responsible, kind and honoring thier neighbor. This is America and with America comes the freedom to be passionate about fliers or the homeless...By the way Marilyn White-Sedel feeds the homeless every week. I can't say that.

As a tangent to one of the causes of excessive signage, what people such as Maria so adamantly call a "serious coyote problem," I call a serious people problem. Urban coyotes are opportunistic and its your neighbors who give the unfairly demonized creatures those opportunities -- either by not securing trash cans, letting yards overgrow, or by leaving pets and/or food out at night -- that brings them into a neighborhood and ultimately results in a fair percentage of lost animal fliers.

People like Marilyn is villified for going around pulling down those signs, but if her fellow residents worked more responsibly to limit the reasons for coyotes to stay in one area, the coyotes would move out and those signs wouldn't go up in the first place.

So is Mariyln the one responsible for feeding the homeless that live under the parking lot at the Sportsman's Lodge? I wish she would stop so they would go away along with the coyotes. 

Lighten up folks. This thread has totally gone into the toilet because Marylin won't step forward and discuss her issue here where she has  (judging by the responses) a pretty good neighborhood audience.

Let's try to remember to take down our signs after our sales and be good neighbors. 

Looks like the PATCH is a better place than the Neighborhood Council to to air your concerns. 

By the way...is it ok if I put up a sign to remind the people who live under the parking lot at the Sportsman's Lodge that it's illegal?

Have a nice weekend. 

So is Mariyln the one responsible for feeding the homeless that live under the parking lot at the Sportsman's Lodge? I wish she would stop so they would go away along with the coyotes. 

Lighten up folks. This thread has totally gone into the toilet because Marylin won't step forward and discuss her issue here where she has  (judging by the responses) a pretty good neighborhood audience.

Let's try to remember to take down our signs after our sales and be good neighbors. 

Looks like the PATCH is a better place than the Neighborhood Council to to air your concerns. 

By the way...is it ok if I put up a sign to remind the people who live under the parking lot at the Sportsman's Lodge that it's illegal?

Have a nice weekend. 

The fact we even have homeless on the streets of Studio City should be a warning to all of us here that this area is now being looked at as an outlet for the urban renewal of downtown and Hollywood. One drive down Ventura Blvd to Woodman and return east via Moorpark and you will see homeless, abandoned furniture, abandoned grocery carts, graffitti, trash, shoes on phone lines, overbuilding of condos and apts lack of parking, vacancies both commercial and residential, Sec 8 housing, matteresses thrown out on the sidewalks, street advertising of Thai "massage" and bail bonds, two "medical delivery vans parked for days and moved only slightly to avoid the rare chance of a ticket, commercial trucks parked for days on res streets...that is just for starters....Kudos to an old lady who still cares enough to at least try to keep a place desirable against all odds...Frankly, I think the neighborhood councils are a bad joke...the Valley should have seceeded..their creation was the proverbial bone...

Wow. That lost parrot belonged to my friends. They were (still are) heartbroken over losing him. What a bored, cold hearted woman. It's one thing to remove Yard Sale flyers (after the sale), but to remove "Lost" signs is downright heartless.

she is a mean person, get a life lady.

Garage sale signs and lost pet signs are a normal part of neighborhood life and have been for decades. It promotes a sense of community. Most people do clean up their signs after their sales. If I see a lost pet sign, I ALWAYS read them and remember, in case I see the pet. I don't see the harm or the blight. So much MORE trash and dirt is generated on our streets by fast food wrappers, bags, styrofoam containers, cans, plastic bottles and general debris, not to mention, illegal dumping of large objects. Perhaps she needs a difference focus for keeping neighborhoods clean.

every litter bit helps...

Earlier comments who think it's all right to put signs up ESPECIALLY for lost pets should be OK... as long as they take them down... YES I agree!! And to the response, "that's the point, they don't" I say MARILYN, do those of us who might need to advertise a much needed garage sale, OR God forbid a lost pet, a favor and take the signs down AFTER the fact!!! Let's be more upset there were beautiful healthy trees cut down so a Walgreens can be built. UGH!!!!!! Not saying there isn't a problem with trash or rude "advertisers" but there has to be better ways to solve it. Send a note (warning) to the offender...something besides tearing them down, after all you know where to reach the person leaving the signs up!!

Interestingly though, many people holding garage/moving/yard sales do so every weekend, maybe every other weekend, as this is their profession, not just the person trying to clear out some unneeded stuff.
Anyone living near 4522 Mammoth in Sherman Oaks knows what I mean.
Moving sales are the worst, however, as they have a finite time period in which to empty out the place before they pick up and move to another neighborhood. They never care about their former neighborhood, as it will be their former 'hood.
Case in point - at 15016 Otsego in Sherman Oaks, they have had moving sales for the past 4 weekends, and this past one, put up at least 100 signs, many of which were on top of the ones they had not taken down from previous weekends.
Most of them are still up, 2 days and counting later.
They will be gone, but their signs will not.

I guess that's the point, Dick - I wish there was a way to stop the offenders without punishing those of us who take the signs down once the need is over. I'd give up advertising a garage sale any day, but not being able to plead help for a lost pet that would be horrible. Many lost pets have found their way home because someone saw a posted sign in the neighborhood when the same person may not have taken the time to go online etc. A garage sale is much easier to find. I hope there's a compromise.

Sad how so many people do not know what "quality of life" issues are any more. Marilyn is to be thanked for the hard work she does for free. Putting up illegal signs is illegal and against the law. And, it is against the law for a reason. It is blight.

And, there is also a garage sale law that only allows garage sales for any resident 4 times a year. These every day garage sales have also caused blight and homeowner values to depreciate. You would never see this allowed in rich areas.

Thank you Marilyn. I don't know you but I also take down signs and have seen other people that really care about their neighborhoods take them down too. And, if you see signs you can call 311 to city hall and they will have someone come out and take them down for you.

Maybe Marilyn can help organize a solution to the blight of people that fail to clean up after their dogs as well....not only is it an eyesore, the smell is so bad in some areas near my home but some people let their dogs releve themselves in the middle of the sidewalks and walk away!!!!
What are these people thinking?

Tips for finding your lost pet, including but not limited to posting flyers - http://patch.com/B-CTW