Museum sign runs into Caltrans' roadblock
By Daniel Wolowicz camarillo@theacorn.com

Caltrans is asking Gov. Schwarzenegger not to sign a bill that would require the state agency to install directional signs on the 101 Freeway for the World War II Aviation Museum at Camarillo Airport.

The bill, by Assemblywoman Audra Strickland, passed 76-0 in the Assembly and 26-5 in the state Senate and is expected to reach the governor's desk by Sept. 11.

The last-minute negative appeal has local veterans and Strickland crying foul.

Frank Doerfler, a veteran of the Korean War and a lead proponent of the highway signs, said Caltrans' recommendation to kill the bill comes at the end of a yearlong process in which it passed through the state Legislature and numerous committees.

"To my knowledge, (Caltrans) did not object to the process over the whole last year through all these hearings," said Doerfler, who began working on the bill in 2001. "They always had a chance to object, but they didn't, and here, at the last minute, they're pulling out their regulation book."

Caltrans, though, said the local museum falls far short of the 500,000 annual visitors the agency requires for an urban museum to attract in order to merit a sign.

According to Dave White, a Caltrans spokesperson, the WWII museum draws around 8,000 people a year. White said Caltrans has a list of standards for various roadside signs. He said the qualifications list helps the state Department of Transportation limit the numerous requests for signs it receives each year.

"We have to be concerned with sign proliferation because too many signs can also have a very negative effect," White said.

Lindsey Phillips, a spokesperson for Strickland's office, said the assemblywoman understands that Caltrans places restrictions on freeway signs, but felt this particular sign merited an exception.

"These are WWII veterans, and they are referred to as the 'greatest generation,' and it's kind of a small token of appreciation for them to give them these directional signs on the freeway," Phillips said.

Regardless of the museum attendance requirement, if the governor signs the bill, Caltrans will be forced to comply.

Doerfler, who was named an honorary colonel by the nationwide Commemorative Air Force, said he is organizing a letter writing campaign to push the governor to sign the bill. His organization is willing to pay the approximately $4,000 it would cost to install the signs.