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what do you do when your socially progressive credit union starts spewing visual pollution from a giant video screen into public space? Submit a resolution to the annual general meeting to stamp it out, of course.
That’s exactly what public space activist Dave Meslin is doing in a bid to shut down Metro Credit Union’s giant video message board on the corner of Bay and College. He believes corporate expression in public space has become too pervasive. And while Meslin does not disagree with the credit union’s messages, he believes it should lead by example, not join the ad onslaught.
A member of the city cycling committee, Meslin says such signs are a hazardous distraction. He admits he hasn’t ridden for a year because he’s terrified of getting into an accident.
“If we’re going to be banning cellphones from cars, we should be banning television (on the street),” he says.
Meslin needs a simple majority of members at the AGM to can the video screen. But credit union CEO Howard Bogach says the board is recommending the resolution not pass.
Says Bogach, “They’re considerate of the issue, but they also feel the video board does a lot for the credit union in terms of marketing and sending the message that we are in this business.”
