The Rapid City Journal is asking 10 key questions of the two mayoral candidates over 10 days to help voters make their decision in the June 26 runoff election.

QUESTION: Is billboard blight a concern? If so, what steps would you take to reduce/control the issue?

ALAN HANKS

Rapid City needs to take a proactive stance to limit the number of billboards in the community. While on the council, Hanks was very active in trying to implement new rules to restrict additional billboards.

TO THE POINT:

SUPPORTING THE ARGUMENT: The city should work with the sign industry to reduce the number and size of billboards so they are less of an eyesore. The idea is to urge the sign companies to tone down the constant competition to get the biggest and most signs installed, let them still make a profit, but do it in a way that is more appealing to citizens and visitors.

QUOTEWORTHY: "Billboards have always been an issue in Rapid City. We're a tourism town. We've had billboards as long as I've lived in Rapid City, and that's been almost 40 years."

SAM KOOIKER At this point there is not a whole lot the city can do aside from what's already been done but believes there will be fewer billboards as time goes on because of the way the city's ordinances have been structured.

TO THE POINT:

SUPPORTING THE ARGUMENT: Animation on electronic billboards is a concern and should be limited to the greatest degree possible. It is very difficult at this point to order existing billboards to be torn down, but there are some older billboards that will likely come down over time as they become less and less profitable to use.

QUOTEWORTHY: "The city has already done a great deal over the last year or so to limit billboards. Unfortunately, it's been a bit like closing the barn door after the most of the cows have already escaped."

To view the candidates' complete videotaped responses, click here.