Pomona : English Sign Rule Proposed

The city may require business signs to contain at least some English under an ordinance proposed this week. The City Council voted unanimously to have City Atty. Patrick J. Sampson prepare a language ordinance based on a motion by Councilman C. L. (Clay) Bryant.

“A heavy influx of Asian/Orientals have taken up residence in the United States, many of them in California,” Bryant wrote in a memo to the council. “Their natural entrepreneurship has directed many of them into business ownership . . . (resulting in) a proliferation of advertising and signs which consist of Oriental characters.”

The ordinance would be similar to one enacted in Monterey Park. Although Pomona has few Chinese signs, Bryant said he introduced the ordinance to prevent “racial and ethnic strife” and to ensure that police officers and firefighters can identify businesses.

Sampson said he had not been aware of a problem with foreign-language signs in the city. “In driving around Pomona, I don’t recall offhand seeing any that are totally in a foreign language,” he said.