By Nita McCann

NATCHEZ — For Anita Smith, it’s the little things that make a big difference.

As the city’s code enforcement officer, it is part of Smith’s job to make sure that residents and businesses do not violate the city’s sign ordinance.

But if you are thinking huge business signs are the bulk of those violations, think again.

Businesses do account for 20 percent of sign violations, City Planner Frankie Legaux.

“That’s not the big issue — It’s these election signs,” Smith said. “And the garage sale signs on the utility poles.”

The city’s ordinances state that nothing can be displayed on utility poles, she said.

Residents started as early as late January to place election signs in their yards, many times too close to the street.

According to the city’s sign ordinance, such signs must be at least 5 feet from the road or at least 100 feet from a curb intersection.

Those signs cannot be displayed more than 60 days before an election and seven days afterward.

Adams County’s primary election will be held Aug. 4, with a runoff set for Aug. 25. The general election will take place Nov. 3.

When asked what the penalty is for violating the ordinance, Smith said her way of dealing with violations is pretty straightforward.

According to Smith, when she is driving around town looking for violations — which she said takes up most of her day — and sees a violation, “I’ll pull the sign down and trash it,” Smith said.

And as a general rule, variances are not granted when it comes to signs, Legaux said. Local businesses already know the rules and, for the most part, don’t violate the sign ordinance, she said.

“They need to come to the Planning Office and get information from us before (they erect signs), she said.