We live in the Digital Age. We listen to music on our MP3s or iPods,                                watch flat-screen, high                               definition televisions                                  with signals sent from                                 satellites or played                                   back on your DVR.                                    You're reading this                                  column on your                                      computer or P.D.A.                                     And you text, watch                                     TV, or make telephone                              calls on your cell                                    phone. Lost in your car? Turn on your G.P.S. And, of course, digital calculators, microwaves, and watches have been with us for decades.

Technology is everywhere.

But some technology is very rare in Putnam County. We're talking about moving or flashing digital signs. While flashy images have impressed tourists and bored New Yorkers in Times Square for decades. Ditto in Las Vegas and Tokyo, Japan.

But not in Putnam County. That's because, in non-municipalities, moving digital signs have yet to get approval by our Anti-Progress Commissioners.

Yes, you'll find a couple in Hurricane, and one at Mountain View Elementary School, but in Teays Valley, and on the new U.S. 35, moving digital signs are illegal.

This, of course, makes parts of Putnam County look like it's stuck in the '60's. And that isn't acceptable.

Supposedly, it's a driving safety issue.

Baloney.

Text messaging on cell phones, applying makeup, smoking, are dangerous driving distractions. Moving digital signs aren't dangerous.

This is a situation where two backwards conservatives, "Amish Steve" Andes, and "Amish Joe" Haynes, can't stand progress, and are doing everything in their power to stop progress. So when a motion came to outlaw moving digital signs, Amish Steve and Amish Joe moved and seconded Putnam County businesses from using new technology.

Two people stopped sign makers, and advertisers from earning a living. Two people stopped businesses from using an effective tool. And those two people, Amish Steve, and Amish Joe, need to get into their horses and buggies and ride out of Putnam County!

Out of one side of their faces, The RINO's (Republicans In Name Only) claim to be against government interfering in business, but on the other side of their faces, vote against business.

If a billboard company, or a business, invests thousands of dollars in Putnam County, Andes and Haynes shouldn't stop them from using a moving digital sign. Instead, they should thank the business person for believing in Putnam County and support that business!

Because of government "leaders" like Andes and Haynes, Putnam County has a well-earned reputation for being "anti-business." Business owners have told me for years that the Putnam County Planning Commission is out-of-control.

I've never had to deal with building permits, but those that do tell me it's a nightmare!

The ironic thing is that while Putnam County won't allow pretty moving digital signs, they will allow a guy to keep junk all over his front yard. Go figure!

The hypocrisy extends past a couple of commissioners saying they are pro-business then stopping progressive, moving digital signs. Haynes is also Parks and Recreation Commissioner. Care to guess what Haynes and the parks commissioners recently ordered for the entrance of Valley Park? A moving digital sign!

Oh, the hypocrisy!

It seems government agencies, like the school board, (which put a moving digital sign in front of Mountain View Elementary) and the parks board, are exempt from codes outlawing moving digital signs.

PutnamLIVE.com is calling on Andes and Haynes to stop their hypocrisy! Prove they are pro-business by taking their grubby little hands off the moving digital sign prohibition. Instead of scaring businesses away with their RINO politics, go out and recruit some businesses. We need jobs in Putnam County, not a couple of backwards, Amish, RINO commissioners.