MARIJUANA SIGN MAKES A DIFFERENCE

This letter is in response to an article that ran in the Thursday, March
23, 2000 edition of the Five Cities Gazette. Regarding John Frady's
billboard sign on the east side of Highway 101, on the north end of Shell
Beach. The sign does have a message and the message is clear, that drugs
can have devastating consequences not only for the person addicted to the
drugs, but also family members, loved ones, and even society in general.

We spent millions of dollars each year on putting drug addicts behind bars.
For many drug addicts it's just a matter of time before they find
themselves back behind bars. Their drug addictions eventually lead to loss
of their freedom, spirit, health, family and for some, even their life.

John Frady worked with my husband back in the early 1970's when as a young
man, he clearly had some drug problems. We worried plenty about John and
whether he would ever be able to find peace and regain control over his own
life. Fortunately, John was able to accomplish this by turning his life
over to Jesus Christ and shaking his addiction to drugs and the hold that
drugs had on his life.

John's sign is meant to wake you up and give you something to think about!
Who knows how many people have been helped by the message that John's sign
delivers? If the sign helps just one person get their life back on track,
then the sign has made a difference. Just ask a person who has finally been
able to overcome their drug addictions and regain their health and soul!

As for the sign being in violation of the County's sign ordinance, I would
think that the County's Code Enforcement Officers have more serious
problems to be concerned about. Challenging John's Frady's sign seems to be
a waste of time and energy better spent elsewhere!!

Please remember one important message, John is the Messenger and his sign
is the Message. Think about it.

Delores V. Carr, Arroyo Grande