On this day in 2014, Santa Clarita voters made two significant decisions that helped shape the region’s political and visual landscape: rejecting a controversial city billboard deal and electing a new representative to Congress.

After months of debate, public outreach, neighborhood meetings and a high-profile signature-gathering campaign, Santa Clarita voters rejected Measure S, a city-backed plan to remove 62 traditional billboards and replace them with three digital boards along Interstate 5 and the 14 Freeway.

The proposed agreement was negotiated with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (METRO) and the outdoor advertising firm Allvision, offering the city billboard removal and a share of digital advertising revenue.

Supporters, including several City Council members, argued the plan would remove visual blight and bring in ongoing funds for community services.

Then-Mayor Laurene Weste recused herself from votes pertaining to the issue because she owns property with value that would be affected by the billboard deal.

Critics of the measure scorned the “backroom deal,” calling Measure S a symbol for the “abuse and arrogance of an insulated government.”

Those in favor claimed Measure S would beautify the city, and add a 50-year revenue stream of up to $1 million per year to Santa Clarita coffers, in addition to other benefits.

Los Angeles County officials received more than 16,000 petition signatures opposing the city’s plan. Of those, 11,370 were deemed sufficient, which exceeded the 11,170-signature threshold. Thus, the deal was sent to voters to decide rather than to the city dais for a final determination.

Ultimately, residents voted the measure down, 16,284 to 12,697, halting the project and preserving existing local billboards.

The same night, voters in the 25th Congressional District elected State Sen. Steve Knight to replace long-serving U.S. Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, who retired after more than two decades in office.

Knight, the son of Palmdale’s first Mayor, “Pete Knight, defeated Tony Strickland, earning 46,610 votes to Strickland’s 40,491, continuing Republican representation in the district.

The ballot also saw Assemblyman Scott Wilk re-elected, Tom Lackey elected to represent the 36th Assembly District and local voters approving Measure EE to fund Saugus Union School District capital improvements.

In countywide results, Jim McDonnell was elected Los Angeles County Sheriff.

To read yesterday’s Today in History, click here.

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