That's a nice thought for the Salt Lake Valley. Zero billboards. Nothing in the way but the big western sky and the Rocky Mountains — and maybe a little temperature inversion every now and then.

I became a big fan of billboard-free living when I resided for a time in Santa Barbara, Calif. Billboards are not permitted there, and over time it's amazing how much more you feel a part of a place when you constantly look at the place as you travel around, instead of at ads telling you how great Wendover is this time of year.

It would have been cool if the County Council had voted to tear down all the billboards in Salt Lake County — cool but also unfair to the billboard companies that have erected their inventory entirely within the law.

At least the council said enough is enough, which is what Lady Bird Johnson said, sort of.

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Lee Benson's column runs Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please send e-mail to benson@desnews.com and faxes to 801-237-2527.