There is nothing wrong with the Zelienople Borough Council's intent to improve the borough's sign ordinance. However, the council shouldn't try to dictate requirements for signs in store windows.

At a council meeting Monday at which amendments to the current ordinance were proposed, Bill Davis, owner of Health Naturale at 114 S. Main St. in the borough, was correct that "the inside of our windows should be ours."

The council shouldn't be criticized for making recommendations concerning window signs, but following those suggestions should be optional. Outside signs are another matter.

Marla Marcinko, borough manager, said the idea to not let signs exceed a certain percentage of a store's windows would protect the aesthetics of the borough.

"I can tell you undoubtedly . . . a large reason why we have the people coming into this town that we do is because of aesthetics," she said.

That might be so, but the council's responsibility is to run a borough government, not a dictatorship. The council should strive to achieve an understanding with the business community about window signs outside the realm of a law format.

The council used good judgment Monday in announcing that it would not try to rush the sign-ordinance amendments into law. Instead, the council said, the proposed changes would be submitted to the Zelienople/Harmony Chamber of Commerce and to borough businesses for review and input.

Public meetings on the rules changes will be held prior to council action.

The council is right in how it is handling the amendment process, even though it is wrong about the prospect of mandatory in-store window sign requirements.