Why I Started the
“Positivity starts here!”
Campaign

Hello, my name is Jonna.

In 2020, when COVID started, I felt helpless. It was important to me to reach out to others who might be feeling the same way. So, my husband built me a chalkboard sign, and I placed it along Capital Avenue SW with positive messages to reach people passing by daily.

Six summers later, in August 2026, I was told the sign needed to be moved and made smaller to obey the city ordinance. I moved it and adjusted the size - the frame of the sign made it one inch too wide and two inches too tall. Then I was told to take it down completely in three days.

I am starting the “Positivity starts here!” community campaign because I believe Battle Creek's sign ordinance is not clear, concise, or fairly enforced.

At the time I was told to remove my sign, there were at least 58 other signs along Capital Avenue SW not in compliance (all documented, cataloged, photographed, and measured), yet mine had to be removed. I felt singled out by city government and staff.

I was told by the city that the message on the sign does not matter. I believe it does. I also believe I have a First Amendment right to share positive messages with my community.

I am asking the citizens of our community to put a “Positivity starts here!” sign in your yard and show that you are choosing positivity - not just once, but every single day.

“Positivity starts here!” - with each one of us.