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Thursday, July 15, 2004
Smiley sun defeats lobster in close vote
Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||||||
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Also on this page: BEST-LOOKING PLATES | |||||
Kentucky's highly unpopular license plate featuring a smiling, rising sun outshined - by one vote - Maine's lobster in a national contest. The Automobile License Plate Collectors Association gave the 2003 Best License Plate Award to Kentucky, which introduced the new design last year. An award ceremony was held Tuesday in Frankfort. Kentucky beat out Maine's special-issue lobster plate 80-79 among 513 votes cast by association members. The "God Bless America" special-issue plate in Texas received 77 votes. Maine's secretary of state, whose office is in charge of license plates, said, "We're pleased that Maine's lobster license plate has proven to be popular in our state and beyond. Much of the credit goes to Maine's Lobster Promotion Council, which worked with us on the design." But Dan Gwadosky also raised a concern. "Given the close vote total," he said in a written statement, "we think a recount might be in order. Given the unique role of Maine's Department of the Secretary of State - overseeing both the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the state's Elections Division - we would be more than willing to conduct the recount." Or not, said Tim Stentiford, director of the plate collectors' association contest. "If you lined up all 50 United States and the District of Columbia and looked at their general-issue (plates), the one that pops the most is Kentucky," he said. "The dramatic colors, the crisp, clear state legend in a distinctive font at the top, and the smiling sun - love it or hate it - it really does stand out in the crowd." Many Kentuckians don't like the smiley-face plate, and specialty plate sales increased after it was introduced. It is not scheduled for replacement until 2008. The Stratford, Conn.-based association judged 200 new U.S. license plates on three criteria: attractiveness, legibility and how well they promote their state. Dick Murgatroyd, deputy secretary of the Transportation Cabinet, said he thinks the award boosts Kentucky's image. "We're a friendly state, we're a warm state, we're a state that welcomes people," he said.
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