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Greater Olney Civic Association officials are frustrated by the State Highway Administration's recent decision to disrupt their long-standing tradition of hanging banners at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Route 108.

For more than 20 years, GOCA has managed what banners are hung on the northeast corner of the intersection, as well as the "Welcome to Olney" sign on the northwest corner, based on what they claim was a special agreement with the State Highway Administration (SHA).

The SHA on Friday removed two banners from the northeast corner, saying they were located in the state right of way and were attached to an SHA-owned pole and a Pepco-owned pole.

SHA spokesman David Buck said the signs were removed after the highway department received a complaint and investigated where the signs were hung.

"In hindsight, I would have liked to reach out to GOCA first," he said. "But you are not supposed to hang anything on the poles. It's the same for political signs or anything in the right of way," he said.

Buck said as far as he knows there has never been an agreement between SHA and GOCA, at least in writing.

GOCA officials are upset.

"Normally, SHA does not allow any signs to be placed in their right of way, basically because of the distraction to drivers," immediate past president Barbara Falcigno said. "However, GOCA received special permission to erect the ‘Welcome to Olney' sign and the Sherwood High School sign."

In exchange for the sign placements, GOCA agreed to maintain the northeast and northwest corners, she said.

To raise money for utilities, maintenance and landscaping costs associated with the corners, SHA agreed to permit GOCA to control the hanging of temporary banners, Falcigno said.

GOCA approves each banner and charges a nominal administration fee.

The policy allows only for banners promoting community-based events sponsored by nonprofit agencies. The banners typically promote events such as concerts, health fairs and open houses.

"In a good year, the money raised may cover all of the costs involved with maintaining the intersection," Falcigno said, "but not always."

During the summer, Falcigno said, several dead trees on the northwest corner were taken down, new trees were planted and more landscaping around the welcome sign was added.

"We had to fill out a form to do that, and the SHA approved it," she said. "The community has stepped up to maintain these corners for more than 20 years, so it seems like someone with some sense needs to step in and stop this bureaucracy."

GOCA President Sharon Dooley said the civic association will have to refund the money for the banners taken down, as well as other banners that organizations applied for months in advance.

"Not only is it a source of income for GOCA, it's also a great communication tool for Olney," she added.

Buck said he wants to work with GOCA and formalize an agreement based on current guidelines.

"Hopefully, this is just a minor blip in the bigger scheme of things and we can come to an agreement with GOCA," he said.

But Dooley is not so sure.

"They want us to apply for a yearly permit and then notify them every time we hang a sign, which can be three times a week," she said. "That is far too bureaucratic to be effective."