An Augusta commissioner has suggested a use for the vacant Regency Mall: Use it to store political signs confiscated from public rights of way.

Commissioner Don Grantham brought the issue up at Tuesday's meeting, saying the city's ordinance against signs on public property is not being enforced.

"We're not doing what's right by not exercising the ordinance we have in place," he said.

Mr. Grantham said he was not targeting any candidate because the candidates themselves could not put out all of the signs.

"So I'm just asking and requesting the candidates give this information to their campaign workers and ask them to refrain from putting these in right of ways," he said. "Otherwise, I think we should pick them up and take them to a central location. I understand from talking to the marshal there's plenty of room at Regency Mall, and any candidate can go and reclaim the signs."

Interim Mayor Willie Mays, who is running for mayor, said if the marshal's department starts picking up campaign signs it should start with those left over from last year, not that he had any on public right of ways.

"Mine just got in yesterday, so they ain't had time to get out there," he said.

Also during Tuesday's meeting, commissioners voted to receive a petition with 479 names and a request from a delegation of south Augusta residents not to pursue plans to build a drag strip on city-owned land off Mike Padgett Highway.

Spokesman Ray Walker, a Horseshoe Road resident, said residents oppose the racetrack because of the noise and traffic it would generate.

"It's not just one issue," he said. "There are seven reasons we've come upon."

Mr. Walker said people live in the rural area to get away from noise and don't want their peace disturbed by loudspeakers. There are also two churches nearby, he said.

"Can you imagine having a Bible study or homecoming?" he asked.

Residents also are opposed to the city spending money on a racetrack when it can't give employees raises or keep deputies from leaving Augusta for better paying jobs in surrounding counties, he said.

Mr. Walker asked commissioners to consider the impact of a drag strip on another 1,600 acres, which was a gift to the city from Kimberly-Clark Corp.

Mayor Pro Tem Marion Williams, a proponent of the drag strip, said he would like to have a delegation of people who want the strip appear before the commission.

Mr. Williams contends that one International Hot Rod Association event would bring $30 million to Augusta each year.

Reach Sylvia Cooper at (706) 823-3228 or sylvia.cooper@augustachronicle.com.