Sometimes you can fight City Hall. Here's an example of how a bit of noise from upset residents and some good arguments pushed the city to change its rules. The topic at hand -- special event banners hung from city light poles -- is admittedly not of the cataclysmic variety. But it's one of the pieces of the mosaic that illustrates city life. As such, it was a piece that could make the picture better or worse.

Four years ago, newly elected Mayor Tom Menino proposed to add life to an often austere city by using city light poles to promote key city events. He got the idea from a number of other cities, including New York, which regularly advertises events like museum openings, sports teams' victories and important city charities on poles.

But like many great ideas, there were certain pitfalls. The first banners were placed all over downtown Boston, in commercial, business and residential districts, provoking protests from many residents. Some banners carried advertising, including liquor, which put the city in the uncomfortable position of promoting drinking. There were no guidelines as to what events could have banners, and what could not, and the terms under which this relatively new advertising vehicle could be purchased. In putting up the banners, no one from the administration consulted with any of the city's seven architectural commissions. Some in the city who had waged war for years against billboards were disconcerted to find the city now advocating billboards of its own.

The city responded to some of the concerns immediately, and agreed to restrict placement of the banner on primarily residential streets. Otherwise, however, there was no formal policy on banner use and placement. Decisions about banners were made on an ad hoc basis. Thus, for example, even though virtually all agreed that liquor advertising should not be allowed, the AIDS Ride continued to display banners that prominently featured Tanqueray Gin.

Frustrated by the lack of any policy, former City Councilor Richard Iannella and I filed an ordinance that would sharply restrict use of banners throughout the city. Pushed by this as well as by ongoing complaints from residents, the city's public works department began to develop a set of regulations for banners that would address their use comprehensively. In hearings before the council this summer, the department outlined the coverage of the new rules. As requested by many, liquor advertising would be banned. The size, shape and placement of the banners would be defined, and there were requirements that banners be approved by architectural commissions before being placed in historic districts.

The draft regulations are about to be issued. After a comment period they will be revised to reflect any new issues raised and then go into effect.

The legislation before the Council is now on file, waiting to see the outcome of the rule making process. If, as now appears to be the case, the new rules are satisfactory, the ordinance will remain dormant. If not, the Council can reinsert itself into the process.

It's a small thing. But most of running a city involves doing small things, a lot of them, and doing them well.