Political signs stolen

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Candidates from both the Republican and Democratic parties have reported having political signs stolen around Putnam County recently. Some McCain/Palin signs were even burned.

"I heard from Nancy Fogle that all of the McCain/Palin signs on Gardenside Drive were burned," commented Larry Sutton, chairman of the Republican Party.

"I did call the sheriff and he is looking into it. But unless somebody sees something how can you do anything?" he asked.

Sutton also reported that the State picked up a lot of their signs on U.S. 40. Many of them were moved when people mowed and left in the right of way. When that happens, Sutton says he just goes to the highway garage and picks up all their signs and brings them back.

"But we don't ever encourage anyone to take signs and I'm sure the other party does not do that either," said Sutton.

Bud Sharp, Democratic treasurer told the Banner Graphic he heard reports to the central committee of some candidates signs being taken from yards as well.

"Sometimes it's the state who has the right to take them if they are in the right of way. They take them to the State garage in Cloverdale and throw them in a pile behind the building. Candidates can pick them up if they want to go through the pile," said Sharp.

The loss of signs is both expensive and time consuming for the people running for office. Signs cost about $7.

"Not only are the signs expensive but it takes time to find people to let you put them in their yards," said Sharp.

"The problem candidates run into is not knowing where the rights of way are. They are not always clearly marked and sometimes they come right down to the edge of a field or yard. If that's the case the state or county can take the signs," added Sharp.

Terry Clifford has had signs stolen from a large grouping. He reported that a friend chased down a white van that was removing his signs.

Sharp told a story about having signs stolen a few years ago and finding them tossed in cornfields. He reported it to a county law enforcement agency.

Most candidates do lose some signs during a campaign and most have reported that to the central committee.

"It's ridiculous if people are just stealing certain candidates signs," commented Sharp.

"It's seems it is something we all have to live with," added Sutton.

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  • Guess what? I woke this morning to see that my Obama sign and the Obama signs of several of my neighbors were missing. Someone had to walk way up in to my lawn to do the dirty deed. I guess these McCain supporters didn't get the memo about free speech. Is this what we have to look forward to should the Republicans continue in power? Furthermore, I have a sneaking suspicion that they planted this story about alleged tampering with McCain signs as a preemptive strike. Got to hand it to the Right, they are very clever. They seem to be two steps ahead on this kind of treachery. If only their leaders could have been even one step ahead of the curve on our economy and on how to avoid the 9/11 attacks or how to assist folks after Katrina. Stealing my yard sign: petty, but oh so telling about character. Remember: character is what you do when nobody is watching!

    -- Posted by sneakers on Sat, Oct 18, 2008, at 10:35 AM
  • We are in California and our McCain/Palin sign was stolen one night. We got another one and now we take it down each evening and put it back up in the morning. At least it is visible during the daylight hours.

    -- Posted by Former Clover on Sat, Oct 18, 2008, at 11:23 AM
  • cant just blame republicans for the economy the democrats had power too... anyone who cant see that is not bright enough to vote anyway!

    -- Posted by manintenn on Sat, Oct 18, 2008, at 12:31 PM
  • I think all of the Obama signs should be burnt!

    -- Posted by Buck_Hunter_2008 on Sat, Oct 18, 2008, at 1:08 PM
  • All our signs were stolen by a guy in a White pickup truck on US 40 - I wrote in the speak out about it - read the last speak out on Friday nights paper (10/17).

    I can't wait until McCain & Palin are in the White House and all this is over!

    Palin Rocked last night at the Rally!!

    -- Posted by luv2bmom2001 on Sat, Oct 18, 2008, at 2:11 PM
  • I don't believe McCain will win. Palin has brought down his ratings which he will not recover from.

    -- Posted by Harmony Church on Sat, Oct 18, 2008, at 3:37 PM
  • Hey everyone, remember it is also the month of October and many teenagers do this as a prank. They take them, put them somewhere else put a mixture in yards, I doubt it is all political. I wouldn't doubt if there were real estate signs missing too.

    -- Posted by iumcrn on Sun, Oct 19, 2008, at 2:49 AM
  • Is anyone on this board actually persuaded by yard signs? Around the second week of October when yards and roadways are flooded with a sea of signs, is there actually anyone who tally's them up to determine who the more popular candidate is and thus the most vote-worthy? They're a completely useless addition to campaign strategy, which ends up a wash in the end. The only people who benefit are the sign companies profitting from them.

    manintenn:

    Actually, no. The Republicans controlled the Executive Branch and both Legislative branches (House and Senate) from 2000-2006. While the House gained a majority it's nowhere near enough votes to override a presidential veto, which Bush first used 6 years into his term when democrats took the majority. George Bush took office with a budget surplus in 2000 and over the term of 6 years while the REPUBLICAN Congress rubber-stamped his initiatives, essentially created the largest deficits in history. That mess was there when democrats captured the House in 2006 and they only hold a majority in the Senate because the 2 independents caucus with them. BTW...one of which supports your boy McCain.

    Not to mention, McCain has every intention on continuing the costly war in Iraq "until we win," whatever that means, voted FOR the $700 Billion bailout, the medicare/social security systems are not solvent, our educational achievements lag far behind other industrialized nations, our healthcare system is laughable, we have an energy crisis, and this bonehead thinks we can cut taxes across the board. "Let's freeze all government spending [Wonder how Iraq will be funded?] and give disproportionately large tax-cuts to the wealthy [which, if our present situation doesn't make clear, DO NOT CREATE JOBS AND STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMY!]." What they did under Reagan and Bush Jr., and would continue to do under McCain is create deficits. They do not create the jobs promised, they simply borrow money from China on the backs of future taxpayers to give the already wealthy the ability to gamble MORE. Talk about an elitist! Why would anyone want to cut the poverty-stricken, elderly and disabled off at the knees? You know that's what an "across the board spending freeze" means don't you? Reprehensible.

    -- Posted by WiseChic on Sun, Oct 19, 2008, at 10:13 PM
  • Buck_Hunter_2008, you are an idiot! Are you racist! What a stupid statement! Not only is it petty theft now you are encouraging arson! What a freaking moron you are! What happened to freedom of speech! These signs cost money! Watch what you encourage people to do.

    -- Posted by HelloMcFly on Sun, Oct 19, 2008, at 10:59 PM
  • Hey sneakers, why the everyone-is-out-to-get-democrats attitude? there are stupid stupid people on both sides of the political fence. Ignorant Republicans, Ignorant Democrats... Intelligent Republicans and Democrats as well. The point of this story is this: if people want to make a political statement, do it legally and without defacing property. Know the rules, abide by them, practice freedom of speech, and vote. Got to hand it to the right and left; they are both corrupt beyond repair. Don't help them by assuming.

    -- Posted by MsBehaving on Mon, Oct 20, 2008, at 10:45 AM
  • *

    I didn't see anything racist in Buck_Hunter_2008's comment. I definitely wouldn't burn them, though. They're gonna make good targets after gun control legislation is in place.

    -- Posted by tackleberry65 on Wed, Oct 22, 2008, at 9:13 AM
  • No i am not racist i have 3 colored TV's! I just do not agree with everything Obama is for!

    -- Posted by Buck_Hunter_2008 on Wed, Oct 22, 2008, at 12:11 PM
  • thanks WISECHIC...well said!!!!!

    -- Posted by badboy46120 on Thu, Oct 23, 2008, at 8:28 AM
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