Campaign Signs Capers, Nefarious Doings or DOT
There are several explanations behind missing campaign signs
By LEANNE GENDREAU
Updated 10:17 AM EST, Mon, Nov 2, 2009
Campaign sign mysteries are popping up all over the state with elections set for Tuesday. Some of the cases might be the work of signs thieves and scandals, but in North Branford there is nothing nefarious in their disappearance.
It’s the work of Connecticut DOT workers, who are stopping at nothing to keep you safe and keep the politics off state property -- even if it means taking on pesky politicians.
North Branford political leaders were scratching their heads when all the campaign signs in town disappeared.
It seems that some eager volunteers put them where they could be seen, close to the road – too close, according to the chairmen of the Republican and Democratic town committees. They were on state land. While it’s good for visibility, the state won’t stand for it.
The missing signs turned up in trash bins at DOT facilities in Guilford and Wallingford. Republican and Democratic leaders said they have put most of the signs back up after finding them in the trash bins a few days ago.
While there is nothing amiss about the missing North Branford signs, Republicans in Greenwich are accusing Democrats of stealing campaign signs as part of a big conspiracy.
John Raben, the Republican Town Committee chairman, blames the Democrats and tells the Greenwich Time, “it’s just childish.”
So, Frank Farricker, a leader of the Democratic Town Committee, challenges the Republicans to prove his party took the signs.
As the parties point fingers, there’s also the possibility that the state Department of Transportation is behind those missing signs too, the Time reports.
Preston police were also on the hunt for missing signs after 35 to 40 election signs went missing. No word on who's behind that caper.
The DOT, however, is definitely not behind “sign gate” in Cromwell, where there’s a sign controversy and the alleged culprit says it's freedom of expression, the Middletown Press reports.
Board of Selectman candidate Ann Halibozek’s name was taped over and she told the Press that misogyny is driving the issue, a belief that “a woman shouldn’t be a candidate for the (Board of Selectmen).”
Joseph Cardillo, the man who the Press reports blocked out Halibozek’s name, said the issue is party loyalty and his right to freedom of speech. He also accused Halibozek of trying to “strong-arm” legitimate criticisms of her actions. There is also an issue of a falling out the two have had, the paper reports.
And over in River Heights, there's the mystery of who drew a mustache on a campaign poster. Oh, wait, that's from "Nancy Drew: Funny Face Fight ."
The lessons seem to be to stay fair and keep off the road.
Copyright Associated Press
First Published: Nov 2, 2009 9:03 AM EST
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