||| FROM DAVID TURNOY |||
I know, nobody likes seeing political yard signs put up all over the island. However, they do play a role in helping voters know who is running for office. The signs also lend a certain sense of seriousness or gravitas to a campaign; if a candidate is willing to spend the money for signs, that candidate must probably be a serious candidate. If the county were to deny the right to post such signs, they would probably face a first amendment free speech challenge.
There used to be a rule in our county that one could not put up a political sign more than 45 days before an election, and signs needed to be removed within three days after the election. However, that rule is no longer in place due to a judge’s concerns about violating the law. You can find the new rule at https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1460/Political-Sign-Code-Amendment
Since we no longer have time restrictions, those of us who had put up the Bob Ferguson signs in many spots around Orcas and San Juan Islands were planning on leaving them up. However, almost all of them have now disappeared. I have seen other Democrats’ signs removed as well. In contrast, most of the Republican signs are still standing.
It may be that someone not informed of the new rule decided to remove some of the signs. Or it could be someone wanting to just remove Democrats’ signs. I don’t want to make assumptions. However, taking signs that are lawfully displayed amounts to stealing of items that cost money to produce. No doubt they are being thrown into the waste stream, which is particularly maddening on an environmental level, as we generally save signs to use them again.
Going forward, I am hoping signs will be left alone.
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Yes, I just noticed today that the Bob Ferguson sign at the corner of North Beach Rd and School Street had been removed but that the Dave Reichert sign was still standing. Curious.
Ever thought about getting permission from the land owner before putting up signs all over the place?
A week before the primary, I had two signs removed from my own property along Crow Valley Rd, backing a candidate for a nonpartisan position. I gotta think this is more than an attempt to “help” enforce the county signs ordinance.
Thank you David for bringing this topic up. Since I read this earlier, I’ve felt the need to respond to this line:
“if a candidate is willing to spend the money for signs, that candidate must probably be a serious candidate.”
Isn’t this an assumption, not quite right 1+1=2 math? The parallel might be “if a candidate is willing to spam his backers with multiple texts daily, that candidate must probably be a serious candidate.” And, seriously, what is serious; Seriously serious? Capably serious? Wealthily serious? Humorly serious?
It seems like more accurate 1+1=2 math that
“if a candidate is willing to spend the money for signs, that candidate must probably have a big budget or a friend with a printing company.”
Curious if anyone remembers Wavy Gravy’s campaign of Nobody for President in- I believe 1984- (I have the t-shirt.) Signs everywhere, tons of publicity, very ‘serious’ slogans “If Nobody Wins, Nobody Loses” and “A Chicken for Every Pothole.” And yet, Nobody, serious or not, was…Nobody.
Just seriously curious here.
Political signs posted on other people’s property should be removed. Also, I would bet that county rights of way are off limits, the same as state rights of way. And Bob Ferguson, really? He doesn’t care about our state or US Constitutions. Put together any old bill that violates our rights and he’ll declare it OK. He would be a tyrant as governor.