Signs Gone Missing
Dozens of lawns signs in support of all Democratic candidates have recently gone missing in Holliston—and yes, this started well before Hurricane Sandy made an appearance. It is discouraging to wake up after a calm night to see that every one of your candidates’ signs has been mangled or stolen. Some people have experienced this repeatedly during this election season. Beth Greely, the Democratic Town Committee chairperson had signs defaced that were on her fence, her personal property, yet again.
This is my first year working on an election; I am a new member of the Democratic Town Committee, and as such have participated first-hand in the effort required to make phone calls to find out who might like a sign, picking them up, and spending hours driving around town installing them. These signs cost money, too, paid for by donations to a candidate’s campaign. Locations must be noted and the signs tracked. It’s a lot of work. We also make sure to obey all town bylaws for displaying signs.
More than the cost in time, effort, and money, it takes some measure of courage to display a sign on your lawn, to make your political leanings visible, and to make a conscious decision to participate openly in the free speech granted to us by the Constitution. It certainly takes more courage than creeping about the town, stealing and destroying signs in the dark of night.
We believe that the opposition campaign had nothing to do with this, as they are honorable folk who believe in Constitutional rights and would not stoop to such a small-minded act of petty vandalism. We are also hopeful that the opposing campaign will join us in denouncing this attempt to silence voices in our community. Whoever is trashing one party’s signs succeeds merely in casting a shadow on their own party. It is my fervent hope that no Republican signs go missing, either.
We ask that no more signs of any candidates—Democratic, Republican, or any other—be “disappeared” before the election on November 6th. If your sign has gone missing, please call the DTC for another one. We will replace it if possible.
And, please vote on November 6th. Let freedom ring...
Scott Brown signs have turned up missing in Holliston and points north in the metrowest area. In many cases, Warren signs have stayed put in these same places. I agree it would honorable to leave all signs alone.
Bob Palmer | 2012-11-05 15:40:17
My son and I hiked out into the quarry this afternoon. What a nice day for a walk in the woods! Anyway, we checked for political signs, but all we saw were old signs from old campaigns...nothing current. Keep your eyes open for the new "dump" site. And if anyone is looking for volunteer work--boy scouts, whatever--there's a lot of trash in the quarry, including old barbeque grills, what looks like a water heater, beer cans, and of course the old political signs.
Dianna Vosburg | 2012-11-04 13:54:39
This happens to some degree every two years. It is youthful pranks as is the occasional graffiti that flares up from time to time. These same young people grow up to be responsible citizens in time.
Snowy | 2012-11-03 06:25:34
Many Marty Lamb campaign signs disappeared in Southborough and Hopkinton,some in Holliston during this week, especially on Halloween. It's quite a volunteer effort to call voter lists and deliver signs. It really is reprehensible to have them "relocated", to put it mildly.
Margaret Reeves | 2012-11-03 02:06:21
I've had about a dozen Scott Brown signs go missing in the area as well as a few other Republican signs. This same thing happened here in Holliston in 2010 when we had a number of Patrick, Cahill, and Baker signs all go missing and eventually turn up in the Quarry behind Pinecrest. Hopefully no more signs on either side of the aisle go missing ! But I think we may be dealing with some younger high schools kids taking some of these signs as has happened in the past as well..
Ted Dooley | 2012-11-02 13:30:13