As the Nov. 7 election nears, expect more violations of city yard sign rules. This past weekend, for example, campaign signs for Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, were posted illegally along several major roads in northwest Wichita — and in several of those locations, more than a dozen Tiahrt signs were posted illegally, one after another.
Some campaign volunteers may not know that they can’t post signs on public property or in right of ways, which includes the area on private property between a public sidewalk and the street. But even so, posting signs illegally reflects poorly on the campaigns — either the campaign didn’t inform its volunteers of the basic rules, or the volunteers know the rules and don’t care.
By the way, I smiled when I first heard about the vigilante group that puts orange stickers on illegally posted yard signs — and I wondered if any of you bloggers were a part of it.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
Registered?
Commenting on WE Blog now requires you to be a Kansas.com member. Use the links above to register, if you haven't already, or to log in.Contact us
Follow us
Daily Archives
-
Recent Comments
- Pleefer on Open thread 11/22
- cosmos_originally on Open thread 11/22
- Phantom on Open thread 11/22
- Phantom on Open thread 11/22
- Rage on Open thread 11/22
- Pleefer on Open thread 11/22
- Pleefer on Open thread 11/22
- cosmos_originally on Open thread 11/22
- Rage on Open thread 11/22
- Rage on Open thread 11/22
49 Comments
I frequently see signs on a pedestrian overpass on Kellogg.
Last Saturday evening I saw about 25 Tiahrt signs lined up in a long row at the southeast corner of Tyler & 13th Streets. All I could think was that’s what you get when you have no ideas and an excess of money. I have noticed that at most corners (in those public right-of-ways) there will be a sign for Tiahrt, one for Barnett, one for Kline and here in the Northwest part of the city one for Watkins. You’re right that it doesn’t reflect well on any of those candidates. I plan to vote against ALL of them!
I’m at least one of the offenders (not in wichita, but..)
No, I did not know until AFTER I had gone around and put up the signs that it wasn’t proper to put them there. It was an honest mistake on my part.
Tempest in a teapot.
All kinds of businesses put up all kinds of signs where they’re not supposed to.
Check out “we buy ugly houses” on telephone poles or “Wichita singles” two inches from the curb.
I’d rather see political signs than somebody just trying to make a quick buck as usual.
I’m willing to let them post their signs, if I can post mine . . . hehehe.
http://www.freewayblogger.com/
Garth McGinn is best suited to serve the constituents of Kansas 4th Congressional District. He will not be beholden to special interests that have dominated our current representative for the past 12 years. Garth’s positions are moderate. He would help lead the effort in sincere campaign funding and ethics reform. Garth believes energy independence can benefit Kansas farmers immensely and reduce our reliance on foreign oil by doubling fuel efficiencies in 5 years and having half of vehicles on alternative fuel by 10 years. He knows it is a key growth area for Kansans and the nation, requiring both public investment and tax incentives. He will work to simplify the tax code and end loopholes enjoyed by just the wealthiest Americans. The incumbent has little to nothing to show for his 12 years as your representative in Washington, and has no plan for the needed changes. It is time for a change in Washington and the the Republican party’s unparalleled corruption, crony capitalism and scandal. .
Garth McGinn will be an advocate for the change and improvement sorely needed. Garth McGinn will best represent you.
I can’t believe anyone could criticize these actions as illegal. These people are just trying to provide for their families. To put food in their childrens mouths, you should be ashamed of yourselves.
I have not seen ANY Tiahrt signs in my southeast part of town. If I do see any improperly posted I will not be putting any orange stickers on them! I will be ….uh……relocating them to a …..uh …..storage receptacle.
Hey, Liberal and Gay,
How’s this for clever?
Pretty clever, huh?
Where is the city official that is responsible for taking the offending signs down? When there isn’t an election, you hear about some official randomly removing signs. Is this official too busy this time of year or do they just not care?
Dan – they do collent numerous signs. They just can’t keep up.
Is it REALLY that big of a deal in the big scheme of things? Come on now. Does two feet really make that big of a difference? If it’s obstructing a view, fine, take it down.
Tiahrt could have not spent a penny on advertising and he’d STILL win by a landslide.
I cannot believe my fellow liberal comrades want to deny political speech to people that disagree with them.Please Lord forgive them for they know not what they do.Why are the liberals of today like the facists and nazis of days gone past?Please Lord protect us from their hateful ideology and schemes.
P_Mom, the “big deal” as to signs in the city easement is the fact that their existence there could be construed as an endorsement by the city. Distraction of drivers is another reason given for the ban in some cities and towns.
BTW, not all municipalities have ordinance like Wichita’s; thus, in some places, the placement of signs “in the parking”, as my grandparents referred to it, is very common and not proscribed.
Not too many signs around here. There are some Barnett/Wagle signs near where my daughter lives, and on the way there I saw a Morrison sign. (Southeast, like JR) But on the west side today, traveling up and then down Maize Rd to and from Central and Kellogg, I saw a string of Tiarht and Kline signs, alternated along the side of the road. Saw the same driving along I235 headed south from K-42, too. I noticed that the Tiarht signs were looking kind of dull. Well used, and the white background was yellowed, so he didn’t put out a lot of money for new signs.
political mom
The problem with the signs is that there is a not small portion of voters who are stupid. I couldn’t guess at the percentage. But many voters will get in the booth or stand at the machine and pick the name they have seen the most. That’s not a slight on them except maybe for the fact that they should be better informed.
Let me walk you through how such a person thinks (See? the first time I ever voted, I was one of those people!)
Hmm Representative 4th district Kansas. Todd Tiahrt or Garth McGinn. Who is Garth McGinn? I don’t think I’ve ever heard that name before? Why wasn’t he on TV like the other guy Tiahrt? I saw him a lot! He says he is doing a good job. Where is the other guy? I see Tiahrts name on lots of signs too. People must really like him for there to be so many signs. I thing I’ll vote for Tiahrt.
See how it works?
That is why the signs are a problem. They are pretty self regulating as to businessess. No business wants to risk alienating a large group of potential customers by posting a political preference. You will note that when you see these clusters of signs, they are generally along a vacant lot or in front of a closed store. No protest, no harm, no foul. Except for the fact that signs cost money. So the illegally placed signs will number in favor of the candidate with the most money.That is USUALLY the incumbentAll in all, a bad thing for goverment.
A good answer to ALL of this would be government financed campaigns.
Tiarht Zone , Satire Cartoon
http://mccluer.name/tiarht%20zone.jpg
I would like to see the numbers on illegally placed signs that have to be picked up. Somebody could publish a listing by name and the number of signs — about now, a week out from voting. It would give us a better idea of the lawmakers that believe they are above the law. In this town I think Tiahrt is most guilty! But he can’t really be bothered with us back home. We’re not important; a bunch of signs will just have to do. I know it won’t happen but would really like to see him held accountable by those he is paid to “represent.”
Well I”ve personally never seen a sign that I’ve thought “the city supports that guy?” And I’ve never been distracted by a sign either. I was talking about the placement of a sign in yard, not hundreds of them lining a road.
That is what I meant by what is the big deal.
I saw a bunch of Tiahrt signs one right after another in a big bunch on east 21st.
I was thinking that some lazy campaigner wanted to get rid of his signs and just decided to drop them in one place.
Tiahrt doesn’t need signs. He’s going to be easily re-elected by an enormous landslide.
well the problem is…it was the tiahrt clan that shoved 8 years of Clinton Impeachment and remember Whitewater a real estate deal from the seventies, that the clintons lost money on.
They are the masters at nit picking.
During the Clinton Impeachment, We heard non stop about the rule of law, the sanctity of law, and that no one is above the law. But at campaign time Tiarht always comes home and the weekend before the election he places thousands of signs where there are clearly in violation.
So maybe nit picking on illegally placed signs is a bit much, but why is it, everyone else is held to a higher standard.
I say ticket them, fine them. I think most people have had about enough of Tiahrts arrogance.
Recently I was in Wichita and as I passed the intersection of Harry and Oliver. I noticed several Tiahrt and Kline signs in a row.At lesat a six each, all within a eighteen feet section.Kline is in trouble there is no doubt. But the over kill on Tiehrt?
Hey that’s less than a mile from my house!
If they are on the parking, the Tiahrt signs will…….uh……..not be there tomorrow. It’s windy tonight. I think they will blow away.
I must reiterate Jim’s take on this situation:
WHO FUCKING CARES?
What part of illegal campaign sign don’t you understand?When it is in spanish!
LOL
I need to learn Spanish so I can survive in this country!
Come to think of it, I was by that corner just awhile ago. I saw the Kline signs. They have been there at least a week. I didn’t see Tiahrt signs. Maybe somebody already put Todd in compliance with the law?
Check out 235 and Central on and off ramps… I counted on the southbound onramp last night and counted 27 Tanker Todd signs, on each side of the on ramp.
Saw some more Tanker Todd signs up by Zoo and 25th i think along 235…
I have seen a couple of other places in town with large numbers of Tanker Todd signs, oh, south 235 on the west side, there are a bunch of larger 3′x5′ signs, but those are probally on private property…
Another mention, I am sick and tired of the Kline/Morrison rance. Who gives a flip if Morrison hit on a drunk chick at a party… I would too… Big F’ing deal.
Will,
Nice technique, when all else fails, curse. Add a F word here, a F word there, here an F, there an F word, everywhere an F word.
Oh yeah, effective communication. Maybe they should start using that on the six 0′clock news.
Or maybe when you get wheeled in an emergency room, you can hear from the Doctor’s lounge, “who Fword cares.)
yeah that works, apathetic swear fests.
Can’t make your point, add the Fword.
Oh yeah, we’re on a roll. No need to form sentences, we can just Fword our way through life.
All of these signs were placed on Friday night after city and county offices were closed. You have to be concerned about a political organization that has to sneak around in the dead of night to place their signs in unlawful locations, especially if the group claims to be the standard bearer for law and order.
The optimal word is unlawful. That is why you should f’n care. Everyone should care when someone breaks a law. The ones I find ironic are those for attorney general. Both sides have people that are breaking the law and putting signs up where they shouldn’t be. They break the law to support the one person that should follow the letter of the law on every matter.
I hate to break it to you, but you are no better than those who violated the sign laws when you take them down or put orange stickers on them.
Perhaps if you simply got of your lazy buts and contacted the Election Commisioner it would do 2 things:
1. The right thing, but allowing those in charge to take the appropriate steps to take signs down legally.
2. Bring it to the Election Commisions attention just how many signs are being set up illegally.
Thank you for your input Nathan. Being a rugged individualist, I’ll take matters in my own hands.
Two years ago I helped Todd Tiahrt comply with the law 31 times. This year I’m only up to two. I hope to better my tally tomorrow! :)
Snoop Dog for Secretary of State.A few blunts at the peace summit,then they can all hit the buffet bar.
Garth McGinn is best suited to serve the constituents of Kansas 4th Congressional District. He will not be beholden to special interests that have dominated our current representative for the past 12 years. Garth’s positions are moderate. He would help lead the effort in sincere campaign funding and ethics reform. Garth believes energy independence can benefit Kansas farmers immensely and reduce our reliance on foreign oil by doubling fuel efficiencies in 5 years and having half of vehicles on alternative fuel by 10 years. He knows it is a key growth area for Kansans and the nation, requiring both public investment and tax incentives. He will work to simplify the tax code and end loopholes enjoyed by just the wealthiest Americans. The incumbent has little to nothing to show for his 12 years as your representative in Washington, and has no plan for the needed changes. It is time for a change in Washington and the the Republican party’s unparalleled corruption, crony capitalism and scandal. .
Garth McGinn will be an advocate for the change and improvement sorely needed. Garth McGinn will best represent you.
Nice comment about government funded campaigns… sounds like a true liberal. Let’s just let the government take over every part of our lives, it would makes things so much easier. That’s what the Bolshevik’s taught.
As far as the excessive attack on Tiahrt and his sign droppers, I was one for the last couple of campaigns and we were told of where to drop within the law. You have people that forget or were given signs without instruction that are a part of the problem. As far as a distraction, I think it is a distraction when you want to make it a distraction. Such as counting them as you drive down the road.
I would suggest that we have more education on the sign laws. This would help to a certain degree. As with any law there are those that want to bend the law as much as they are allowed (ie: speeding, turn signals, garage sales, etc.)
Sounds like we have some in Wichita that are suffering from sign envy…
Ken, quit it. this is as bad as posting all those illegel signs.
My sign’s bigger than your sign.HA.Sign envy?Oh come on.
Ken, post away.I see nothing wrong with getting your message out.
No sign envy here. I think it reflects on Tiahrt just as it should — it shows that he is a lawmaker who thinks he is above the law. It doesn’t matter who is actually placing the signs illegally, it’s his name on those signs and he who should be responsible AND ISN’T! If he can’t control the way his campaign is run I guess that answers any questions about what he can control. We have BIG problems in Congress and he is part of those problems.
Sorry, Tracy. Can’t agree with you on this one.
If every canidate or his/her minions start posting on every string, well, it’s gonna crowd things up.
However, just a few more days and the silliness is over.
and the shilling continues…
My own personal pet peeve are signs for candidates in front of homes where the candidates isn’t even running.
Nathan:
The election commission office could not care less about signs. It is a city ordidance and it is the city that needs to be notified.
Troy
You were referring to MY remarks about government funded campaigns. If you choose to call me a Bolshevik, I am right to call you a feudalist. The guy with the most money ALWAYS gets to win huh Troy.
Ken? YOU GO RIGHT ON POSTING ABOUT Mc GINN. This is the only forum that is giving him any exposure.
PS Troy? I got 17 Tiahrt signs today!!
Updated total I got 22 illegally placed Tiahrt signs today.
WAY TO GO JR. I will try to beat your record this weekend. Maybe I could replace them with Mc Ginn signs.
I need to get a McGinn sign. I was afraid they were charging for them. (I had to buy a Kerry sign 2 years ago) I understand from my sister in law that this is not the case and the signs are available for no charge at Democratic party headquarters. I’ll try to get an address.
Tiahrt is not posting even a fraction of the signs he usually does. I have found no more signs. I think he figures the less folks think about the election the better and is hoping to slide in on stealth. On the open thread, cin posts that some poll has McGinn only 5 points behind Tiahrt!
Do you believe in miracles?We can but hope.
I find the continuous rows of Kline signs lining West 21st both in the grassy median and between the sidewalk and roadway an apt metaphor of zeal for public attention over respect for the law and rights.