Several Wichita area candidates complained to The Eagle about having their yard signs stolen during the recent election season, and pointed fingers at their opponents — who were likely to return the finger-pointing.
There are always a few overzealous partisans who flout the rules. But the problem seemed pretty bad this election season.
Moreover, some major candidates, whose organizers should have known better (including Jim Barnett, Phill Kline and Todd Tiahrt), had rows of signs stuck illegally in medians and on corners.
Both parties were guilty of signage infractions.
A thought: Why can’t the Sedgwick County Election Office hire a few people, especially on the weekend before the election, to aggressively police signs and respond to infractions and dirty tricks?
What do bloggers think? Should election officials take sign scofflaws more seriously?
Posted by Randy Scholfield
-
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
Daily Archives
-
Recent Comments
- CF2K on McCain spoke of his values, mission
- Regular on McCain spoke of his values, mission
- Raptor on Sebelius takes on Hurricane Sarah
- CF2K on McCain spoke of his values, mission
- Regular on Sebelius takes on Hurricane Sarah
- Raptor on McCain spoke of his values, mission
- Predestined on Sebelius takes on Hurricane Sarah
- avtolle on Cease and desist from playing ‘Barracuda’
- Predestined on Sebelius takes on Hurricane Sarah
- Political_mama on Palin a late-summer dream for late-night comics
22 Comments
Yes, what you thougt I would go on and on with this? Some questions just have simple answers. Now onto the meaning of life….I have volumes on that topic LoL
Yes, and keep track of which areas have the illegal signs and how many of them. And report it to the eagle for printing.
Randy, if you think “Both parties were guilty of signage infractions”, why do you only name Republicans? (Jim Barnett, Phill Kline and Todd Tiahrt)
Do not worry, it’s not like you are bias or anything.
Randy, Most of us do not think government should grow to address every problem some Editorial Board member notes. I realize y’all see it differently, but really must encourage you to think more privately. Here’s an idea: How about asking your pals and underwriters at the Wichita Auto Dealers or Rent A Center to hire some brown shirted thugs to police the elections? Could compliment the work of the Ed Board in fine fashion.
I fail to see how this is an important issue requiring governmental oversight. It is a few lousy signs that are temporary and have minimal value.
There are more serious issues to worry about that some stolen political signs.
Raptor, don’t be silly. The Board thinks it is a serious matter, so it MUST BE. Why, Crowson is probably drawing a cartoon of Kline pulling up Morrison signs even as we blog.
RandyThis is a JURISDICTION issue. Bill Gale, the Election Commissioner, has NO jurisdiction over yard signs (as long as they are far enough away from polling places) and little jurisdiction over actual campaigns.Gale does have some oversight when it comes to polling place intimidation or polling place campaigning, and an investigation into Democrat Raj Goyle seems appropriate in that regard.The proper jurisdiction for yard sign problems, when the signs are on city property, is the Wichita City Code Enforcement Department, or the County Code Enforcement Department.For “theft” of signs, this is a difficult issue.A sign placed on private property becomes the property of that landowner, according to a “legal opinion” posted on these Blogs a few weeks ago.That sign can then be moved or tossed out, in the future, by the landowner or a person under the direction of the landowner.(An agreement between the property owner and the candidate to return that sign, at some future date, would probably mean the sign belonged to the candidate for the duration.)A sign placed illegally is probably abandoned property and I doubt any “theft” charges could stick.Again, I must agree that you (Randy) seem to be picking on Republicans.Democrat Raj Goyle placed hundreds of illegal signs in South East Wichita.I would argue that signs placed on private property, without permission, are worse than signs placed on city property.Signs placed without permission are an implied endorsement of the candidate.It is tyrannical to force other people to support your views without their consent.Again, Goyle had a huge budget and he didnt seem to mind having many of his signs pulled down by the City, County and other property owners.
Crybaby Paul you claims have been fully aired and refuted. If you have a legitimate beef take it to the AG while he is still in office.
By the way - Bill Gale just happens to be a Republican.
Face it Paul, incumbent Bonnie was rejected by her constituents. OVERWHELMINGLY!
BenIf you give me afunding advantage of 2 or 3 to one, and a candidate willing to lie, I can get that candidate elected.At least, I can get that candidate elected once!Goyle lied frequently.
Yes, Paul, I know. You have done that many times! Paul, your sour grapes are rather amusing.
A technical question for people out there. The last several feet of MY front yard are right-of-way. Does the City have any issues with me planting signs there?
I still want to know who stole my wife’s purple tent and sign from our yard.
Raising more money and outspending your opponent is hardly the best prescription for victory - witness what happened to Jim Ryun. Bonnie Huy had enough money to ochestrate a victory, she just had no message, no organization and a horrible voting record. DAMN those voting records. They’ll bite the arrogant butt of the legislator every time.
I’m curious — did the candidates with the most campaign money win in every case? I didn’t watch the dollar amounts in the newspaper. In other words, does the amount of donations predict the winner? If so, this doesn’t say much for our political system.
It appears to me the whole political election system is deteriorating. It’s tough to run for political office for a number of reasons: (a) cost of the campaign, (b) smearing of reputation, (c) extreme difficulty of challenging an incumbent with name identification.
In Kansas, I think its virtually impossible to challenge incumbents in state-wide races such as secretary of state, state treasurer, insurance commissioner and state printer. Unfortunately in Kansas, these positions can potentially lead to the Governor’s office which explains why our Kansas Governors are basically expensive figure heads and non-participants in legislative matters. I think these offices should be made appointive.
Good idea,I think. Nominated by the House, approved by the Senate, no role by the executive and serving two year stints, off years from House elections.
Ig - probably a good idea. I think of these as ‘technicion’ positions; what we are lookin for is simply competance. I don’t know much about the ‘politics’ of Thornburg, same with ins. comm or treaurer. Locally I know that Bill Gale is a Republican but he is more a ‘bean-counter’ who gives us an honest count. That’s all I can ask him for.
One thing though - I think I would go with executive nominate and Senate confirm. I tend to like to see ‘multi-branch’ involvement. I also think 4 year stints - try to minimize turnover for simple managerial reasons.
after getting my two Kerry signs stolen, I let my dogs do their business right where I put my Sebelius and Morrison signs this year…funny thing, they are still there.
I took any sign of either party that was posted illegally. Its not stealing if its posted illegally.
Also, i plan to taze the people who sit on the overpass’s with their banners and take them.
It was stealing because they were IN MY YARD not the easement
next time if the dog dodo doesn’t work I will just post the sign next to my dog. HE weighs 80 lbs and is just a puppy
hope you do tase someone, then they can sue you. Who made you king of Wichita???
ME!
Pam,Glad to read that your dog is a Republican. He could teach you a thing or two.
Ben,Better the nomination in the House, more democratic, closer to the people. Give the technicion little more than a figurehead position, working with those who cannot be replaced except for cause, a turn over (or retention if things are going swimmingly) every two years not bad. Change in vision and emphasis when justified.
no one in my house is a repuke and you lost so get over it
Pammy,
I read it as Bush supporting neo-cons lost, as well as those deemed ineffectual while in office.
The conservative movement of Reagan is about to rise from where the neo-cons tried to bury it and dominate 2008.
i hope your dogs find Hillary signs as moving as Sebelius signs!
I don’t know Ig. I guess I am using the Fed system as my model - those offices are all part of the executive branch. Perhaps what we also need it to strengthen the Legislative Post Audit oversight.
I think you are right about it being the ‘neo-cons’ who lost; a lot of Reagan conservatism is still here. On another thread I posted a number of positions - things like I favor English language, tend toward ’some’ gun control but not elimination. tend to favor concealed carry but with strict licensing including training. Strongly favor public education including post secondary to give equal opportunity. So, does that make me liberal? Coservative? Or someplace in between?
As I learned from my good friend Roger Grund many years ago; if we sit down over coffee and discuss issues we find we are a whole lot closer than labels would indicate.