FALMOUTH, Maine — Political campaign signs sprout each fall, like a crop ready for harvesting.
In Falmouth, this year’s harvest has come early.
With the general election still 10 weeks away, the town has removed a dozen campaign signs from public property.
State and town laws prohibit campaign signs from being displayed on public right-of-ways more than six weeks in advance of an election — no earlier than Sept. 25 for the Nov. 6 election.
But after receiving complaints from residents, the town said it recently removed 11 illegal signs for the campaign of John Logan Jones, Republican candidate for the state House of Representatives in District 112. The district covers most of Falmouth, and is currently represented by Rep. Mary P. Nelson, D-Falmouth.
The town has also removed a sign for Republican Chris Tyll, who is running for the state Senate in District 11 against incumbent Sen. Richard Woodbury of Yarmouth, who is not affiliated with a political party.
Jones said his campaign placed about 25 signs, starting in late July, on what he believed was private property. Campaign signs on private property are permitted at any time.
The town’s Department of Public Works removed signs that were placed within public right-of-ways bordering town roads and notified Jones of their removal, Town Clerk Ellen Planer said.
The widths of the right-of-ways vary, depending on the location. Falmouth Road, where some of the offending signs were placed, has a right-of-way that extends 25 feet in each direction from the center of the road.
Jones contacted Planer to get clarification on the campaign sign rules and “to see if the town took them down or if someone is acting alone to take them down,” Jones said in an email.
Signs that were removed by the town were made available for Jones to pick up.
Jones said the town overstepped its authority because he believed the signs were placed on private property. “But it’s not an issue I’m really interested in fighting,” he said.
Jones is now preparing to attend the Republic National Convention, where he is one of the 20 disputed Maine delegates supporting former GOP presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul.
Get rid of all the signs.They are useless and a waste of time and resources.
Yup. Nothing like seeing old signs discarded on the sides of the roads.
So true.
He should have to pay a fine per sign just like anyone else. Republican scum bag!
No doubt this over-site will be followed by a public apology, they wouldn’t want anyone thinking they’re cheating.
OMG, get a life….Bet if it was a Democrat’s sign nothing would of been said..
give me a break. go cry on mommy’s shoulder
Oh, Im not crying believe me, I hate to look at thes signs, they really do no good but make the roadways look like trash… Someone else must of been crying because they complained about them.
A democrat wouldn’t have broken the law. GOP candidates feel they are entitled to do whatever they want. I give you Gov. LePage.
Yeah right, Both parties break the law, take your blinders off..
Check the law first BEFORE you put up the signs. It is YOUR responsibility as someone who is running for public office to know the law.
Your Governor hasn’t figuered it out yet!
Political Signs such as ” Open For Business” on the Interstate are prohibited by Maine Law!
Do not call, write or put your signs up, period. I’m for the person and never the outdated party crap.