A great grassroots election tradition is putting up yard signs to show loyalty to a given candidate or ballot issue.
But every year there are reports that signs for candidate X were destroyed or yanked out of the ground, often followed by reports that a dozen signs for candidate Y have gone missing.
Usually, police say, the vandalism is the work of pranksters; sometimes, though, someone who should know better -- even the candidate himself -- will do the dirty work.
But there are also times when a public official pulls signs he or she determines are violating local or state laws prohibiting signs on state land, road rights of way and the like.
Cheryl Walton placed seven signs opposing a Nov. 3 ballot initiative for 0.25 mills for 10 years for Whitewater Township Ambulance Services; but township Zoning Administrator Leslie Meyers said she hauled away three of the signs because they obstructed the right-of-way along M-72.
Township Supervisor Larry Lake says pulling signs is a "regular" part of Meyers' job if they distract drivers. Walton countered that, "They might have obstructed some weeds, but not drivers."
Local governments can help avoid the hassle by being up-front about what is and isn't allowed.
-- Give copies of the zoning ordinance to candidates, candidate committees or activist groups. Explain it if necessary.
-- Where possible, a map of a typical intersection showing what's legal and what isn't is worth 1,000 words.
-- Take a picture and show it to the candidate.
-- Include telephone numbers of local officials who can render a judgment on placement of a sign.
-- Tell sign-makers that if they put a local phone number on signs they'll get a call if the sign has been taken down explaining why, and telling them where they can be picked up and used again.
There has to be a better way.
