Candidates awaken to signs of vandalism

Thursday night, someone took nearly all the political yard signs in Kenneth City. Police have few leads.

By ANNE LINDBERG

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 27, 2000

KENNETH CITY -- Political campaign signs are seemingly everywhere in an election season -- everywhere, that is, except Kenneth City on Friday morning.

The town had not been wiped clean, but sign theft occurred on a "monumental scale," police Chief James Ernst said.

Marie Boudreau, a candidate for Town Council, described the morning: "I got the call at five after 7. Woke me out of a sound sleep."

Eight to 10 of her campaign signs had been taken from neighbors' yards.

"The first thought that came to my head was, "My God, when is this bickering going to stop?' " she said. "It just leaves a bad taste. . . . I feel violated."

Also taken were signs belonging to Boudreau's opponents, incumbent Ron Sneed and political newcomer Fran Luke, as well as signs touting mayoral candidates Bill Smith and Harlene "Honey Bee" Bowie.

The thieves did not discriminate against election signs, Ernst said. For sale, for rent and weight loss signs also were taken.

About 40 signs were found planted upright in the small park off 43rd Avenue. More were discovered later Friday morning in Joe's Creek at 62nd Street, the chief said.

"None were destroyed, even the wet ones," Ernst said. "We're drying them out back here and (will) get them returned to their proper owners."

Actually, the police are keeping at least one sign, Smith said. They're keeping one of his to try for fingerprints.

"They're going to find a lot of fingerprints," Smith said. Those will include his, the printer's and the people who put the signs together. "I'd love to see them catch somebody."

If police do catch someone, it's likely that they'll be young.

Ernst said one person reported that he heard a group of youths laughing in the park late Thursday night.

And they'll have had access to a pickup truck.

"There's so many of them they just couldn't have put them in a car," Ernst said.

The candidates will try again.

"I'm putting them back up and I'll keep putting them back up," Boudreau said.

Which potentially means further opportunities for vandals before the March 14 election.

Ernst is philosophical about that.

"It's going to be an interesting three weeks," he said.

If you go

The Kenneth City Homeowners Association will play host to a candidates forum at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Community Hall, 4600 58th St. N. The forum will include time for all candidates to address the audience and a time for questions and answers. Voters will have a chance to chat with the candidates after the forum while refreshments are served. All questions must be submitted in writing the night of the forum or beforehand in a sealed envelope at Town Hall. Only two questions per person are permitted. For information, call Town Hall at 544-6655.

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