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Political signs disappearing in Malvern

As a Democratic Committeeperson and Assistant Zone Leader for the Willistown/ Malvern Dems, I have spent much of the past week delivering political signs to Democrats and Independents who have requested them and, in many cases, putting them in the ground myself. Perhaps then you can understand my frustration when I discovered on Sunday morning that many of the signs I had delivered on Saturday were gone. It should disturb every resident of Malvern and Willistown, regardless of your political beliefs, that private properties have been trespassed upon and items stolen. The yard signs are one thing but two large banners, which are of significant value, were destroyed on the fence at a home on Sugartown Road in Willistown. I wish I could say that the disappearance of political signs in Willistown/Malvern was bi-partisan but it appears to be only Democratic signs, and in fact only signs for the President.

Even more disturbing to those of us who are active politically right now, one of our committeepeople was struck with a bottle that was thrown at him from a moving car while he was placing signs at the intersection of King Street and Rt. 30. Certainly we as a community can not condone this type of behavior.

Our wonderful country was founded by some very learned individuals who we know argued every point, down to the smallest detail, before issuing the US Constitution in 1787. Their purpose in specifying a two party system was to promote the free flow of ideas and compromise on every issue. Throughout our history we have reached stumbling blocks which have required sometimes painful compromise by one or both sides of the issue but our country has only continued to grow stronger. There is no reason to believe that the United States of America, who only 11 years ago pulled together so magnificently after 9/11, cannot reach agreement now on the issues that divide us.

Destruction of the property of others and the theft of our neighbor’s personal property is sending the wrong message to our children. Can we all agree to respect the political beliefs of others and celebrate the freedoms guaranteed to all Americans by our incredible Constitution? I believe that we can and we will.

Malvernresident

7:23 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012

This is an embarrassment. I hope we can promote the candidates we want freely, without this sort of childish behavior. Our town is better than this.

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Kristin Thomas

7:26 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012

I live in the borough and my Obama sign was stolen during the last election as well. I'd like one for this election as well. And I will put another one out and another one out and another one out if stolen again. Where can i get them?

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K. Lee

10:16 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012

I live in Willistown across School Lane from Sugartown Elem. in 2008 my Obama sign was stolen 3 separate times. I've had horns blown at me to pull over driving down Paoli Pike near East HS, and at Exton Mall; and then given the finger due to my Obama sticker. I was approached in the parking lot of the Frazer Giant by a man dressed in denim bib overalls, who pointed at my sticker and asked me, in front of my 15 yr. old daughter, "If I was going to give the Head Nig---, another shot at the White House." I told him I was and to not use such vile language with me or my daughter. For some reason, the Republucans in this community have no character or manners when it comes to politics.

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The Wizard of Willistown

8:08 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

To say that "the Republucans in this community have no character or manners" because someone said something you did not like might be over-reaching don't you think? Don't put a bumper sticker on your car if you don't want comments. You exposed yourself. This webpage should be renamed the "Democratic Whiners Page"

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Erin

8:28 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Wizard - no. She didn't "expose" herself. Why do people feel that they can freely comment on others? It's just like commenting on someone's appearance, telling them that they're fat and a disgrace, etc. It's rude and uncalled for. Just mind your business and BE POLITE to everyone. Why is that so difficult?

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Earnest

11:50 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

The Wizard of Willistown there is a difference between freedom of speech, polite speech, and moral behavior.

Rather than denounce those who are violating the laws by entering someones private property and steeling private property and rather than denouncing racist comments, you make excuses and blame the victims.

Your defense and excuse making is a sad commentary on those who are members of the Republican Party and those who may call themselves tea partiers.

Fe Rivers

11:35 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012

I do not understand why folks are so righteous in their disrespect and violence. Why such vitriol? We need to take a look at our collective selves and try to understand where the anger (and hatred) is coming from. I do not see the logic in this behavior.

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Taylor

5:18 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

I contend I's coming from 24 hour sensationalist media such as Fox News, MSNBC and the like. They're spinning watchers up and pitting neighbors against one another.

connie yake

7:43 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

So outrageous! I have wondered where Obama signs are as there are an abundance of Romney signs. Wish we could have more Obama signs out and about in the area!
We can't give up!

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Earnest

12:28 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

The Republican signs all kind of showed up at the same time. My guess an organized Republican put out the signs day/weekend. I guess there is something to the idea that some people will vote for the person that appears to be the most "popular" which would be the reason some feel that lot's of signs will influence the vote.

On the other hand, the first time some voters actually are made aware of who is running for office is when campaign signs are posted. I actually was traveling with someone this weekend, who was asking who wanted to know who the people were and what office they were running for. Obviously, there are others who do not pay much attention and start looking into candidates until the signs go up.

The Wizard of Willistown

7:55 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

I see the signs up and there are more each day. You people should worry about the 16 trillion dollar deficit, high unemployment, our Embassies being guarded by rent a cops, the surrender of our sovereign power to the UN, the billions squandered on the "Stimulus" and the moral decay in America. Forget about your stupid signs.

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Scargosun

9:44 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

I am worried about that. I am also worried about a candidate that would set women's rights back a little more than half a century. I worry about people that think that our laws should be based in Christianity. I worry about a man who thinks that the wealthy should get a tax break and that people like me should carry that burden. I worry about a man that is more interested in a band aid than actually fix a problem for the long term. I am not worried about signs, I am worried about the people who actually think they are going to change my mind with an insult or a stolen sign. How small minded can you possibly be?

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Earnest

12:09 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

I'm not buying any signs this time around and putting that money toward candidates that will not create laws that will NOT take away women's individual rights, will not create laws that order doctors to perform unnecessary medical tests, that are equal to rape, dictated by those lawmakers, (vaginal probes).

I am sending my money to candidates that support civil rights of ALL Americans, and keeps their laws out of American citizens private lives.

I am sending my money to the candidates that are standing up for the Middle Class Americans and those who fall below the middle classification, by not being afraid to take on those who have created the massive divide in income for the last 30 plus years.

I am sending my money to those candidates who have the courage to denounce those who use language of fear, birth'er language, racist language, and homophobic language.

I am sending my money to candidates whose only pledge is their oath of office. Not to individual citizens, and would never sign on to the anti - American action of taking down the United States of America, by swearing to take down a Presidency.

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Veronica holz

6:18 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012

You might want to check the source of the current deficit, more than two thirds of it is a result of Bush legacy programs: wars (Obama getting us out), tax cuts still adding to deficit, and Medicare Prescription drug program not paid for in any Bush budget. Seriously, check the numbers.

Geoeray

8:06 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Smear the exposed metal legs of the sign with a product called Never Seize or another anti seize lubricant after it is placed in the ground, available at auto supply stores. After the thieves get the sticky greasy graphite material on themselves and their car they will be easy to identify. It won't come off very easily.

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Geoeray

8:10 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

How about the illegal large plywood signs that have been put up. They are put up when election day is less than thirty days away. Why? If they get a complaint and a notice from the township to remove them, the property owner has 30 days to remove them.

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Jared

8:37 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Do signs really matter? And why even put them out there, we vote behind a "curtain" for a reason idiots!

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Scargosun

9:38 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

A sign is not going to sway me one way or another but I do think it is a way to show your support for the candidate that you support. It is silly, however, that a person who steals a sign or shows some sort of violence towards someone with a differing political opinion thinks they are going to change the voter's mind. It actually reflects poorly on you and your political party to trespass or steal or inflict violence. If you feel that strongly about your own opinion, maybe you should take that energy and volunteer for the party of your choice. It would mean showing the public what you stand for but isn't that the mark of a strong person? A person who steals under the cover of night or tosses bottles or insults from a moving vehicle is a coward, pure and simple. Why on earth would I want to be associated with someone like that?

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Version

10:49 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Signs been removed from someones property should be our biggest problem!!!! REALLY!!!!

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Scargosun

11:35 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

No one said it was the biggest problem. It is, however, a problem that people would think that any of the things mentioned; trespassing, stealing, vandalism or violence, should be tolerated at any time.

Dog Lover

11:18 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

It's voter intimidation - right here in Chester County.

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Geoeray

11:18 am on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Apparently the wizard of Willistown thinks the remarks made to K. Lee are appropriate. Maybe if you live under a rock. If so Lizard of Willistown would be a good name change. I think I know who the bib overall guy is and my guess is that K. Lee is a woman. He would not have the courage to say that to a man. Coward.

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K. Lee

12:38 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Nobody. Nobody, should pull you off the side of the road to give you the finger, along with other foul gestures, to protest my bumper sticker. Rather, be happy that you DON'T live in a country where people will shoot a 14 yr. old girl in the head for expressing her opinion on wanting an education. Pulling me over and also accosting me in a parking lot is irrational behavior. I don't pullover Romney supporters or steal Romney signs. I have more important things to do in my life, like raise a tolerant, well adjusted, intelligent young girl, who would never presume to attack someone else based on their political bumper sticker.

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Earnest

2:06 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

To K. Lee and others who find themselves being harassed, threatened, or intimidated... call the police and/or take a picture of them and their license plate and file charges.

Geoeray

3:22 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Get a trail camera used by hunters. Place out more signs. Set up the camera. The thieves motion will set off the camera for a nice photo. Some trail cameras can send the pic to your computer. Check at the local sporting goods store. So if the camera is discovered and stolen as well, too late. Busted.

As for being harrassed while driving, I believe that is road rage. ID the person. Press charges. The judges around here hate anyone found guilty of road rage.

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Karen Havrilla

8:09 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012

I live on Sugartown Rd, in Willistown and on Sunday my husband witnessed a young man in a light brown SUV pull over and rip up a Romney sign. By the time my husband ran up the driveway (yelling) the driver sped off. Political sign destruction is not limited to one party~~

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Andrea Lynch

8:38 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012

Karen- That will not be tolerated. I have put the word out to give that message to all of those we speak to. Freedom of speech is not negotiable.

Rich Snowden

6:28 am on Sunday, October 21, 2012

Funny, this is occuring in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia as well...The one difference is that the Obama signs are just fine. Romney signs are targeted. Obviously this in not a put upon Dem issue. It's what happens in a hotly contested race. Get over it.

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marion1

6:25 pm on Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sadly this has happened for years, local candidates too. my one time run for office, my signs were stolen and i thought, really?? does it even matter that much? And i had paid for my own signs---which made it just meaner somehow. Behavior in general is deteriorating, No stickers on my car, nothing at my house....so no worries about vandalism. Just the way it is these days......

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Willis Dad

1:36 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012

I would like to address "Wizard" and all Republicans: Why do thousands in your party feel it is appropriate to boo at a soldier actively serving his country just because he is gay (during one of the Republican debates last year) or wear a racist shirt that states "Put the white back in the White House" (at a Romney rally earlier this month)? These are just two examples of how your party is being hijacked by intolerant, dangerous lunatics. Combine this with hate mongers like Limbaugh and Coulter, whom Republicans adore and fervently support, and is there any question as to why the GOP has a negative image issue? You seem to imply, by your comments that is is okay to accost someone in a racist or possibly hostile/threatening way just because their viewpoints differ from yours. This is your idea of freedom of speech? The Republican party needs to start asking themselves some very important questions. Do you side with the fringe, or do what's best for this amazing, diverse and beautiful country? I shudder to think that most of you have already made up your minds.

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barbara rea

4:45 pm on Monday, October 22, 2012

As a newly elected and hard working committee person, I have been putting out Romney signs for the last week on private property. Often the owners request these signs as a show of their support for a candidate. My signs have been stolen, sometimes twice, from the same location. I believe it is against the law to trespass on private property and the theft of these signs is the act of a classless (paid?) coward. I am not the only Republican committeeperson in my area to experience this as our signs have disappeared by the dozens from all the local districts. In deference to a fair election, anyone seeing this theft in progress should notify the police and try to obtain a drivers license. Barbara

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