(RIGHT) - Mendy Bryson stands at Bandit Launch where she found a number of her campaign signs last Saturday that were tossed over the bluff.By DON PITTMAN
A problem that seems to strike every election season has reared its ugly head in Dade County again.
(RIGHT) - Mendy Bryson stands at Bandit Launch where she found a number of her campaign signs last Saturday that were tossed over the bluff.
Numerous candidates running for election have reported that their political signs have been stolen. In an email to the Dade County Sentinel over the weekend, Mendy Bryson, a candidate for the Dade County Commission, reported that she discovered a number of her campaign signs were missing. According to Bryson, all but a few of her signs, starting at the intersection of Gulch Road and Hwy. 136, through the Piney community were taken, and down Hwy. 189 to Johnny’s Junction were also taken. She reports losing 26 signs.
Through the help of a local hang glider, Bryson was able to locate some of the signs at Bandit Launch on Lookout Mountain.
“It’s just terrible that someone would do this,” she said. “It’s really unfortunate.”
Bryson said she does not believe this is the work of pranksters, but that it is the work of someone out to sabotage her campaign.
Bryson was not the only election hopeful that has reported to having signs removed. School Board candidate David Swader estimates that he has had around 50 signs taken, and Sheriff candidate Tim McDonald said he has had close to 100 displaced.
“I hope that the Sheriff will do something about this, the way we did four years ago,” McDonald said.
McDonald reported that in the last election some of then Sheriff Phillip Streets signs went missing, but they were located and suspects were questioned about the incident.
According to Bryson, Sheriff Patrick Cannon has promised that if anyone is caught stealing the signs, they will be prosecuted and made to pay restitutions.
Bryson also said that one of the signs she recovered near the launch is being dusted for fingerprints and that there is an investigation being conducted.
She is hopeful that investigators will find out who is responsible.
She encourages anyone who has information about the stolen signs to contact the Dade Sheriff’s Department.
Bryson has offered a $500 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the theft She reports receiving donations to replace the signs, and support from all parts of the county since the incident happened.
“I’ve even had a gentleman offer to repel off the cliff to retrieve the signs in hopes more evidence can be collected,” she said.
McDonald said he believes that the sheriff should at least match the reward being offered by Bryson to help nab the people responsible.
Sheriff Cannon reported losing 200 signs himself.
"That shows you the inexperience of Tim McDonald," Cannon said. "I wouldn't use tax dollars for a political campaign reward.
He said his office is working hard to find out who is responsible and that people are being questioned about the signs.
"If the candidates who lost signs want to contribute to a reward fund, I'll gladly contribute, as well," Cannon said.
The Dade Sentinel
http://dadesentinel.com/article.php/20080617122915568