Campaign lawn sign follies in NJ (self cross-posted from GD)

[brentspeak]

My attempts to place Menendez signs in my local area of NJ have so far proven to be unsuccessful.

This sad story begins about a week ago, when I placed two Menendez signs at exits for two local highways. Both exits had previously had one or two Menendez signs, but they were later removed by Kean supporters, who replaced the Menendez signs with about 15 Kean signs -- 15 signs at each exit, that is (talk about overkill). I tried to rectify this by placing one Menendez sign at those two exits. Sometime the following day, however, the Menendez signs were removed.

Well, this was really rubbing me the wrong way. So, the next day, I brought along more Menendez signs to replace the stolen ones.

And here's where I ran into the Powers That Be. After placing the first of Menendez signs at a particular interstate exit, and returning to my car, there was a municipal cop waiting for me in his vehicle. He ordered me to remove the sign I had just placed, because I had placed it on state property.

What about the other signs? I asked. Cop: "Well, I could call the state. But you have to remove your sign." Which I did, not happily.

How about if I remove the other signs for you? I suggested. (They were mostly Kean, Garrett -- RW wacko congressman of my district -- and one Aronsohn sign -- Dem challenger to Garrett who is not predicted to unseat the incumbent.) You know, because it's illegal for them to be there?

Cop: "You just worry about your own sign, OK?"

Later on, after making phone calls inquiring about placing election signs on the highways, calling everyone from the NJ Attorney General's office to the county election dept. to the local sub-station of the NJ State Police, I discovered that NJ law regarding placing campaign signs at highway exits is so vague -- maybe purposefully so -- that, for all practical purposes, it allows local police to selectively enforce which signs can be placed at the highway exits adjoining their jurisdiction.

I can't say for sure if the cop had a political bias in all this, and I didn't accuse him of that, but it was impossible not to at least wonder about it.

[Kire]

1. Fucking fascists...

[The Wizard]

2. Just another

short peckered impotent Rethug with a gun and a bad attitude. You could "fix" the opposition's highway litter. Call the DOT and make a complaint about the highway signs. You could have said you put the Kean and Garret signs there earlier. What could the response have been? He saw who put them there? Never be honest with a liar. Assume all Republicans are lying.

[ramapodem]

3. You wouldnt happen to live in the Wyckoff area

I had my own troubles with lawn signs and police there

[brentspeak]

4. I live in that area

Where did your problems take place -- along Rt.208?

[ramapodem]

7. Around 208 & Wyckoff Ave

[FogerRox]

5. I had a similar problem

Described here:

http://www.bluejersey.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2836

[brentspeak]

6. "Especially with those bumper stickers"

Good grief. Troopers are supposed to be utmost professionals, but that guy sounded like he couldn't resist trying to sound like a "tough guy".

[FogerRox]

8. LOL, you read my post @ bluejersey, yup- dos darn bumper stickers ! !