Editor,
(The following is in response to a reporter’s request for comment on the political sign theft case being dismissed. Full article is in the paper.)
First, worth noting, I had the property owner’s permission to install a 4×4 political sign on his land that had a heavy duty, custom-built wooden support structure (to withstand wind). Just a couple hours after it was installed, we drove past the location to find it gone.
When I questioned the property owner via text, he replied he knew nothing about the sign being taken, so I notified the police which I had every right to do. The police retrieved video of Mr. Gulyas hauling away the sign and support structure in his truck. Mr. Gulyas admits in his statement that the police met him at his place of business to retrieve the sign, however the most expensive part (the heavy duty support structure) had been removed and was nowhere to be found. I told the police if the sign and support structure were promptly returned, in original condition, that same day, then I would not press charges; however, Mr. Gulyas failed to do so.
The $575 cost that was documented in the police report included much more than the 4×4 sign, as it also included the material and labor to construct the support structure and the cost to rebuild a replacement. Additionally, the property owner suddenly changed his statement when called by police, in what I can only surmise as a way to protect Mr. Gulyas from prosecution, because theft of a political sign is a crime.
The real question I have is why did Mr. Gulyas take it upon himself to remove a sign that was not his, from property that was not his? An important detail in this case (that was conveniently left out) was that the political sign, that Mr. Gulyas was so quick to remove, represented the opponent to the candidate he was publicly endorsing. And now Mr. Gulyas is trying to paint himself as the victim of a “political attack.”
That is absurd to me. Anyone who knows me, knows I am an honest, law-abiding citizen — and as a volunteer campaign manager, I just wanted a level playing field for our candidates, where everyone follows the rules. Was that too much to ask?
Kate McCloskey, Berlin
