St. Marys County Sheriff contest

[Voter2002 (Premo)]

Why, oh why...should any of the clowns currently running for the TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT position in the county get any of our votes when they are so eager to BREAK THE LAW by posting their election signs before they are legally allowed to?????? Are they EXEMPT from the law?

[charlie]

Maybe someone should ask the Board of Election Supervisor that very question.

[Ken King (Premo)]

Originally posted by Voter2002
Why, oh why...should any of the clowns currently running for the TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT position in the county get any of our votes when they are so eager to BREAK THE LAW by posting their election signs before they are legally allowed to?????? Are they EXEMPT from the law?

What sign/s are you refering to? The one in the back of the pickup near Callaway? If so, I can't find anything that says it is against the law. You can advertise from the back of a pickup all day long and for as long as you want. It is when you attach it to a post or pole in the ground that the 45 day and other rules comes into affect.

[charlie]

A political sign on the back of a truck is illegal if the truck is parked there permantly. Not if it's moving up and down the road ie: bumper stickers. No permanent signs can be placed until 45 days before the election on Sept. 10.

[Ken King (Premo)]

Originally posted by charlie
A political sign on the back of a truck is illegal if the truck is parked there permantly. Not if it's moving up and down the road ie: bumper stickers. No permanent signs can be placed until 45 days before the election on Sept. 10.

Could you cite where in Maryland law or under the SHA rules and regulations where you have found this information or is it just your gut instinct? As that truck runs, isn't up on blocks, and can move it isn't permanent. Also it does not sit within the bounds of the state right of way, so how can you say it is illegal and more importantly where is your proof?

[charlie]

Planning and Zoning has come up with that plan. That's who Board of Elections sends you to with questions about signs.

[Ken King (Premo)]

Originally posted by charlie
Planning and Zoning has come up with that plan. That's who Board of Elections sends you to with questions about signs.

So if they are sending you to planning and zoning maybe that candidate went ahead and purchased a permit to erect the sign. Otherwise a candidate would follow the SHA rules that say you don't need a permit if the signs are up only 45 days prior to the event and the loser takes them down within 15 days after the election. This information was located on the link for the Maryland Election Commission page.

I have been reading the Election section of Maryland Code and I haven't found where what you say is illegal, not yet anyway, I'll keep reading.

[Crabby Old Lady]

If all signs are illegal 45 days prior, I would think that would include billboards. There is a billboard erected on Great Mills rd as you are coming from Route 5. It is for the upcoming sheriff's election. Has been up over a week.

[Tonio]

The sheriff elections in St. Mary's have been sickening for as long as I can remember. Factions within the sheriff's department line up behind the candidates. The problem is worse when the candidates are active deputies. The result is that nothing gets done, because of all the internal politics. At one point, the department had something like three or four unsolved murders on its hands, in a county that probably has half a dozen a year. It's been 10 years and the Sara Sapp murder is still unsolved.

[Blues Brother]

Originally posted by Voter2002
Why, oh why...should any of the clowns currently running for the TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT position in the county get any of our votes when they are so eager to BREAK THE LAW by posting their election signs before they are legally allowed to?????? Are they EXEMPT from the law?

The only two I see still advertising is Sacks and Morris. The others have pulled in their signs once they were advised of the new ordinance interpretation by Robin Guyther.