Search
Johnson Avenue - A Hotbed of Political Activity
I have long been an observer of local politics, and in my memorabilia collection are bumper stickers, brochures and pins and even a few ink blotters advertising a candidate for one office or another.
Names like "John P. Flynn for County Clerk" and "Arthur Lefevre for Supervisor - Town of Plattsburgh." Remember when matchbooks were a popular item to pass around as a campaign gift? I have matchbooks with "Re-Elect Your County Clerk - Halsey J. Stark" and "Bob Garrow for State Assembly."
I've never been able to resist getting some of the items autographed. On my "Wall of Fame" in my den is an signed photo of "Mike Haley for Legislator - Area 9" and "Melissa Penfield - Councilor Ward 4." This year at the Clinton County Fair I picked up a unique item: a "Joe Giroux for County Treasurer" nailfile. I haven't asked my longtime friend to autograph it yet.
But those little trinkets are minor compared to the problem I see in our city today. I think it might be time to put a limit on how many signs a candidate can put up. Or, maybe a limit on how many signs one piece of property can have. Just take a little ride around our beautiful city and you'll see what I mean.
During last year's special election for mayor the size of signs became an issue. This year, though, it seems we have a large number of signs around Plattsburgh. Both inside and outside of our city boundaries. In a random survey conducted on Monday afternoon this week I drove down four city residential streets and counted signs.
In Ward 4, where Irving Breyette, Jim Calnon and Steve Krieg are courting voters, I counted 13 signs when I drove on Lafayette Street and Montcalm Avenue. I think that's plenty for two rather short streets in family neighborhoods. The breakdown: Breyette 7, Calnon 6, Krieg 0. Krieg signs are more prolific in my neighborhood, more west of those streets.
I then drove over to my old stomping grounds, Fox Hill in Ward 2. In this ward Andrew Brockway, Mike Kelly and Steve Williams have put up signs. On Monty Street I counted 14 signs, Williams with 7, Brockway with 5 and Kelly with 2.
But it's on Johnson Avenue where politics seems to be out of control. If only as many houses decorated at Christmas time we'd have quite a beautiful sight. On Johnson Avenue, as of Monday morning, there were 43 signs! Yes, 43! And how many houses are on Johnson Avenue -- maybe 80?
I know one home owner who has four signs on her property, one each for two of the candidates and two for a third. The Johnson Avenue breakdown was: Williams 27, Kelly 13, Brockway 2 and Kleist for Treasurer 1.
Do we really need this many signs to remind us who is running for election or who to vote for? Could the candidate's money be better spent in some other way?
I have nothing but praise for the willingness of any of the candidates to serve the city in some capacity. And I'm sure that serving as a city councilor is a thankless job with not enough salary to pay for the money spent on signs. It seems as though it's obligatory to put up campaign signs simply because your opponent does or simply because it's the thing to do.
But I think we've reached the point where it's out of control. One local political observer has suggested that each ward set up an area where signs may be put. If a voter wants to see who is running in your area, just check out that spot. Another local political observer has suggested that each candidate should be limited on the number of signs placed in a certain area.
I asked that lady with four signs in her front yard, "Ma, why do you have so many signs in front of your house?" She replied, "Because they all asked me." Oh.
A friendly handshake and a look in the eye says a lot more to me than some sign that the wind might blow down. I'm voting for the candidates who tell me that next election there will be a limit on the number of signs I have to see when I drive down some city street.
Comments
Foxy, I am one of the "sign placers" you refer to in your blog. I have refrained from putting signs all over the place, just in front of the homes of strong supporters. I have to admit, though, that I did place a few signs on strategic corners just before the primary. About the home on Johnson Avenue with four signs: I think I know the one. This resident signed my petition to get on the ballot. Then, I went to see her later and chatted with her for over an hour. After that encounter, I asked her if I could place a sign in her yard. She was one of the first who granted me permission, so I was overjoyed. Needless to say, I was a little heartbroken when the other signs appeared in her yard much later. I thought that placing signs was sort of a sacred thing. Shows I have a lot to learn about politics.
(Foxy's note: Thanks for the comments, Mike, and good luck the rest of the way.)
Posted by: Mike Kelly | October 8, 2007 12:59 PM
Halsey Stark was a fine gentleman. He always had a good word for me, even as a child. Bob Garrow was my elementary school (Oak St.) principal - he went out of his way to make me a better person. Altona has reason to be proud for not only these 2 men, but for all the other people of character from there.
Posted by: Miney Rowlson | October 4, 2007 7:28 AM
Carver For City Manager...Has a ring to it! Problem is his office would be at the golf course for half the year. He is very good with numbers, though, as we all know.
As far as political signs go, they should be located only in areas and homes that supporters want them on until the last weekend before the election. Then all signs should be picked up no later than 3 days after the election.
An Albany politician I know paid people $5 dollars for returning each political sign to a location 24 hours after the election. Jim Carr has time to do this locally I believe....
Posted by: The Donald | September 29, 2007 12:22 PM
Boy Fox, I don't think the street Grand Poohbah for collecting signs is the answer...rather than street Poohbahs..perhaps Ward" Grand Master Poohbahs.", voted in from each Ward..My votes in various Wards...probably have to go to "old Timer"...other wards reps could be, "crusher",or perhaps..Jim Carr (if he indeed really does still exist) he's kinda like elvis, some say he lives on others disagree?.maybe "zonebreaker".."rubble".."Bullet"...Skip"" or "Vin Scully" and hey what the heck ...how bout "W"...Maybe it could be a secret blogger society..so no one would actually know who the "grand master poohbahs" were ..but they'd be elected by blog vote?? Perhaps a poll is in order? Talk to Grady about that one!
(Foxy's note: The Carver, I have to give you credit -- you are always thinking up great ways to improve our city. Maybe the Mayor can appoint you "city manager.")
Posted by: The Carver | September 28, 2007 11:12 PM
Foxy those signs can pay a big part in local politics. Last election I couldn't make up my mind as to who I wanted to vote for so I did the politically correct thing and drove the streets and counted each sign and voted for the one with the most......Century Twenty One.
Posted by: jim carr | September 28, 2007 2:44 PM
Foxy,
I happened to drive through Ward 2 this morning and noticed that most Bill Provost signs were taken down, but still almost two weeks after the primaries, Andy Brockway signs are still up and obscuring some of the winners ' signs. If this is negligence or oversight of Brockway then the voters of Ward 2 selected the right person to run for office.
Brockway's inaction is probably indicative of his political demeanor.
Posted by: skip zatonski | September 28, 2007 12:36 PM
How about a " sign deposit" although I have no idea how much a returned political sign would be worth? More or less than a bottle deposit? Perhaps we could expand it to scratched off NY instant lottery tickets?
Posted by: Johnald | September 27, 2007 2:22 PM
Foxy,
You really have some cojones to take on politicians and their signs.
Craig Mathews
Posted by: Craig Mathews | September 27, 2007 1:05 PM
Foxy:
In response to Rick K's suggestion of a new law regarding campaign signs. There is actually a law on the books (I believe it's a New York State election law) that mandates election signs must be collected by a certain period of time following election day. I'm not certain, but I believe it may be 7 days. The penalty for not conforming to the rules..... who knows. In fact, it would be interesting to find out if anyone has ever been charged with violating the statute.
Posted by: vin scully | September 27, 2007 11:51 AM
Although I'm no longer living in the North Country, the problems with campaign signs happen everywhere. Here's what I think we should do.....
1. Designate one person, on each of the residential streets, as the sign person.
2. Designate one person, in each of the wards, as the Grand Poohbah of sign people.
If, after 48 hours of an election being completed, the signs are not entirely removed we then have each of the "sign people" collect the signs and bring them to the "Grand Poohbahs of sign people" for their respective wards. At which time, Grand Poohbahs will then take all signs and put them in the yard at the home of the candidate that the sign was for. And don't just lay them in a stack in their driveway or in their lawn. Oh no, actually stick them in the ground.
Of course, there might be some sort of legal action against that so, then again, maybe we shouldn't do that. Just a thought. grin
(Foxy's note: Thanks for the idea, Kathy. All ideas count. And I think Casey Flynn would make a great Grand Poohbah on my Saratoga Court!)
Posted by: Kathy | September 27, 2007 8:36 AM
Foxy, as you well know, I live across the street from the lady with the 4 campaign signs on her front lawn and, thank goodness, our by-laws prevent the displaying of any political signs (as well as flags, banners, etc) on the property. I am a bit surprised that you didn't discuss the "content" of some of the signs, but I think you may have covered that in a previous blog. I agree with Rick in that all signs should be removed within 48 hours of either a primary in which the candidate was not successful or within the same time frame for all candidates after the election. We should also keep in mind that while signs may be placed in one location pranksters have a habit of relocating them, much the same as they do with real estate signs. I saw a Duley sign with the placard "Waterfront" on the side of Rte 374 in Lyon Mt.. How much longer until the election is over?!
Posted by: UPS Dave | September 26, 2007 8:37 PM
What bothers me about the political signs is the candidates that leave them uncollected well after the election is over. If you have the time to put them out, you should have the same amount of time to pick them up. I remember seeing one still hanging around in December last year. The same guy still has signs out now despite the fact he lost his primary and pronounced in the Press he was taking time off from the political arena.
How about this for a new law. Anyone who still has the placards on display 48 hrs after the election isn't allowed to post them in the next election. That will force them to clean up the streets.
Posted by: Rick K | September 26, 2007 12:48 PM