As of Thursday, June 28, 2012
© Copyright 2013
Albany Herald
Lee County Sheriff Reggie Rachals answers questions during a news conference Thursday about the recovered signs that were stolen from roadsides. Some signs were burned while others showed black smudges from fingerprint detection powder.
ALBANY -- Candidates for election agree on at least one thing -- stealing and damaging political signs is wrong.
The calls came in to the Lee County Sheriff's Office Tuesday that thieves were stealing election signs from the roadside in front of residences. The majority of the calls came in about theft of re-elect Reggie Rachals Sheriff of Lee County.
"One of the calls was about someone stealing my opponent's sign," Rachals said. "It was a false report, but no matter. No matter whose sign it is, it is illegal. No matter whose sign it is it should not be removed. I cannot stress that enough. It is against the law and they will be arrested."
Rachals' opponent, David Cheshire agreed. He agreed with Rachals that the thieves should be arrested if caught. "That is the way it should be."
About 32 signs were found discarded, some with burn marks, behind Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in a wooded area after the church groundskeeper called the sheriff's office.
The signs cost at least $5 each, Rachals said. There are others missing, so it adds up, he said.
Rachals didn't come out and blame Cheshire or his supporters. Cheshire also said he had signs missing, but also stopped short of putting blame on the sheriff's supporters.
"There are people out there that just hate law enforcement and us both," Cheshire said. "So they will do all they can to damage our signs and property."
The candidates each both they didn't need signs to win the election.
More like this story
- Rachals to address campaign issues ( July 5, 2012 )
- Barbs fly in Lee County Sheriff's race ( July 7, 2012 )
- ELECTION 2012: Reggie Rachals - Lee County sheriff ( July 25, 2012 )
- Sheriff Rachals to host ‘family gathering’ ( April 26, 2012 )
- Public invited to ‘meet the sheriff’ ( May 31, 2012 )
Comments
bigbob 10 months, 3 weeks ago
It takes a really stupid person to steal from the Sheriff. Hope they catch them so they can gon to the sheriffs jail.
jglass 10 months, 3 weeks ago
It's sad that people don't have better things to do!!!
Anne_Oni 10 months, 3 weeks ago
So he is reporting that his signs are stolen, but according to the Herald, Dr. Anita Brown "complained" that her signs were missing?
darnette0101 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Exactly. And in the comments section she was condemned, and made to be a bad person. And she even said she didn't think it was her opponent. Double standards!!
VSU 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Most of those comments were based on a post written by someone who swore up and down that Lane supporters had stolen Brown's signs making Lane out to be the bad person. You need to state all the facts, not just one side of the story. Double standards??
bigbob 10 months, 3 weeks ago
It's all BLACK & WHITE.LOL
Anne_Oni 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Well, actually.....I did state the facts. How is that a "double standard?" In addition, what are you talking about? I didn't tell any side of any story. I only said what was reported.
VSU 10 months, 3 weeks ago
To Anne_ONi ...Missing/Stolen same thing. I am sure the signs didn't get up and walk away on their own.
Anne_Oni 10 months, 3 weeks ago
???
Bethany2012 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Signs dont equal VOTES!
VSU 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Steal the signs if you wish, one of the candidates will still win the election. You will still have a sheriff. Probably some disgruntled drug dealers that got arrested or pranksters that have nothing better to do. For all we know, could be the same group that stole the Williams campaign signs. Has nothing to do with dirty play, just people out doing mischief like stealing those road signs off of county line road.
willie 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Mr. Cheshire, one of your signs is nailed to a Georgia power utility pole at the corner of Sportsman Club Rd. and Big Oak. Maybe you should remove that one as it is posted in violation, just saying............
KaosinAlbany 10 months, 3 weeks ago
This happens in about every election. I saw a kid steal a BJ sign and someone replaced a BJ for Mayor sign at someone's house with a Hubbard for Mayor sign the night before the last election.
waltspecht 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Remember when there was the big stink about election signs being stolen, and it was Code Enforcement removing them because they had been placed in the right of way?
DoctorDorite 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Don't forget that a certan county commissioner got caught redhanded too !
VSU 10 months, 3 weeks ago
On the Anita Brown case, she said that Code Enforement did not remove her signs. Regarding Lee County, they said they found the signs behind a church in a wooded area. Don't know that code enforcement would take the signs and put them other there.
firefly 10 months, 3 weeks ago
In my opinion, ALL political signs are trashy and do not belong on the sides of the road.
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