Springfield Township candidates and their supporters are reporting theft and/or illegal placement of election campaign signs. It’s not a new phenomenon, but in a year featuring a slate of candidates opposing incumbents, it has added some spice to the debate over qualifications and positions on issues.
Incumbent Clerk Nancy Strole appears to have been the first reported victim, with a July 10 report to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department that approximately 22 of her signs were taken from along Rattalee Lake Road between Tindall and Weber roads.
That was followed by a July 18 report from an Ormond Road resident that someone took seven signs from his yard. Those signs primarily represented township incumbents.
Diane Wozniak, representing Citizens for a Progressive Springfield, said Monday she had sign thefts to report as well. She also charged incumbents with violating the township sign ordinance by placing signs within the public right-of-way along some roads.
‘Anybody I’m associated with knows it is terribly wrong to take somebody else’s signs,? Wozniak said. ‘We’re electing to play fair.?
Wozniak further charged that incumbent Supervisor Collin Walls overstepped his bounds by sending a ‘warning? letter to ‘some? candidates concerning the township sign ordinance.
Walls admitted sending the letter. It was only logical, he said, since he has statutory authority over code enforcement in the township.
It’s similar to a township clerk having authority over the election process, and Walls understands why some might be concerned about a conflict of interest.
‘If I let it…certainly,? Walls said, but, ‘I can’t imagine letting that get in the way.?
Concerning the sheriff department reports, Walls said, ‘I hope they have better things to do.? Enforcement of the township sign ordinance falls to a part-time code enforcement officer. While that individual has limitations, Walls said the matter is being handled equitably.
‘From what I’ve seen, the ordinance is not being enforced to the letter, but it is being enforced fairly.?
Walls said he lost a lot of signs over this past weekend, along with other candidates.
‘It comes with the territory,? he said, also denying any knowledge or involvement in the thefts. ‘I fully intend to win, but I want to do it properly.?
Walls also said he does not suspect his opponent, Bill Sahutske, of being involved in sign theft.
Sgt. Mark Gardner, commander of the Springfield Township sheriff substation, believes theft of signs would fall under the category of larceny, a misdemeanor offense.