I got the call back in June, just a few weeks after I started work at your Clarksdale Press Register. It wasn’t the first time I’ve ever gotten this type of call.
It seems someone had stolen or just torn down a sign for a political candidate. He pointed out those signs cost lots of money and he asked me what I was going to do about it.
I told him that I was going to sell him advertising in the next edition of the newspaper and that would solve his problem.
He was quiet for a moment and said he would get back with me.
I haven’t heard from him since.
Texas Style Politics
In Texas I actually had a candidate come to my office and rant and rave about someone stealing his signs.
I basically told him it was not my problem, but being a reporter, I would check into it.
So I trotted around to the police station and told them my concern. They grinned and told me to come into the back where they showed me a video of this very candidate picking up his own signs.
Seems he had been doing it for years in an effort to get people to sympathize with his fight against “dishonest” politicians.
When I confronted him with these details he got quiet and said it wasn’t true.
This is also where I learned that political signs must be posted on private property with the owner’s consent. Signs on public right of way are fair game to be pulled up and carried to city, county or state maintenance barns where they can be picked up by the candidate.
Signs don’t vote
I'm still new to town, but I know where a couple of you live. It's been interesting to see the campaign signs pop up on local yards and in the windows of local businesses.
You can also tell which empty lots on the major streets around here have out-of-town owners. They are the ones covered by campaign signs.
And you can just about tell with surveyor accuracy where the right-of-way line is at most major intersections on city and county roads by where the signs are planted.
I once had a wise old county supervisor tell me that signs don't vote. He pointed out one prominent property owner put opposing candidates on separate parcels he owned and gave political contributions to both candidates in an effort to gain a little influence no matter how the race went.
Signs don't vote. Do you?
The Price of Politics
Politics is big business. Just ask anyone running for office this year.
They are buying barbecue, bourbon and billboards as they try to gain favor with a particular group or neighborhood.
I hope people realize the day of a group going to Jackson and asking for help with a project are over.
Today you contact a lobbyist and they tell your elected officials and the power elite in the Capitol how to vote.
Take a look at the Governor’s race and then look at the war chest each candidate has. Lobbyist have already marked the deck and are just waiting to play their cards.
Who will you vote for?
Elections are what newspapers do best.
The details, the numbers and all the information that lets you make an informed decision aren’t found on TV, radio and billboard advertisements. Yes, you do get a pretty picture, a nifty sound bite or a big smile, but there is no substance and very little in the way of hard fact.
With a newspaper you hold it in your hand, you go to your elected official and shake it in their face and ask them if they really did promise to do that.
With a newspaper you learn what they have been up to year round and not just at election time.
With a newspaper you ponder the facts and make a decision on what is best for your community.
Floyd Ingram is the Editor of your Clarksdale Press Register and loves watching local politics. He can be reached at 662-627-2201.
