May 12, 2008
Reports of Political Sign Vandalism Increasing
Two Incidents Occurred Near Scene of Shooting
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) - Campaign signs have been taking a beating or turning up absent without leave as the date to go to the polls draws neigh.
Two of the latest incidents took place on Fourth and Fifth Avenue at 14th Street just hours before the shooting incident that began at the Speedway at Hal Greer and Sixth Avenue.
Billy Ritchie told HNN that two intoxicated men threw concrete blocks at a sign in a truck parked in the driveway of the Upper Classman. They then retrieved a chain saw and threatened further destruction to the sign.
“When I pulled in from the grocery store, two women at the Upper Classman said those two boys just knocked that sign down with a piece of concrete. I could see the sign lying on its side; a 2x4 snapped completely in half,” Ritchie said.
“Two guys on a little wooden porch were standing up there. All of a sudden I hear a little engine like they were trying to crank a weed eater or something. I could clearly see they had some kind of a chainsaw and they revved it up. They were so drunk. If you want to get drunk and have fun that’s fine, but when you destroy people’s property that’s when you have to draw the line.”
Although a maintenance man partially repaired the sign so it would stand by the Upper Classman, it will need to be rebuilt before it can go in a truck again.
Although uncertain of the time frame, a green sign nearby on Fifth Avenue which belongs to Kim Wolfe was also vandalized. Sunday night it lay on the group with an American flag still attached on the top right.
“There’s a piece of property behind the Upper Classman. A few minutes ago I was driving past a vacant lot on Fifth Avenue and [saw] a green sign on a two by four frame that someone had ripped down,” Ritchie explained. “I don’t know what’s wrong with people.”
Council woman Teresa Loudermilk told HNN Friday that some of her signs had disappeared. And, Mayor David Felinton has reported that some of his signs have been removed or vandalized.
A Huntington Police officer indicated to the complainant that a special section of criminal code applies to damaging election signs. Since the candidate is currently on vacation, police said that the investigation would commence upon his return.
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Reports of Political Sign Vandalism Increasing
Two Incidents Occurred Near Scene of Shooting
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) - Campaign signs have been taking a beating or turning up absent without leave as the date to go to the polls draws neigh.
Two of the latest incidents took place on Fourth and Fifth Avenue at 14th Street just hours before the shooting incident that began at the Speedway at Hal Greer and Sixth Avenue.
Billy Ritchie told HNN that two intoxicated men threw concrete blocks at a sign in a truck parked in the driveway of the Upper Classman. They then retrieved a chain saw and threatened further destruction to the sign.
“When I pulled in from the grocery store, two women at the Upper Classman said those two boys just knocked that sign down with a piece of concrete. I could see the sign lying on its side; a 2x4 snapped completely in half,” Ritchie said.
“Two guys on a little wooden porch were standing up there. All of a sudden I hear a little engine like they were trying to crank a weed eater or something. I could clearly see they had some kind of a chainsaw and they revved it up. They were so drunk. If you want to get drunk and have fun that’s fine, but when you destroy people’s property that’s when you have to draw the line.”
Although a maintenance man partially repaired the sign so it would stand by the Upper Classman, it will need to be rebuilt before it can go in a truck again.
Although uncertain of the time frame, a green sign nearby on Fifth Avenue which belongs to Kim Wolfe was also vandalized. Sunday night it lay on the group with an American flag still attached on the top right.
“There’s a piece of property behind the Upper Classman. A few minutes ago I was driving past a vacant lot on Fifth Avenue and [saw] a green sign on a two by four frame that someone had ripped down,” Ritchie explained. “I don’t know what’s wrong with people.”
Council woman Teresa Loudermilk told HNN Friday that some of her signs had disappeared. And, Mayor David Felinton has reported that some of his signs have been removed or vandalized.
A Huntington Police officer indicated to the complainant that a special section of criminal code applies to damaging election signs. Since the candidate is currently on vacation, police said that the investigation would commence upon his return.
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