Signs not good, say candidates

By Paul Dunlop
THE signs pointed to a fiery campaign — and so it has proved with Cardinia Shire Council candidates claiming on Monday they had been the victims of a deliberate dirty tricks campaign involving their advertising billboards.
Mayor Garry Runge and councillor Leonora Cox said they were appalled to discover that signs promoting their candidacy in the November poll had been either stolen or destroyed.
They were not the only ones, with other candidates — who are not sitting councillors — reporting similar incidents of sign theft or damage.
With 23 candidates seeking election to seven seats on the council, competition has been fierce. Voters will this week receive their ballot papers in the mail as the countdown continues.
In a week where local politics have again dominated discussion, Cr Runge said promotional posters placed on private property abutting the Princes Highway, had been cut down and thrown into a paddock. Cr Cox said other signs had gone missing.
“It stinks,” Cr Cox said.
“Everybody has a right to do what they can to get themselves out there, this is no way to go about things.”
Cr Runge said the incidents had been reported to police.
The mayor, in Canberra this week for a local government conference, said he believed the sign thefts were politically motivated.
“It’s unacceptable,” Cr Runge said.
“People are putting their hand up to represent their community, they don’t deserve this.”
Cr Bill Ronald said he had also heard of candidates signs’ being removed. He said he had never encountered anything like it at previous elections.
Gazette readers can this week meet their candidates on pages 23, 24 and 25.