Democratic mayoral candidate Ellen Zoppo issued this statement today:
Since volunteers for my campaign installed lawn signs, there has been a systematic removal and destruction of the signs city-wide. Every night, it seems an entire neighborhood would have their signs vanish. This is both needless and costly, and unfortunately, its what some people do come to expect with the political season.
Last weekend, large banners that were hanging on the fences at private properties on Route 229 and Route 69 were cut down. Saturday morning, political graffiti was spray-painted on the wood scaffolding encasing the entrance to the First Congregational Church, the second act of vandalism on public property in the last two months.
Last night, a resident of Prospect Place called the police after midnight to report three people wearing black masks on the street trespassing and stealing campaign signs. The police found and pursued one individual on foot, and subsequently recovered a number of my campaign signs that were dropped by the suspects as they fled.
After the events of the last week, I have made the decision to file an official police complaint in the hope that more attention on this matter by the public will stop the activity. While it appears that my signs are the only campaign signs being targeted, my primary concern is for my supporters who are having their properties trespassed on, and for the public spaces that are being vandalized.
Laura Minor, wife of Councilman Craig Minor, had also publicly offered a reward of $100 for information concerning the signs that have been stolen. Through those efforts, we have a physical description of a person and their car who was seen removing signs on the night of August 19 and the police are pursuing that lead. The financial reward still stands for additional information and leads.
It is disappointing that people are resorting to these tactics. Political involvement and disagreement are good things. Criminal activity in the name of politics is not. I encourage those supporting either me or my opponent to express that support by voting, and discussing the issues and election with their family and friends.
I would also like to thank my supporters for maintaining their composure and conducting themselves in a positive manner. I believe that a candidate’s campaign is a reflection on the candidate, and I am proud that my campaign has been a positive, issues based effort. We will continue our campaign to bring positive, professional management to Bristol.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
37 comments:
I am disappointed that Laura Minor, who seems to be a reasonably intelligent woman, can't find a better use for $100 when so many people are suffering. And I don't mean in the Zoppo campaign.
I am sure that if any you were to ask anyone who has ever run for public office, they would all say that they have experienced the loss of campaign signs. Might this be nothing less than a "woe is me" attempt to secure the "sympathy" vote?
It is apparent the sign taking is wrong, let me stress to Ellen Zoppo a few things that her remarks are elluding to. First, you remarked about your "opponent" - you have two running for Mayor, Ward & Johnson. By commenting on this as "opponent" one can assume you think the Ward supporters are doing this?
Second, I feel the person(s) taking your signs have more to do with their distaste for your more then support for Ward or Johnson. It can also be supporters of Johnson to make you and Ward appear more at odds, and make Johnson's campaign look more positive. Do I beleive this, no. Just as I believe its not the Ward supporters. I strongly feel its more of a dislike towards you. Is it right, no. We don't know who is doing this and hope the person(s) are caught. Your remarks that your signs are being removed is all
political is not only narrow minded but casting negativity on your other opponents - Ward & Johnson. However, the majority of us know you are pointing this activity towards the Ward campaign
and that in itself is not only negative, but wrong. Lets hope the person(s) are caught and we can then move on without casting stones.
Thank you!
L. W. Smith
Bristol
I think that this press release has a very big egotistical tone to it. Ellen's inuendo that someone from Art's camp is involved in sign stealing while her campaign is all about positive changes is absolutely rediculous. Ellen should also be reminded that right now she has 2 opponents, not one.
There are many factors that should have been considered before Ellen decideed to throw out public accusations towards her candidate and his campaign.
Does she know that the people stealing the signs are from Arts campaign or is that just an assumption? Are the people politically affiliated at all?
Although she may not have intended to, Ellen has offended many residents in this city with careless words or actions that insulted their living conditions, income level and need for affordable housing assistance. She has angered people with condesending tones, inability to accept their opinions and a superiority air.
Whoever is stealing her signs may not have anything to do with Art's campaign OR Johnson's campaign. Maybe it's just a few people that don't like her - for political or non political reasons.
So much for the rule Ellen set for herself in her acceptance speech to the DTC -- "Is is necessary? Is it Kind? Is it Right?"
This accusation towards Art's campaign was not necessary, was not kind and was DEFINATELY not right.
This seems like a sign of desperation by Ms. Zoppo-Sassu!!
Steve,
I hope you stay close to this story. I would like to know who the police have caught and who they catch in the future for stealing Ellen's signs.
How will she backtrack her remarks when the police tell her that it wasn't a Ward Camp member, but someone that she offended all on her own?
She shouldn't thank all her supporters for maintaining their composure. Craig has been less than adult with his remarks on this site and there is a lot of not so positive or professional "gobbledigook phrases" supporting her on other sites.
Those living in glass houses.....
I would think the police have better use of their time then to catch someone stealing signs?
I am sure it was someone who she really upset - that is a long list. As for her shot at "opponent"
should have said "Opponents" Johnson & Ward are running also. Or is this a misused word as she stated "Scripted" was too?
So much for being positive and nice!
As for Laura Minor putting up a reward - how about taking the $100 and buying some food for the food kitchen?
Its not surprising she would offer this reward since Craig is a "team member."
Zoppo states: "While it appears that my signs are the only campaign signs being targeted"
And you know this how? The Ward sign on my lawn went missing, but I just called Ward for another one.
Should I have called the press? Should I have called the police?
Ward signs are missing as well, not just yours. As a matter of fact my son lives up near St. Joe's church and his sign is gone too. "Your" signs are not the only ones Ellen. Grow up and stop acting like someone took your toy from the sandbox.
The sympathy card just doesn't work with us anylonger.
M. Parker
Bristol
Anyone who has been involved in Bristol politics will tell you that the rate of Zoppo sign destruction is unprecedented. Yes, it is obviously a bunch of Ellen-haters, but there were lots of people who were very unhappy with Gerard Couture two years ago, and his signs did not disappear like hers are. I do not think these vandals are connected with the Ward organization. That makes it all the more incumbent on him to publicly denounce these acts as undemocratic and frankly unhelpful to him, because they reflect on him.
Craig, how can you say in one breath that you don't believe that the Ward campaign is responsible for the missing Ellen signs but then close the statement by saying that it is a reflection on him? How can he control what anyone decides to do any more than you can?
You should think before you type and Ellen should think before she throws out unfounded accusations.
This is just plain rediculous that our police are being forced to investigate missing Ellen signs. They have much more important things to investigate.
Two of my Ward signs have gone missing. I've replaced them both. You don't see me calling the police or having Ward file a press release or accusing Ellen supporters for taking them.
You all need to grow up and choose your battles better. Stop whining.
Gerard's signs did go missing during his campaign - lots of them. But he never told the police to waste their time investigating it.
MINOR, THE ONLY WAY THAT IT REFLECTS ON WARD IS BECAUSE YOUR INABILITY TO THINK FOR YOURSELF HAS YOU BELIEVING THIS "TALE OF WOE" FROM YOUR PUPPET MASTER. IF I WERE WARD, I WOULDN'T DIGNIFY YOUR THOUGHTS FOR A SECOND - GET A LIFE.
That makes it all the more incumbent on him to publicly denounce these acts as undemocratic and frankly unhelpful to him, because they reflect on him.
Why should Art even dignify Ellen's accusations and inuendo with a response? Of course he doesn't support stealing political signs, but to say that someone elses actions are a reflection on him is absolutely absurd. Does it reflect on Johnson or any of the Republican council candidates running for office? No!
Ellen's signs being stolen are a reflection on Ellen and Ellen alone.
This is just plain rediculous.
those people stealing campaign signs (whoever they are) should be prosecuted for theft, just like any other thief. period. they should also get a life - this is pretty petty stuff.
good for ellen for bringing this to the public's attention - hopefully the good citizens of bristol will help apprehend these thieves, and they can be rightfully punished.
-billy from bristol
then way are you insinuating that ward might be responsible for your missing signs? if you aren't saying that then you should clarify the issue by saying so - it's absolutely disgusting.
The big problem is Craig Minor cannot speak for himself and has not for the past 2 years on the council. He listens to Ellen and it clouds what small ideas he has. For Minor to say if Ward does not speak up it looks bad on him is so absurd!! Why didn't he say BOTH CANDIDATES JOHNSON & WARD SHOULD COME OUT AND SPEAK?
Talk about foot in mouth Minor - PLEASE do us all a favor and stop trying to put out Ellen's fires!!
To Billy from Bristol, aka (Gobbledigook) take off those rose colored glasses.
The police are going to spend time investigating Ellen's missing signs. Beautiful. Have they found the person that killed Pete LaFountain yet or has it been put to the back burner until the sign theives have been brought to justice?
This is a disgusting misuse of our police force. They should be using their skills and talents to solve real issues. Not finding a group of people that Ellen has offended at some point in her career.
Maybe her husband can do it on his days off from the police dept.
I agree, our police have bigger things to worry about!
Second thought Ellen should ask her knight in shinning armour - Minor, to sit on porches at night and catch the "Sign Bandits!"
Lets see if we can understand Ellen's response today:
"I would also like to thank my supporters for maintaining their composure and conducting themselves in a positive manner."
Are you saying if we don't support you - we are not composing ourselves and are negative?
"I believe that a candidate’s campaign is a reflection on the candidate, and I am proud that my campaign has been a positive, issues based effort."
You also said this Ellen, and its not true. You have many of your supporters posting on other blog sites acting very rude, condescending, not to mention very negative. Minor is also making passionately coming to your defense and making idiotic remarks & comments.
Time to reel in your team, and start handing out the "scripts." Its obvious without them they are lost.
B.W.
Known to all as "Better Wait"
I am amazed that anyone would dare to take zoppo signs for fear that their fate would be worse than that of a harrassed department head.
SO you don't think the Police should look into people wearing black hoods and trespassing on people's property in the middle of the night? some might be after political signs, others might not.
of course it's not a misuse of government resources to get authorities to investigate a meeting agenda that they didn't share with the city council malcontent, right Art?
Maybe Pumpkin Head can catch the theif!
Is this whole issue a joke? Did Zoppo really file a police report for lawn signs gone missing?
Ellen is the one quoted as saying they were masked and stealing signs! An investigation into FOI violations is a much serious issue then taking campaign sigsn! I can't believe you would stooped this low to make such a comparison.
Again, attacking Art sure proves this letter was intended to blame him. Nice way to "maintain your
composure."
Steve, was this sent to the Bristol Press or just to your blog?
I think she is profiling people in ski masks or that walk around at 3 in the morning. Maybe they have a skin condition or they can't tolerate the daylight. Maybe they are skiers.
I need a new ski mask. Mine has three holes in the front.
I watched the city council meeting on TV, and a citizen had a concern about the West End and her comment was they had bigger concerns about the crime in that area, and now her only concerns are about her signs.
I don't believe that anyone who has these types of priorities can run the City.
It is always about her, poor me. Well guess what it isn't working.
I know I'm getting off of the subject, but the article in the Press today when she states that she will not get rid of any of the department heads is so far from the truth. She wants that stacked to so whatever she says goes, just like all of the Boards, she will do the same thing. Especially the Board of Finance.
She is a control freak, and she needs to be stopped, before she puts us all in the poor house.
Where was the statement sent? To me. That means, as I hope all politicians know in town, that it may end up in the newspaper or it may end up on this blog or it may end up in both the paper and the blog, or, if they're unlucky, it might end up nowhere at all except my inbox.
Since the advent of this blog, fewer things remain only in my inbox. I'm trying to shovel it all up online here so that political junkies, such as me, can know everything that's being said.
Steve, I think the public needs to see it, because this is unbelieveable.
Or what's the new buzz word PURGE....Some thing she would like to do probably all of City Hall except the ones that support her, which are very few, trust me.
I filed a story about the sign issue today. It may be in Thursday's paper. I'll probably post the news story text here on the blog later tonight anyway.
Control freak is not clearly saying enough - she does want dept. heads out. Even at committee and board meetings she tries set-up dept. heads! The finance board is where she wants the most stacking! I can assure you we will all be paying taxes out the butt is she gets in. Ellen sees the Mayor's chair as pure power and control. You think Stortz is bad with control and micro mgt - wait!
I'm glad someone mentioned the unsolved murder of Pete LaFontain. Bristol is a place to get away with murder, after all. The cops here are too busy covering up their own misdeeds that crimes go unsolved, especially murder.
The police department is a mess, and electing the wife of a police officer as mayor isn't going to make things any better.
People, it's ridiculous, not rediculous. Poor you, you probably went to school in Bristol.
Maybe its the absentee landlords Ellen thinks so highly of, or the tenants themselves. Poor Ellen, her signs are misssing.
which day is it? that will determine whether it is the landlords or the tenents who are in her good graces at any given time
seems as though ellen isn't missing any more signs since she whined to the media - is that because no one is taking them anymore or that it was just a political ploy and they were never being taken anyhow?
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