Susanna Freymark
The candidate election signs outside the Bonalbo pub have been trashed or removed not once, not twice but three times.
IndyNR.com reported on the first disappearance of candidate signs from the grass area outside the Dog n Bull Hotel on September 9.
The publican Carl Agnew didn’t think the trashing of the signs was “politically motivated.”
Since then, the signs of Robin Harley, Simon Dejoux, Earle Grundy and Danielle Mulholland have been taken with some being dumped at the Bonalbo Waste Transfer Station.
The motivations do seem to be political, intentional and the vandalism is costly to the candidates.
The signs cost about $25 each. It is usual before any election to have the corflute signs posted around towns and villages.
But it is illegal to tamper with the signs – and unnecessary. This is why we have an election where everyone gets to vote for who they want to see in council.
Ms Mulholland said whoever is doing it should let the candidates stand on their merits rather than taking some signs and not others
“We all have something to offer but we need a team that will work together collaboratively and without hostility,” she said.
“These actions are damaging those relationships before they even get started again and that is a disappointment for all of our communities.”
IndyNR.com contacted Bonalbo police but no report about the signs had been filed.
Kyogle Council acting general manager Chris White it is not a council matter to enforce.
“However, officers have attempted to notify local police about the alleged activity,” Mr White said
“The filing of an official police report would be the responsibility of the affected party.”
NSW Electoral Commission said any property offences (relating to election signs) are a matter for NSW Police so any questions on this should be referred to them.
More Kyogle Council Election stories here.
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