Not long after Hollister mayoral candidate Roxanne Stephens planted a campaign sign at the intersection of Union Road and Airline Highway (California State Route 25), the sign was found uprooted and discarded on the ground in a blatant display of disrespect.
Such poor sportsmanship cannot be allowed to go on. It must be publicly condemned.
Under normal circumstances, I would not complain. I’d have regarded it as another case of vandalism that typically comes with campaign season. It happens from time to time, especially when it comes to divisive matters in local politics. But this mayoral campaign does not fall under that category.
As such, it surprises me that someone would illegally tear down such a large sign in a location so highly visible.
Such a senseless act of destruction towards a relatively unknown challenger suggests an attempt at political intimidation, discourages participation and only serves to skew the battle in Roxanne’s favor.
Based on what I’ve heard, learned and experienced over my nine months in political activism, I grow increasingly concerned that there is a sort of “developers mafia” hell-bent on discouraging political participation by newcomers. Most of these kinds of attacks only ever seem to happen to slow-growthers, and this attack only serves to reinforce this “mafia” vibe.
I do hope I am wrong. I hope this was a one-off attack. Public condemnation would go a long way toward easing these concerns.
The topic of growth has divided us, and I think we all agree that we would not like to see any further escalation beyond the typically random acts of destruction or intimidation. As a resident of Hollister, I now call upon my mayor to publicly condemn this politically motivated act of destruction against her opponent.
Furthermore, I humbly request my city councilman, Tim Burns, to join her. Good sportsmanship is needed, as is public condemnation against poor sportsmanship.
And it would really mean a lot to the people who have suffered from such politically-motivated attacks.
Joseph Howard
Hollister
I wish it was a one-off l, but don’t forget when that other dude was stealing signs and both the sheriff and DA failed to pursue the case because both benefit from population growth. How? Both of their jobs are funded by tax payers.
Joseph this is not something that is unusual or only happens to ‘no growthers’ signs as you call them. It just seems the no-growth groups complain loudly about it and try to use it to garner sympathy.
The Campaign to Protect San Benito group did a similar thing with Measure Q in 2022, with their sign that was located in that same spot, blaming the other side. Turned out a car had lost control and hit it. But they made a big deal about it, just like you all are doing now on behalf of Roxanne.
In my last election I had signs bent, taken and even one person had a sign on their property slashed and cut. Now that was a bit nasty! But you did not hear me throwing accusations out at anybody. I give others the benefit of the doubt. That is how to foster civility.
The other thing is the corner where she put her sign up is owned by a farmer. It is private property and you need permission to place signs on private property. It looks like the sign was taken down and the poles set on it. They weren’t damaged or stolen.
I can say with certainty the gals working on my campaign team have better things to do than run around and tear down others signs.
Rather than writing articles and putting pictures all over social media attacking me and my campaign team, I call upon you, Roxanne and her friends from Hollister Guardians and Campaign to Protect San Benito that are running her campaign to stop playing the blame game and fostering negativity in our community.