A wealthy Marin town took down campaign signs. Now it’s engulfed in ‘signgate’
Ross Town Council candidate Paul Roesler stands for a portrait in the window of his campaign headquarters in downtown Ross. After public works crews removed dozens of signs belonging to two candidates who have criticized town policies, the candidates accused officials of selectively targeting them.
TL;DR
- Dozens of campaign signs for candidates Paul Roesler and Bob Herbst were removed by Ross public works crews.
- The removals are alleged to be selective enforcement, a tactic to influence the upcoming Town Council election.
- The election centers on whether to restore the town's closed fire station.
- Mayor Julie McMillan and Town Manager Christa Johnson claim they were enforcing a longstanding ban on signs in public rights of way.
- Critics, including Council member Matt Salter, have drawn parallels to Watergate, dubbing the incident "signgate."
- Council member Elizabeth Robbins questioned the independent nature of the enforcement and suggested it aimed to blunt support for opposing candidates.
- The town's sign ordinance prohibits signs on public property or rights of way, but enforcement and precise definitions are unclear.
- Candidates Roesler and Herbst favor restoring the firehouse, while Mayor McMillan supported its closure.
- Concerns exist about slower fire engine response times since the station's closure.