This page was exported from The Auroran [ http://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran ] Export date:Thu Mar 28 22:14:25 2024 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: Candidates take aim at rampant sign vandalism across Aurora --------------------------------------------------- By Brock Weir Candidates vying for a place on Aurora Council might have differing visions for the Town, but one thing most seem to agree on is rampant vandalism against election signs needs to stop. Emails have been flying fast and furious among candidates over the last week decrying vandalism where entire streets of signs can be wiped out overnight, spray painted or slashed, often leading to them questioning whodunit. At least one of the culprits has been seen by candidate Tom Mrakas. Mr. Mrakas told The Auroran he was out doing his rounds around 6.30 a.m. on Sunday morning putting up and repairing his own signs, when he saw one person “just wailing” on the signs with his hands. “He was just trouncing the signs and going crazy,” says Mr. Mrakas. “I pulled up, started honking the horn, saying ‘What are you doing' but he didn't seem to have a care in the world and just carried on smashing signs. I wrote his licence plate number down and called the police right away.” The person in question then proceeded to Town Hall, he said, where he expressed his displeasure by spitting on the doors. Candidate Anthony Pullano has seen swift destruction of signs as well, noting he was out with a friend last week putting up signs just north of Bayview and Wellington when their drill died. Getting the sign partially erected, the duo made the short trip back to his house for a re-charge. But, when they came back just minutes later, the sign was damaged and pulled from the ground. “Who does that?” said Mr. Pullano. “Those are the types of questions that leave a candidate wondering who is behind it. That wasn't a child, that wasn't a kid, that wasn't a rowdy person. It even seems Svetla Topouzova had her signs thrown down with a [stake] going through her head. This is not a child doing this type of stuff.” Although he doesn't have signs out yet in this campaign, candidate Greg Cook said the “nonsense and vandalism” was sad. “I think it is sad and awful that people are being disrespectful of the investment people are putting forward and they are being disrespectful of themselves,” says Mr. Cook. “They are saying they don't deserve an opportunity…but six weeks is not that long to have some clutter on the boulevard. It is incumbent on the citizens to act accordingly through governance [to ask the Town, the Region, and Police to ask what] can be improved the next time.” --------------------------------------------------- Images: --------------------------------------------------- Excerpt: Candidates vying for a place on Aurora Council might have differing visions for the Town, but one thing most seem to agree on is rampant vandalism against election signs needs to stop. --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2014-10-08 20:16:25 Post date GMT: 2014-10-09 00:16:25 Post modified date: 2014-10-08 20:16:25 Post modified date GMT: 2014-10-09 00:16:25 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com