Second Congressional District candidate Harry Teague’s campaign began putting up large signs around
Many
Signs can’t go up in
City Manager Terrence Moore said staffers are “in the midst of checking into the locations of the respective signs. If violations exist, they will be dealt with accordingly.” You might recall that, because of the ordinance, state Land Commissioner Pat Lyons was ordered by the city to take down several signs that were put up on private property more than 90 days before the 2006 general election.
At the time, the Secretary of State’s Office said local ordinances do apply to private property unless the ordinances specifically exempt private property.
Teague campaign spokesman Steve Fitzer said the campaign will take the signs down until next week if that is required, but he is waiting to hear back from the city’s codes enforcement department.
“Of course it is interesting that a community would choose to limit an individual’s free-speech rights on their own property,” Fitzer said. “We researched most of the cities in this district and they do not do that.”
The only other city I know of in the Second District that limits the time that campaign signs can be displayed on private property is Ruidoso. In
Update, 5 p.m.
Moore forwarded an e-mail from the city’s legal department confirming that there is a violation of the sign ordinance. The e-mail states that the city will “seek compliance” with the ordinance on Tuesday.
Update, 5:25 p.m.
Fitzer said the signs are coming down and will stay down until March 5.