Summerville Journal Scene
A Knightsville man has stepped forward to accept blame for the Oct. 30 disappearance of more than 40 political signs.
Rob Groce, of Antebellum Way, contacted The Journal Scene last Wednesday to explain why he took signs that read, “Patsy Knight Will Double Your Property Taxes.” Knight was a democratic candidate running for House District 97.
Groce, a member of the Dorchester County Democratic Party, said the signs themselves were improper for three reasons.
First, they were placed on state road rights-of-way, which he said is prohibited by the S.C. Election Commission but often overlooked during campaign season.
Second, he said they violated federal Truth-in-Advertising laws because there’s no basis for the Caucus’ claim against Knight, he said.
Third, they gave no indication of who paid for them, he said.
The signs were paid for by the S.C. House Republican Caucus. The Democratic incumbent beat Republican George Bailey in the race for House District 97 in the Nov. 4 election.
According to a Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office incident report filed Oct. 31, a total of 42 signs were found in a vehicle in the Bellerive Lane driveway of Margaret “Marty” Turney. She was listed in the report as the lone suspect. Both Turney and Groce are active members of the Dorchester County Democratic Party.
Last week, Turney deferred comment until after the Nov. 4 election but maintained she wasn’t the one who picked up the signs.
Reached for comment Nov. 5, Turney acknowledged she was the driver. She said she believed the signs themselves were illegal and because of that, she “had no inkling at all that (removing the signs) would be against the law.”
Vandalizing or removing a political campaign sign is a misdemeanor crime that carries up to a $100 fine and up to 30 days for each count, according to state law.
“I think this juvenile activity has to stop,” said House Majority Leader Jim Merrill, who heads the Caucus. He said the group plans to get together and discuss the matter before deciding whether to press charges.
As for Groce’s claims, Merrill said “everybody puts their signs in the rights-of-way.” He confirmed the signs didn’t indicate who paid for them and said, “We had that checked (and determined it wasn’t a problem) a while back.”
Contact David Berman at 873-9424 ext. 214 or dberman@journalscene.com
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I think the GOP needs to look up the meaning of Campaign signs. Campaign would mean that someone is running for an office and placing signs to promote themselves. I do agree with the litter issue. I don't think the more signs you have or the mail outs will help promote a candidate. There quite a lot of lawyers that are democratics that would love to take the case. For the most part, this just goes to show that these people want a monarchy not a democracy. United we stand divided we fall. Of course the gentlemen in this race have made another issue for the Winning Candidate to promote good sportsman like conduct.
Posted by: Live where I represent!!
We put up political signs 5 times and had them torn to pieces. Because of the law, there was nothing we could do but repair them and put them back up. I think the story is a joke - just like the GOP
Posted by: Nancy
I'm guessing these words from Charlie Daniels are what the GOP House Caucus is thinking: Now watch him Folks cause he's a fairly dangerous man! You may not know it but this man is a spy. He's a undercover agent for the FBI And he's been sent down here to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan! He's a friend of them long haired, hippy-type, pinko fags! I betchya he's even got a commie flag tacked up on the wall inside of his garage. He's a snake in the grass, I tell ya guys. He may look dumb but that's just a disguise, He's a mastermind in the ways of espionage. Would you believe this man has gone as far as tearing Wallace stickers off the bumpers of cars. And he voted for George McGovern for President.
Posted by: Clayton
Hogwash, hogwash I say Jim Merrill. You can keep a pig alive by feeding it garbage! (Merrill confirmed the signs didn’t indicate who paid for them and said, “We had that checked (and determined it wasn’t a problem) a while back.”) Again, I say hogwash.
Posted by: A truthful Voter
Ban all signs with the exception of those placed by DOT. They are litter! Housing developments and politicians are the biggest thorn in the side of Palmetto Pride! Who should remove these signs when mowing operations are being attempted. I would take one down in a minute if I was not afraid of getting run over! Remember, He/She who has most signs does not win! Leave them up and the paintballers can decorate them. How can anyone be charged with an offense for picking up litter, that is exactly what these ugly signs are. Throw a paper cup out your window...$200.00 fine. Stick 5000 signs on State Highway Easement....get your picture in the paper for winning election! Only in the U.S.A.
Posted by: Tom Musolf
then the GOP needs to stop it themselves. Putting out signs with false, smearing statements is juvenile; denying they had anything to do with it is juvenile; coming out at the last second and claiming the signs were there property is juvenile, and admitting juvenile behavior, too. Come one, GOP, learn the law - obey the law.
Posted by:
Whether you're a Republican, Democrat, or Independent , most folks believe the "juvenile activity that needs to stop" is just this sort of hit-and-run last-minute campaigning. It's unethical and untruthful and gives its target no fair chance to respond.Dorchester voters should condemn the GOP House Caucus for this underhanded campaigning. Even Lee Atwater eventually realized that this type of campaigning was wrong.This kind of slime causes unnecessary friction among incumbent members of our delegation.Some folks need opposition in their races.
Posted by: Don Bagwell
vandalizing or removing a LEGALLY-PLACED political campaign sign is a misdemeanor - those weren't legally placed. Thus, that state law is inapplicable. That same law also operates under the assumption that the signs and their messages will be of legality in and of themselves. These signs were also NOT in of legal format, due to the fact they made completely false statements with absolutely no fact to support their claims.
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