LINCOLNVILLE — Lincolnville Police Chief Ron Young issued a summons to Rachael Hendrick Wednesday for unlawful removal of political signs.

Young said he issued the summons after he saw a young man removing two "No on 1" political signs from Petunia Pump in the town's center Wednesday morning. Young said he approached the man and when he asked him why he was removing the two signs, Hendrick, 37, stepped out of her car and told the officer she told the man to do it.

"He was 19, not a minor, but she took credit for the action," said Young.

Young said he questioned Hendrick why she was removing the signs and she said it was because she was concerned that "kids that are homosexual are committing suicide" and because "the school bus goes by the corner every day."

Young said she also thought she could remove the signs because they were posted in a public area. He said despite the plethora of signs on the corner, she was only concerned with removing the signs supporting a "No" vote on Question 1: Citizen Initiative "Do you want to allow the State of Maine to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples?"

This is the second time Young said he has had to deal with the removal of political signs this election season. The first time was when he recieved a complaint that "Yes on 1" signs were being removed from the area.

Young said he has noticed "Romney" signs being up one day, and then down the next. But Wednesday morning, "Romney" signs were back around Petunia Pump with a host of other signs.

"I am looking forward to the political season being over, it's not the highlight of my day," said Young.

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The portion of the 2012 Candidate's Guide pertaining to political signage follows.

Under the provisions of Title 23 MRSA, §1913-A and Department Regulations, political posters and signs may be erected and maintained as follows:                                      

1. May be erected on private property outside the Right of Way limits of public ways at any time prior to an election, primary or referendum;
2. May be erected within the Right of Way limits of public ways no sooner than six (6) weeks prior to an election, primary or referendum and must be removed no later than one (1) week following the date of the election, primary or referendum;
3. Prohibited practices: political posters and signs shall not be erected or maintained on any traffic control signs or devices, publicutility poles or fixtures, upon any trees or painted or drawn upon rocks or other natural features;
4. No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic-control device, such as a stop sign;
5. Political signs may be displayed to view to all public ways except for the Interstate Highway System.  Title 23 MRSA, §1913-A, paragraph 3 (Regulations) and paragraph 6 (Interstate system) states that: Signs may not be placed within the limits of any controlled access highway nor erected within 660 ft. of the nearest edge of the Interstate Highway System in such a manner that the message may be read from the Interstate Highway. All signs located at interstate interchanges are in violation and will be removed.
6. Municipal ordinances advocating stricter control take precedence over state law.   Check with the municipal clerk for any such local ordinances.

The unauthorized removal or destruction of political signs is a civil violation under Maine law (Title 23 MRSA, Section 1917-A), and may carry a fine of up to $250.  Specifically, the law states that “a person who takes, defaces or disturbs a lawfully placed sign bearing political messages relating to a general election, primary election or referendum commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of up to $250 may be adjudged.”

The law does not apply to a person authorized by a candidate or political committee to remove signs placed by or at the direction of that candidate or political committee.  It also does not apply to the landowner, or agent of the landowner, on whose property a sign has been placed.

A candidate or candidate’s committee would file a complaint with the local police and/or brought to the District Attorney’s office for appropriate action.

For the complete 2012 Candidate's Guide, click here.