Candidates offer money in sign crimes
by Jeff Horseman, The Capital, August 10, 1006
Two politicians are
offering rewards in an effort to nab sign vandals.
Phil Bissett, a Republican county executive candidate, said at least a
dozen of his roadside signs have been stolen recently. He said he
reported the thefts to police and he plans on pressing charges.
"It is absolutely uncalled for," said Mr. Bissett, one of five men
seeking the GOP nomination for executive. "It is illegal and we're not
going to stand for it."
He has an unusual reward for anyone who provides information leading to
the arrest and conviction of those responsible. For one month, Mr.
Bissett said he'll pay the tipster's BGE bill and tack on the additional
72 percent that was proposed as a rate increase.
The Bissett campaign can be contacted via its Web site,
www.philbissett.com, or by calling 410-798-6273.
Vandals have also struck in Queen Anne's County, where John T. McQueeney
Jr., who is running for president of the county Board of Commissioners,
said someone damaged nine of his signs on routes 50 and 18 in early
July.
Mr. McQueeney is offering a $3,500 reward for information on the
culprits. "They've gone from being radicals to being criminals," the
Republican said.
He said he doesn't think the vandalism is the work of kids. "It had to
be two people in a car," he said. "It took a while to do it."
Anyone with information can call Mr. McQueeney at 410-490-8425 or the
Queen Anne's County sheriff's office at 410-758-0770.
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