This letter is addressed to the individual(s) responsible for the theft of my Peggy Bennett political sign that was positioned on the grass several feet inside of my lot. What gives you the right to trespass on my property and to take away my visual choice of candidates in the upcoming election? What makes you think that your choice of candidate is anymore worthy of office than mine?

This is a free country, where we are all guaranteed a voice. You can express your own opinion on your own land and at the voting booth, but you cannot take away mine. I read earlier in the Aug. 14 Albert Lea Tribune about other Peggy Bennett signs that were stolen. Police officer Anderson informed me that this is a theft, not to me personally, but to Peggy Bennett, if she so desires to call the police on the issue. It is a monetary loss to her, because money must be spent to replace the signs.

Money and advertising should not be the determining factor in deciding who wins an election. Sadly, a lot of people vote only for those whose name is constantly repeated over the media. It is harder for a down-to-earth candidate to make it in politics because they don’t have unlimited resources to constantly blast their names before the voters through their repetitive name dropping. I remember the last campaign.

In reality, theft is theft. Those individual(s) have only two choices, either return the signs and apologize for the misdeeds or turn yourself into the police. The whole community of Albert Lea will respect you more for acknowledging the mistake.

 

Catherine Sippel

Albert Lea