Political signage is already stirring up the winds of election season in Holmes Beach.
At-large Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, a Holmes Beach resident, entered the Holmes Beach Police Department June 11 to hand in three Jason Bearden campaign signs she removed from some properties, according to a police report.
Bearden is one of four new candidates to qualify to run for Whitmore’s District 6 seat in 2022.
The report states, “Mrs. Whitmore admitted she grabbed a couple signs from Mr. Kaleta’s property along with another sign posted on city property near some boat slips. Mrs. Whitmore stated, ‘I probably shouldn’t have done that, that’s why I’m here, I didn’t know what I should do with the signs.’”
Whitmore told The Islander June 17 that two of the signs were posted at a property across from her home. She said she called Shawn Kaleta, the property owner, who said he hadn’t given permission to post such signage and would have them removed.
“I know they were probably messing with me but still,” Whitmore said. “It bothers me when you’re not following the law or when you’re doing something when nobody gave you permission. That’s why I took it to the police department.”
“The owner told me he never gave permission. …He heard about this and was really ticked,” she added.
An officer took the signs and placed them in storage but, as of June 17, they had gone missing, according to HBPD Chief Bill Tokajer.
According to the HBPD report, Whitmore mistakenly referred to city code against people posting political signage earlier than 45 days before an election as state law and claimed the signs violated it.
However, Tokajer told The Islander June 17 that such code is now defunct.
“We have been told that is unconstitutional, that we cannot regulate election signs differently from other signs,” Tokajer said. “We’re asking them to be respectful and not (post signage) until 45 days but we’re not going to be taking signs down unless they are in city rights of way, city property or improperly posted.”
Tokajer said Whitmore’s removal of the signs may qualify as a theft and potential trespassing but, without a reporting victim, charges would not be pursued.
“Not the best course of action. …She’s not a city official with code enforcement. Other elected officials are not allowed to pick up signs, that’s not their job. They’re legislative, not enforcement,” he said.
In response to the incident, the HBPD issued a news release.
It reads, “As election season is upon us it is important to be respectful to those running for election. If you remove election signs from property you could be charged with theft. If you are not a police officer, code officer or the property owner you are not allowed to move or remove election signs. You saying you did not believe it was properly placed does not give you permission to move or remove elections signs.”
Tokajer said he issues the same release every year but usually around September due to the city’s previous code.
People can report political signs posted in public rights of way to city code enforcement by calling 941-708-5800, ext. 226, or by visiting the city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.