Editor:

“Sign, sign, everywhere a sign- blocking out the scenery breaking my mind…”– is part of the chorus of the Five Man Electrical Band’s song “Signs.” As the state representative from house district 140, I am writing to let people know that I fully share their disdain of lawn signs that clutter our public roadways. During the primary season in June, some friends and neighbors asked “where are your signs?” and I answered “in the garage where they belong in an uncontested race.” The general election is upon us now, and everywhere I go in the state there are signs; some stacked two, three, four deep for the same candidate in the span of three feet, which begs the question “are you trying to create a cartoon image?”

As I have been going door-to-door this campaign season, I have been hearing from folks that they are concerned about the economy, uncertain as to how they will be able to heat their homes this winter, and most recently — how with only Tom Brady out of the line-up did the Patriot’s defense look so weak against Miami? Not once has a single person said “If you can get 10 signs up on the corner of New Road and Rt. 111 I’ll vote for you.” I am a strong proponent of a person’s right to free speech, and since lawn signs are a reality of today’s political campaigns, I’ve been dusting them off and reaching out to previous hosts and new supporters to ask that they place a sign on their own lawn; show their support, possibly impact the decision of a neighbor, and exercise their right to free speech. Placing a sign (or bunch of the same signs) in the middle of a roundabout does not achieve either goal of showing someone’s support or impacting the decision of another.

There are two purposes for writing this letter, first, I’d like to let folks know that if you’d like a sign for your home or business and I have not yet had a chance to meet you at your door, please let me know and I am happy to shoot one by. Secondly, if you see one of my signs on a public way, not associated with someone’s home or business, please call 985-5733 and we’ll take it down and that space can enjoy 10 minutes of freedom before some other candidate or ballot initiative supporter puts up ten signs in its place.

In frustration and with sincere respect of my fellow candidates from all parties,

Gary Connor

State Representative, District 140

P.S. For music buffs – Tesla made the song popular in the 1990s, but it wasn’t theirs!