Campaign Sign at DOT Worksite Displeases

To the Editor,

            Before you vote for Property Appraiser, please read...

            I want to inform the Franklin County voters of an incident that happened to me on my job this past Thursday. I work as a traffic director on Highway 98 between Carrabelle and Eastpoint.

            I was approached by a man, while at my post, slowing and stopping traffic. He demanded that I immediately remove a campaign sign that was supporting Doris B. Pendleton from my personal car. His first words were "remove the sign or you will be sorry."

            My car belongs to me. The sign was in my back windshield supporting the person of my choice. To my knowledge, it is my First Amendment right to do such a thing. I had no idea who the man was and I asked him "Who are you and why do you want me to remove my sign?"

            He then identified himself as Richard Harper, a candidate running for Franklin County Property Appraiser. He told me that if I didn't remove my sign, he would have my job. Is this the type of an elected official that we need or want for Franklin County? Someone who has no more respect for a hard working woman than to threaten her, with his finger in her face for her political preference? I think not.

            I'm just a hard-working woman just trying to pay my bills. I have never had the luxury of owning one home, much less two homes, on beautiful St. George Island. I suppose because I'm a woman on the side of the road directing traffic, Mr. Harper felt he had the right to treat me as less of a citizen than the citizen he seems to think he is.

            I removed the sign for a short period of time because, as we all know, jobs are hard to come by. I then contacted my supervisor for further instruction and I now have full permission to display the sign of my choice. I then read Mr. Harper's slogan, "Fairness to All." Does this sound fair? Again, I think not.

            As a victim of domestic violence, I do not take such harassment lightly. I do not want a bully entrusted with any political power and I don't think anyone else does either unless they approve of his bully tactics. This was the first time that I have had a negative comment about my sign. It was also the first time that I have met Richard Harper. Like "they" say, the first impression lasts a lifetime."

            Please join with me and vote for the positive choice on Election Day. Do you want a bully in government or do you want experience representing you?

            A Concerned Voter of Franklin County,

            Darlene Tatum

            Lanark Village

            Editor's Note: According to Tommie Speights, public information director for the Florida Department of Transportation's District Three, the department does not have a policy that governs political signs. "Even if it's parked on the work site, it's like having a bumper sticker on your car," he said. "It's her personal vehicle and the DOT can't govern her personal vehicle."