Elections

Vandals Target Romney Campaign Sign in East Norriton

Republican Committeeman Alan Apt said the sign has been under attack since he put it up only a week ago.

By James Myers
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October 17, 2012

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Alan Apt

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Alan Apt is under attack. Or rather his political views are.

Apt is a Republican committeeman for ward 2-3 in East Norriton. He was endorsed by the GOP this year to challenge state Rep. Matt Bradford in the 70th District, but was reportedly removed from the ballot in March after a petition challenge. Now Apt is facing another sort of challenge.

Last Tuesday, the politically active Apt erected a large, approximately 6-foot by 4-foot Romney-Ryan campaign sign in front of his lawn on the 2200 block of DeKalb Pike, between Johnson Highway and Hartranft Avenue. The major thoroughfare apparently not only made the sign more visible, but left it more open to vandalism.

Apt says the sign was knocked down by vandals during the overnight hours on several occasions last week. He says he reported the incidents to East Norriton Police, who agreed to step up patrols in the area.

The final insult came this Wednesday morning when Apt found the sign, which was secured in the ground with steel stakes, knocked over once again and this time covered in paint.

Vandals had exed out Romney's name and wrote "47% SAY NO" in large black letters.

Apt told Norristown Patch that he's sincerely dismayed that political discourse has dropped this far.

"It really galls me," said Apt, who noted this continued vandalism is not his idea of political debate. "It's just lowlifes."

East Norriton Police Chief Karyl Kates confirmed that she's added patrols Apt's neighborhood and said she doesn't believe it's indicative of a larger trend in the area.

"I'm not aware of any other [related incidents]," said Chief Kates.

Apt said he'll have to see if he can get another sign to replace the damaged one, but he's not optimistic it won't happen again if he does.

Related Topics: Campaign Signs, East Norriton, Obama, Police, Romney, Vandalism, elections 2012, and participate 2012

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Brandt Hardin

7:18 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Is there any doubt a Romney administration would favor the rich and increase the income gap in our country? Mitt is a pariah in Mormon Clothing and will stop at nothing to expand an empire of greed for the rich in this country by expanding tax cuts for the 1% of the wealthiest Americans. He’s out to gut the Middle Class for every red cent he can get. Will his sacred Mormon underwear grant him the protection and money to buy this election? See for yourself as Mitt dons his tighty-whities sent down from the Good Lord Himself at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2012/05/mitt-romneys-magic-mormon-underwear.html

Martin hall aka buzzlightyear,aka gitinjiggy

12:36 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012

Brandt You are commenting on all patches all across the country with a link to advertise
your own website. You can't ad in comments

djbemom

9:04 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Everyone, and I do mean everyone, is entitled to their own opinion without fear of reprisal and condemnation. Mr; Hardin, I support your right to your opinion on the issues.. I do not support your small minded rhetoric and slurs, however. Put up signs, show your support for whatever candidate you support, have a good, spirited respectful debate of the issues and leave the personal slurs and hateful language out of it. We need to find a way to work together to make this country better. No one man or one party has all the answers. We need to have leaders that call for opinion and solution from both sides of the aisle. The only good solution and legislation comes from all side coming together and reaching consensus. Mr. Apt I am sorry some thugs trespassed on your property and destroyed your sign. Please put it back up and exercise your consitutional right to free speech.

Louie

12:05 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012

Djbe,
FINALLY, somebody gets it!

B. Booey

9:11 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Thanks for the great link, Brandt! I just shared it on Facebook

Steve

9:25 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012

I agree with djbemom. Not a fan of Romney but everyone in this country has the right to express their political views without reprisal. The folks that did this are vandals plain and simple.

big jon

9:36 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Wish i would of saw it because i would of done the same thing.

Catherine Snyder

12:19 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This picture says everything about the person who defaced it last evening.

Adam Sariego

9:07 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012

When I passed this sign I wondered if Mr. Apt obtained the proper permits for posting a sign of this size so close to the street? East Norriton Police need to look into that since it is nearly a billboard. Many people will find the promotion of a sneaky. lying, flip flopping disrespectful snob offensive, so this will most likely happen again. I Hope!

Mike

1:05 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012

Adam, I love how your response to a political opinion you disagree with is government regulation. If you want your hand held throughout your life because you can not make a decision for yourself keep voting for liberals but when the money dries up dont cry to me. Looks like you also support silencing free speech. How very American.

Lindsay M.

9:16 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012

I am not voting for Romney, but I also do NOT condone vandalism on either side. Shame on whomever did this, as it does not shed a good light on anyone.

Mike Shortall

9:56 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012

Liberal "respect" for opposing opinions and the value of Free Speech on display.

djbemom

10:48 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012

Mr. Shortall, you have the right to free speech on your own property. It does not extend to trespassing and defacing someone else's. So...put up whatever you want in your own yard...as long as it meets zoning regulations like Mr Sariego points out....but leave someone else's property and free speech alone.

Mike Shortall

11:46 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012

djbemom: You're misreading my post. I am supporting Mr. Apt and his sign, not the other way around.

djbemom

4:50 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012

You are right, and I do apologize.

Mike Shortall

10:51 am on Saturday, October 20, 2012

not a problem

Brian Young Jr

11:30 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012

Political signs are exempt from zoning.

Brian Young Jr

11:31 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012

There was a Romney sign vandalized in Worcester as well. Skippack Pike just west of 363, south side. Morons.

brian

2:02 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012

A bunch of thugs. That's who is voting in this thuggy-america.

Louie

9:34 am on Sunday, October 21, 2012

Mr. Apt really should use his head. I was driving up Dekalb with a friend. He saw the sign and said "Wow, that guy must really hate Romney."
Ya know, had I not read the story I would have thought the same. I have no idea what Mr. Apt was thinking.

John Sailor

11:53 am on Monday, October 22, 2012

Can't be worse than the southerners hanging chairs in reference to the empty chair that the GOPhers had Clint Eastwood ramble about pretending it was Obama.

tracey concannn

6:49 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Brian, a bunch of thugs though, and thuggy America? Is that supposed to be some sort of racial innuendo? Considering Romney's views and agenda is fairly close to the same as Bush's, whom clearly lied and stole from all Americans and put our troops in great harm and was responsible for the deaths of Americans on 9/11, i guess because he's white it's ok to support him and the Republicans because there not "thugs", smh--ignorance is bliss.

Cliffy44

11:07 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012

I live about 3 blocks from the Westover Golf Club; and I have Romney - Ryan yard signs in my front and back yards.

You obama-holes (same difference) think that this is your lucky day?

Then, come on my property (that's legally called trespassing) and see the greeting that I'll have in store for you. PLUS, you'll be a TV star; as my property has a 48 hour video loop recording device, with 4 view in the dark cameras, and 6 regular cameras.

I'm waiting for you, you obama-holes.