Campaign signs vandalized in Old Lyme
Oct. 29—OLD LYME — Three Republican campaign signs on Halls Road, along with two Democratic signs on Route 156, were found vandalized Sunday morning ― spray painted with antisemitic symbols, misogynistic and profane language, and references to Russia.
Among those defaced was a Hall Road sign endorsing Republican first selectman candidate John Mesham and with a "Row B," a reference to the GOP row on the ballot of the upcoming Nov. 7 election. Vandals had spray painted a swastika on the sign along with a profane message.
Another sign endorsing Mesham and fellow Republican selectman candidate Judith Read was adorned with crude language and depictions of genitalia.
A sign for Democratic first selectwoman candidate Martha Shoemaker was painted with "Russia #1," "Soviet Union" and a hammer and sickle, a symbol of the Communist Party.
Democratic Town Committee member Dave Rubino, who saw the signs early Sunday as he drove to the grocery store, said he wants to encourage his party and town Republicans to come together and make a statement.
"We can have political differences," Rubino said. "We can disagree on policy, but I don't think this is something anyone from either party would think is consistent with the values that we all share in this community."
Rubino said a few weeks ago a few of the Democrats' signs were taken down ― some stolen and some found in the woods. The party set up a few trail cameras to catch vandals, but they weren't in the same spot as the vandalized signs, he said.
State Rep. Devin Carney, R-Old Saybrook, said residents notified him about the signs Sunday morning, and he assumes the vandalism was done overnight.
Because the vandals targeted political signs, Carney said he thinks there was political intent behind their actions.
"This is beyond where politics need to go, especially in a local race," Carney said.
Carney hopes to see Democrats and Republicans set their differences aside to dissuade this kind of "hatred," and make people aware of how language and symbols can affect people ― especially of certain races or religions.
"I don't think these views represent the majority of views of the community at all, and it's just a shame that someone would do something like that," Carney said.
Mesham, a retired state trooper, contacted the police, Carney said.
Resident State Trooper Matthew Weber could not immediately be reached for comment.
