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Election
Campaign flyers draw complaints in Fountain Hills
Distributed in neighborhoods
Fountain Hills Town Hall (Fountain Hills Times Independent file photo)
Posted
Bob Burns | Independent Newsmedia
The town has received several complaints regarding campaign flyers distributed in neighborhoods late last month.
The flyers, opposing the proposed school district bond on the ballot, were of the type normally used for bulk mailing, and over a windy weekend were reported blowing around neighborhoods.
Town Development Services Director John Wesley said staff was not immediately able to determine the source of the flyers. There is a printed “Paid for by No New Taxes AZ” on the material. However, there is no such group registered with Maricopa County to participate as a political committee for this election. An Internet search also turns up no information.
Reclaim Our Town is a committee opposed to the bond proposal and is registered with the county as a political committee. Larry Meyers, treasurer for Reclaim Our Town, said his group had absolutely nothing to do with the flyers. He said the group does intend to mail a flyer in the coming weeks. Meyers noted that neither his group nor the committee supporting the bond can be responsible for all of the “stupid” things their supporters might do in the name of the issue.
Wesley said the distribution of the flyers is a violation of Town Code. “Town Code Section 10-2-9 D states, in part, no person shall throw, deposit, or distribute a noncommercial handbill in or upon a private premises which are inhabited unless the handbill is so placed or deposited as to secure or prevent the handbill from being blown or drifted about the premises or sidewalks, streets, or other public places,” Wesley said in a statement to The Times Independent. “Because these materials were not secured, they were in violation of the Town Code. From the information we have at this time, we cannot identify a person or group to follow up with to issue a notice or citation.”
Wesley has also clarified a couple of additional questions related to political signs for this election. He continues to say that since this is not a primary election the signs are not governed by state statute, which has little restriction on political signs.
In this case, Wesley said the rules in place for all temporary signs apply. The signs are permitted within the town’s rights of way but must be removed overnight. Also, there are size restrictions that apply with a maximum of six square feet with a maximum height of three feet. Wesley said some oversized signs have been removed during this campaign.
