NewsWest 9
MIDLAND - We're just a week away from Election Day but one local issue is getting some backlash in the form of vandalism. Campaign signs for the Midland school bond were targeted over the weekend.
It's a $163 million school bond that supporters say is needed for better student learning in Midland. But someone is making it clear they don't feel the same way.
Over the weekend, campaign signs for the MISD bond election were vandalized off Rankin highway, south of the Interstate.
"To have somebody come and vandalize them like that, it's just not right, they just need to voice their opinions at the polls," Capt. Rory McKinney, with the Midland County Sheriff's Office, said.
The signs belong to the political action committee "Better Schools for a Better Midland."
They support the bond so funds can be used to upgrade facilities, add more classrooms and technology.
"To violate our personal property and to violate the rights of the property owners by going on there and vandalizing property owners property, it shouldn't be tolerated," Co-chairman, Laura Roman, said.
Roman said they got the call this morning about the damage.
The culprit painted the word "NO" across the sign with red paint for drivers to see as they come into town.
Whoever did it took their time. They didn't use spray paint but they actually used a roller to leave their mark.
Capt. McKinney said the penalty for this crime isn't light.
"Depending on how much it cost to replace the sign, they're looking at probably a class B misdemeanor which is a fine up to $2,000 and up to 180 days in jail," he said.
We're told the signs only cost around $50 but Roman said it is frustrating.
"It's not huge but there was volunteer time that went into this," Roman said. "They picked it up, they found the sign frames, it's just time."
She said opponents of the bond can put up signs too. NewsWest 9 spotted one in a Midland neighborhood.
The Sheriff's office said this is the first case of vandalism they know of.
