Statement from First Selectman Fred Camillo
I was both disappointed and surprised to see an email from the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee chairwoman saying she wouldn’t honor the 22-year agreement between the parties to wait until two weeks before Election Day to put out lawn signs on public property. The DTC chair claims no agreement existed last year, but that’s just not true. This tradition has been in place since 2002 to keep our town uncluttered and safer during election season and to show true supporters.
Last year, my campaign made the decision not to place any signs on public property at all. The DTC and my opponent declined to join me in that choice, which is their right. However, choosing to completely disregard this long-standing agreement is a slap in the face to the voters and residents, who are tired of seeing public spaces cluttered with sign after sign during elections.
Legally, they can put signs on public property, but I ask them to reconsider and use private property instead and place, if they choose, signs on public property two weeks out from Election Day . It shows real support from residents when signs are on their lawns, not in public spaces where they hold no personal meaning. Again, it is everyone’s right to put them out on public property and all I am publicly stating as to honor the agreement for the sake of the landscape of Greenwich.
I’m also asking all candidates and both parties to keep signs off Put’s Hill, where the crocuses bloom each spring. That area honors veterans, and political signs don’t belong there. Unfortunately, signs have already been plastered all over it, and I’m asking them to take those signs down in respect for our veterans and the town’s character.
Look, we’ve all had our controversies with signs over the years, myself included. But one thing I’ve always been proud of is how Greenwich has avoided looking like other towns, keeping the election clutter to a minimum. If the DTC and their candidates refuse to follow the agreement this year, that’s on them—nobody else.
