Candidates deal with stolen signs

With big elections slated for October, Vermilion Parish is peppered with political signs at the moment.
Unfortunately for some candidates, there are not as many signs as originally intended.
Darin Desormeaux and Dane Hebert, running against one another for the Vermilion Parish Police Jury’s District 1 seat in the Maurice area, have both reportedly had signs stolen.
“I have had several political yard signs stolen in the last few weeks,” Desormeaux said.
Desormeaux, who served for 12 years on the Maurice Board of Alderman, said the situation is disappointing.
Once I receive their commitment, I ask if they would like a yard sign and it is then placed on their private property.
“These signs are costly and being placed on private property, it concerns me that they are disappearing.”
Hebert, the incumbent in the race and a long-time police juror, said, while nothing new, the situation is frustrating.
“Every campaign season it’s the same story,” Hebert said. “You put them out there and they get stolen, frustrating is a good way to put it. You spend money on these signs and take the time to go put them out. Then someone takes the liberty to pull them out.
“Unfortunately, you can talk to any politician and they have all had to deal with this.”
Signs are not allowed to be placed on rights of way in municipalities or in rural portions of the parish. Some signs have been picked up in the past because of placement.
“To my knowledge I did not have a sign on a right of way,” Desormeaux said. “When I notice one of the signs gone, I go ask the people and no one knows what happened to it.
“I will be keeping a closer eye on them.”
The election, which includes state and parish-wide races, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24. Qualifying for the ballot is set for Sept. 8-10.
Desormeaux said he is not going to harp on negatives leading up to late October.
“It’s frustrating when you spend money and put in the effort and people decide to just take the sign,” Desormeaux said.
Hebert agreed.
“I surely don’t approve of that kind of stuff,” Hebert said. “It frustrates and angers, but you have to stay positive.”