Political Sign Controversy Ruffles Feathers In Bristol

Bristol Borough Hall. File photo. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

Election season is back. And that means complains and concerns are being raised about political signage.

In recent weeks, controversy has overtaken social media pages in Bristol Borough over signs supporting Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump’s bids for office. The signs for the presidential race are joined with ones for down ballot races and other political messages.

Arguments on social media over the wording of signs, locations, and the amount have raised tensions and led to vandalism and thefts of signs. There have also been threats and unfounded claims that the borough government was behind them.

Bristol Borough Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe on Monday evening addressed concerns about political signs placed throughout the town and said that the borough government was not responsible for their installation.

“First and foremost, these signs were not purchased or installed by this borough council,” DiGuiseppe said. “And let me repeat myself, they were not purchased or installed by this borough council.”

The council president said he has received numerous inquiries about the signs via email, phone calls and texts. He stressed that residents have the right to support candidates of their choosing in any election.

“That’s the beautiful thing about living in America. We have those freedoms,” DiGuiseppe said.

He clarified that the borough council does not have authority to police political signs, noting that the other bodies handles rules and regulations for political signs.

“We do not control what person or committee pays for them, purchases them, installs them, or whether they are in compliance,” DiGuiseppe said.

The statement came in response to concerns raised by some residents about political messaging appearing on public property.

Online, some of the criticism was over the fact that some of the signs say “Bristol for Harris,” with some saying the wording implied every resident of the borough endorses the vice president’s campaign.

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. File photos.

It is not uncommon for signs for Democrats and Republicans state a community’s name and a candidate’s name. A sign that read “Bucks County for Trump” was recently spotted in Bristol Township.

John De Lancey, a borough resident whose family have resided in the community for decades, spoke during public comment Monday evening about his unease with the signs.

“Considering the current political climate, these signs were just a really really bad idea,” said De Lancey, who is an undecided voters. “I think the national politics is poison right now and it’s something that we have to avoid at all costs on a local level.”

De Lancey said he was troubled by a conversation he had with an individual he believed to be responsible for the signs, who allegedly dismissed concerns about using the town’s name for political messaging.

“I have very little to be proud of except for my two sons and where I live. It hurt,” De Lancey said.

After the meeting, De Lancey said he also was worried over disclosures on the Harris signs, which note it is supported by local residents and not an official campaign. He stated that he believes the disclosures on the sign are too small, partly obscured, and may not follow federal guidelines.

Council member Greg Pezza acknowledged the contentious nature of the upcoming presidential election but urged residents to maintain perspective.

“I have neighbors that I love dearly, I have family friends that I love dearly who do not agree with me on politics,” Pezza said. “I never lose friends over politics. That’s not the way I operate.”

Pezza emphasized that despite disagreements over the signs, he believes those on all sides share a love for Bristol Borough.

Council member Lee Cousin echoed those sentiments, calling for unity among residents.

“At the end of the day, I’m still your neighbor. Whether we agree, we don’t agree. At the end of the day, I am still your neighbor. Why? Because we are in this together,” Cousin said.

Advertisement