Mesa is threatening to remove hundreds of signs posted by supporters of state Senate President Russell Pearce, saying signs that read “stand for the rule of law” actually violate state election law.
The anti-recall group had agreed to take down the signs Wednesday — only to reverse its position hours later, said Christine Zielonka, Mesa’s development services director. Members of the Citizens Who Oppose the Pearce Recall told Mesa they’d send the city a removal schedule on Wednesday. Instead, they sent a message that they believe the signs are legal and aren’t coming down.
The city gave the group until Monday to remove the 300 signs that popped up across west Mesa last week. The city will begin taking them down at that point, Zielonka said on Thursday.
The large red signs target Randy Parraz, an organizer of the signature drive to place a recall on the Nov. 8 ballot. Parraz is pictured and statements accuse him of opposing the rule the law, among other things.
Parraz learned from the Tribune on Thursday that the anti-recall group is refusing to take down the signs.
“It’s hypocrisy by the Russell Pearce campaign that they’re going to disobey the law again, disobey the city of Mesa and force Mesa to use taxpayer dollars to take these down,” Parraz said. “That’s just incredible.”
Parraz had heard Wednesday of the group’s plans to remove the signs but to repost them later. He threatened to sue for slander if the signs appeared again, saying the claims against him are untrue.
Under Arizona law, political signs can only be up 60 days before an election. That makes Sept. 9 the first date in this election.
Mesa cited other legal problems.
The city estimates half or more of the signs are posted illegally because they’re within 15 feet of a right-of-way.
None of the signs include contact information, which is also required so the city can contact organizers if there’s a problem with the signs such as illegal placement.
Mesa had to use a liberal interpretation to even consider the signs election-related because they feature a person who isn’t a candidate, Zielonka said.
“We’ve agreed that is an issue for attorneys to discuss,” she said. “At this point, we’re deeming them to be political signs.”
Had the city considered them non-political signs, they would have been treated like illegal weight loss advertisement signs and thrown away, Zielonka said. If Mesa collects political signs, it is required to keep them 10 days so the owners can retrieve them.
The anti-recall group has told Mesa it would move signs that are in the right-of-way, Zielonka said. They block views from driveways and streets, she said.
“They really seem to understand that was a traffic safety problem and they told us that they were mobilizing folks to move them,” she said.
The anti-recall group is chaired by Mesa resident Matt Tolman. He did not return calls for comment.
Parraz said signs have been spotted in Tempe, Chandler and Gilbert — communities outside of Pearce’s legislative District 18. The district covers much of west Mesa, generally areas west of Gilbert Road. Parraz estimated the signs targeting him cost $30,000.
Parraz denied a claim on the sign that Pearce opponents are “his recall candidates.” He said he’s never had contact with the opponents.
The candidates are charter school executive Jerry Lewis, Mesa resident Olivia Cortes and attorney Michael Kielsky. So far, only Lewis has given the Arizona Secretary of State the 621 signatures required to get on the ballot.
• Contact writer: (480) 898-6548 or ggroff@evtrib.com
Rich posted at 5:12 pm on Thu, Aug 25, 2011.
Actually, the signs are printed, once again the Constitution winds up replacing TP in the restrooms of Mesa. "The Rule of Law" LOL, in fact rolflmao. If you don't know that means, pass the AIMS test and say you speak English.
arizonaboy posted at 6:04 pm on Thu, Aug 25, 2011.
Go to San Francisco Parraz, you'll fit in there, along with Mesa's former Police Chief.
Mesa is trying to loose the sanctuary city rep, your not helping...
Jewel in the desert posted at 7:15 pm on Thu, Aug 25, 2011.
For starters, arizonaboy, learn how to spell. Are you trying to say Mesa is trying to "loosen" the sanctuary city reputation or "lose"? And "you're" not helping. I find it very interesting that most of the people who write posts in support of Pearce can't spell or use grammar properly. Also, you failed to mention one thing about the preceding article, which is what comments are actually suppose to do. I'm guessing you are one of those people who love to scream "follow the rule of law", but your screams are being overpowered by all the "lawbreaking" being done by Pearce and his supporters.
Kwaayesnama posted at 8:58 pm on Thu, Aug 25, 2011.
In Arizona our TP faction is driven by the fact that since our GOP/TEA PARTY legislators are not intelligent enough to find solutions to Arizona’s problems they use the Hispanic community as scapegoats.
A perfect example is the Pearce signs in Mesa.
They do not say vote for Pearce because he is best for Arizona,
they do not say do not vote for Jerry Lewis because he is not qualified to serve in the state senate.
The signs say blame our problems on the man with the Hispanic name.
It’s time for the voters in Mesa and our state to realize that nothing will improve in our state as long as the leadership is people that do not have intelligence to find solutions instead of scapegoats.
[wink]
caker posted at 9:44 pm on Thu, Aug 25, 2011.
People wonder why Pearce is being recalled? This is another great example. These type signs should not be allowed for anybody and then they won't take them down? Mesa should charge them for the cost of removal.
Haddie Nuff posted at 9:39 am on Fri, Aug 26, 2011.
Are there no fines/penalties involved for non-compliance with a directive from the City of Mesa? I'm pretty sure if I received such a directive and told the city to pound sand, I would not be given a second deadline. Instead, I'd be handed a ticket to appear in court. I also doubt the city would remove my illegal signs gratis.
Butters posted at 10:20 am on Fri, Aug 26, 2011.
Rich, are you not concerned as to where Parraz got the funding to run his recall drive? Senator Pearce has been totally up-front about where his campaign money is coming from. Why has Parraz been so evasive when asked about his committee's finances?
Caker, Kwaay and the rest of you Parraz mouthpieces, you'll have to do much better than what you posted to win people over to your socialist side.
Kwaay, the reason the GOP/Tea Party is in a majority in this state is because we are all tired of your Robin Hood robbing, anti business, treehugging socialist progressive, deficit increasing KRAP. In case you haven't noticed, Obama's approval numbers have now reached a lower low than Jimmy "Peanut Brain" Carter did during his one and only term in office. People have had enough of your type of krappy way of thinking. Don't worry, though. When we sweep the US Senate and take back the White House next year, we won't come knocking on your door to steal from you what your kind has been stealinng from us for so long. Unlike you and your kind, the US Constitution means something to me and my kind and we're willing to defend it.
greyhawk posted at 10:22 am on Fri, Aug 26, 2011.
Those signs need to remain in place until the city gets a directive from
the city attorney, or the person who is ultimately responsible for
deciding this issue. Until then, it would be foolish for the Pearce
anti-recall organization to remove them.
greyhawk posted at 10:38 am on Fri, Aug 26, 2011.
Yes, who is funding the recall effort???
Isn't it strange that we have no knowledge
of that?
The recall bullypulpit needs to open up
and be transparent.
Butters posted at 12:06 pm on Sat, Aug 27, 2011.
Randy Parraz, as a political activiist, you turned yourself into a public figure when you helped created a recall committee to try and oust Senator Pearce. You don't even live in District 18, yet you think you have the right to tell those of us who do who we should or should not have as a CHOSEN and LEGALLY ELECTED STATE SENATOR.
Randy, where's the financial disclosure to show just who backed your recall campaign?
Good luck trying to get anywhere with a libel suit. You're full of hot air and not much more.
ernie13x posted at 12:51 pm on Sat, Aug 27, 2011.
The city of Mesa can thank it's citizens for saving taxpayer"s money. Almost all of these desperate, pathetic signs have already been removed free of charge and way ahead of Monday's deadline. Pearce is going down as fast as his signs did. Great job, everyone![wink]
Butters posted at 8:46 am on Mon, Aug 29, 2011.
Ernie13x, thanks for showing that you and your groupies are nothing but a bunch of low character criminals. Only about half of the signs were in questionable areas, but according to you, you and your band of lawbreakers STOLE signs that you nad NO LEGAL RIGHT to remove or be in possession of. You also trampled on the rights of others who were EXERCISING THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Way to go, Nazi Boy.