Signs of an Ugly Election Season?

Kay Chapin sees signs -- actually the absence of signs -- that indicate it could be an ugly election season in Barrington.

Two signs for Republican candidates disappeared from in front of her Blount Circle home early Thursday morning, July 12, Chapin said.

“I had a sign for Brendan Doherty and a sign for Barry Hinckley,” she said. “Both were here when I went out at 6 this morning. They were gone at 8:30."

The Doherty for Congress and Hinckley for Senate signs were posted about three weeks ago, Chapin said. Each one was about 18x36 inches in size.

“They were unobtrusive, I think,” she said. “I certainly don’t think they were a traffic hazard.”

To make sure, she actually had a reflector attached to the signs to alert drivers to them.

“They took the reflector, too,” Chapin said.

Chapin reported the disappearance to the police. A patrol officer took a report.

“I am presuming the opposition took the signs,” Chapin said. “The police said this is the first time this election season they’ve gotten a report.”

Chapin also thinks it may be a first in her neighborhood.

“I am very distressed that Blount Circle has had a theft,” she said. “This is supposed to be a safe area. Next step is sentry cameras.”

Chapin plans to replace the signs. In the meantime, she has nailed a smaller sign for Hinckley to a tree in front of her home.

“I want to make sure people are aware of this,” she said of the theft.