To the editor:
This is in response to the letter "Sign, sign everywhere a sign" that appeared in the Sept. 1 edition regarding political signs, and we want to address several false accusations.
The letter falsely accused Republican officials of violating a Steubenville ordinance which prevents political campaign signs from being placed on any property more than 60 days prior to an election. It also incorrectly stated that political signs should not be displayed until Sept. 6 and further alleged that Republican officials acted as if the rules didn't apply to them or didn't know the rules at all.
However, it appears that the writer failed to account for early voting. Although early voting did not take place several years ago in the way it does today, it is not a new concept. The writer should be fully aware of this fact. Consider this: An election is defined as the "act or process of electing." Therefore, voting, whether early or on election day, is part of that process.
Early voting in Jefferson County will begin on Oct. 8, not Nov. 5. A written legal opinion from the city of Steubenville's law director supports this interpretation of what constitutes an election. This means that political candidates in Steubenville were permitted to display signs after Aug. 9, well within the 60-day window of the election.
Making false accusations against our elected officials only serves to damage the reputation of our county and harms us all. The writer either doesn't know the rules or is engaging in dirty politics in a failed attempt to attack the character of Republican officials. Either way, the citizens of Jefferson County deserve better.
Please keep this in mind and vote Republican, whether you choose to vote early or on Nov. 5.
This is an official letter from the executive and central committees of the Jefferson County Republican Party.
Mary Birkhimer
Bergholz