Kimberly Redmond

The Journal News

Two weeks before Election Day, municipal officials in Rockland County are issuing a reminder that it's illegal to place signs in a public right-of-way and any found will be removed.

Among the signs taken down Monday were some targeting state Sen. David Carlucci, who is seeking re-election, and county Legislator Aron Wieder, who is running for state Assembly.

The signs bear a likeness of Wieder's face next to the words: "David Carlucci for Medicaid." Below that, in smaller print, is "Working together, other people can carry us."

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Officials didn't know who placed the signs out by several busy intersections in Clarkstown and Ramapo overnight Sunday.

It was difficult to trace where the signs are coming from since there "is nothing on them to suggest who is paying for them," said Vincent Balascio, Clarkstown town Supervisor George Hoehmann's chief of staff.

The right of way is the area along a street between the curb and the sidewalk, or a highway median.

Carlucci called it "extremely unfortunate" due to "the undertones" of the message.

The senator said he "can't speak to the motives" of whoever created the signs, but that he believed the person "is pushing hatred."

"That's the exact opposite of what my service to the community has been, which is trying to bridge the divide of the community," he said.

Wieder, who is seeking to unseat Republican Karl Brabenec in the 98th Assembly District, was unavailable for comment Monday.

Brabenec said his campaign had nothing to do with the signs.

"They are simply ridiculous and do not make sense," he said in an email. "It is important to me that candidates run positive campaigns based on the issues. I always have kept it positive and issue-based and will continue to do so."

Tom DePrisco, who is running against Carlucci in the 38th District, also denied any involvement with the signs and said he didn't condone the "negative attack."

"I do not support any negative campaigning or smearing. While my opponent and I can and will criticize each other regarding specific issues, I will always remain focused on being civil," he said in a statement on his website.

Clarkstown's code-enforcement officers have been pulling out signs, whether political or business-related, and will continue to do so if they are in the right-of-way, Balascio said.

"We don't remove signs based on message. We remove signs based on location," he said.

Ramapo code-enforcement officers will be inspecting roadside campaign signs Tuesday and they will be taken out if placed improperly, said Phil Tisi, an assistant to town Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence.

Carlucci said, "Every candidate runs into issues with signs. ... I learned early on you can't get caught up on the sign issue. As you get closer to the election, hateful tactics are usually deployed. That's usually why they call election season the silly season. You have to continue moving forward."

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