Candidates lose campaign signs to city buyback

No money was given for campaign signs during anti-blight event

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The city collected over 22,000 tires and almost 3,000 signs at this weekend's tire and sign buyback.

But some candidates on the runoff ballot for city elections are dealing with the consequences of that buyback.

The city publicized it would not accept campaign signs for cash, but people brought them anyway.

"I probably shouldn't be as emotional about it but I placed most of these signs," city council candidate Mike Anania said. "My volunteers placed most of these signs."

Anania is on the runoff ballot on May 19 for Council District 1 against Joyce Morgan, so he's still actively campaigning.

He said this weekend's tire and sign buyback hurt the 20 people in the runoff because people took down campaign signs for the buyback.

"In a local race like this, it's incredibly important to have name recognition, to have your signs out there," Anania said.

He said those signs cost thousands of dollars.

"Out of 425 that we had out, if you look out in Arlington there are literally none left," Anania said. "All we recovered is probably about 45 signs."

The city hosted the buyback to reduce neighborhood blight.

Director of Public Works Jim Robinson responded about people bringing campaign signs even though they were told not to.

"There was no money paid for candidates' signs or campaign signs, although we did tell a number of campaigns they were welcome to come retrieve signs if they are in the runoffs," Robinson said.

People could trade 40 illegal signs for 50 cents a sign, but people were not given money for campaign signs.

Anania thinks some people may have not realized that or might not have known people are still campaigning.

Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland addressed campaign signage rules.

"The key is they're not allowed to be on city right of ways and the medians in between sidewalks and streets," Holland said. "Those are city property, and they're not allowed to be there."

Legally large signs can be at commercial businesses and smaller signs on residential property.

"When you are taking them off someone's property, you know that's likely placed -- you're actually stealing," Holland said. "Just like their lawnmower out of their yard, it's owned by the people and you're taking a property."

After the election or runoff, win or lose, the candidate has seven days to remove their signs. 

Anania, along with others, plans to put those signs back up and said he will remove them again after the runoff.