The large number of anti-Trump signs plastered throughout Paterson in violation of municipal ordinance will be taken down, said mayor Andre Sayegh on Monday morning.
“I don’t disagree with the message,” said Sayegh. The message, “Stop Trump. Vote Nov 6th.” He said he disagreed with the “method,” where the posters have been installed.
The Committee to Build the Economy placed the posters on traffic and utility poles throughout the city, including downtown Paterson.
Sayegh’s political ally Ed Farmer is behind the Committee to Build the Economy. He held a $1,000 per plate fundraiser for Sayegh during the mayoral election. He also worked on Sayegh’s campaign.
Farmer also founded the super PAC that savaged Sayegh’s opponents during the mayoral race. He is also a trustee of the mayor’s One Paterson Foundation.
“I’m going to speak to our DPW director this morning,” said the mayor. Public works has the authority to remove the signs and issue summonses to the violator.
Sayegh criticized his opponent two years ago for placing campaign signs on traffic poles in violation of municipal ordinance.
“No campaign material or political sign shall be attached to or affixed upon any public place, public facility or on public property by any means,” reads municipal ordinance 04-009.
The ordinance defines a “public facility” as “all public streets, sidewalks, boulevards, alleys or other public ways, all public parks, squares, spaces, grounds, buildings, medians, traffic signal facilities, utility poles or any other type of public pole, public trees, litter receptacles, benches, bus shelters, fences.”
Some residents took to social media over the weekend to express their anger. Many argued the signs make the city look untidy. Others pointed out the signs violate local laws.
“They are illegal you can’t do that,” said Jan Thomas, an outspoken resident of the Hillcrest section. “If you want to put up political stuff do it the right way.”
Thomas took down two dozen posters on Monday afternoon. He said the city should mail tickets to the address listed on the poster.
Residents are not fans of the president. Many, like the mayor, who described Trump as the “orange one” during his inauguration, dislike the president and his policies. For example, hundreds of residents protested Trump’s so-called Muslim ban.
Paterson overwhelmingly voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.
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Updated 1:50 p.m.
