Stealing isn’t right

The theft of campaign signs for any reason is an irresponsible and, yes, criminal breach of our sacred democratic principles. And it is news. What is in order here— instead of a public attack upon the witness and the reporters of this sad story—is a simple and sincere apology and an acknowledgement of seriousness of this offenseespecially by such a respected community leader. Let’s assume for a momenthat the “prank” alibi is trueWhat does this say to our children? That the legitimate campaigns of the candidates we do not support are to be dismissed as joke? That the honest effortand private property of those candidates who we do not fancy are to be manipulated or displaced at our pleasure?

A fair and open democratic process, especially at the localevel, should be honored and protected by our community’leaders. Billy Martin Calabasas