Signs reported stolen, businesses take heat before school vote

Posted 2/22/18

WESTPORT — Supporters of the new school ballot question report that that signs have been stolen and that several businesses have taken heat for expressing support of the project.

They issued the …

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Signs reported stolen, businesses take heat before school vote

Posted

WESTPORT — Supporters of the new school ballot question report that that signs have been stolen and that several businesses have taken heat for expressing support of the project.

They issued the following statement recently:

“It’s getting heated in Westport as the town approaches its vote for a debt exclusion on February 27 – at least on one side of the issue.

Supporters for the debt exclusion are reporting yard signs stolen and knocked down on private property, as well as workers at businesses who have expressed support for a yes vote.

“We can agree to disagree but opponents stealing signs, being rude to local businesses, and spreading lies has to stop!” said Jeanne Girard, who is supporting the debt exclusion vote.

The town will vote on a debt exclusion to Proposition 2 ½ on February 27 to build a new middle-high school on the location of the site of the contaminated middle school on Old County Road. The Massachusetts School Building Association has approved a $38 million grant to build the school, with the town paying $58 million over 30 years.

“Both mine and my in laws signs were taken,” said Emily Whipple, also a yes vote supporter. “This whole thing makes me sick to be honest. I would love to see something in the paper about this, a Facebook post isn’t enough. We need to make these people feel low and immature for their own doings!”

Businesses in town reported anger as well. At the BayCoast Bank branch in Westport, a woman screamed at employees about the bank’s support for the YES vote. Rapoza’s Florist and Greenhouse also took some heat, with threats to boycott them.

Westport SOS has reported the sign abuse to the police, and supporters are being vigilant over the next 10 days before the vote. “We as a group are committed to civility and having informed discussions about this issue of importance to the town,” said Girard. “It is disheartening.”

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