Mike Castle Signage Violations

Filed in National by on August 25, 2008

Another “sign” that Mike Castle is slipping and far too old to represent Delaware in Congress is that his signs are in clear violation of election law.

Nancy Willing writes:

I was putting up signs around Newark and came across a mess of them on DelDot Right of Ways and in town.

The sign laws are very clear: no signs may be on ROW unless it is 30 days before or after the election. Castle doesn’t have a primary opponent and he can’t put his signs up until October.

The Department of Elections confirmed this and that they do not enforce it, DelDOT does.

I’m not sure who we need to
contact at Del DOT,
but a call is absolutly in order.

About the Author ()

Jason330 is a deep cover double agent working for the GOP. Don't tell anybody.

Comments (48)

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  1. M.Opaliski says:

    Not in defense of anyone in particular but, the sign statute states that no signs shall be placed more than 30 days prior to an election. An election doesn’t necessarily mean your election (assuming that you’re a candidate) if it isn’t specified, which it isn’t. It states that there must be “an election” in the dirtrict, and because there is a Statewide Primary every district in the State is fair game …

  2. Nancy Willing says:

    Damn, you are fast at it!!

    I will call when I get back home.

  3. Bob Cooper says:

    The key to getting Castle out of Congress is having the right candidate. I’ve been following this race pretty closely and to me it’s pretty clear what direction Democrats need to go in as far as whom to nominate.

    And this year it is important. The DNC is going to be more focused on Delaware because of Biden being the Vice Presidential candidate. That should be a big help to the Democratic Congressional candidate.

    After the 2006 elections, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said publicly they would target Castle in 2008. Now they have even more reason to do so.

    SO, who to pick?

    Each candidate has strengths and weeknesses.

    Karen Hartley-Nagle has run before, but she also left the party to run as an independent in 2006. That knocks her out of contention in my book. I also think she has some serious baggage, including losing custody of her children in her divorce (she claims it was a big conspiracy between her ex and the judge). I don’t think that non-profit she claims to run is real. There are other things, too, including claiming she didn’t write an Op-Ed in the News Journal. I mean, that’s pretty hard to believe.

    Mike Miller has also run before, twice in fact. His position on school prayer is enough for me to say ‘not a chance.’ I’ve heard Miller talk, and I’ve seen him at a couple of events and he really seems like a loose cannon to me. I just don’t think he would do Delaware proud in Congress.

    That leaves Jerry Northington and while I don’t agree with him on everything, he has run an extremely credible campaign. His positions are actually thought through and he DEFENDS them.

    I think Northington is the candidate progressives and liberals can get behind this election cycle. I also think Northington can beat Castle.

    For the naysayers, remember, when Biden ran against Cale Boggs, EVERYONE said he didn’t have a chance.

    Guess what? He did –he won.

    Let’s storm the Castle in 2008!

  4. rsmitty says:

    Signgate!!!

    Matt – I don’t like coming to the defense of Jason, really I don’t, but the sign statute is intended for the candidate’s election. NOW, I haven’t read the statute word-for-word (I know, it’s exciting reading), so I can certainly understand if what I said is implied in the statute and not explicit. Gee, that would be a first: a loophole. I will tell you this, as a campaign manager, I am fully aware that if my candidate is not in a primary, there is no signage (except for private property) prior to 30 days out.

    J – this is what it’s come down to now? LoL!

  5. rsmitty says:

    For the naysayers, remember, when Biden ran against Cale Boggs, EVERYONE said he didn’t have a chance.

    True. One of the dirtiest campaigns ever took care of that. Boggs didn’t know what hit him.

  6. When did KHN claim she didn’t write that op-ed in TNJ?

  7. Bob Cooper says:

    Mike —

    A surrogate for her claimed it on Saturday at a candidate’s forum. In fact, she said a former disgruntaled employee of the campaign wrote it and submitted it to the newspaper without KHN’s approval.

    Frankly, I find that very hard to believe. Newspapers are pretty meticulous about checking to make sure things like that are on the up and up.

    I’ve actually heard the same story from several people –about Hartley-Nagle disavowing the OP-ED.

    It’s sort of disturbing when you think about it. I mean, either her campaign is pretty disorganized or ..well, you get the idea.

  8. Nancy Willing says:

    Karen Hartley-Nagle has run before, but she also left the party to run as an independent in 2006.
    *
    Not true! She was running as a DEM in 2006 on a fusion ticket. No one understanding fusion is one of the reasons she and others have abandonned it (not to mention the crappy way the Independents have been behaving)
    Also, the other insinuations about her personal life are sides to a story that she will gladly clear up for you. Hernationally renouned non-profit is as real as the many indidviduals around the county have personally testified to me. Sorry bud. And as far as the OP-ED, I don’t know the details surrounding that. She has a campaign manager operating out of Washington, DC and it probably has caused some disconnect.

    ~~
    I just read Harry Themal’s article today and he agrees with me that the Castle signs are out of compliance although he may have seen actual billboards, I have been seeing mega-sized signs.

  9. Nancy Willing says:

    Gemma Buckley showed her colors in the WNJ yesterday by indirectly impugning Karen’s integrity. Yikes. Get over it Gemma.

  10. Bob Cooper says:

    Nancy,

    A fusion ticket? How exactly does that work? You elect two people to serve? Hartely-Nagle ran as a Democrat and lost the primary and then came back to run as an independent –that’s no more “fusion” than Lieberman leaving the party after he lost the primary in Connecticut (although at least Lieberman had the good grace not to try to rejoin the party).

    As for the “Nagle Foundation” –I simple check of the IRS website shows they don’t seem to have a record of it. If it is a “nationally renouned non-profit” the IRS would have to know about it. I don’t know who personally testified to you about it, but if it’s a Delaware registered non-profit, it must submit an IRS 990, and to do that, it has to be registered with the IRS. It if was, it would show up on the IRS website.

    As for her DC Campaign Manager –if he is submitting articles to the paper without her approval, then that speaks volumes about her and what we would expect from her in Washington. So, maybe you can tell us about it –did she write it or did someone else write it? And if it was someone else, were they authorized or not? The story seems to have changed already, first it was a fired ex-employee –now it is a DC campaign manager. So which is it?

    The simple fact is, when it comes to Hartley-Nagle, there is this pattern of things that always seem to be a little bit off.

  11. From where I sit... says:

    You go ahead and delete my comments all you want….it’s only a reflection on you. I will make my comments on DWA and state there that you are, without just cause, deleting my thoughts.

  12. liberalgeek says:

    I don’t think you were deleted. I think you were tossed into moderation automatically. It sometimes takes time to rescue the comment.

  13. THE UNPROGRESSIVES says:

    Are the so called progressives going to permit Bob Cooper spew absolute lies here while they deleted a comment of someone trying to correct his lies!

    First, KHN never left the democratic party, and ran as a democrat in 2006. The IPOD also endorsed her!

    You won’t see the Nagle Foundation up because KHN is so ethical she did not want to campaign for Congress, while her foundation gets donations for Domestic Violence Victims and Child Predators!

    The rest of the “Bob Cooper” rant is filled with false information, is this what the progressives think will get Northington the unknown candidate elected! Jerry’s polling numbers are non existent.

    You have accused her Jason of stealing signs, I noticed how fast you took down that post, when we told you “who” put the signs up, and who actually is tearing both Jerrys and Karen’s down, it’s the Coons Goons. Are none of you aware that Coons is so fearful of loosing the NCC seat, that the Paoli goon squad have resorted to threatening county workers to make sure Coons wins. When Coons looses, he plans to run for Congress in 2 years…therefore, we in Delaware would be stuck with Castle another two years, until the Paoli goons get a second shot at elective office. Facts are facts she has the numbers to win, Jerry doesnt. Have any of you actually done any polling on Northington? No, but you would be willing to throw her under the bus, and put up a lightweight who has chance of winning in the general. KHN has the numbers to actually win the primary BUT the numbers to beat Castle as well.

    Northington is a nice guy but has no grasp of the issues. He is a total lightweight. Miller doesnt stand a chance of winning dog catcher with his past and background and has gone further to right than Castle on many issues.

    Wake up you so called progressives, there is nothing progressive about any of you. You are nothing but moderate/centurist democrats who “took the progressive label”. Stop deleting comments Jason, we would all hope you are above those tricks.

    Bob Cooper is not your real name you coward, but I bet I know exactly who you are. Very progressive using lies and distortions isn’t that what we can expect from neo cons?

  14. Bob Cooper says:

    Perhaps you would care to share your polling with all of us?

    Oh, and by the way, when Joe Biden ran for the Senate the first time, everyone was convinced he did not stand a chance. The one thing we all know for sure is KHN and Miller have both lost to Castle in the past.

    That cannot be disputed.

  15. rsmitty says:

    LG – it’s obvious someone doesn’t read your responses and instead would be happy with trashing y’all. Someone, who I think, is OK with using you when convenient, but opposite when in disagreement.

  16. M.Opaliski says:

    The law is not aimed at candidates it is aimed at signs. Using your (generally speaking) logic no one but a candidate could put up signs and that’s just not the case.

    The law deals with signs, where they can be and when they can be there. It does not however speak specifically to who can place them, whether individually or collectively.

    Two excerpts from DelDot in 2006 :

    Specifically, the law prohibits at all times all non-official signage in medians, in channelization islands, on utility poles, and as much as 10 feet from the shoulders of state roads and highways. This is also known as the Clear Zone Law. Outside the Clear Zone, but still in the state right-of-way, posting of signs is illegal except 30 days prior to, and after, an election in the jurisdiction for which an election is being held. For example, as there are currently statewide primary elections and statewide general elections set for Sept. 12 and Nov. 7, the rights of way outside the Clear Zone became eligible for placement of signs Aug. 12. This exemption expires Dec. 7.

    Candidates for public office, and all other sign owners, will be granted permission to place signs outside the Clear Zone, but still within the right of way, for 30 days prior to, and after, an election. Sign owners may only place their messages throughout the jurisdiction for which the election is being held.

    ~~

    It’s a non issue for one, and it wouldn’t stick, I’m just sayin’ …

  17. liz allen says:

    Bob Cooper have you no ethics at all! You are so misinformed on KHN’s divorce and her children you are sickening to even mention the horrible truth of that situation. First of all, she didn’t LOOSE her children, that was a very sick political arrangement which Karen has fought in court for years. It was that case that forced the Family Court to open up and provide transcripts to parents fighting for their children. John Flagherty and others stood with her and created forums up and down the state to force open family court who runs roughshod over parents in this State. The results of those hearings were delivered to the legislature. It was KHN’s national research on Child Predators and Domestic Violence, her national connections which were the result of Karen’s Petersons bill.

    Only Joe Biden and now Beau have bothered to address that issue nationally, which Karen will work on nationally when she gets to Congress.

    When the truth comes out about Karen’s children (and it will very shortly) you will be holding your head in shame, and women will be crying at the injustice of it all.

    If you have to go so low to attack her on a personal issue, which you have zero knowlege of , start signing on as a PROGRESSIVE NEO CON. You are absolutely disgusting.

  18. rsmitty says:

    Well, when I called in ’06 for clarification, I was told only the candidate(s) involved in the election in question (primary and general were specified) were permitted to have signs present in that 30+/- days, relevent to the election day. Of course, that is what I was told, so I am completely open to the thought that the written statute is full of holes.

    As far as enforcement, there have been candidates in the past fined (I think it’s $25) for sign removal. However, I think that was more for location and not calendar dates.

    To your point about a non-issue, signs are horribly annoying and I wish them away. Alas, another wish not granted.

  19. liz allen says:

    No Mr. Progressive Neo Con….Karen didn’t loose to Castle. Mike Miller won the primary in 2006 and he LOST TO CASTLE. Get your facts straight, I know its hard when you are willing to lie and distort the record, but we will be here many many of us to put out the truth and discredit your dumbness, your mis/dis-information,

  20. Al Mascitti says:

    Wow. You can almost feel the spittle flying…

  21. Al Mascitti says:

    “Facts are facts she has the numbers to win, Jerry doesnt.”

    Back it up or stuff a sock in it.

  22. jason330 says:

    Man I can’t wait for thei primary to be behind us.

  23. Al Mascitti says:

    Notice, please, how “neo con” is a virtually meaningless insult when flung by Liz. How, pray tell, do the brothers Paoli qualify as “neo-cons,” Liz?

  24. M.Opaliski says:

    Fact Check: Mike Miller didn’t run in 2006 …

  25. rsmitty says:

    Fact Check: Mike Miller didn’t run in 2006 …

    True. All the attempts just sort of blend together and it seems like he’s run that many times in a row. Kind of reminds me of a certain IPoD candidate. Oh wait, he HAS run that many times in a row.

  26. M.Opaliski says:

    Smitty – Any enforcement would have been for placement, otherwise there is no justification for it. And on the sign issue being a non issue, I was more so speaking to the notion that it hardly merits going after the Congressman.

  27. Al Mascitti says:

    Mike Miller didn’t run in ’06? But…but….Liz promised “we will be here many many of us to put out the truth…”

    You two must be neo-cons.

  28. rsmitty says:

    M.O.#26 – I don’t disagree with you. I was being technical with my points.

    In my world of politics, signage on private property is OK, as well as paid postings (like billboards). Public right of ways, etc., I would love to see that go bye-bye forever. Until that day, the competition bar is set and is met. I think they are ugly (in terms of clutter) and potential of vandelism and/or figner pointing (look at DWA for the Atkins signgate post) is way too high.

  29. liberalgeek says:

    I don’t believe that the sign law has any bearing on whether or not the candidate is facing a primary. I ran into this when a huge sign went up in the Glasgow area for a MD congressional candidate. Since there was an election in DE within 30 days, the sign was permitted to stay.

  30. rsmitty says:

    Like I said, I was told over the phone what the interpretation is. I admit that the written statute, without looking at it, probably is implied and leaves too much to interpretation. I, however, would prefer to defer (rhyme not intended) to the interpretation of the department that enforces it and not subject someone I support to a fine (although it likely wouldn’t happen anyway).

  31. liz allen says:

    Would you prefere Neo KON Al. NeoKon a bunch of thugs who use intimidation, personal attacks, threats, mis-information, disinformation, and hard cold lies to make their case.

    Mispoke on Miller…he has run so many times I thought he did run in 2006!

    Al it would be nice if you actually knew what was going on behind the scenes, you don’t therefore as far as I am concerned whatever you say should be discounted. You have a personal vendetta against several people and that fact is obvious. I don’t want to respond to you Al, it only means you “want my attention”, do ya miss me Al, or just want to continue with verbal assaults instead of discussing the issue. In my book you act like a child in kindergarten who bullies everyone who doesn’t agree with your “take on things”.

  32. Al Mascitti says:

    No, Liz, just doing what I promised — following up to highlight your credibility, which is right about zero.

    What issue, Liz? The issue that your girl-crush is going to get crushed in the primary?

  33. Al Mascitti says:

    “You have a personal vendetta against several people and that fact is obvious.”

    Uh-huh. Do you have any pots or kettles in your home, Liz, or are you just cluelessly self-parodying?

    “NeoKon a bunch of thugs who use intimidation, personal attacks, threats, mis-information, disinformation, and hard cold lies to make their case.”

    Uh-huh. Do you have any pots or kettles in your home, Liz, or are you just cluelessly self-parodying?

    Just out of curiosity, do you have any idea what “neo-conservative” means here in the real world?

  34. From where I sit... says:

    Geek:

    From where I sit… // Aug 25, 2008 at 2:08 pm
    #11
    You go ahead and delete my comments all you want….it’s only a reflection on you. I will make my comments on DWA and state there that you are, without just cause, deleting my thoughts.

    # 12 liberalgeek // Aug 25, 2008 at 2:16 pm

    I don’t think you were deleted. I think you were tossed into moderation automatically. It sometimes takes time to rescue the comment.

    ———————————————————-
    I accept that my comments were ‘tossed’ into moderation (is that anything like limbo?).
    I know not why: no cussing, etc.
    However, if this is the case, please restore my comments on ‘kids age/drinking’ and the ‘Castle/sign’ post (which was #3 before some evil spirit took over that spot.)

    Your prompt attention to this matter is appreciated.

    Special thanks to those who knew this post was about signage and stayed on that thread unlike the evil spirit who highjacked it with classless cruelty.

  35. liberalgeek says:

    From – I believe that you keep getting marked as spam because you are using a curse word in your bogus email. Perhaps a less belligerent email will yield better results.

    As for #3, I have no idea where it went, it does not appear to be in the spam queue.

    We now return to your regularly scheduled programming.

  36. mbutton says:

    Ms Allen..I was at the forum in Newark on Saturday, where you stood in for KHN, and quite frankly I was very unimpressed with your defensive platforms and pontificating. You never answered a question directly and made excuses or double spoke. It is also apparent that anytime a question is raised about the credibilty of KHN’s political and or personal liabilites it always seems to be a conspiracy or a huge campaign against a very honest woman. If so, why not address the issues directly and stand tall and stand up for herself. When I left that gathering I had answers from two candidates and only more questions for KHN.

  37. Al Mascitti says:

    Ah, so now Liz Allen, who claimed to have no role in KHN’s candidacy, is standing in for her at campaign events.

    Yet another example of Liz Allen’s incapacity to tell the truth about much of anything — unless, of course, she sees it on satellite TV.

  38. From where I sit... says:

    GEEK….will change offensive bogus email immediately.

    I used to post under my actual email until another blogger said to me: ‘Those guys at DL hate you.’ Me: ‘Hate me? Why? They don’t even know me.’ He: ‘Yes they do.’ Me: ‘How so?’ He: ‘You use your real email, dummy.’

    Youse guys can’t have it both ways…..please explain how one can protect oneself from unearned ‘hate’ and still make uncritized anon.comments on DL….

  39. liberalgeek says:

    try not using the word “screw” or “fuck” in your email address. Something like puppiesandkittens@aol.com would work

  40. jason330 says:

    I can assure you that nobody here spends two minutes thinking about you, let alone hating you.

  41. R Smitty says:

    I have personally found that using Geek’s email address works quite well around the blogosphere. Some of the side conversations have been quite exciting, too.

    BTW, geek, if you get a something about bed wetting in the mail, my bad. Joke went a little too far.

  42. liberalgeek says:

    Nice. Don’t you have some hate piece to write for DelawarePolitics or something?

  43. cassandra_m says:

    Just wait till you find out what R Smitty has been doing with your credit card, LG.

  44. R Smitty says:

    You stereotyping bastard.

    Your next mailing will be on E-dysfunction. It will explain all of those Cialis pills you just bought. Er…and they will be sent to your address, too.

    Has this thread officially been jacked?

  45. liberalgeek says:

    Once you arrive on a thread, I immediately consider it jacked.

  46. cassandra_m says:

    But you’re a POW* though, so it is AOK.

    *of DelawarePolitics

  47. Bob Cooper says:

    liz allen // Aug 25, 2008 at 2:42 pm

    “It was KHN’s national research on Child Predators and Domestic Violence, her national connections which were the result of Karen’s Petersons bill.”

    I think we all agree that Senator Karen Peterson has done an outstanding job in the senate. Her work to make government open and accessible is inspiring.

    Incidentally, Senator Peterson endorsed Jerry Northington.

  48. Mary says:

    I can’t remember exactly what this referred to, however, Rep. Castle was being questioned about his “yes” vote on a certain bill. Apparently, a very questionable thing was buried in a bill–which one would normally think he’d vote “no” on. His comment was “Sometimes it’s hard to get hold of these bills.” He voted “yes” on something he hadn’t read.