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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Another rash of municipal election sign vandalism has cropped up around the city with less than a week to go before Yellowknifers head to the polls.

On Sunday morning, council candidate Bob Brooks was touring the city at about 4:30 a.m., ensuring his signs were upright and in one piece. That morning, however, black spray paint splattered over a few candidates' signs made him stop in his tracks.

"When I went to the Northland (Trailer Park) intersection beside the fire hall, there were signs that I noticed that were vandalized by spray paint this time. The people decided to leave their mark on the signs," he said.

Brooks' sign was targeted as well as council candidates Adrian Bell, Phil Moon Son, Linda Bussey and mayoral candidate Mark Heyck. The damage ranged from a blacked-out face to words being painted on to the sign.

"For my particular sign, I took it down, brought it home and used Vim and hot water," said Brooks, who then contacted other candidates, informing them of the vandalism.

Brooks said it seemed as though the vandalism appeared to be opportunistic and perhaps not so much a personal attack on the candidates.

"All four of those signs were at that intersection, so it was basically everyone who was at that intersection," he said.

Mayoral candidate Tim Doyle saw the spray-painted signs on Franklin Avenue and although his sign wasn't painted, further along Franklin Avenue near Tommy Forrest Ball Park, a large billboard of his was "shredded."

"It just seems wherever your signs seems to be and whoever is walking the street that night," he said.

But Doyle has also seen vandalism hitting closer to home. A few weeks ago, he said a supporter's signs and home were vandalized. Two signs attached to the corners of a garage were torn down and thrown into the supporter's yard three times. Doyle said apples were thrown at the supporter's front door as well.

"To show your support for somebody or non-support for somebody, you show that at the ballot box. Or you put somebody else's sign on your lawn instead of the candidate you don't prefer, but it's got me a little upset when you look at it and people who are coming out to support you and like your ideas are being targeted by somebody who is not a fan of yours," said Doyle.

Last month, vandals stole and destroyed election signs belonging to a handful of candidates. Close to 30 signs were found at the Sand Pits.

According to the city's zoning bylaw, posters, signs and "any supporting mechanisms, structures or devices" relating to an election must be removed within seven days after the election.

The municipal election is being held Monday.

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