It Begins… Far Left Thugs Beat Homeowner For Not Allowing Dem’s Signs In His Yard

thegatewaypundit.com ^ | 06/04/2012 | Jim Hoft

[massmike]

Officials with the Taos Police Department say they are still working to get to the bottom of the alleged beating of a Taos landowner over the removal of political signs from in front of his property.

In an interview with The Taos News Friday, property owner Roy Cunnyngham and his wife Joni recounted the events when they returned home, across from Casa los Córdovas May 1.

According to the police report filed the same day, Eighth Judicial District Court judge candidate Ernestina Cruz was having a “meet and greet” event at Plaza de Colores. At the same time, across the street, Cunnyngham and his wife were returning home from dinner to find several of Cruz’ campaign signs in front of his property.

As in the police report, Cunnyngham confirmed that three men approached him and demanded that he replace the signs where they’d been staked. Cunnyngham said he resisted.

“We were setting them in the car and we’d planned to call whoever they belonged to,” Cunnyngham said. “I told them I thought it was very distasteful to put these signs in front of my property.”

At that point, a younger man came across the street and again told Cunnyngham to put the signs back. When Cunnyngham refused, the man “pounded me in the chest,” Cunnyngham said.

At the time of the incident, Cruz denied having any knowledge of anyone involved in the incident, saying that it was “unfortunate” that Cunnyngham removed signs that “did not belong to him.”

What followed was far from a fair fight, the Cunnynghams say. Cunnyngham was later checked out by a doctor who treated him for cuts and bruises, injuries to his mouth and a concussion, Cunnyngham said.

“They just attacked him, all three of them,” Joni Cunnyngham said.

[Uri’el-2012]

Here is the article in the Taos News

[knittnmom]

Doesn’t AZ have some odd real estate law wherein you own the building, but not the land that your home is built on?

[KarlInOhio]

Depending on where the property lines are drawn he might own that "right of way". I own my yard all the way to the street even though there is a sidewalk on which people are free to walk because the original developer yielded that right. The area between the sidewalk and the street is still mine and I can prevent anyone from posting signs on it.

[IYAS9YAS]

If it’s a public right of way, the abutting land owner does not have the right to remove the signs during the election season. There may even be a fine for doing so.

Signs in NM must be on private property. They may not be placed on the public right-of-way, and campaign staff must have permission prior to placing them on private property. Either way, the signs were placed illegally.

[Uri’el-2012]

The incident took place May 1,
but it took the Taos News
one month: June 1 to report it.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

I’m sure it varies from state to state, but going back to my post, you’ll notice my first word was “if”.

[Dead Corpse]

Anyone putting their political signs on my property better have my permission. If not, I’ll set them on fire.

Of course, I’ll throw out the signs too...

[Uri’el-2012]

Affiliation Democrat

[TribalPrincess2U]

He could have put a bigger sign(s) in front of the unwanted ones, unless they were on his property. In that case, call the law first and remove them.

If anyone puts signs ‘in front’ of or ‘on’ my residential property, the law will be called.

There are laws about that where I live.

[liberalh8ter]

I notice the article doesn’t actually say the signs were on his property. It states they were “in front of” his property. I’m betting they were on his property but the original author did not want to concede that point.

[Red Badger]

Here, Florida, political (or commercial) temporary signs are not allowed on the right-of-way, but that doesn’t seem to stop candidates (of BOTH parties) from putting them all over every election year.......

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

As others have mentioned, the signs were "in front" of the victim's property, not necessarily "on" it.

However, IMHO, that's not the only thing to consider. A political sign in front of your house (on what passers by would assume is your property), clearly implies that you support the candidate. If you don't support that candidate, and you never gave your permission for a sign implying that you do -- that seems to be a form of libel. You've been accused, in writing, of political views that you don't hold. Perhaps the home owner ought to sue for libel.

Also, I might have placed additional signs, adjacent to the offending ones, which said something like: "These signs were placed here without my permission, I would never vote for this man". Then, see whose signs get removed, by whom. A surveillance camera would be useful.

[Uri’el-2012]

From Ms Cruz's facebook

She is seeking the Division II position
currently held by Sarah Backus,
who was appointed to the bench
by Governor Susana Martinez
in June of 2011.

[IYAS9YAS]

Here's the link to the Taos city ordinance that specifically states no signs on public property, and that placement on private property must be with permission of the property owner. Also, a private property owner may take down any improperly placed signs on is or her property.

http://www.sterlingcodifiers.com/codebook/index.php?book_id=602

I can't link to the actual chapter, but clicking on Title 12, then chapter 28 (Advertising) will get you there.

[Inspectorette]

Taos hasn’t been the same since 1970, when Sam McCloud took semi-permanent special assignment with the New York City Police Department.

That was a great show. Great theme song, too. (Gosh darn, I'm OLD ;-)

[IYAS9YAS]

sheesh. “is or her” should read “his or her”.

[MEGoody]

I wonder what the Mormon thugs will do to me whan I wont allow Romney signs in my yard...

They send guys on bicycles with white shirts and ties to 'evangelize' you.

[Made In The USA]

Someone on my yard putting up a political sign would meet Mr. Remington. Or, worse... the H.O.A !

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

removed signs that “did not belong to him.”

Up in my neck of the woods, a candidate must have permission of the homeowner to place signs and must removed them within 48 hours after an election.

Violations reported to local authorities will bring swift action against the candidate. They are deemed ultimately responsible.

With a phone call, Mr. Cunningham could have avoided a lot of aggravation.

Even still, If it were me, the punks who laid a hand on me would have been very sorry for their lack of simple respect.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

removed signs that “did not belong to him.”

Up in my neck of the woods, a candidate must have permission of the homeowner to place signs and must removed them within 48 hours after an election.

Violations reported to local authorities will bring swift action against the candidate. They are deemed ultimately responsible.

With a phone call, Mr. Cunningham could have avoided a lot of aggravation.

Even still, If it were me, the punks who laid a hand on me would have been very sorry for their lack of simple respect.