YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY

Springfield, MO

Log in Subscribe

Contentious Galloway Village zoning issue leads to vandalism

Posted online

Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller reminds the community that it is against state law to deface, mutilate or destroy any campaign yard sign on private property. 

Mitch Jenkins, co-owner of Elevation Enterprises LLC, which seeks rezoning of 4.2 acres in Galloway Village to make way for a mixed-use development across Lone Pine Avenue from Sequiota Park, emailed Springfield Business Journal to say some signs in favor of a referendum that will decide the issue have been defaced, removed or destroyed. 

Jenkins on Oct. 22 provided SBJ with photographs of defaced signs, which had been put up by Springfield United, the political action committee promoting a “yes” vote on Springfield Question 1 to allow the rezoning. He told Springfield Business Journal today the situation is ongoing. The images show signs with “YES” crossed out and the word “NO” added in black spray paint. In another photo, “Vote NO” signs created by Galloway Village Neighborhood Association were placed by an unknown person or persons on either side of Springfield United signs. 

“We have received numerous reports of the GVNA placing signs illegally in front of our signs to block the view of the Vote Yes,” Jenkins said via email. “The GVNA has also placed signs illegally in front of Primrose Marketplace.” 

Obtaining permission is required by law for an organization to place signs on private property. 

A Springfield Police Department report filed on Oct. 12 lists Amanda Jenkins, co-owner of Elevation Enterprises, as the victim of vandalism and property damage between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at 2503, 3521, 3527 and 3535 S. Lone Pine Ave. and at the corner of South Lone Pine Avenue and East Battlefield Road. 

The report states six signs made of cardboard, paper and vinyl were damaged with the “yes” spray-painted black and replaced with “no.” 

Jenkins reported the value of the six damaged signs was $4,000 and that she wanted to prosecute. There is no video surveillance equipment at any of the sites of the vandalism, the report states, and no arrests or citations have been made. 

When contacted today by email, Mitch Jenkins said vandalism is ongoing. 

“The intimidation tactics continue,” he said. “The signs on our supporters’ private property continue to be stolen.” 

He did not reply by deadline to a follow-up questions about the stated value of the six signs and how many signs had been erected overall. 

Ron Boles, vice president of the GVNA, criticized the vandalism in a private Facebook message to SBJ and in posts on the organization’s Facebook page. 

“I’m confident in saying that this action is absolutely unacceptable and is condemned by the GVNA,” he said. “The party that is responsible for this action has not only vandalized these signs but the good name of the Galloway Neighborhood.” 

Boles added, “Whoever committed this flawed political stunt is unknown to the members of Galloway, and without proof as to who, unlike Mr. Jenkins, I will not make baseless public accusations.” 

Boles said he and other members of the GVNA took it upon themselves to clean off the graffiti. 

“I and the GVNA will not tolerate such actions, and like a good neighbor, we were there to clean it up,” he said. “No cleanup assistance or effort was expected from the opposition and none was made. No acknowledgement or gratitude for the cleaning was expected from the opposition and none was given.” 

Boles said if people feel compelled to write “no” somewhere, he would prefer they do it on the ballot. 

In an email, Schoeller, who is the county’s highest elections officer, encouraged civility among all parties. 

“I would personally encourage all campaigns and the individuals involved with any campaign to be respectful and allow a person who has a campaign sign on their personal property to express their right of free speech without it being harmed in any manner,” he said. “It is important to allow individuals to be able to freely express their political preferences regarding candidates and issues on the ballot without concern for their signs being damaged.” 

Question 1 will be decided by city residents in the Nov. 8 election next week. 

Comments

No comments on this story |
Please log in to add your comment
Editors' Pick
Business Spotlight: The Right Focus

Helping people is the foremost purpose in business for Angela Stephens. The idea for Re-Focus the Creative Office was born to help her son, Drake Stephens, who had started struggling in school in fifth grade.

Most Read
Update cookies preferences