"Signs" of the Times !
Abilene Reporter News
Sign Duels
Local businesses take the plunge into choppy waters of party politics
By Thaddeus DeJesus / Reporter-News Staff Writer
October 3, 2004
With money being neither red nor blue, a few Abilene-area entrepreneurs are risking some green by posting political signs at their businesses for the hyper-competitive 19th Congressional District race.
Granted, it's a balancing act, experts say. Customers may vote with their money, opting to patronize businesses with similar political leanings. However, that's a short-term consideration.
In the long run, continued support can equal access, said Bruce Newman, a DePaul University professor and editor of the Journal of Political Marketing. Congressmen and other policymakers can help business owners navigate through red tape and regulations.
''One gets their claws into a politician while they're running for office, not while they're in office,'' he said. ''A clever businessperson understands that.''
The contest, which pits two incumbents, Democrat Charlie Stenholm of Abilene and Republican Randy Neugebauer of Lubbock, against each other has been divisive since the state Legislature reopened redistricting in 2003. The redrawn 19th District was created through the controversial Republican-led redistricting process that seeks to expand the GOP's grasp on state offices to the Congressional level.
The campaign-related rancor has trickled down to some area businesses that post political signs.
Russ Menke, owner of Menke Inc. floor covering store, opted to take down signs at his South 14th Street location after his sign for President George W. Bush was repeatedly uprooted and damaged. Menke also put up a sign for Stenholm.
Menke said he doesn't believe he has lost business as a result of his public support for the candidates. The worst experience his staffers had was when a woman rushed inside the store to say that they had ''one good sign up, and one bad sign.'' She didn't specify which, Menke said.
''I guess I was a little naive,'' he said. ''I didn't expect there to be a problem with an individual expressing support over an election.''
Menke is fortunate, compared to Angel Munoz, owner of the Buffalo Gap Store. Munoz put up a Neugebauer banner as a favor to a friend. He took it down after he heard talk that some people were avoiding his business.
''Business-wise, it's best to put politics out of it,'' he said.
Michael Winegeart, an assistant professor of marketing at Abilene Christian University, agreed, saying he learned that lesson the hard way. As a young man in Washington, D.C., he went job hunting with a resume that told potential employers that he founded a young Republicans club in high school.
However, that resume entry weeded him out of certain jobs when the person sitting at the hiring desk was a Democrat. The same concept applies to business owners, he said.
''Just as the old slogan 'buyer beware' - owner beware,'' Winegeart said. ''You don't know what it is that's going to turn off the buyer.''
Several convenience stores - including most of the 42 Skinny's locations in Abilene - are sporting signs that support Neugebauer. The Skinny's store chain is owned by Joe Davis, who did not return several messages for comment.
Convenience store owners are watching the race. The National Association of Convenience Stores trade group has given a higher rank to Neugebauer than Stenholm based on the congressmen's voting records on industry issues such as labor, tax and tobacco laws.
Signs have also proliferated on vacant lots at high-traffic intersections, as well as vacant buildings throughout the city.
Stenholm spokeswoman Jodi Zweifler said the congressman appreciates support in all forms, be it from individuals or businesses. The placement of campaign signs at businesses does not imply a quid-pro-quo relationship, she said.
''We think that Charlie is an independent voice for West Texas and I think people will recognize that regardless of signs,'' she said.
Neugebauer's campaign spokesman, Matt Schaefer, declined comment for this story.
Contact business writer Thaddeus DeJesus at dejesust@reporternews.com or 676-6744.
source: http://www.reporter-news.com/abil/nw_business/
article/0,1874,ABIL_7948_3226129,00.html
Sign Duels
Local businesses take the plunge into choppy waters of party politics
By Thaddeus DeJesus / Reporter-News Staff Writer
October 3, 2004
With money being neither red nor blue, a few Abilene-area entrepreneurs are risking some green by posting political signs at their businesses for the hyper-competitive 19th Congressional District race.
Granted, it's a balancing act, experts say. Customers may vote with their money, opting to patronize businesses with similar political leanings. However, that's a short-term consideration.
In the long run, continued support can equal access, said Bruce Newman, a DePaul University professor and editor of the Journal of Political Marketing. Congressmen and other policymakers can help business owners navigate through red tape and regulations.
''One gets their claws into a politician while they're running for office, not while they're in office,'' he said. ''A clever businessperson understands that.''
The contest, which pits two incumbents, Democrat Charlie Stenholm of Abilene and Republican Randy Neugebauer of Lubbock, against each other has been divisive since the state Legislature reopened redistricting in 2003. The redrawn 19th District was created through the controversial Republican-led redistricting process that seeks to expand the GOP's grasp on state offices to the Congressional level.
The campaign-related rancor has trickled down to some area businesses that post political signs.
Russ Menke, owner of Menke Inc. floor covering store, opted to take down signs at his South 14th Street location after his sign for President George W. Bush was repeatedly uprooted and damaged. Menke also put up a sign for Stenholm.
Menke said he doesn't believe he has lost business as a result of his public support for the candidates. The worst experience his staffers had was when a woman rushed inside the store to say that they had ''one good sign up, and one bad sign.'' She didn't specify which, Menke said.
''I guess I was a little naive,'' he said. ''I didn't expect there to be a problem with an individual expressing support over an election.''
Menke is fortunate, compared to Angel Munoz, owner of the Buffalo Gap Store. Munoz put up a Neugebauer banner as a favor to a friend. He took it down after he heard talk that some people were avoiding his business.
''Business-wise, it's best to put politics out of it,'' he said.
Michael Winegeart, an assistant professor of marketing at Abilene Christian University, agreed, saying he learned that lesson the hard way. As a young man in Washington, D.C., he went job hunting with a resume that told potential employers that he founded a young Republicans club in high school.
However, that resume entry weeded him out of certain jobs when the person sitting at the hiring desk was a Democrat. The same concept applies to business owners, he said.
''Just as the old slogan 'buyer beware' - owner beware,'' Winegeart said. ''You don't know what it is that's going to turn off the buyer.''
Several convenience stores - including most of the 42 Skinny's locations in Abilene - are sporting signs that support Neugebauer. The Skinny's store chain is owned by Joe Davis, who did not return several messages for comment.
Convenience store owners are watching the race. The National Association of Convenience Stores trade group has given a higher rank to Neugebauer than Stenholm based on the congressmen's voting records on industry issues such as labor, tax and tobacco laws.
Signs have also proliferated on vacant lots at high-traffic intersections, as well as vacant buildings throughout the city.
Stenholm spokeswoman Jodi Zweifler said the congressman appreciates support in all forms, be it from individuals or businesses. The placement of campaign signs at businesses does not imply a quid-pro-quo relationship, she said.
''We think that Charlie is an independent voice for West Texas and I think people will recognize that regardless of signs,'' she said.
Neugebauer's campaign spokesman, Matt Schaefer, declined comment for this story.
Contact business writer Thaddeus DeJesus at dejesust@reporternews.com or 676-6744.
source: http://www.reporter-news.com/abil/nw_business/
article/0,1874,ABIL_7948_3226129,00.html
--------------- Where do these people learn their behaviour ? -----------------
Dallas Morning News - Leter to the editor
Kerry sign stolen
This letter is for the creep who stole a Kerry/Edwards sign from my front yard last Monday morning. Perhaps the sign was stolen while I was on the phone talking with my son-in-law, who is in Iraq fighting for the Iraqis' right to free expression. He or she might have guessed as much from the yellow ribbons in the trees near the sign.
I realize that Texas is a "red" state. I know that my vote for Kerry/Edwards won't mean anything. I still believe that I have the right to express my opinion. I find it truly sad that someone who disagrees with that opinion should feel it necessary to come on my property and steal a sign.
For what it's worth, I shall drive to Fort Worth and get two more signs to replace the one that was stolen. While there, I'll make a contribution to the Democratic Party.
Sharon Richardson, Corinth
source: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/100404dnedimondayletters.7d0e.html
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