‘Emotions can get the best of them’

Vandals mar dozens of campaign signs with red paint

BRANFORD — Multiple campaign lawn signs were splashed with red paint this weekend, and the vandals struck candidates in both local parties, officials said.

The Branford Democratic

Town Committee first called attention to the issue on Wednesday by issuing a press release that included photos of Tax Collector Roberta Gill-Brooks and town clerk candidate Eileen Poulton Cimino’s signs that they say were defaced with red paint. One of

Gill-Brooks’ signs has a red arrow drawn through the candidate’s head, they said.

The vandalism was discovered Sunday in the Short Beach section of town, according to DTC Chairman Kevin Coughlin, who said he didn’t see an indication that the vandalism was politically motivated.

Ray Ingraham, chairman of the Branford Republican Town Committee, said that two GOP candidates, Peter Black and Ralph Murray, had also had their campaign signs vandalized with red paint in the same neighborhood.

“It wasn’t a targeted thing on anyone’s signs,” Ingraham said. “We get kids doing this every year.”

Neither party leader contacted the authorities regarding the vandalism, and both said that to do so would be an unnecessary use of police resources. The signs cost only a few dollars to replace, they added.

Coughlin said that a couple dozen signs for Democratic candidates were damaged. Ingraham said about five or six GOP signs were affected.

Wednesday’s press release included statements from Coughlin and the two Democratic candidates whose signs were defaced, calling for a stop to vandalism.

“This close to an election, people’s emotions can get the best of them, but I know Branford is better than this,” Gill-Brooks said. “Please, let’s show each other the civility and kindness that makes Branford such a wonderful community to live in.”

This year’s municipal elections in Branford are headlined by the contest between incumbent First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, a Republican, and Democrat Tom Brockett. Neither party said those candidates’ signs were damaged.

Branford Democratic Town Committee / Contributed photo Democrats said this sign for town clerk hopeful Eileen Poulton Cimino was among those vandalized.