Campaign Signs Gone, Disappear Days Before Election

Attleboro School Committee candidate for re-election, had to pull her election signs from the lawns of her supporters in Ward 4 just days before the election.

Why? According to Furtado she began pulling signs Friday night after they were disappearing frequently.

"This election year has been very negative, together with the personal attacks and defamation of people's character," Furtado said. "This is uncalled for."

Furtado said she was tipped off to Phase I of her opponent's campaigning strategy, which was to pass out a negative letter signed by Helen Johnson, Ward 2 Candidate Bill Larson and Ward 1 Candidate Shawn Moran.

"This letter was to be distributed out in their wards attacking the three incumbents," Furtado said.

Larson confirmed that it was, in fact, his signature. "The three of us signed a letter coendorsing eachother," Larson said Sunday morning. "We wrote the letter and we sent it to the Sun Chronicle."

Larson said he wants to be part of a committee where not all nine members agree on every vote and decision because if they did it would not serve the purpose of having a committee.

"We all have disagreements and that is good, but we also have to repectfully disagree," he said. Johnson also confirmed her signature on the letter and said she stands by all that was written in the letter.

Furtado, however, said the negative campaigning did not end with the letter.

"I was also tipped off that Phase II of my opponents strategy to steal all of my signs so that I do not have any left on election day," she said. "If this is how they campaign, I can't imagine how they will be advocates and role models for the children in Attleboro."

Larson said he had nothing to do with removing Furtado's or anyone else's signs for that matter. He did, however, say that he straightened others signs while he was fixing his signs after the snow storm. 

"I’ve lost a couple signs," Larson said. "I’m assuming everyone loses signs. These things are going to happen; we are all big boys and girls."

Asked about the others being involved, Larson said: "I don’t know of a Phase 1 or Phase 2. I haven’t heard about an organized effort to remove anyone's signs and and I would be disappointed if I heard they [had plans to] remove them."

Johnson said several of her 50 signs have also disappeared from supporters' lawns. Johnson said she had nothing to do with Furtado's disappearing signs.

Furtado said she will not participate in the negative tactics. "Just like I instill in my boys, you play by the rules, win or lose and do the best that you can and walk away with your head held high," she said. "I have been Ward 4's voice and have not let them down.

"I have fulfilled all my promises, since last time running," she added. "I look forward to the election on November 8 and will be honored to represent Ward 4 again, on the Attleboro School Committee."