Camillo Commits To Keeping Lawn Signs Off Public Property

GREENWICH, CT — With school back in session and election season underway, it's that time of the year for lawn signs to crop up around town touting candidates or upcoming events.

First Selectman Fred Camillo, who is running for a third term in office, announced Wednesday he is committed to not installing any of his lawn signs on public property. He called on his challenger, Democratic candidate Laura Erickson, to do the same.

Greenwich Republicans also said the rest of their slate will keep lawn signs to private property.

"With all the frustration surrounding the signs and the environmental impact they have as they are produced and discarded, as well as the eyesore they create, I am committed to not installing any of my signs on public property. Rather, I will focus on the citizens of our town who wish to show support by displaying our sign on their own private property," Camillo said in a news release.

Camillo highlighted his work on making Greenwich "a leader" on environmental issues.

"Cutting down on the landfill waste these signs create is in keeping with our progress toward that goal. This is a reasonable solution to the ever-escalating situation and shows the true support of a candidate," Camillo added.

Erickson told Patch she found out about Camillo's pledge after several people forwarded his news release to her earlier Wednesday.

She said that in years past and by mutual agreement between the Republican Town Committee and the Democratic Town Committee, signs have gone up on public property two weeks in advance of the election and they are removed as quickly as possible following Election Day.

Erickson said she believed this is "a reasonable approach."

"Political signs during election season are an expression of free speech," Erickson noted, agreeing that multiple repetitive signs installed on one patch of land are unnecessary.

"There are many signs that go up for various events on public property and I believe elections also need to be promoted to increase voter participation," she said. "If Fred Camillo wishes to place his signs on private property only, that's his decision to make."

Erickson noted that "there is zero environmental benefit" if the same number of signs are being placed in a different location.

"If past elections are any indication, there will be plenty of political messaging signs in the public right of way," Erickson continued. "This is an important local election on Nov. 7 and voters should do their research."

Political lawn signs have been vandalized and stolen in the past, and fake signs have even been installed.

Most notably and recently, Greenwich settled a civil case involving the town and former Greenwich Police Capt. Mark Kordick.

Kordick previously admitted to paying for and installing fake political signs around town just prior to the 2019 election that connected then-President Donald J. Trump with Camillo, who was running for a first term in office at the time.

The incident was dubbed "sign-gate."

In April 2020, Kordick, a Democrat, was ultimately fired from the Greenwich Police Department after a 32-year career.

Kordick filed a lawsuit against Greenwich in June 2020 claiming he was retaliated against for exercising his "constitutionally protected right to engage in off-duty political speech."

Greenwich settled the lawsuit for $650,000 earlier this month.