Campaign signs for Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker have been disappearing, his campaign claims, and the assumption from the campaign is that the anti-Joe Arpaio faction is to blame.
The signs in question point out that Arpaio supports Parker's candidacy for the Congressional seat being vacated by Congressman John Shadegg, and Parker thinks the sheriff's support makes him a target for vandals and thieves.
That's one theory.
Another is that Parker is so excited about Arpaio's endorsement that he's using some missing signs as a sneaky reminder that he's the sheriff's horse in the Congressional race -- he he even points out in a press release that he'll be going to Joe's birthday party this weekend.
His family must be very proud of his association with the bigoted sheriff.
In any event, Parker claims some of his campaign workers have been threatened as they put up the signs advertising the sheriff's endorsement, and he believes it may be the result of the debate over SB 1070, or the general controversy that surrounds Arpaio.
He even suggests the culprits could be "fans wanting Arpaio memorabilia."
We contacted Parker's campaign spokesman, Jason Rose, to see if there was any actual evidence that Arpaio-haters were to blame for the missing signs. And aside from the number of signs stolen, Parker's case against the anti-Joe crowd isn't exactly a slam dunk.
"There are a disproportionate number of signs being stolen, damaged, etc. Happens in every campaign and that is to be expected, but this far exceeds the norm," Rose tells New Times. "There could be any number of different reasons, but Parker and Arpaio have talked about it and they believe the controversy surrounding the sheriff and 1070 may have a lot to do with it. Sheriff's endorsement isn't just sniped as is typically done. It is emblazoned on signs."
