It is called crony capitalism…. and they will go to great lenghths to protect it…. From the LOVE blog:
Guest View-Diane Peters: Mayor Hiremath vs. Freedom of Speech
On Tuesday, September 22nd, Oro Valley resident Rick Hines (with the help of another Oro Valley resident) staked two anti-Hiremath signs in the right-of-way (ROW) on Pusch View Lane near the intersection with Oracle Road. Mayor Hiremath and a PAC that supports the incumbents have had their signs posted there (on the private property portion) for many weeks.
While posting the signs, Hiremath’s son and his receptionist came out of the office and stated that they were on private property. The residents explained that they were in the public ROW. The son and receptionist returned a few minutes later, telling them that Mayor Hiremath wanted to talk to them inside. The residents told them that they would be happy to speak with the mayor outside and in the meantime they would continue staking their signs.
They waited but Mayor Hiremath never emerged. Why was Hiremath only willing to talk inside? The residents took pictures of the signs as proof that they were in the ROW. Then they left.
Signs Removed, Conflicting Statements Given
The following day, Mr. Hines noticed that the black and white sign had been removed. A day later, the red and white sign was now missing as well. He filed a police report on September 25th. The police contacted Hiremath’s office and was told that the management company, Chapman Management, had removed the signs. The police then contacted Chapman and was told they only removed the black and white sign believing that it was on their property. Chapman said they believed ADOT removed the other sign.
To read more: Guest View-Diane Peters: Mayor Hiremath vs. Freedom of Speech – click here