I would like to respond to a couple of recent letters published in The Citizen regarding campaign signs.

When making the decision to run for the office of sheriff more than a year ago, I considered many things and their impact on my family. I knew of the complexities in not only seeking elected office, but the daunting task it would be to fill the shoes of Sheriff Johnson. I am equal to the task.

I expected that the campaign for the office of sheriff would involve debate on the strengths of each candidate; I still have that expectation. I was not surprised when some have sought to create a sense of fear in our community through some exaggerated increase in crime. I accepted that some would misrepresent things I have said and even passed along as fact, rumors about what I would do when elected.

What I did not expect and incenses me beyond words is the assault on what I cherish most outside my family — my reputation for honesty, integrity, and adherence to the law.

Perhaps I was being naive, but I cannot be complacent about that. Not only would I not consider taking an opponent’s campaign sign, I would not tolerate anyone doing so on my behalf or in my name.

I have spoken in person with one of the authors of the letters that appeared in the May 21 edition of your newspaper that disparaged my integrity. Imagine my surprise when they told me that they had never heard of the Official Code of Georgia 32-6-51 or 16-7-58 that regulates and restricts the placement of campaign signs.

The Fayette County Voter and Elections Office gave every local political candidate a packet when they qualified for the office they were seeking. That packet included a copy of the Fayette County Sign Ordinance. Also, this very newspaper published an article on May 9 from the Georgia Department of Transportation titled, “Keep those political signs off state rights of way”, which quoted the restrictions under Georgia Code 32-6-51.

I personally met with Chief Marshal Ed Collins of the Fayette County Marshal’s Office months ago in order to better understand the enforcement side of this issue and not place my signs in violation of any statutes.

I took the time to explain to the author mentioned above how to determine and locate the right-of-way for public roads. I even pointed out the locations of several signs that my opponent or his other supporters had placed in violation of Georgia law. I went so far as to suggest that they retrieve those signs before they too were removed by the appropriate authorities.

This author, who coincidentally lives near me, could cite no basis for why they thought I might be taking their candidate’s signs, except for their curiosity. They simply “wondered” why my opponent’s signs were taken and mine were not.

It’s simple — my signs are not illegally placed and my opponent’s signs, in many cases, are. Each of my signs has only been placed at the specific request of a supporter.

This author alluded to one of my signs remaining near their house after their candidate’s sign was removed from the same location. I informed them that this particular sign had been requested by the property owner and was placed on private property. Shortly after its placement, someone placed one of my opponent’s signs adjacent to it, on private property. The property owner addressed the issue via email to my opponent and explained that the sign would be removed from his property and was available for pickup at his house. I did not remove the sign; the property owner removed it.

I concluded our conversation by enlightening them that just yesterday I had made a visit to the Fayette County Public Works Department. I told them that I had counted 17 of their candidate’s campaign signs and a couple from other campaigns in the bin where they had been placed by the Marshal’s Office. Not surprisingly, none of my signs were there.

I am appalled that someone would make such strong accusations and imply that I am “stealing” signs when in fact they are clearly violating the law and the signs are being removed by the Fayette County Marshal’s Office. Therefore, to bring this “sign stealing” to a “screeching halt” as this author stated, I would suggest my opponent’s campaign follow the law.

Campaign signs, in my opinion, should be placed on the property of those who support a particular candidate, not just scattered all over the county as advertisement.

Honesty, integrity, and adherence to the rule of law will continue to be the benchmark I will judge every action by — just as Sheriff Johnson has for the last 32 years as our sheriff. It can be no other way for anyone who seeks to represent the rule of law. I welcome scrutiny from our community. Not only do they have that right, but they have that responsibility.

We need to keep the debate on the issues concerning the Sheriff’s Office race on the office, not the baseless assaults on my character. I expect that each and every one who supports me in my campaign for the office of sheriff share in that goal with me.

There are genuine differences between the announced candidates for sheriff. Let’s keep the debate there, not in the darkness of untruthfulness and deception.

I would like to close this letter by being clear. There is no place for anyone close to me who does not put honesty, integrity, and adherence to the rule of law at the top of their list of priorities for how they go about their business or support for me.

If you or anyone else would like to contact me please don’t hesitate to call 770-851-5033 or email me at whannah08@comcast.net. I look forward to hearing from you.

Wayne Hannah

Republican Candidate for Sheriff of Fayette County

Fayetteville, Ga.