Dalton fixing signs after vandals strike

Napier mayoral candidate Bill Dalton is having to replace his signs that have been damaged by vandals. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Napier mayoral candidate Bill Dalton is refusing to let vandals get the upper hand after his election signs were attacked across the city on Saturday night.

Cr Dalton said two signs on Gloucester St in Taradale and another on Hyderabad Rd had been smashed while a third sign on Latham St had disappeared.

"That Latham St one had been put in with a waratah stand so it would have taken some effort to remove it. It's been taken out completely.

"It seems like a premeditated attack so the signs couldn't be used again. I'm going to be out there [today] putting the signs back up and rebuilding them. The cost doesn't matter. I think the signs have done their job but I would still like to have them up for the final two weeks of the election."

Mr Dalton said he could not think of anyone involved in the local government elections, candidates or voters, who would want to target his signs.

Mr Dalton said he would not complain to police.

Controversy about signs has featured during the elections. Hastings mayoral candidate Wayne Bradshaw was told by the Hastings District Council one of his election signs was too large and did not meet specifications. A social blogger complained about a sign by Regional council candidate Ewan McGregor over his claim that he "gets things done".

Another sign appeared next to one of Cr McGregor's in Hastings, asking what had he done for the region during the drought.

Cr McGregor said he was disappointed the sign, erected on a Hawke's Bay expressway roundabout, targeted himself and Councillor Kevin Rose.

The sign suggested the two councillors should not be re-elected as people begin filling out their voting forms over the next couple of weeks.

Cr McGregor responded by putting up a new sign, referring people to his website which had details of his work during the dry summer.

The Hawke's Bay District Health Board's pro-fluoride referendum sign was pulled up by the Hastings council for not adhering to rules on advertising signs.