Sue Novasel responds to claims about "disturbing hate" signs

The following is in response to the removal of an anti-Sue Novasel campaign sign and an investigation by the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office and District Attorney's Office. The DA's office made the following statement - "No charges will be filed because the sign was posted in a right of way, which is improper. Any public employee may remove a sign that is posted in a prohibited area, such as this one. The person who posted the sign did not realize it was a right of way and has seen other signs posted in this same area, leading them to believe it would be ok to put the sign there."

To the community:

I was optimistic this was going to be a civil campaign for El Dorado County Supervisor. A campaign based on qualifications and merits. Additionally, I believe in 1st Amendment rights and respect differences of opinion in the midst of a campaign. However, disturbing hate signs have recently emerged in various places.

Driving down Pioneer Trail last week, I saw a sign with a red circle and red slash running from top left to bottom right with the diagonal red slash crossing over my last name Novasel. The sign did not advocate for a political candidate or ballot issue. There was nothing on the sign to represent ownership, nor was it labeled as linked to a political action committee or my opponent. From my viewpoint, this sign amounted to a target placed anonymously to frighten my family and me. To be clear, this was an illegal sign placed illegally in the County public right of away. It was strategically placed across from an elementary school, in the public view, and visible to the children across the street in a school zone.

In my opinion, the sign was representing hate speech and threatening towards all members of my family. It was offensive in its placement. It was placed illegally in the public right away and in the school zone. The sign was visible from the school grounds and it was close to school getting out for the day. I removed the sign not knowing whom it belonged to and drove it to the El Dorado County Department of Transportation Office in Meyers. I gave it to one of the workers and told him where it had been located (the Department of Transportation is responsible for right of way property on county roads). This was very upsetting to me. We are trying to teach our children how wrong bullying is and how hate speech can negatively inspire others to violence. Yet, someone thought this was acceptable.

- Sue Novasel