Signs of election everywhere

You can’t have an election without a sign war. It’s the law. 
The ponies were seconds out of the gate, when they stopped to bite each other.
It was, indeed, a case of first-you-see it and then you-don’t over the weekend in Newmarket.   
On Saturday, Newmarket mayoralty candidate Tony Van Bynen jumped the gun, putting up election signs two days ahead of the Oct. 2 signs-can-start rule set by York Region for regional roads.
Somebody snitched, prompting Van Bynen to run around town taking his signs down, only to put them up again the very next day.   
Mayoralty candidate Diane Springstein is not impressed with her opponent.  She’s accusing Van Bynen of having “insider”  information linked to York Region’s new sign rule set last month. Van Bynen didn’t share, Springstein charges.
“Leadership is not about taking advantage of your position,” Springstein said. “Leadership is ensuring a level playing field, ensuring that everyone is treated fairly, no matter what the issue. Mr. Van Bynen is firstly a regional  councillor and second a candidate —.not the other way around. Shame on Mr. Van Bynen for serving himself alone as opposed to being concerned for the rights and fairness of all candidates running in this election. “
Springstein said she’s received many calls from irate voters.
“They were absolutely shocked to see Van Bynen’s signs up on the weekend, ”  Springstein said.
In keeping with the rules of war, Van Bynen dropped his own little bomb.
York Region’s election sign rule, extending the sign-startup to six weeks prior to election day, was passed in an open and very public meeting of York Region council Sept. 21.
Attending the meeting was none other than Diane Springstein, Van Bynen claims.   
“It was the only meeting that I recall Sprinstein has ever attended in the past three years,”  Van Bynen said. “Candidates should keep themselves informed at both the local and regional level if they intend to represent the community.”
My very own Geneva Convention includes the following judgments: Van Bynen needs to play by the rules, while Springstein should learn to pick her battles.
As for the voters calling candidates to complain about signs showing up on a regional road two days before there were suppose to, take note: there are more pressing matters facing mankind. Check out world hunger, genocide and global warming. 
Still, let us let the election games continue. Of course, don’t forget to let me know. Send me an e-mail or log into the comment section of this blog. If it’s really juicy, call me at 905-853-8888, Ext. 240