Anaheim : 2 Candidates Sue City for Removing Signs

City maintenance crews may have been a bit too zealous in removing political signs Tuesday.

They removed legally placed signs--which prompted two candidates for City Council to file lawsuits against Anaheim and its city manager, William O. Talley.

In separate lawsuits, candidates William Ehrle and Fred Hunter said that city crews, without justification, took down signs from private properties where the candidates had received the consent of the owners.

Ehrle said the city workers’ action was politically motivated.

Orange County Superior Court Commissioner Ronald L. Bauer granted a temporary restraining order forbidding city crews from removing such posters from private properties where the owners have given consent.

Deputy City Atty. Tony G. Stashik said the restraining order has no real impact because city crews should not be removing such signs to begin with.

“It was just a mistake and hopefully we’ve rectified it,” Stashik said.

Ehrle said he lost about seven signs in the Anaheim Hills and canyon area and blamed the workers’ action on political motivations, contending that the city is run by its manager, Talley, at the direction of the City Council.

“It’s a travesty of our political system. I can’t believe they are going to this extreme to keep their clique in office,” Ehrle charged. “I expect a public apology from them.”

City Councilwoman Miriam Kaywood, one of three council members running for reelection, called Ehrle’s accusation “foolish.” Kaywood said she has not heard about sign removals since last July, when the council adopted an ordinance banning signs and posters on public rights of way.

An ordinance adopted last July allows the city to remove illegal signs--those posted in public places such as on utility poles--and charge their owners for removing and storing them.

It also sets a $50 fine upon conviction of the violation and a $50 reward for information that results in a conviction.