Councilman Says He Tore Down Opponent’s Sign

Councilman Tom Clark admitted this week that he tore down one of his opponents’ political signs. Clark said he removed the sign because it was illegally placed on city property. The opponent who owned the sign, Cliff Armstrong, said it was legally placed. Armstrong filed a complaint with police.

Armstrong’s son, Michael, 19, said he saw a man tear down the sign about 10:30 p.m. Monday. The younger Armstrong said he pursued the man--who he did not realize until later was Clark--at speeds approaching 90 m.p.h. The chase ended when Clark pulled off the 405 Freeway, got out of his car and approached the teen-ager.

Armstrong said that when he indignantly told Clark he had no right to tear down other people’s signs, Clark responded that taking down politicals “is part of the game.”

Clark said in an interview Tuesday that he does not recall what he told the young man but that he was uncomfortable being chased by a stranger late at night. The councilman said that the senior Armstrong--who ran fourth to Clark’s first place Tuesday--should not be blaming him for removing the sign but should take responsibility for improperly placing it.