Faulkner County Race For Sheriff 'Fires Up'
By: Josh Berry
Updated: September 22, 2012
Campaign vandalism took a wild turn this week when a grandmother of a Faulkner County candidate had a political sign set to flames in her front yard.
The candidates for Faulkner County Sheriff said vandalism and theft of political signs should be expected but now, with this fire, they've had enough.
"I've had hundreds of signs stolen, and it's irritating," said candidate, Maj. Andy Shock.
Combined, the two Faulkner County candidates for sheriff said they've had over $1,500 in signs and campaign equipment stolen or destroyed.
Shock's opponent, Tommy Earnhart said, "There were three put out yesterday (9/21) afternoon and they're gone this morning."
For candidates Earnhart and Shock, they're not too worried about the race between the two of them; They're more concerned about wasted work and money their support team puts into the campaign.
"It's starting to get personal," Shock.
Both candidates said vandalism has gone on throughout the entire campaign. They claim it went to a whole new, unacceptable level however, when a sign was lit on fire and it happened in Shock's 82 year old grandmother's front yard.
"When you get woke up like that... it scared me," said Shock's grandmother, Christine Kelley.
Christine Kelley woke up to a phone call from her sister, asking if there was a fire in her front yard. She said her nephew actually saw the fire first and called his mom.
"Call Aunt Tine and tell her to look because I'd hate for her to get burned up in the house or something," Kelley shared. "Now a few weeks ago it coulda been."
Earnhart added, "If it hadn't of been raining and dry, it coulda burned her house down."
Neither candidate blames their opponent, but both admit tempers between supporters have started to flare. For her and her grandson's sake, Kelley said she's ready for it to be over with.
"This campaign seems like it's been worse than any I remember."
Both shock and Earnhart confirmed they just the fires to subside and let the best man win.
"We're out here to run our race as clean as humanly possible," Earnhart said. "At then end we'll have a winner and a loser."
Local law enforcement said they have two witnesses both confirming what looked like a gold colored pick-up truck with four doors or extended cab at the scene of the crime.
Both candidates said they'll do whatever they can now and as sheriff to make sure whoever is responsible pays for their actions.
The candidates for Faulkner County Sheriff said vandalism and theft of political signs should be expected but now, with this fire, they've had enough.
"I've had hundreds of signs stolen, and it's irritating," said candidate, Maj. Andy Shock.
Combined, the two Faulkner County candidates for sheriff said they've had over $1,500 in signs and campaign equipment stolen or destroyed.
Shock's opponent, Tommy Earnhart said, "There were three put out yesterday (9/21) afternoon and they're gone this morning."
For candidates Earnhart and Shock, they're not too worried about the race between the two of them; They're more concerned about wasted work and money their support team puts into the campaign.
"It's starting to get personal," Shock.
Both candidates said vandalism has gone on throughout the entire campaign. They claim it went to a whole new, unacceptable level however, when a sign was lit on fire and it happened in Shock's 82 year old grandmother's front yard.
"When you get woke up like that... it scared me," said Shock's grandmother, Christine Kelley.
Christine Kelley woke up to a phone call from her sister, asking if there was a fire in her front yard. She said her nephew actually saw the fire first and called his mom.
"Call Aunt Tine and tell her to look because I'd hate for her to get burned up in the house or something," Kelley shared. "Now a few weeks ago it coulda been."
Earnhart added, "If it hadn't of been raining and dry, it coulda burned her house down."
Neither candidate blames their opponent, but both admit tempers between supporters have started to flare. For her and her grandson's sake, Kelley said she's ready for it to be over with.
"This campaign seems like it's been worse than any I remember."
Both shock and Earnhart confirmed they just the fires to subside and let the best man win.
"We're out here to run our race as clean as humanly possible," Earnhart said. "At then end we'll have a winner and a loser."
Local law enforcement said they have two witnesses both confirming what looked like a gold colored pick-up truck with four doors or extended cab at the scene of the crime.
Both candidates said they'll do whatever they can now and as sheriff to make sure whoever is responsible pays for their actions.
Comments
Very stupid...WHEN they ge caught,I'll bet it will not be the First time they've had a problem with the law
Peter D.
September 23, 2012 at 7:40 am
