Special to El Rrun-Rrun
The owner of the signs proclaiming "Viva Southmost, Vivan Los Cowboys and Viva Rick Longoria and Viva Michael Rodriguez" says that the City of Brownsville code enforcement officers have overstepped their authority by plastering his expensive signs (about $400 each) with red citation notices.
The notice states that the signs violate Sec. 328 (11) which prohibits the posting of political signs that do not have a political disclaimer and must meet size requirements.
But, the owner of the property says, the signs are not asking anyone to vote or reelect anyone. And Michael Rodriguez is not even a candidate in in the ongoing elections.
"Why did the city send someone to mess up the signs that have nothing to do with the elections?," he asked. "Those signs are on private property, just like the Cowboy signs are at Gladys porter High School."
The owner of the property says he will fight the violation charges in municipal court because he thinks that the city has been overzealous in the enforcement and - because they are not asking anyone for their vote - are not governed by the section cited.
The signs have also been the subject of vandalism in the past, with someone removing and cutting them the night when they were placed at the property. At the time there were no citations issued and police apparently have not made any arrests on the vandalism.
"We're fighting this," said the landowner who asked to remain anonymous.