From the City of Havre de Grace:
The Mayor of Havre de Grace and Director of Administration have been unfairly implicated in an alleged criminal scheme to remove Fraternal Order of Police campaign signs related to the contested Havre de Grace Mayoral election.
What the FOP Lodge #128 failed to mention in its press release is that the City issued a cease and desist letter on April 21, 2017 for unauthorized use of the Havre de Grace City Police emblem under common law relating to trademark protection. A copy of the cease and desist letter is attached. In response the cease and desist letter, the FOP covered the City Police emblem. In addition, City Code Section 151-5A prohibits the placement of any signs on the right of way. All signs improperly located in the rights of way are routinely removed by City employees.
The FOP’s shrill response to the City’s challenge to their improper use of the City trademark and proper removal of the signs from the City’s right of way likely prompted the FOP media release.
The FOP’s attorney was advised prior to issuance of the release that the Mayor and Director of Administration will be filing a complaint for defamation against Frank Davidson and the FOP if the release was published, and will take such other legal action as may be necessary.
April C. Ishak, Esquire
City Attorney
Brian Goodman says
FOP Lodge 128 Seeks Criminal Investigation into Havre de Grace Election; Accuses City Officials of Sign Theft
http://www.daggerpress.com/2017/04/27/fop-lodge-128-seeks-criminal-investigation-into-havre-de-grace-election-accuses-city-officials-of-sign-theft/#comment-389952
Foppy says
First they didn’t proof read the sign and had to put a decal over their misspelled word. Second they used official emblems from three police agency’s without permission. Third is they didn’t bother checking the sign ordinance. Forth they put the signs on the right of way. I hope everyone sleeps better tonight knowing these people are protecting us at night.
Kerry says
Good point. But how does that relate to selective sign pulling ordered by the Mayor?
Cdev says
Didn’t they remove all signs from the right of way? Also they told you to stop. It was legal to do so.
Sam Adams says
Martin has been a disaster for the City of Havre de Grace. Downtown now looks like a ghost town and people who can are leaving. No surprise since he is ill-equipped mentally and emotionally to run a city administration.
Jim Ringsaker says
Gotta love the personal attacks when you’re hiding behind a fake name like a coward.
You’re not emotionally prepared to make the hard choices to pay for the water plant and improve our city.
My name here says
Welcome to the internet, man. You’re like, 20 years too late on the fake name/insults shtick you got going on in your reply.
But for the readers, how do we know your name is “real”? The input field just says “Name *” , I don’t personally automatically assume it is to mean a christain born name.
Moving on up. says
Mayor Martin was successful in getting rid of the child molesters festival. That’s a step in the right direction. Besides most of those closed businesses closed while Dougherty was Mayor.
Chukzla says
Look, let me bring you bubble society wannabees something now, the cookie cutter economics of Bullie Rock and North Harford is over, we are taking our home back, don’t like it … Get a passport, Lol……..
HDG former Res says
The actions taken and statements made by this FOP’s leadership has been embarrassing since they took their elected positions. How do you not proofread your own signs after you take delivery of them?!? Even worse how do you hammer them into the hard ground and still not catch the error?!! “Safety” is a pretty down home simple word that should be pretty easy to remember how to freaking spell. Your trademark argument is weak.You would lose that in court to any even slightly decent lawyer . I get the impression this particular board is a bit self serving and uses the members to fulfill some personal agenda they each may have. Absolute shame. Support and serve your members! Stay out of the endorsement and Political BS! You can see the drama and negativity it brings to your once proud organization.
Harford County Constitutionalist says
I am pretty sure the first amendment doesn’t say anything about spelling. So maybe it was technically legal to remove the sign, still in dispute, but if a organization of people want to support a candidate who the hell are we to tell them they can’t? Doesn’t Havre De Grace need a court order showing that they own those designs? Right of way stuff was probably legal, but the image thing needs to go to court. Can Nike hire some guys to break into a shop and take non Nike stuff marked with the swoosh? This smells a little Nixonian “I’m the Mayor goddammit, ill make it legal.” Maybe we have too many laws that make damn near everything we do illegal!
Just the facts says
Lets see if this helps
No one is telling any organization who to or not to support.
No one needs a court order showing they own something.The FOP is responsible for providing proof they can legally use the design. They can’t so they stopped.
Signs posted on right of ways is a legal issue. There are laws regarding this, that is why you don’t see trashy signs all over the road sides.
For someone who claims to be a Constitutionalist you are short on knowledge.
Scumbag Earl says
I see plenty of “trashy” signs all over the place. I believe in the practical laymen’s sense a “permit” is required and affixed to said sign for it to be “legal.”
Maybe in some business district or “main street” the big sign enforcement is on the up and up, but mainly it’s low on the priority list, and generally a waste of time unless someone complains. They’re basically no different than any other refuse that’s along the road.
I think Harford County had/has a volunteer based “sign patrol” force where people pull them up. Not sure what they do with them. I’m also not sure how much effort is done to find or notify the owner.
I believe for State Roads the SHA routinely pull up “signs.”
Just the facts says
Thanks for sharing your ignorance on the subject Earl.
Scumbag Earl says
What are the facts of signs?
Harford County Constitutionalist says
I agreed about the right of ways probably being legal and yes one does need a court order to make someone stop using a copy righted image.
http://fairuse.stanford.edu/overview/introduction/permission/
I am pretty sure Havre De Grace would have to prove in a court that fair use is being violated.
Does Wikipedia have permission?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havre_De_Grace_Police_Department
They sent a letter, but their claims need be decided in a court of law, not the local politicians doing what they want to tamp down the opposition.
My knowledge of the particular facts may be short, but my ability to understand how our system is supposed to work is not.
I am not taking any sides, I don’t have a dog in this fight, but anytime someone is using their political office to hamper their opponents, then we should call it for what it is.
Cdev says
Removing signs illegally placed on public property is not breaking into a store. False equivalency!
Spitz says
Oh jeez, cdev’s back. . Prepare to feel smarter about yourself everyone. He’s a poster child for wearing earplugs when one swims.
Cdev says
I see you learned how to spell Mark Spitz correctly!
Just the facts again says
Yeah, signs.
https://www.google.com/amp/www.baltimoresun.com/ph-ag-state-laws-0928-20110927-story,amp.html
Just the fax says
http://www.baltimoresun.com/ph-ag-state-laws-0928-20110927-story,amp.html
Wait, what?
Scumbag Earl says
But eye c plenty o dem signs, fake news
Kerry says
HDG City Ordnance 151- 5 (A) (D) exempts election signs for set period of time.
Why? says
Dear folks of Havre de Grace: You’re embarrassing the rest of us Harford Countians…. and THAT ain’t easy to do. Many folks, including myself, have stopped going to HdG for dinner, entertainment, and cultural events (of which, there are many fine offerings by some excellent hard-working, talented folks). But why risk getting caught in the crossfire of the incessant, immature, self-serving, bickering. Or why worry about who you’re going p*** off by patronizing or befriending someone from the wrong “sect” (sometimes it seems like there’s more sects than people). You make the Balkans of the 90’s look like a peace-commune. Its been years now folks; c’mon, have you even considered some sort of counseling. Are there any grown-ups over there who care how this is making you all look? No man is an island, but y’all are sure acting like your words and actions don’t hurt ALL of you. It’s really a shame. Good luck.
Bill Van says
Does anyone find it curious that The Dagger Press would run these articles about the election but not post the results of the election? To me that shows how awful this publication has become since it lost Cindy Mumby as it ethical compass. It has now become no different than the scumbag rags you read in line at the grocery store.
I’m done and so are all my friends.
Rest in peace The Dagger Press!
advice from your wingman says
As my dear departed mother used to say, “Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.”