Put it back: County overrules Sheriff’s removal of rival campaign sign
By Deborah Nelson
Escambia Sheriff candidate John Johnson is calling foul after incumbent Sheriff David Morgan ordered Johnson’s campaign sign be removed from a Molino ballpark fence the night of Friday, April 15.
Morgan said the sign should not be posted on County property, Johnson told Panhandle Politico. Morgan’s Public Information Officer did not return two emails and a phone message requesting more information.
Morgan was overruled by the County Attorney, but the sign stayed down over the weekend.
Parks Director Michael Rhodes, with the approval of County Administrator Jack Brown, instructed Sports Association officials to take the signs down until the County Attorney could weigh in on Monday, Escambia County Public Information Officer Joy Tsubooka said.
“To err on the side of caution, the political sign was removed at the Molino ball park when the policy was questioned on the evening of Friday, April 15 until staff was able to discuss the policy with the county attorney on Monday morning,” Tsubooka noted in an email.
“The sports association was given the OK to put the sign back up via the county attorney as long as the standard application and pricing guidelines were followed and the ballpark association applied the same criteria as with its other sponsorship requests, on Monday, April 18.”
“Athletic leagues can sell advertisements and there’s no restrictions on that…the signs were back up Monday night, before the ballgame started,” Johnson affirmed.
He says other, non-Sheriff race signs are currently being displayed on County property, but have not been challenged. He believes his sign was specifically targeted.
“There were other campaign signs on other [County] ballparks near the Sheriff’s office,” Johnson noted. “For some reason that sign drew his attention.”
He questions Morgan’s use of authority to have the sign taken down.
“Clearly he abused his office,” Johnson remarked. “And that’s the David Morgan we’re accustomed to in County government. He has trouble getting along with anybody.”
In the end, the incident may have helped Johnson’s campaign, he said.
“The park is very supportive, the people in Molino have been tremendously supportive. It had a good result for us,” Johnson remarked.
His Facebook site received 47,000 views in the four days following a report the campaign posted to the site, he said.
The Facebook post said:
“On Friday evening David Morgan, while wearing his uniform, unlawfully ordered this JOHN JOHNSON for SHERIFF campaign sign REMOVED from the outfield fence at the Molino Ballpark. On Monday the County Attorney determined that Morgan was wrong. You should know that other campaign signs are hanging on other ballpark fences around the county but Morgan TARGETED this sign. This is what happens when you give a politician a badge. Can you say TERM LIMITS?”
“It just kind of blew up,” Johnson noted. “I was amazed…it’s great. We hear the same message. Everybody believes in term limits, almost to the voter. Those people, whether they’re frustrated with the Sheriff or not – believe he’s been there eight years, it’s time for somebody else to be in office.”
As a retired law officer with 30yrs. I knew Morgan never had the qualifications or character to be in charge of a sheriff’s office. Never voted for him never will. Now residents of Escambia County are paying with crime rate rising since he has been elected. He difintly is keeping the momentum going.
Good article. Confirms the several rumors running around. Now wonder about the one that channel 3 had this last week, and was afraid to run it? That along with the sick and dying PNJ are running true to form. Is there a story in the many rumors, which will never by looked into by Channel 3 nor the PNJ, that the Lock it signs were paid for by county funds? And the curious fact that they are to run until just before the election in August?? True or false??
Morgan is a bully and uses his office to make thinly veiled threats against citizens and in this case a political opponent.
$130,000….One Hundred Thirty THOUSAND Dollars of Public Money has been spent in the last few weeks by Morgan to rent space on dozens and dozens of Lamar signs that prominently display Morgan.
This money came from the General Fund which can be used for signs or for two new deputies plus their vehicles and equipment.
Mr. Johnson, you are one of dozens who are in the sights of Morgan’s TARGETING. Morgan is desperate as he is withering on the vine.
it is actually probably FORFIETURE FUNDS and by florida ststute he can do it if worded the right way..I KNOW AS THIS WAS AND IS AND WILL BE a big issue with me
I remember what Morgan did to Ronnie Mac demanding his high school transcript. Because it is public record. I hate to tell you this high school transcripts are not public records. My daughters are over 18 years old. I can’t them either.
When John Russell Powell was running Morgan went straight to the State Attnory about accepting too money from one person. Morgan did this THREE weeks before election.
Why are deputies and suppose personal leaving right and left? Why???? Because Morgan is a jerk and I’m being very nice saying it that way. He had NO experience as a law enforcement except military police. MP don’t do things the same as public law enforcement.