By Parker Leavitt | The Arizona Republic
The style of campaigning that brought “Shame on Gilbert” signs and personal attacks to street corners in 2011 could be here to stay as the Gilbert Town Council moves closer to legalizing negative political messages in public rightsof-way.
“If you know anything about politics — you want to take down an incumbent, you typically have to run a negative campaign,” said Councilman Victor Petersen, who is driving the effort to change the sign rules. “People need a reason to change from the status quo.”
Gilbert’s existing code limits political signs along roadways and at intersections to messages that support a candidate or urge action on a ballot issue. The town’s definition is similar to those in other Valley communities, zoning administrator Mike Milillo said.
