Modesto candidate signs vandalized

Signs for many Modesto City Schools board candidates are being ripped down this year, said Modesto Teachers Association President Dana Filippi. Filippi estimated the union lost 25 of its signs, valued at $50 each.

"It's significantly more than usual," he said Friday, adding his group has stopped replacing the signs for candidates it endorsed: Steve Grenbeaux, Cathy Flores Hallinan and Solange Altman.

While candidate Mylinda Mason blamed liberals Wednesday for damage to her signs, Filippi said at first he feared a "right wing" vandalism campaign was behind the MTA losses. But after learning candidate Josh Vander Veen also lost signs, Filippi said, he's convinced it's just plain vandals.

"It's too rampant. It's all over," he said.

Vander Veen said he lost about 10 large signs and dozens of yard signs. "I'm really not taking it personal, though. I have a hard time believing that the voters who care about our city so much would take down our signs. It is probably just a few destructive people with nothing better to do," he said Friday.

Candidate Brian Du Bois said he did not use signs in his campaign.

There are nine candidates in the race for three seats on the Modesto City board.

Bee education reporter Nan Austin can be reached at naustin@modbee.com or (209) 578-2339.