by Marcus Washington
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - For weeks thieves have stolen dozens of campaign signs and it's costing one candidate thousands of dollars to replace and he says at this point he is fed up.
Getting re-elected as Rutherford County's property assessor has been financially tough Bill Boner.
"Some of the same things happen to people what happened to me, but it seems like it's more this time than it's ever been," said Boner.
He says four years ago he had a total of 15 campaign signs stolen during his the entire race, "but this time I have had somewhere between 50 and 75, which runs about $2,500."
The reported thefts are not happening in one area. These incidents are happening throughout the county which makes it harder to replace each sign.
"There was a sign over here on the front and one over here in the corner," said Dr. Stephen Nutt of Family Chiropractic Wellness Center. "I got back to work two days later they were gone."
Dr. Nutt said the first time the crooks stole signs from his yard must not have been enough, because a few days later, "the sign was gone again in my front yard. Actually they left the two poles and took the sign."
Nutt said the thefts make Rutherford County "look bad" and he wonders why anyone would steal a campaign sign from anywhere, especially private property.
There is the question that many people think when this happens and NewsChannel 5 did ask Boner.
"Maybe he took his own signs to beef up attention. What do you say to that," said Channel 5 reporter Marcus Washington.
Boner said, "I say they must not know my wife. That stuff won't work. She don't like this part of it and she's been great about it. I told her, 'well, let's make that offer of $1000."
Boner is offering $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons who stole his signs.
"I figured by offering a reward out there, I could either find out who is doing it or where they're actually going," he said.
If nothing more Boner says he hopes the thievery will stop.
Boner did file a police report with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office on Monday. He says the signs that have been stolen cost anywhere from $26 up to $58 each.
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