During the past several days, we have had numerous complaints, including comments from patients and families, about the political candidate signs along the edge of the road in front of Franklin Memorial Hospital.
Yesterday, we researched this issue with the Maine Department of Transportation and the Farmington Police Department. In summary, we have learned that political candidates do have a legal right to place signs along roadways, even if it is in front of a property owner who may not like the signs. Property owners may contact political candidates directly and request that the signs be removed, but candidates are not obliged to do so.
Franklin Memorial Hospital will respect the rights of those who are running for political office. Yet, we will continue to request that the signs be removed from the edge of the road in front of the hospital by contacting candidates running for office.
Please be assured that Franklin Memorial Hospital is in no way supporting the candidacy of any one politician running for office because that person’s sign is along the road in front of the hospital.
Rebecca Arsenault, President & CEO
Franklin Community Health Network/Franklin Memorial Hospital
Dear Rebecca and Franklin County citizens,
The signs in question were placed in front of the hospital by a group of volunteers from UMF on Wednesday 9/23, the date on which political signs are legally allowed to be placed on public property, (in this case the right of way next to the road in front of the hospital). I received a call on Thursday afternoon about the signs and later that night I went over and removed the signs. Although I did not place the signs there, one of them was mine and despite my first amendment right to do so, placing political signs in front of a hospital is just poor form in my opinion. It was done by some young people following the rules who were excited for the candidates they were supporting. All I can say is thank god we have young people who are still motivated to take place in the political process. Voter apathy is a significant problem today and one of my top priorities as an elected official is to engage the citizens, everyday folks, in the political process. But, lets face it, if you are visiting the hospital it is rarely for a good thing and that’s the last place a considerate politician would want his or her signs placed.
Thanks in advance for your understanding and I hope you consider the issue resolved in an acceptable fashion.
Best Regards,
Andy Buckland
Mr. Buckland,
Thank you for your explanation and understanding about political signs in front of the hospital. I very much appreciate your note. I, too, am pleased to hear that young people in our area are engaged and involved in the political process.
Regards,
Rebecca Arsenault
Its amazing how we flock to candidates or legislatures when we need their vote or help but if these same people are up for reelection we ask them not to put their signs around our property. That’s shameful.
The hospital is a non-profit entity, which means it is owned by the public, governed by its Board of Directors. Since obviously not 100% of the public agrees with one candidate or another, it is actually respectful that the hospital prefers not to give the appearance of endorsing one candidate or another.
I see lawns littered with campaign signs. They dont tell me who to vote for. All they tell me is who YOU are voting for. And I dont care.
It is quite understandable the FCMH might not like the candidate’s signs posted near by but I doubt there are too many not for profit hospitals that really are not *that* political
The IRS can revoke a not for profit status for specified non compliance with the ACA (and we all know that the ACA is above politics)
All “not for profit” means this that the entity doesn’t pay taxes on profits
Good reading by Steven Brill ( (“A Bitterer Pill” and “Bungling The Easy Stuff” on the subject)
Good point, David. Signs don’t tell me how to vote either.
The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, isn’t it, Chuck? Above politics? That’s a little snarky.
If I feel strongly about a candidate, regardless of party, I vote for them. If, however, I am at all on the fence, I am very careful to vote for the candidate that I do NOT get a door or mail flyer from, do NOT get any annoying phone calls from and who has the fewest amount of those disgusting looking signs scattered all over the county.
Your name will be on the ballot, you don’t need to bombard me with it. You’re not helping yourself by doing that.
If I get the “snark” our of the way first thing Monday I don’t have to mess with it for the rest of the weak