Reported by: Anthony Mirones
Photographed by: Anthony Mirones
Web produced by: Kerry Duke
Newport Police Chief Robbie Hall and some politically active firefighters are in a spat over electioneering outside a polling place on Election Day.
The firefighters say Hall used his power to interfere with the political process when he ticketed the them Tuesday for being too close to a polling place with the signs they held.
The firefighters – members of the local firefighters union -- were holding signs outside a polling place at a large retirement home in Newport. The union opposes some some city commission incumbents.
The chief showed up and measured the distance between where the firefighters stood and the building and then ticketed the firefighters for being too close. The citation is a misdemeanor.
The firefighters say that according to state law they were far enough away.
"You know again most people if they are too close to a polling place, they get a nice warning and they comply and there's no other issues," said firefighter Clayton James. "The fact (is) that the sheriff's deputy even suggested the guys move, Chief Hall would not let him do it. He said, 'No, I'm gonna cite them.'"
When contacted, Hall said in retrospect he probably should not have ticketed the workers but instead just asked the firefighters to move.
If you’ve encountered if any voting irregularities, fraud or other problems at the polls, contact the voter hotline at (513) 852-4966 or email: votingconcerns at wcpo.com.
