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Conservatives take the heat from local vandals

Oct 14, 2015 | 5:10 PM

With less than a week to go before the federal election, it seems residents, like the candidates, are turning up the heat.

A Conservative Party campaign sign was set on fire Wednesday morning. The sign was attached to a wire fence outside George Vass’ home on Muzzy Dr.

Vass said he was woken up by his wife around 5 a.m. when she saw the flames.

“I looked out the window and sure enough, there was the sign in full blaze,” Vass recalled.

Vass filled some pails with water and went out to extinguish the flames.

“I am royally pissed,” he said. “If somebody kicked over a sign – that happens. Some people just don’t like the party that you’re supporting, but to come out and destroy it and property attached to it… the person or persons that did it must have issues.”

According to Vass, the sign was doused in gasoline.

The wire fence sustained little damage, and the grass in front of the sign is charred. No other damage was done to Vass’ property, however, it’s not the damage he’s worried about.

“We’re pretty concerned that there’s people out there that have this sick mind,” Vass said. “I feel totally upset, but I figure that this is the way this election is going, that people figure that have to make a statement somehow and that’s the statement they made.

“But, it’s kind of a stupid statement as far as I’m concerned.”

Larry Brewster, campaign manager for Conservative incumbent Randy Hoback, was shocked by maliciousness.

“The kicking over the signs we can deal with, but this is total disrespect,” said Brewster. “We are extremely busy towards the end of the campaign.

“This is a total disrespect for the democratic process.”

Polls for the federal election open on Monday. This will put an end to the 78-day election campaign – the longest campaign since 1872.

knguyen@panow.com

On Twitter: @khangvnguyen