Pictured is one of four banners placed on blank billboards along US 30. Three of the four banners were suddenly taken down. Photo provided.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – An area woman who paid for banners to be affixed to four billboards along part of US 30 was livid Tuesday when she discovered three of the signs for Joe Biden’s presidential campaign were removed.

While the theft and destruction of yard signs – involving both political parties – has become a common complaint in election cycles, Shelly Gilliland considers the removal of three signs to be much more significant.

The four promotions cost $2,000, she said.

“Yard signs – I know it happens. I still don’t think it’s right, but this is $2,000,” Gilliland said Tuesday night, Oct. 27. “It’s just wrong.”

She’s been politically active for several years, but realized it was too late to pay for billboards, but worked with a billboard company to erect banners on billboards.

The 4×10-foot banners were tied onto four blank billboards east of Warsaw and first appeared about a week ago.

Gilliland said the three taken down were closer to the ground, making it easier to access. The fourth one that still remained was positioned higher and would be more difficult to reach.

At first, she said she was stunned to see they were stolen.

“It’s not stunning in this county – it’s not. That’s what makes me sad,”  Gilliland said.

She said she filed a report with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office and is offering an unspecified reward if somebody’s help leads to an arrest in connection with the thefts.

Gilliland said she paid for the advertising upfront but has received some financial support to cover the costs.

The bottom of the ad reads, “Paid For By Nasty Women of Kosciusko County and Friends,” which is a reference to a term used repeatedly by President Donald Trump in describing women who do not agree with him.