SILVA SCHOOLS THE HERNANDEZES ON SIGN LAW

By Juan Montoya

For ever since anyone can remember, the Hernandez vote-harvesting machine has used the Paredes Line Road right-of-way across (the emergency shoulder) from the Fiesta Graphics family business to park their numerous campaign vehicles.

They have  a large picture truck, a vending-company van and a large blue Silverado all pulling small trailers decked with signs promoting the reelection of either Pct. 2 commissioner Ernie Hernandez of his daughter's JP 2-2 Erin Hernandez Garcia.

The three parked vehicles often were parked near the entrance of an apartment complex on 208 Paredes Line road, making it difficult for tenants who wanted to go onto the busy thoroughfare to look around them at oncoming traffic.

Now, there's nothing wrong with parking a vehicle temporarily on the road right-of-way. In fact, if you park your vehicle on the emergency shoulder, you're limited to how long it can be there before you have to move it.

But every election season, the Hernandezes have made use of the spaces across the street on the right-of-way (emergency shoulder lane) for their personal parking spaces. It is a high-traffic spot and the campaign signs on the vehicles were sure to be noticed by passing motorists. Those coming out of the apartment complex couldn't help but see them obstructing their view.

In fact, when Zeke Silva called the Brownsville Police Department to file a complaint against the permanent use of the spaces and their blocking the view of traffic for the apartment dwellers, the officer at first saw nothing wrong.

But it wasn't until he called the Texas Department of Transportation that he understood the nature of Silva's complaint.

To make matters worse, one of the Hernandez clan – Michael Evan Hernandez – stormed across the street to challenge Silva on his complaint to the cops.

"He wanted to know what the matter was," Silva said. "He told the police officer that they always used those parking spaces to park their vehicles."

Once the BPD officer had been appraised of the law governing public road right-of-way and obstruction of view by political campaign vehicles or others, he saw the light and the vehicles were removed. Now the spaces can only be used on a temporary basis.

"We're not nitpicking," Silva said. "But the public roads belong to the public not to political candidates."

And, to give lie to the claim by a local blogger (Robert Wightman, click on top right-hand icon on top to see his stuff) that he is not in cahoots with the Hernandezes, the BPD officer hadn't even taken the report before a post was up on his Internet blog decrying Silva's complaint.

For those who want to know more, the following are the TxDOT rules that govern political signs during this season.

"During campaign season, the landscape blooms with a special kind of flower - the political sign. Unlike wildflowers that are welcome anywhere, putting campaign signs on public lands is illegal. So before you plant that sign, learn the law and keep Texas beautiful.
You Need to Know
It is illegal to place any signs on or within the right of way. This includes posting signs on trees, telephone poles, traffic signs and other objects on the right of way. (You listening, Ernie? See photo above.)
Campaign signs along Texas roads can be placed on private property with the owner's permission.
Signs must be made of lightweight material and be no larger than 50 square feet.
Campaign signs may be posted as early as 90 days before an election (no earlier) and must be removed within 10 days after the election.
Before placing a sign inside of incorporated city limits, check with the city for applicable ordinances.
Sign Removal
If you've placed your sign in the right of way or it's posing a traffic hazard, we will remove it without prior notice. All costs associated with sign removal will be paid by the sign owner.
Contact Us
For further information about the rules governing campaign signs, please call (512) 416-2901."

Happy campaigning!