Divisive Political Signs Called Into Focus By Madison Residents

MADISON, NJ — Election season is in full swing, and two local residents spoke out at a recent Borough Council meeting about their concern about the increased number of profane and disrespectful political signs and flags around the borough.

The first person to speak up about this issue was Brittin Street resident Peter Teshima, who said he found an "obscene" bumper sticker disparaging President Joe Biden on the back of a pickup truck.

According to Teshima, the truck was parked at the intersection of Central Avenue and Main Street on Sunday, Oct. 23. "I don't even want to say what it is. It was the first time I'd ever seen it. I was so livid as a lifelong resident of Madison, a welcoming community, I'm thinking to myself 'what the heck is going on here.'"

The tone of the message, Teshima said, contrasts sharply with the pride he felt for Madison moments earlier as he drove past the town's first-ever Walk for Wellness mental health event, which was happening on the lawn of the municipal building. "It was fantastic, everyone with green shirts on. I was so proud."

In recent years, hostile political rhetoric has become increasingly common. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, for example, became involved last year when the case of a Union County resident displaying 'F*ck Biden' signs outside her home was brought to Superior Court.

"I know how divisive everything is these days, but all I can do is raise my voice here tonight and ask everyone in the community, and I hope whoever’s truck that is… to think about the impact that might have on children who walk by that intersection every day. And to think about the effect that has on the future of our town," Teshima said.

Although Teshima was the first to raise the issue at a Madison Borough Council meeting, he was not alone in his concern, as local resident and Democratic candidate for Borough Council Tom Haralampoudis added his support.

According to Haralampoudis, the amount of obscene and vulgar political signs and bumper stickers have increased around town.

"We've seen those expressions all over. It's really a shame. If that's how you feel about something in politics it would be nice to just express it in a different way than using those expletives," Haralampoudis said.

Denis Schreiber, a resident, responded by pointing out that the argument goes both ways and that Republicans share their concerns about the rhetoric used by Democrats within the borough. " I can cite many private individuals who have expressed the same, but on the other side, emotions and comments toward the other half of the population here."

Residents have asked Madison to express their disapproval of the use of obscene political campaign materials, including flags and bumper stickers with the vulgar slogan.

"It’s just creating more hatred than anything else. We won’t be able to work together and live as neighbors if we keep talking that way," Haralampoudis said.