Foothills Sentry Page 8 NOVEMBER 2025 ORANGE FIELD OF VALOR Pictures worth a thousand words By Andrew Tonkovich By early October, with ballots in the mail, Modjeska Canyon Yes on Proposition 50 supporters had seen a dozen of their homemade signs stolen and destroyed, stakes removed and/or and wire frames stripped of their messages. Infinitely replaceable, posterboard and tempura paint are a fun bespoke democratic medium, easily displayed in public areas adjacent lost dog, firefighter appreciation, home for sale, yard sale, birthday party and community events announcements. Delighted to poke the antifree speech bear, one stubborn Modjeska resident planted complementary signs in response, reminding anti-democracy miscreants of private property rights next to brand-new red, white and blue “yes” signs. Soon arrived tiny hand-crafted “no” signs, clearly not spellchecked. (It’s Newsom!) Fair enough. But not content to play nicely in the civic arena, “No” vandals stole or destroyed both the free speech and pro-50 signs even as theirs remained unmolested. Friends of the tenacious yes advocate responded, calling out anti-speech goons with a BurmaShave highway sign-style display. That, not the thievery and unfair play, provoked a couple of locals to complain --- not about First Amendment rights, but about too many signs --- but before a homeowners’ association or militia could be formed, the Yes on 50 signs were once again attacked. At press time the signs, slightly altered, were up (on private Local community participates in No Kings day Yorba Park in Orange hosted several thousand people who participated in the nationwide Oct. 18 No Kings demonstration. Chapman Avenue and Yorba Street were lined with sign-bearing protesters, long after the organized event concluded. Playful characters spice it up. Virginia Gannaway, 82, came from Anaheim to send her message. Photos by Tony Richards property) at another free speechloving voter’s house, a gesture of solidarity. Photos tell the story and, who knows, might teach local vandals something about civic life in a democracy. But these stirring words, posted on Nextdoor, seem a more instructive caption: “Shame on the person who stole my yard signs in Modjeska Canyon next to my house and driveway. You have every right to your beliefs but you do NOT have the right to trespass and steal my property. We can disagree and be respectful. As I am sure you know living here, I am 82 years old and get around with a cane, but I’ll keep putting up more signs for every one you steal. I’ll also be glad to give you a free copy of our Constitution. As they say in the South, ‘Bless your heart.'”
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