As the standard complaints about missing campaign signs continues to heat up this election season, I wanted to lighten the mood a little bit with a funny off-shoot of this phenomenon.

Like others, I started noticing my signs “disappearing” several weeks ago. It’s frustrating, because these signs cost upwards of $5 each (sign and stake). So it adds up. And it always seems to be your sign missing from a sea of other signs in the same area.

I was feeling particularly frustrated about this one day as I drove by yet another spot of a missing sign with no fewer than six other campaign signs still there — mine the only one missing.

I happened to be turning into a parking lot at that moment and also happened to look up the hill at the same time, where there are some shrubs. I immediately noticed there was a sign poking out from under some of the brush.

I parked my car and went to investigate. I found not only one, but two of my signs, partially hidden from view. As I picked them up, it became evident why these two signs had been missing. Panhandlers had taken them to write their messages on the back! I couldn’t believe it. I just had to laugh.

As the election continues to heat up, I hope we all take a moment to laugh. It’s easy to get caught up in the issues at hand, but as this experience has taught me, we need to put things in perspective.

Because the per-sign cost is relatively high, and when numerous signs are taken for nefarious reasons, it’s an issue that should be taken relatively seriously. I do not suggest the police should be tracking down those who take signs, though. I do suggest, however, that whoever takes them realizes this is not a small amount of money. The value of my signs that have “disappeared” so far, minus the two I’ve discovered, is roughly $400. That’s not a small amount of money for any council campaign.

Kelly Maloney, candidate to retain Federal Way City Council Position 2