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Now anti-HST signs vandalized

Targeted Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows
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The letters “HST” are being covered with print-outs that read “rabbit condoms.”

Corisa Bell is persistent. Every time someone rips out, tramples, tosses or steals one of the anti-HST signs she’s carefully placed along public property, she replaces it the next day.

In Pitt Meadows, the blue and white plastic placards that read “Vote Yes: Extinguish the HST” are being targeted daily, especially along Airport Way, where the signs have landed into trees, ditches and tall grass.

Someone has also begun altering the message in Maple Ridge by sticking the words “Rabbit Condoms” over HST.

“I’m not sure what the point of that is,” said Bell, puzzled at the meaning.

B.C. is in the middle of a mail-in vote on the Harmonized Sales Tax and people have until Friday (July 22) to send in their ballot.

Pitt Meadows bylaw department removed dozens of anti-HST in June after receiving a complaint about them from a resident.

The city’s sign bylaw bans political or election signs from roadsides, medians, parks and bridges, though they’re OK on some municipal properties and private lots.

FightHST organizers had to go door to door to ask residents if they’d like to have a sign outside their property.

Bell finds the persistent vandalism disheartening.

“It took so much effort to be able to put the signs out, especially in Pitt Meadows,” she said.

“It just shows a lack of respect for democracy.”

In Surrey, the city removed about 400 anti-HST signs last month, but after backlash promised to return them.