ALBANY, GA (WALB) -
Black spray paint now covers the most controversial part of this banner on North Westover Boulevard.
This is an identical sign on Dawson Road- it reads, "The seals removed one threat to America, remove the other in November."
Richard Thomas put up six of these banners throughout Albany, each cost $165.00.
This one that was vandalized went up two weeks ago. He says this is the first negative feedback he's gotten.
"The thing that concerns me most is that a person that would do something like that shows a lack of respect for freedom of speech. The signs are legal, they're on private property, they're paid for by private money," said Thomas.
Thomas says he's not comparing President Obama to Osama bin Laden. And that the intent of the signs are to motivate people to vote.
"It's freedom of speech. It's motivation in nature and hopefully we'll get people out to vote, either side is fine. It's just to send a message to the responsible taxpaying productive people in this country that we have a choice," explained Thomas.
The vandalized sign is right next to Pinnacle West apartments. Some residents there say while the sign is controversial, vandalism isn't the proper response.
"Everyone has their own opinion. Obviously his is very outspoken, but I believe vandalizing someone's personal property is wrong," said John Miller, who lives at Pinnacle West apartments.
"I mean if you have something on your mind then say it, but at the same time it doesn't give you the right to vandalize what people have worked on or whatever. It's a significant thing, that posting we just saw, some people appreciate it, some folks don't," said Eric Williams, an Albany Tech student.
Thomas plans to try to repair the sign, but for now he'll leave it up as a symbol.
"I may just leave it up there as it is just to remind people that there's still people out there that are somewhat blind in their thinking and don't understand what's going on with this country and the slippery slope that it's on if it continues," said Thomas.
He's hoping a $500.00 reward for information leading to an arrest will help catch whoever did it.
Code enforcers originally gave Richard Thomas a warning about the two signs at his business on Dawson Road, saying he needed a permit. But Thomas says the city has been working with him to make it work.
Code enforcers say Thomas has not come in to pay for the proper permits, but they did not indicate whether they will cite him for violations.
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